A brand new home is a clean slate. It’s a chance to start fresh and eliminate all the old clutter you’ve been meaning to get rid of for years. But, as anyone who has ever moved knows, it’s all too easy for a new home to quickly become just as cluttered as the old one. According to a study by the National Association of Professional Organizers, the average American home has 300,000 items in it. That’s a lot of stuff!
So here are some tips for avoiding clutter in your brand-new home.
1. Get rid of anything you don’t need before you move.
This is your chance to start fresh, so take advantage of it. Go through your belongings and remove anything you don’t use or need. This will make unpacking much more manageable and help you avoid finding a place for things you don’t really want or need. You can sell these items, donate them, or simply throw them away. Many moving companies will also offer a decluttering service to help you eliminate unwanted items before your move.
If you have difficulty letting go of things, keep in mind that you can always rebuy them if you really need them. And chances are, you won’t even miss most of the things you get rid of because you never used them in the first place. You might even be surprised at how liberating it feels to get rid of all that stuff!
2. Unpack one room at a time.
Don’t try to do everything at once. When you’re unpacking, focus on one room at a time. This will help you stay organized and will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by the process. Plus, it’ll give you a sense of accomplishment as you finish each room. You can start with the rooms that are most important to you or the ones that are easiest to do. Just take your time and unpack each room slowly and carefully.
You may also benefit from hiring a professional organizer to help you unpack and get organized in your new home. This can be especially helpful if you’re moving into a larger home and are unsure where to put all your belongings. Many professional organizers also offer decluttering services to help you remove unwanted items before moving.
3. Find a place for everything.
Once you’ve unpacked, take some time to find a place for everything. This will help keep your home organized and make it easier to find things when needed. Make sure to label everything so you know where it goes; this will save you a lot of time and frustration. You can also use storage containers and bins to help keep things organized and to maximize space.
Investing in utility storage cabinets can also be helpful. These are cabinets specifically designed to store things like cleaning supplies, tools, and sports equipment. They often have shelves and drawers, so you can easily organize everything and keep it out of sight. If you have a lot of stuff, you may need to use multiple storage cabinets. But this is a great way to keep your home organized and free of clutter.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you’re struggling to keep your home organized, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members. They can lend a hand with unpacking or offer advice on organizing your new space. Especially if you’re moving into a larger home, having someone else there can help you get everything sorted out.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from professional organizers, either. They can offer valuable advice and assistance from unpacking to organizing your new home. Many professional organizers also offer decluttering services to help you.
5. Make a plan for dealing with clutter.
No matter how hard you try, there’s a good chance you’ll end up with some clutter in your new home. This is perfectly normal, so don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, make a plan for dealing with it. You want to ensure you have a place for everything, so it’s crucial to be proactive about dealing with clutter.
One way to do this is to set up a “clutter zone” in your home. This is a designated area where you can put things that don’t have a permanent home. This can be a corner in your bedroom or a spot in your basement. Once a week, go through the clutter zone and decide what to do with each item. You can either keep it, donate it, or throw it away. This will help you keep your home organized and free of clutter.
Moving into a new home can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. But, by taking some time to plan and organize your move, you can make the process a lot easier. And by following these tips, you can avoid clutter in your new home. So, take your time, be patient, and enjoy your new home.
