By David Decker
Struggling with a cluttered home? Running out of places to put your stuff? Feeling embarrassed of the mess when guests come over? Clutter happens to all of us, especially during major life transitions. Once your extra things start piling up, it can be hard to get organized again. That’s where we come in! In this blog, Storage Star will share our tips for decluttering your life and taking back your living space!
Do You Need to Declutter?
You may not know if you’re at the point where you need to declutter. Here are some questions to consider:
Do you have difficulties finding belongings when you need them?
Is it especially challenging to keep your living space clean?
Are your closets overflowing?
Is your floor space crowded?
Are you simply out of room for all of your belongings?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to think about decluttering your space. A cluttered living space can even cause feelings of depression and anxiety, as a messy space can make us feel like we aren’t in control. While sorting through your belongings can be time consuming, the feeling of a clean and organized home is definitely worth it.
How to Declutter Your Living Space
There are many different approaches to decluttering your space. Some homeowners swear by Marie Kondo’s “KonMari Method,” which encourages people to “get rid of items that no longer have a purpose (or no longer “spark joy”) and keep items that are purposeful and meaningful.”
Others may subscribe to Coleen Madsen, who uses the 365 Less Things Method: throwing away or selling one item a day, every day, for a whole year. Or, you can start by simply dividing your items into “Keep,” “Donate,” “Store,” and “Toss” boxes.
With so many approaches for getting rid of the excess stuff in your household, you are bound to find one that suits you. Keep reading for our tips on how you can “move mountains” (of extra belongings) and optimize your space today.
Decide What You Need (And What You Don’t)
Arguably the most difficult part of decluttering is deciding which of your belongings you’ll keep and which you’ll let go of. We recommend getting rid of things you seldom or never use such as old clothes, obsolete electronics, or worn-out goods.
Things can get even more complicated when you consider which items you’d like to donate to charity or store in a storage unit. When you choose to donate items, be sure they are in good enough condition to be reused by someone else. The list of items that you can donate is long, but there are also things you should never donate such as expired food items, used toiletries, mattresses, and anything broken, ripped, torn, or stained.
When it comes to sentimental items that you may not have room for in your living space, consider a self storage solution like a small storage unit. Self storage units keep your possessions safe while allowing you to clear up space in your home.
Donate Used Clothes and Other Belongings
Though you may not think of clothing as a bulky item, those extra shirts and shoes can pile up quickly. When it’s time to clean out your closet, consider donating your hole-free and
unstained clothing to a local charity.
When it comes to choosing what to donate, ask yourself “When was the last time I wore this?” If the answer is more than a year ago, it’s probably safe to donate or toss it. After you’ve chosen what you’ll keep, try on those items to make sure they still fit, and if they don’t, consider giving them a new home through donation.
Store Your Collectibles Carefully
Are you a collector? Even if what you collect is on the smaller side—like trading cards, jewelry, or coins—a growing collection can take up valuable space. Instead of allocating things to your
collection, store your valuables in a climate-controlled storage unit, which keeps them protected and out of your hair.
When you stow away your collection, be sure to transport your items carefully and keep your items in sealed boxes to prevent dust. Use bubble wrap or packing peanuts for any items that could break in transit such as antique glass, figurines, and artwork.
Manage Your Space With Self Storage From Storage Star Today
For those items that you can’t keep in the house but don’t have the heart to toss, use one of Storage Star’s self storage units. We have various storage locations in the West and Southwest, as well as in Alaska and Hawaii. Our self storage solutions are perfect for stowing collectibles, antique furniture, vintage electronics, or even sports cars and motorcycles!
To get started, select the most convenient location for you and follow online prompts to rent storage online. Check out our size guide to determine the perfect storage unit for you and browse our list of frequently asked questions for more information. Need more assistance? Fill out a contact form and our friendly staff will get back to you soon!
Storage Star
David Decker
