1. Set Goals. Before de-cluttering any part of your house or life, it is important to know where your efforts are focused and what you hope to achieve. If the ultimate goal is to have a clutter-free home, start with one room or closet at a time. Setting clearly defined goals provides short-term motivation and long-term results.

 

2. Start de-cluttering where you need it the most. Usually, this is the kitchen or room with the most traffic. Start small by picking up items from the floor, then putting them back to where they belong. If there are too many items, look to inexpensive or repurposed storage solutions like this. Be sure to get discard items no longer needed or used.

 

3. Make time to de-clutter. If there is no time available, consider changing your routine or working out where you can make time. A daily planner like this, or even a print-out calendar allows you to visualize your day. Try to take at least 15 minutes each day to pick up items and put them back to where they belong.

 

4. Use and repurpose what you already have. Some of the best storage solutions are already in your home. Some of my favorite are: PVC pipes as shoe storage, shoe bags to store household cleaners, and empty tins labeled and used to store miscellaneous small items.

 

5. Purge. Discard items you no longer need, want, or use. If it's been years since you've worn those pants tucked way back in your closet, chances are you won't need them any time soon. Go through all cupboards and closets. Check expiration dates (make-up and facial creams expire too!) to be sure you are not holding on to things you can no longer use. Here's a list of things you do not need, recommended from http://www.addrescources.org:

- Things that you have printed off the Internet that you've been meaning to read.

- Old travel-size half used bottles of shampoos, lotions, soaps, cosmetics, etc., that you simply don't use.

- Clothing that you will wear again when you lose 10 pounds or are stained, or you just don't like or wear or wear anymore.

- A gift you received that you don't like or will never use.

- Something that you bought for yourself, even if it was expensive, that you simply no longer like, never used, or won't use again.

- Tools or gadgets that work great for someone else but don't work for you even if others swear by them.

- Knick-knacks, souvenirs and other little things that you've collected over the years that remind you of a trip or experience.

 

6. Organize and appreciate what you do have. Neatly keep items visible for inventory and display. Hang scarves on a rod in your closet and tie them so they do not fall off and you are able to see them all. A pegboard can be used to organize display jewelry or tools in the garage as well. 

 

7. Find your motivation. Make a Vision Board with words and images of what you can imagine for your newly de-cluttered spaces. List your reasons for de-cluttering and organizing. Post them where you will see them daily.

 

8. De-clutter the computer hard-drive and e-mail. Little memory space can lead to a slower computer and it can be difficult to find what you are looking for.

 

9. Become conscious of items acquired. Say no to knick-knacks and free junk. When making a purchase or acquiring items, ask yourself "Do I really need this and why?" If you cannot come up with a reasonable answer there is no purpose for that item in your life.

 

10. Reward yourself! Turn your clutter-free bathroom into a personal spa for an hour, order take out to watch TV in the clutter free living room, or invite friends over to enjoy your organized spaces with you! Be sure to recognize and validate your accomplishments.