Warmer weather may have you in the mood to reset your space by
decluttering those areas that have become overrun with items you should
have parted with months ago. Entering a new season with clarity of mind
and a refreshed atmosphere can make you fall in love with your home all
over again. Before you pick up the mop and microfiber duster, make sure
you avoid these decluttering mistakes.
Starting Without A Plan
Don’t
just start packing things in boxes and throwing things in the trash
from every room in the house. Have a plan. Without a plan, you leave
yourself open to distractions and setbacks. Start with smaller rooms and
tasks and work your way up to the larger ones.
Over Committing
You
may be tempted to tackle your entire house, but doing this can quickly
leave you feeling overwhelmed once you start working. Take on one room
at a time or even take on a portion of a room at a time. If taking on
your entire bedroom is too much, start with tackling your closet.
Focusing on a more targeted area will help boost your confidence when
you need to take on larger spaces.
Getting Too Sentimental
We
are emotionally connected to things. That’s part of the reason we find
ourselves accumulating so much clutter over the years. Holding on to
your child’s first tricycle may evoke warm feelings of a time long gone,
but in reality it’s only taking up space in your garage. Strolling down
memory lane can keep you stuck. Next thing you know all the time you
had planned for your decluttering project is gone. If you’re too
attached to make any progress, save sentimental items for last.
Getting Stuck On The Little Things
Focusing
on the small stuff can derail your project as well. Start big and end
small. Take a step back and assess how the room functions and what would
make the most impact on your daily routine. Color coordinating coffee
mugs may not be the best use of your time when you have an entire
kitchen to organize.
Throwing Things Away Instead of Donating
Maybe
holding on to things isn't your problem, but throwing everything away
is. Before you just dump everything in the garbage, assess what is
gently used that can possibly be donated. Thrift stores and consignment
shops may be an option for you. With the right organization you could
plan for a garage sale for the items that could be of use to someone
else. Be sure to actually plan and execute the garage sale so the items
you intend to sell don't turn into another pile you have to declutter a
few months from now.
If you’re taking on the task of decluttering your home with hopes to list, connect with more than 9,000 agents
who can help you navigate the Hampton Roads housing market. Ready to
buy but not sure what you can afford? Check out the mortgage calculator
to help estimate possible monthly payments. Download the REIN.com app
and put the power of fresh and accurate listing data in the palm of
your hand. The app is available free in the Apple App Store and Google
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Local Home Listings You Can Trust.
