Previously, we uncovered three reasons why you may be hitting roadblocks when it comes to home organization and organizing a cluttered house. I mentioned that there are 11 common hindrances to getting organized. Today, we will uncover a fourth common hindrance.
If you are new to the blog, welcome! I blog about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You can find my free printables to help you get organized in the drop down menu under the Printables category.
You can get your printable Daily Housekeeping Routine and Cleaning Checklists here. This 15 page printable kit is delivered digitally to your email for you to print and personalize.
It includes a daily schedule, calendar pages, and deep cleaning checklists for every room and area of your home. Now, let’s look at part 4 in what is preventing you from getting organized.
Hindrance #4: Too Much Clutter and Too Little Space
This particular hindrance to getting organized and organizing a cluttered house has sparked quite a bit of interest in the media regarding topics like minimalism, decluttering, and the idea of only keeping what “sparks joy,” as one of my favorite authors suggests.
It is true that too many belongings can actually steal your joy and your time as it takes time and effort to maintain a surplus of goods. If this particular hindrance is preventing you from getting organized and organizing a cluttered house, you may say the following…
-I just need to buy more containers, and that will solve it.
-I should rent a storage unit or clear a space in the garage to get better organized.
-All of my drawers, closets, shelves, and cabinets are filled to capacity.
-I can’t find it, so I’ll just buy another.
The solution to this hindrance is getting rid of what you no longer need or find useful. Start with the area that is causing you the most stress. What items have you purchased again and again because you knew you had it, but you couldn’t locate it?
Assign a home to that item first. For me, it was my kitchen scissors. I now have several, but I keep this item in it’s permanent home now in my kitchen.
Remember, a cluttered space robs your peace and steals your joy. You don’t have to accomplish it all in one day. Start with one counter, one shelf, one drawer.If you need to, create a priority list and begin decluttering the area that is causing you the most stress the most frequently. Getting even one area organized today will provide a renewed sense of peace and will help your daily routine go smoother.
What can I do if I have too much clutter and too little space?
Dealing with too much clutter and too little space can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to tackle the problem and create a more organized and functional living or working environment. Here are some tips:
- Declutter:
- Start by going through your belongings and getting rid of items you no longer need, use, or love. Be ruthless in your decluttering process.
- Donate or sell items that are in good condition but no longer serve a purpose for you.
- Consider adopting a minimalist mindset and keeping only the essentials. You can join my year long thorough declutter series. We declutter 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week to declutter the entire home in a year.
- Organize:
- Invest in storage solutions like bins, baskets, shelves, and containers to maximize your space. Again, I use the dollar store bins and they work fine, so don’t buy into the lie that organizing has to be expensive.
- Use vertical space efficiently by installing shelves or hanging organizers on walls.
- Group similar items together and assign designated spaces for specific categories to make it easier to find things.
- Storage Furniture:
- Choose furniture with built-in storage options, such as ottomans with hidden compartments or beds with drawers underneath. I like using storage ottomans for shoes and blankets in our main living areas and near the door. They are great for hiding clutter.
- Opt for multi-functional furniture that serves more than one purpose, such as a sofa bed or a coffee table with storage.
- Digitalize:
- Scan important documents and store them digitally to reduce paper clutter. I use Evernote on my phone.
- Embrace digital media for books, music, and movies to save physical space.
- Rotate Seasonal Items:
- Store seasonal items that are not in use to free up space. For example, pack away winter clothes during the summer.
- Rotate decorations and accessories to keep your space fresh without overcrowding it.
- Evaluate and Streamline:
- Regularly assess your belongings and reassess their importance and usefulness. Clutter has a way of growing if we don’t manage it regularly.
- Avoid impulse purchases and be mindful of what you bring into your space.
- Create Zones:
- Define specific areas or zones for different activities to maintain order.
- Ensure that each item has a designated home, making it easier to put things away.
- Optimize Closet Space:
- Use slim hangers to maximize closet space.
- Consider adding shelf dividers and additional hanging rods to make the most of your closet’s vertical space.
- Mindful Consumption:
- Be mindful of your shopping habits and try to buy only what you truly need. Avoid buying things just because they are on sale.
- Consider borrowing or renting items that you may only need temporarily.
- Seek Professional Help:
- If the clutter is overwhelming, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you create a personalized organization system.
Remember, the key is to be consistent in maintaining a clutter-free environment. Regularly reassess your space and make adjustments as needed to prevent clutter from accumulating again.
Happy Organizing!
Stay tuned for the next post where we will another one more hindrance to getting organized. Read part 5 in this series here.
Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.
Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.
Need to Declutter Every room? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below as you begin organizing a cluttered house.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can find that here.
Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.
How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.
Need some Inspiration to Declutter? You can sign up here. Join us for the Year Long Through Declutter Series by subscribing by email below.
Happy Decluttering!
To Subscribe to my Year Long Thorough Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.
We declutter 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. The Year Long Thorough Declutter Series is designed to help you declutter every room and every space in your home. When you subscribe you’ll receive a daily task in the room or area we are currently working on decluttering. To Subscribe, leave a comment below.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
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