How to begin the process of simplifying your home
Here we are the first official week of the new year and everyone is ready for change. We are starting with how to begin the process of simplifying your home.
Welcome back to the simplifying your home in the new year.
This is always the time of year when everyone declutters their home and lives, so to speak.
After we go through this series and process of simplifying our homes, we should not have to spend our precious time doing this every year.
The idea with this series is to create a simplified home and life where clutter and over spending on unnecessary items is not an ongoing activity.
Yes, periodically we all need to go through our homes and get rid of items we no longer need or use, that is maintenance.
But it should not be a huge undertaking after this.
This is the process of creating real change in your homes and lives.
Beginning the process
Last week I mentioned we would begin with the smallest spaces to start the process of simplifying our homes.
The smallest space in my home that needed some simplifying was my closet office.
See the picture below, I think you will agree.
Now decide which of your smallest spaces need work and let’s get started.
Where to begin with simplifying
Before you begin touching anything in the space, write down how you use the space.
Write down what works in the space and what does not.
Figure out what is absolutely essential in that space for it to work for you.
What is the sole purpose or multi purpose of the space?
Once you have everything written out about the space and the goal for the space, it is time to move onto the next phase.
Some thoughts before you begin to uncomplicate your space
Before getting started with clearing out the space it is important to know a few things.
- What are the things that are used in the space on a regular basis. (Items that help your perform the task necessary in that particular space.)
- You will be getting rid of anything that you do not use on a regular basis.
- Excess items that serve no real purpose in that space have to go.
- Get rid of any duplicate essential items.
Time to clear out space
While pulling everything out of the small space, have bins labeled to sort the items as you go.
The bins needed to help you:
- donate
- trash
- sell
- keep
As you are taking items out of the space deal with them immediately by placing them in the corresponding bin.
Dealing with your items immediately will help the process to keep moving, while only handling the as few a times.
Next step in simplifying
Once everything is cleaned out it is time to put only the essentials back.
Only put back what is truly needed in that space for it to function at its best.
After you have the essentials back in their perspective places you can add in visuals or decor items.
Suggestions for visuals, depending on the space:
- artwork
- family/friend photos
- meaningful words
- life mantra
- bible verse
Something that is meaningful to you and gives inspiration in the small space.
Of course if your small space is a drawer or something like that no visuals are necessary.
Now your small space is now simplified and you are ready to move on.
Simplified and uncomplicated small space
My office had a lot of things in it that had no business being in there.
Items that were keeping me from using the space as intended.
Now it is simplified, has visuals and is ready to function as I need it to.
Now that you have gone through and simplified your small space you are ready to tackle other small spaces.
The process of clearing out small spaces is great for junk drawers and small office spaces.
Use these same tips to tackle those, saving your larger spaces for later in our series.
If you missed last weeks post about the series, click here.
Back in the Spring I did this one that relates as well.
Happy simplifying
Xoxo
Sonya
