How to Declutter Sneaky Culprits in Your Home
Are you tired of talking about getting organized but never really getting it done? If the answer's yes, then this tutorial is just for you. Today, we’re diving into the sneaky clutter culprits hiding in plain sight. These items might not be outright junk, but they’re stealing your time and energy, making it harder to create a home you truly love. Ready to clear some space and feel refreshed? Let’s get started!
1. The candle conundrum: How many are too many?
Candles—oh, they smell great and seem to promise a cozy, clean home. But let’s be real, how many do you actually need?
Step 1: Gather all the candles in your home, from every room, every shelf, and drawer. Yes, every single one.
Step 2: Put them together on a table and start sorting:
- How many are half-burnt?
- Which ones are gathering dust?
- Which were gifted to you, but you never liked them to begin with?
Tip: We’ve all been guilty of buying candles on sale or receiving them as gifts. But more than a couple of candles can quickly add to clutter.
Bonus: Consider switching to essential oil diffusers. They take up less space, offer customizable scents, and are healthier for you!
2. Mugs: The sentimental clutter
Mugs are great sentimental gifts or souvenirs, but if your cabinet is bursting with mugs you barely use, it’s time to reassess.
Step 2: Organize them by how often you use them.
- Which mugs are truly your go-to?
- Which ones are collecting dust?
Tip: Donate the mugs you don’t use and only keep the ones you love or need. If you want an extra organized touch, try mounting mugs on under-cabinet hooks to save space.
Step 3: Try going for a monochromatic mug collection to streamline the aesthetic of your kitchen and keep things looking neat.
3. Vases: A hidden clutter culprit
Vases are often given as gifts or purchased for special occasions, but how many do you really need?
Step 1: Pull out every vase in your home and group them together.
Step 2: Be ruthless—keep just two or three of various sizes that you truly love or use.
Tip: Vases take up space in cabinets or on counters, so by letting go of the ones you don’t use, you’ll free up valuable storage!
4. Gift wrap & bows: The never-ending pile
Gift wrapping supplies often get shoved under beds, in attics, or in spare rooms. The truth? Wrapping paper gets squished, and bows flatten over time. Time to tackle this!
Step 3: Ditch the bows and convert to gift bags and tissue paper. These lay flat, are much easier to store, and are reusable for multiple occasions.
5. Seasonal decor: Simplifying the overload
If your seasonal decor feels overwhelming and stressful to put up, it’s definitely time for a change.
Step 1: Take out all of your seasonal decorations—yes, every single box.
- Choose solid colors or items that can work across multiple seasons (like red for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Fourth of July).
Tip: Limit your seasonal decor to a set number of bins—maybe even just one bin per holiday! That’s what I did, and it made a huge difference.
Now that you’ve got the steps, it’s time to get to work. Organizing doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s about making progress, not achieving perfection.
Let me know in the comments: Which one of these areas surprised you the most? Or which one do you think you could declutter the quickest? I’d love to hear how you're making your home feel more organized and peaceful!
Comments
Join the conversation