Decluttering your home won’t happen overnight. Every homeowner goes through the decluttering process at some point in time. For some, it happens regularly, like at the end of the year or in spring, while others dread it so much and will put it off for years.

No matter your style, decluttering is an essential part of the home organizing process.

Decluttering isn’t just about cleaning and putting things away; it’s about letting go of everything that you don’t need, want, or that no longer serves you.

While decluttering is essential for a successful organizing project, here are some equally important things to know before clearing the clutter. Hence, you do it effectively and efficiently.

Here’s organizing expert advice on everything you should know before you declutter your home.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Your mess didn’t accumulate overnight and won’t be cleared up overnight. A full-fledged decluttering will take more than an afternoon or a day.

It could take a week or more, depending on how much time you devote to the process and how much paperwork you have to complete.

Devote a certain amount to decluttering your home every day – whether it is just 20 minutes or a couple of hours, and you will make steady progress.

Sometimes, it takes more than one go.

Sometimes, it will take multiple rounds of decluttering and home organizing before you finally realize you don’t need a particular item.

For example, you might find a pair of jeans that you hang on to. You might keep them for several months without wearing them before finally letting them go.

That’s okay – that is part of the decluttering process.

Start with a home organization plan if you want to be successful.

With a plan, you are the boss and in control. You lead the entire decluttering process. You know what to do, and that will help you overcome those moments when you feel overwhelmed.

Don’t blindly throw out stuff when embarking on the decluttering and home organization process. Have a plan to help you evaluate your home’s current situation, what works, what does not, what needs to stay, and what must go.

Also, plan how you will approach the process – will you declutter room by room or category?

Have a vision of what you want your home to look like

With an idea of what you wish each room, cupboard, cabinet, and drawer to look like, you can implement your plan and ensure that vision comes through.

This way, you can save tons of time, and the entire process gets done smoothly.

Be realistic

Sure, you want to get through your clutter and get rid of it ASAP. You have this image of your current mess transformed into a spick and span home overnight. But that’s not possible. Before you start your home organization process, be realistic about:

• How much time and effort can you devote to your decluttering efforts?
• If you can spare the type of resources to get the job done within the timeframe, you hope to get it done.
• Whether your dream is realistic with the resources you have at hand.
• Whether you are asking too much of yourself and your home in such a short time.

Don’t add items before you declutter

We mean that you must not bring in anything new that will add to the clutter before you finish decluttering your home. Anything new you intend to invest in must wait until you have the space. There are two reasons for this:

First, you make space for the new item – you might find a better place to put it.

Second, you might decide you don’t need that item once your home has been decluttered.

Your state of mind is crucial before you declutter

Many of us don’t start decluttering until we reach a state where we are so overwhelmed by the mess.

Decluttering your home when you are emotional can be very difficult. Plus, it could lead to making some wrong decisions about what you throw away.

For example, you might, on impulse, throw away a gorgeous antique lamp given to you by an ex because you were angry at them at that moment.

If you must declutter while simultaneously dealing with things in your life, pick spaces that are easy to go through—like spaces without sentimental items.

New post Everything You Need To Know Before You Declutter Your Home on A Personal Organizer by Helena Alkhas

Bring All Of The Elements Of A Great Entryway Into A Narrow Area

Organizing a small entryway requires a lot of imagination!

Many homes and apartment units have really small and narrow entrances or a very small foyer with little to no storage. The problem with these areas of the home is that all of the things we bring in and out of our home with us every day, several times a day, end up living here!

It’s amazing what these little spaces can hold, but also it can be challenging to create organizing systems that both look nice and offer a lot of functions.

Even if you don’t struggle on a daily basis with a narrow entrance in your home, keeping this area organized is very important for many reasons, both for the practical side of life, but also for the psychological impact clutter has on us. This post will help you keep your entryway organized whether you have a small or large entry area.

During an ongoing project, I began searching for solutions to simplify life while organizing a narrow entrance for my busy client and her children.

Here is a list of what we Need To Organize The entrance:

1. Great lighting – nothing worse than entering the home and it’s dark. When we open the door, we really want to be able to spot the space and move around without bumping into things or each other.
2. A landing space – at minimum, a place to “land” the wallet, car keys, and your purse. Of course, if we can fit more, we will!
3. A mirror, if possible.
4. Hooks for jackets, coats, and hats.
5. Bins for small items, such as gloves, scarves, and other accessories.
6. A rug to keep dust to a minimum in your home.

Organizing a Narrow Entrance – Get The Look

Take a look at some of these great but narrow entrances and find some inspiration to make landing and taking off to and from daily life a feel-good experience in your own home!

 A very long and narrow entry accommodates a narrow bench and a mirror. The closet will hold all your seasonal items.

A long and narrow shelf with small drawers underneath was installed and serves as a console for arriving and placing your keys and wallet. This really keeps the entryway clutter-free.

 An entrance without a closet can be very challenging, but adding a bench and baskets will create the seating and storage for the small items you need.

A coat hanger can be added for jackets, umbrellas, and other seasonal gear.

A bright and clean narrow shelf serves as a console at the entrance, and a small bench provides a seat.

Beautiful wallpaper was used to create the mood in this entryway, where the drawers under the seat and the shelf above it hold all you need for a perfect take-off!

Want a great way to create both sitting space and storage at the entryway? Bring in a bench with hidden storage!

These pastel knobs allow you to get creative with where you hang items, and you can group them at different heights, so even the littlest family members can stay organized.

Here is a very creative way to bring storage into a narrow entryway for all that’s being used during different seasons.

Again, creativity creates a unique and beautiful entrance. A bench, hooks, and under-the-bench basket storage provide everything you need to give everything a place to be.

This is the mother of all entryways for a busy family! This super functional piece of furniture has all the room you need to keep the space clear of clutter and houses what you need when you need it.

Conclusion

With a few simple additions, such as benches, mirrors, hooks, shelves, and baskets, you can create an organized narrow entryway in virtually any space.

Remember to make a home for the items you use every day and swap storage solutions out seasonally if you need more or less of a specific type of storage.

Did you find these tips on organizing a narrow entry useful? What tips and examples will you use to organize your entryway? I’d love for you to share in the comments below!

Shop The Post

New post How To Successfully Organize A Narrow Entryway on A Personal Organizer by Helena Alkhas

Stylish Solutions For The Closetless Lady

Not all of us are gifted with a sprawling walk-in closet to store all our clothes, shoes, accessories, and do some fun dressing up. If you find yourself looking for closet organizing ideas for the “no closet” problem in your home, you’re in for a treat. Get ready to be inspired by these stylish closet solutions for the closet-less.

From the very creative and artsy to a more “put-together” look, there’s a closet organizing solution to bring you all the storage and organization you need for your beauties.

As you read through this post, you’ll see that you don’t have to break the bank or sacrifice storage with these solutions. The closet organizing ideas below are a good sample of what you can do with a garment rack, a dresser, even storage boxes, and, of course, some imagination!

Click on the image to Shop the Post!

Painting one of the walls dark will instantly bring an instant flair and focus to your dressing area. Contrast it with white or bright colors, and incorporate your favorite clothing and shoes into your decor. Setting up your closet corner in contrasting colors will create a sense of purposeful intention for your organizing and storage space.

Add a beautiful floor mirror to add function with loads of style.

Who said your closet has to live in your bedroom?

Have an extra room? A tiny little corner?

Make it pretty with your clothing and nicely organized shoes. Add some sparkle and a comfy seat to make it yours. This gorgeous example of an extra room turned closet only needed a rolling rack and a few accessories to pull together this high-end closet solution.

Want a more “closet-looking” solution? No worries, you can install shelves and a closet rod to create a unique boutique-style solution for your closet.

Don’t you love the shoe storage on the wall?

A combination of shelves, a clothing rack, and a cabinet will bring more closet storage space.

Extra No-Closet Organizing Tip!

In the image below, you can see how installing the top rod near the ceiling doubles your closet storage space. When you don’t have generous closet space, maximizing space in any way you can is the name of the game.

Ikea has a beautiful closet organizing system that can also serve as a room divider. Again, doubling up on form and function is a win-win when it comes to creative closet solutions.

This closet solution creates a beautiful backstage for your bed while creating all the privacy you need.

Simply use a curtain to create separation, and an “official” closet will be born. Don’t be surprised if you end up with more space than you would have in a traditional closet. What’s not to love in this Pottery Barn room?

These shelves are a great solution, especially if you move often, like us. They are flexible and can be used from the entryway to your closet.

Proof that closet shelving can look beautiful!

The perfect marriage of style and function.

5. No Closet Organizing Ideas: Modular Systems

Don’t you love this gorgeous and elegant closet built with modular storage?

These modular storage cubbies offer plenty of space for folded items, purses, and shoes. Baskets in beautiful textures add storage options, beauty, and style.

6. No Closet Organizing Ideas: Clothing Racks Come in All Shapes And Sizes

These racks’ unique shape makes them attractive and extra sturdy. You can use them along the walls of your room and add a dresser for your folded items to create a fully functional closet solution.

This beautiful closet solution features shelves and gorgeous storage boxes from The Container Store. Of course, the wall color, lighting, and beautiful accessories make this an “all-grown-up” room.

Shelves are all you need to create this beautiful closet by The Container Store.

Now, here is the official garment rack for girls and boys alike.

7. No Closet Organizing Ideas: The Ultimate Treasure

If you have utilized all of your options with shelves, rolling racks, cubbies, and drawers, and you still need more room to store and organize your clothing, let’s get creative and get under the bed with this awesome storage solution.

What are your favorite closet organizing ideas from this post?

I’d love to hear about your strategies for improving storage without compromising style in your own space.

Shop The Post

New post How To Organize A Closet When You Don’t Have One on A Personal Organizer by Helena Alkhas