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When we hear the word 'clutter', we think of a pile of mess that needs clearing out and that's gotten out of hand. However, clutter might just be anything out of place, and it is not always something you no longer need. Clutter is a struggle for everyone who lives in a house and owns stuff, but it's an additional issue for small apartment residents.
Clever Ideas For Organising Small Spaces
Be Selective
Having fewer possessions is half of the battle against clutter, to begin with. If you've been living in your tiny space for a while, you will likely need to reduce what you have significantly.
If you're just getting settled in a new home and feeling a bit overwhelmed by deciding what to retain and what to throw - start by creating space for the things that are essential to you, and then work your way down the list from there. Depending on their condition, things that don't find a home may be suitable candidates for the Goodwill donation pile or the rubbish.
Create a Space for Everything
In a small space, the old adage "a place for everything, and everything in its place" is more important than ever because if something doesn't have a place, it will end up on a countertop, a table top, or the floor. Once you have a few things on the floor in a small apartment, the whole place starts to feel a little crowded. So one option is to go upward and take advantage of the available space on the walls.
Organisers and shelves on the wall will become your new best friends. Use that space to showcase your most beautiful pieces like candles, plants or your favourite photos. Think outside the box and look for additional storage space; you may put shelves or cabinets over dressers and desks or pot rails above sinks or counters.
Call In Someone With No Emotional Ties To the Clutter
It's important to recognise that hoarding problems are treatable. We live in a consumerist society, and most of us accumulate goods they don't need just because it's what we do.
Making decisions about 'What do I do with this item right now?' can be challenging. Unfortunately, this situation has caused some people to become highly stressed.
Getting some independent aid to assist with sorting the clutter is one of the most effective methods to alleviate the tension that comes with being overwhelmed by clutter. This could be a friend, a relative or even a hired decluttering specialist who will assist you. This approach is beneficial because your assistant will not experience the deep anxiety connected with making difficult decisions and eliminating objects, making the decluttering complete more quickly and less unpleasant for everyone involved.
Have a Plan
Decluttering gurus recommend categorising belongings into three categories: items to keep, items to donate, and things to throw away. If satisfied that the keep pile is small enough, maintain order at the end of each session by placing the objects you intend to keep in their designated places and throwing the rest away. If at all feasible, donate items quickly, or at the very least set a time to do so.
This sorting procedure may need multiple passes, and you may need to remove items from the retain pile to complete it. Then, repeat the sorting process a second time with greater rigour.
Happy organising! :)
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