When you are on a home decluttering mission small things make a big difference.
If you can keep these hot spots tidy and organised you are one step closer to a clutter free home. Here are some tips.
Five tips to keep on top of clutter hot spots
Stay away from flat surfaces
The problem with benches and shelves is that they are great for stacking random papers, mail, things you’ve brought in from the car and other general clutter.
Make it a rule that unless it lives on that bench or shelf, you never put anything down there. Have a basket or small container in your clutter hot spots and make it a habit to clear it out each evening.
Throw away and file mail
A lot of everyday clutter in many homes is paper. When you bring the mail in, take it out of the envelope, recycle the rubbish and file the rest. You could keep a simple folder in a specific area and then file everything properly once a week.
Create a command centre
A command centre is basically a small area near the entrance or main thoroughfare of your home, that you can store items that need to be sorted or are frequently used. Commonly a command centre will have an area for keys, somewhere to hang bags, a simple noticeboard or pinboard and possibly a small basket and some folders for storing random papers and other items.
Our command centre for all the mail and bits that collect.
Put hooks on the back of your bedroom and bathroom doors
Clothing can easily mount up into a cluttered mess of “not clean but not dirty” items. You don’t always want to put your worn but not “clean” jeans back into your wardrobe, but leaving them hanging over chairs or side tables just creates mess. Get some over door hangers and put them over your bathroom and bedroom doors for all those items not quite ready for the wash, but not “clean”.
Don’t stack!
If you are anything like me then you may be inclined to “tidy” up clutter areas by stacking things neatly. Sure, it looks better, but the reality is that it doesn’t actually deal with the clutter or get rid of it. Try to avoid the habit of stacking things to make them look neat and tidy. Pack them away, throw out things that aren’t needed and clear the area. Don’t just neaten it!
Do you have any hits for keeping on top of clutter hot spots? I’d love to read about them in the comments below xx
p.s If you haven’t already, grab your copy of my new decluttering eBooks (click the image to find out more)…
