How to Declutter Your Home and Why It Matters

It's time to face the truth: clutter is the frenemy we didn't know we had. Sure, it seems harmless at first, but then it can feel like it’s accumulated at an exponential rate and the next thing you know, you’re drowning in it.

Why is it important to ditch the clutter?

First and foremost, clutter is a sneaky time thief. Think about it: how many hours have you spent searching for your keys, that one missing sock, or that super important document buried under piles of who-knows-what? Time is precious, especially now that we're juggling careers, relationships, and maybe even a few adorable fur babies. So why waste it playing hide-and-seek with inanimate objects? According to the National Soap and Detergent Association, getting rid of clutter would reduce 40% of housework. So if you can edit out what you no longer use, love or need, you may find that you get almost half of your time back.

Let's reclaim those lost hours and put them towards something much more enjoyable, like binge-watching our favorite guilty pleasure show or treating ourselves to a well-deserved spa day.

What else does clutter do to us?

Let's not forget about the emotional weight of clutter. Remember that top you bought five years ago and haven't worn since? Every time you catch a glimpse of it, it taunts you with guilt and whispers, "You wasted your hard-earned money on me." Let's free ourselves from the unnecessary guilt and make room for clothes that we actually want to put on everyday. Less waste, less guilt and more enjoyment.

Lastly, let's not underestimate the impact of clutter on our mental and physical well-being. Cluttered spaces can make us feel overwhelmed, stressed, and downright grumpy. Let's create a sanctuary where we can relax, unwind, and enjoy the serenity of a clutter-free zone. Trust me, when you come home to a tidy space, you'll feel like you can conquer the world—or at least enjoy your favorite beverage in peace.

What about sentimental clutter?

Now, I get it. Parting ways with our clutter can be tough. We develop emotional attachments to random objects like the vase Aunt Mildred gave us for our birthday. We feel obligated to keep it because, well, she's family. But here's the thing: Aunt Mildred may not even remember she gave it to you, and chances are, she's got enough vases to start a floral shop. So why not donate it to someone who might actually appreciate its... charm?

How do I tackle the clutter?

Tackling the clutter is like eating an elephant - you do it one bite at a time. If the pile of paperwork in the corner of your kitchen has been staring back at you for a month, start there. Pull out all of the papers and go through them one-by-one. Do you need to take action on something? Keep it out in the open. Is something just junk mail or paper you never needed in the first place? Recycle that stuff. Got documents that you should really hang on to for longer than a few weeks? File that a way in a long-term file system.

Just starting with one problem area will help you gain momentum so you see progress and then feel encouraged to keep going.

When and how often should I declutter?

This is going to be different for everyone. You’ll want to declutter your kitchen counters daily to stay on top of the many things that end up on that surface. You’ll want to edit and declutter places like your closet once every few months (when you start noticing things getting a little messy and/or you’re not wearing everything in it.) If you’ve never decluttered your home before, start by zone. Once all of the zones are decluttered then you just need to switch to maintenance mode.

Fortunately, maintenance mode is much easier than that first round of decluttering. Maintenance doesn’t have to be daily or weekly but don’t let spaces go on too much longer than monthly.

So, my fellow 30-something ladies, let's bid adieu to clutter and welcome a life of freedom, organization, and unapologetic enjoyment. It's time to declutter like nobody's business and embrace the amazing women we are. Remember, a clutter-free space is a clutter-free mind, and who can argue with that? Now, go forth, conquer the clutter, and unleash your minimalist outlook on the world.

Want more simple living help to streamline your house? Click here and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult and chat with me about your home organization goals or follow me on Instagram here for daily organization and minimalist-living tips.

RELATED POST: 10 Simple Ways to Organize Your House Right Now

5 Easy Ways to Organize Your Home Office

When it comes to organizing your home office (because I think by now we’ve all spent more time in them than we could have ever imagined), you want to make sure that you have a few systems in place.

Whether your office is small or simply feeling a bit untidy with paper clutter accumulating, you can tackle the challenge with these five simple ways to organize your home office.

1. Declutter and prioritize. The first step in organizing your home office is to declutter and prioritize your workspace. Begin by removing any unnecessary items such as old paperwork, outdated electronics, or office supplies that you no longer use. Once you have decluttered your space, prioritize your essential items by placing them within easy reach.

2. Utilize vertical space. Make the most of your home office by using vertical space. Invest in wall-mounted shelves, file organizers, and bookcases to help keep your workspace organized and maximize storage space. Utilizing vertical space is especially useful if you have a small home office. Additionally, using a useful paper organization system like this one can make all the difference with the paper clutter dilemma that so many of us find ourselves dealing with.

3. Invest in storage solutions. Investing in storage solutions is essential to keep your home office organized. Consider purchasing storage bins, filing cabinets, and desk organizers to help keep your workspace tidy. Labeling your storage solutions can also help you locate items quickly and efficiently.

4. Create a daily task list. Creating a daily task list is a useful way to help you stay focused and organized. Write down your daily tasks, deadlines, and appointments on a planner or digital calendar. This will help you prioritize your workload and ensure that you don't miss any important deadlines.

5. Keep it clean. Finally, keeping your home office clean is crucial for productivity and overall well-being. Regularly dust your workspace, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum or sweep the floors. A clean workspace can help reduce stress and promote a positive work environment.

If you aren’t feeling motivated just yet, remember that an organized workspace can help boost productivity and improve overall well-being.

By simply decluttering and prioritizing your workspace, utilizing vertical space, investing in storage solutions, creating a daily task list, and keeping your workspace clean, you can create a productive and efficient home office. With these tips, you can work from home with ease and enjoy a clutter-free workspace!

Are you looking for a little (or a lot) of help with your own home organization? Click here and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult and chat with Britnee about your home organization goals.

Design Series Feature: Elyse Garlock Home

Photo credit: Elyse Garlock Home

I’m always inspired by what interior designers can do to a space. While I think in terms of how a space is organized, an interior designer is so easily able to balance things like color and texture all while creating a beautiful scene out of furniture and form.

This month, I am so happy to feature Elyse Garlock of Elyse Garlock Home. I had heard how amazing Elyse was from mutual friends that she and I had in common but didn’t end up meeting her in-person until years later when we both relocated from California to Utah.

Once we connected, I just knew I wanted to interview her and have her share some of her design insights with you in this month’s Design Series Feature.

Photo credit: Elyse Garlock Home

Q: How do you go about planning out a new space?

A: I usually sit down with the client (or myself) and talk through a few things—1) the purpose/main use of the space (want it pretty but also practical); 2) what their general design style is—simple, modern, traditional—I usually have them send me a few inspiration pictures so I can really get a sense of what they’re picturing in their head for the space; 3) and their realistic budget.

Q: What budget-conscious tips do you have for someone who wants to redo a space in their home? Where should they look for ideas and pieces?

A: I usually tell people to invest in nicer large items that will hold up well and that they can have for a long time - think area rugs, couches, kitchen table, etc. I think a lot of people - especially those with kids - will just get something cheap because they figure it will get trashed anyway. Well, cheap items usually do get trashed pretty quickly, and then they just don’t look nice! And no one wants that. Instead, purchase large items that are good quality and will be able to withstand the wear and tear. Solid wood, performance fabrics, etc. These will usually cost more up front, but will last longer, look nicer, and clean up easier. Other items that are easily influenced by ever-changing design trends are great places to save money. This could include decor to fill shelves & built-ins, throw pillows, art work, etc. For things like this, I turn to places like Target, Amazon, H&M home, Zara Home, IKEA, and Heirloom Art Co (for art prints). Bringing in natural elements like wood tones and greenery can also make your space feel more refined without costing a lot.

Photo credit: Elyse Garlock Home

Q: How do you feel about the relationship between home organization and home design?

A: For me, home organization and home design are completely intertwined. I value simplicity and clean lines in my design, and that is impossible to achieve when things are cluttered and disorganized. Designing is all about how the space is going to make you feel - for me I’m looking to feel peaceful and content - and a huge part of that feeling comes from knowing that everything has its place and that I know where to find the things I need. When I can see all the messes in my house, it adds so much to my anxiety. I wish I were better at keeping things organized - it’s definitely a constant battle!

Q: Design isn't the only thing you're an expert about - can you share more about Dualspace?

A: Dualspace is a company my husband and I started in 2018. It is essentially a marketplace of locations - homes and studios - that are available to rent for photo and video shoots. It wasn’t something we ever really intended to do. In 2017, the company my husband was working for needed a house for a product shoot (my husband was on the marketing team), and he volunteered our house as a last minute replacement. It went well and was a super easy way to make money. After that, some of the people on the video team asked for other location recommendations for other shoots, and we reached out to some friends and neighbors who had cool homes to see if they’d be interested. It just kind of snowballed from there. We found there wasn’t really a great option for finding locations, other than these sites with thousands of homes that were all over the place style/design wise. We thought it would be helpful for crews to have a smaller, more curated collection to choose from. And, it would also be helpful to those homeowners wanting to host shoots to have a platform to get greater exposure… I find that brands are looking for a couple different types of homes when they do shoots. One preference is for spaces that are light and bright, free of clutter, and that are neutral enough to change decor as needed to match the brand. Alternatively, they sometimes are looking for a home with a very specific style - mid-century modern, tuscan, farmhouse - that is consistent throughout the space.

Thank you so much Elyse for taking the time to answer my interior design questions and for sharing your tips! Be sure to give her a follow on Instagram and you can learn more about Dualspace here.

RELATED POST: Design Series Feature: Renew Home Staging & Design

Join My Simple Home Decluttering + Organizing Challenge

The older I get the more I realize that if I have someone cheering me on I’m way more likely to finish whatever project I’m working on (aka bake the cookies, get on the exercise bike or clean out my closet). Just a little support in the form of a text message or call where I can share my to-do list or goals are enough to motivate me to finish what I started.

This method of getting things accomplished also applies to the projects in our homes. Yes, even the decluttering and organizing ones! I organize homes for a living and I still love sending those before-and-afters to my sister because there is just something about good ‘ole fashioned support from someone who knows you well.

So, while I don’t know all of you, I do want to help support you in your decluttering journey! A journey that I hope you find fulfilling and enjoyable.

Today starts the January Simple Home Challenge and all month long, I’ll be sharing tips to help you simplify and organize various areas in your home. You can join the challenge on Instagram by following me here.

Share your wins, ask questions and get your organizing BFF to join with you!