Decluttering your home can be a great way to create a more organized and peaceful living space. However, it can also be expensive if you're not careful. If you're on a budget, don't worry. There are plenty of affordable ways to declutter your home. Here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Start Small
Decluttering your entire home can be overwhelming. Instead, start with a small space like a closet or a single room. This will help you build momentum and give you the confidence you need to tackle larger spaces later. Take your time to go through your items, book 30 minutes to an hour in your diary to not be disturbed and focus on this task.
2. Make a Plan
Before you begin decluttering, it's important to have a plan. Decide which areas of your home you want to declutter, and make a list of the items you want to keep, donate, or sell. Having a plan will help you stay focused and make the process less stressful. A fun way to do this is to have a box (or bag) dedicated for each category, label each box with keep, donate, and sell to help you with this process.
3. Declutter One Category at a Time
When decluttering, it's helpful to focus on one category at a time. For example, start with your clothes, then move on to books, papers, and so on. This will help you stay organized and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
4. Donate or Sell Unwanted Items
One of the most affordable ways to declutter is to donate or sell unwanted items. There are plenty of charities and organizations that accept donations of gently used clothing, furniture, and household items. You can also sell unwanted items online or at a garage sale. Not only will this help you declutter your home, but it can also be a way to make some extra cash.
5. Use Storage Solutions
Using storage solutions can be a great way to declutter your home without breaking the bank. For example, you can use storage bins to keep seasonal items like holiday decorations or winter clothes. You can also use baskets to keep like items together or use shelves to store books, DVDs, or other items. Look for storage solutions at discount stores or secondhand shops to save even more money.
6. Repurpose Old Items
Instead of throwing away old items, consider repurposing them. For example, an old dresser can be painted and used as a TV stand, or an old jar can be used to store kitchen utensils. Use your creativity to find new uses for old items, and you'll save money while decluttering your home. It’s also great to take a look at those old items that’s just sitting in your storage closet that you tend to forget about, you never know what you could find and what they could be used for now.
7. Take Advantage of Free Resources
There are plenty of free resources available that can help you declutter your home. For example, you can borrow books on decluttering from your local library or find free resources online. Look for blogs, podcasts, and YouTube videos that offer tips and advice on how to declutter on a budget.
8. Use the 90/90 Rule
The 90/90 rule is a helpful decluttering strategy that can help you let go of items you no longer need. The rule states that if you haven't used an item in the last 90 days and don't plan to use it in the next 90 days, it's time to let it go. This can help you make tough decisions about items you're holding onto out of sentimentality or guilt.
9. Practice the One In, One Out Rule
To prevent clutter from building up in the future, practice the one in, one out rule. For every new item you bring into your home, get rid of one old item. This will help you maintain a clutter-free home and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed in the future.
10. Ask for Help
Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. Decluttering can be a big job, and it's okay to ask friends or family members for help. You can also hire a professional organiser if you need more support. While this may require a bit of budget, a home organiser will work with you to decide what you want to keep and identity where unwanted items will end up. For those who has a hard time letting go of certain items, a professional organiser will be doing all the heavy lifting of all the task to remove your initial stress of decluttering, and to give you the tools to maintain a tidy home that creates peace of mind. And that's definitely worth the cost.
Image credit:
Hutomo Abrianto via unsplash
Federica Galli via unsplash
