 The weather is warming up, the trees are turning green and pollen is in the air. Spring is here at last! For many, spring is a natural time of year to deep clean your home. And I’m all for it. However, before you jump into your spring cleaning, don't forget about spring decluttering. Spring cleaning goes hand in hand with spring decluttering. It's actually easier to spring clean if you declutter first. The benefits of decluttering and organizing will result in a home that is easier for you to clean every week for months to come. Before you dive into cleaning and decluttering, take some time to create a plan. Planning is essential! I have come up with a list of 5 key areas to help you get started. 1. Kitchen & PantryThe kitchen still holds the title "heart of the home". It’s where meals are prepped and enjoyed, where homework assignments are completed, where mail lands when we walk in the door, where we gather over a cup of coffee and conversation…the list goes on. We spend so much time in this room so it’s a great place to kick off our spring cleaning and organizing journey.  Organizing and decluttering your kitchen and pantry for spring can rejuvenate your space and streamline your cooking routine. As the seasons change, taking the time to refresh your kitchen not only makes it more functional but also can inspire healthier eating habits and make meal prep more enjoyable. Here are some simple steps to help you to get started. Begin by removing everything from your cabinets, drawers, and pantry. This might seem daunting, but it's essential for taking stock of what you have and deciding what to keep. With everything out in the open, sort items into categories:
As you categorize, be ruthless in decluttering. Dispose of expired foods, duplicate items, or things you haven't used in the past year. Consider donating unexpired, non-perishable items that you have no intention of using. If you have a bunch of mismatched food storage containers, now is a great time to upgrade to a set of stackable ones. This will help to keep your containers organized. Consider replacing your chipped dishes as well. Keep only those things that serve a purpose or bring you joy when you use them. Now is a great time to optimize your storage solutions. Use drawer dividers, turntables, shelf risers, and spice racks to keep items organized. If you have space in a drawer, add a knife dock and get those knives off the counter. Invest in clear, airtight containers for dry goods. Not only do they keep food fresher for longer, but they also allow for easy identification and can be stacked to maximize space.
Once you've emptied out the space, be sure to give it a thorough cleaning. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and any grimy surfaces. Now it's time to put everything back together! As you're putting things back don't forget to create zones based on tasks. For instance, keep all your baking items together in one cabinet, cooking spices near the stove, and coffee and tea-making essentials in a specific spot. This approach streamlines your cooking process, saving time and reducing frustration. The last step to complete the transformation is to label everything. Labelling shelves, bins, and containers helps everyone in the household know where things belong, making it easier to maintain order. You can use simple handwritten labels, printed labels, or even chalkboard labels for easy updates. Organization is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. Make it a habit to reassess your kitchen's organization periodically. A good rule of thumb is to do a minor declutter every season and a more thorough one annually. Keeping on top of clutter will prevent it from becoming overwhelming and keep your kitchen a pleasant, functional space. 2. Closets At some point, we can’t continue to close the door to hide the clutter. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. Perhaps you're beyond that point and you can't even close the door! Spring is a great time to roll up your sleeves and take a hard look at everything that's hiding inside your closets. The first step is to empty the closet entirely, which allows for a comprehensive assessment of the space and its contents. This process also presents the opportunity to deep clean the closet, from dusting shelves and vacuuming the floor to wiping the walls if necessary. As you sort through your belongings, categorize them into keep, donate, sell, and discard piles. Be honest about what you use and love versus what has been untouched for over a year. This is also the perfect moment to try on clothing and assess what fits, what flatters, and what feels good to wear. For items that no longer serve you, consider donating them to a local charity or selling them online or at your local consignment shop. Special attention should be given to seasonal items right now. If you're short on space, store out-of-season clothing and accessories elsewhere.
Implementing storage solutions such as slim hangers, bins, drawer organizers, and shelf dividers can dramatically improve the functionality of your closet. Shoes can be arranged on racks or in clear shoe boxes to protect them from dust and make it easy to find the pair you're looking for. For smaller accessories like belts, scarves, and jewellery, use specialized organizers that prevent tangling and ensure each item has its place. These organizing tools not only maximize space but they also keep items visible and accessible, reducing the time spent searching for things. Commit to maintaining the organization by regularly revisiting and adjusting the system as your wardrobe changes. Establishing a habit of putting things back in their designated spots after each use will keep your closet in order long term. Embrace the principle of 'one in, one out' to avoid accumulation—when a new item is added to your closet, choose something to let go of. This practice not only keeps your closet organized but also encourages mindful consumption, ensuring your space remains a haven of order and tranquility. 3. Home Office Spring is a perfect time to declutter and organize your home office. This process not only refreshes your workspace but can also enhance your productivity and creativity. If you're drowning in a sea of papers because you haven't taken the time to set up systems then this is a great time of year to tackle things! If you're hunting for your tax slips and eligible receipts right now, imagine what it would be like if everything had been placed in a file labelled tax receipts, as you received them. Wouldn't that be a fantastic? The first step in tackling the clutter in your home office is to remove everything from your desk and shelves, and sort through all the paperwork, office supplies, and miscellaneous items that have accumulated. This will allow you to take inventory of what you have, what you need, and what you can discard or donate. When organizing your desk, adhere to the principle of keeping only things that you need to access routinely. For office supplies, evaluate what you use regularly and find appropriate storage solutions. Drawer organizers, small storage bins, and desktop holders can keep essential items within reach without overwhelming your workspace. I love sticky notes and Ink Joy pens so I have a drawer where my supplies are beautifully organized.
Cable management is also key in a home office. If you have a mess of cables located under your desk, consider picking up a cable management box. There are lots of these boxes available, from rustic wooden designs to more modern, minimalist versions. You don’t necessarily want these boxes to stand out, so go for the design you think will blend in best to its surroundings. You can also use velcro ties to keep cords organized and out of sight, creating a cleaner, more streamlined look. Don't forget to add labels! Maintaining a clean and organized home office is not a one-time task. Allocate a few minutes at the end of each day for a quick tidy-up. This habit can prevent clutter from accumulating and ensure your workspace remains a conducive environment for productivity. Embrace the change of seasons as an opportunity to reassess and adjust your organizational system, ensuring that it continues to meet your current needs and reflects your personal style. An organized home office not only allows you to focus, in turn making you more efficient but it also makes your workday more pleasant and less stressful. 4. Laundry Room Doing laundry can seem like an endless task. Ok, who am I kidding? It is an endless task! I rarely meet anyone who actually enjoys doing laundry. Would you enjoy doing laundry more if you had an aesthetically pleasing space to tackle this never-ending chore? Spring offers a perfect opportunity to declutter and organize your laundry room, transforming it into a more functional and efficient space. The first step is to declutter the space. Start by getting rid of empty detergent bottles, cleaners that you don't prefer, items that should find a new home, and any socks that are waiting to find their sole mate! If your cleaning rags have seen better days, update those as well. I switched to microfiber several years ago and never looked back. They're great for dusting and many of them only require water for cleaning, making them easy to use and a cheaper, more sustainable option than disposable wipes. Keep only products and tools that you use regularly and ensure they are easily accessible. Speaking of cleaners, this is a great time to use some to clean behind your washer and dryer, wipe down shelves and mop the floor to create a fresh, clean slate. Your laundry room organization requires a thoughtful approach to maximize the efficiency of the space. Consider the flow of the room and arrange items in a way that supports the laundry process from start to finish. For instance, keep detergents and fabric softeners near the washer, while dryer sheets and lint rollers can be closer to the dryer. Implementing a system for sorting laundry can dramatically reduce the time spent on this chore. Use labelled bins or baskets for different types of laundry: darks, lights, delicates, and towels or dedicate a hamper to each person in the household. Do what works for you! If space permits, a small table or a pull-down shelf can enhance functionality, giving you a dedicated space to fold clothes as they come out of the dryer, reducing wrinkles and the temptation to let clean laundry pile up and get mixed in with dirty laundry. Any moms out there familiar with this one?
By setting up a beautifully organized space and making a habit of returning items to their designated spots after each use, your laundry room can remain a clutter-free and pleasant to use area. Hopefully spending time in your laundry room won't be such a chore! 5. Garage Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home’s interior - don’t forget about the garage! It’s an area of the home that often gets neglected and cluttered. At best, most of us put up some simple shelving and at worst we have “things” all over the floor and our expensive cars have to be parked outside. Decluttering and organizing the garage in the spring sets you up for months worth of hassle free enjoyment. From organizing yard care tools to making all of your recreational equipment accessible to enjoy during the months ahead, this is a project that is well worth the effort! This tends to be more than a one-day project so be sure to plan in advance for a few days to get through it. If you can, have helpers on stand by to lend a hand if needed. The key to a successful garage overhaul lies in taking a systematic approach to sort through the clutter, categorize items, and implement smart storage solutions. Start with removing everything from the garage to truly assess the space. This process not only allows you to see the volume of items you've accumulated but also provides the opportunity to clean the floor and other surfaces, creating a fresh start. As you sort through your belongings, categorize them into keep, donate, sell, and discard piles. Be honest about the utility of each item; tools that haven't been used for years, broken equipment, and outdated sporting goods should be let go. Have the kids outgrown their first bike? I know it's hard but it's time to let it go. This is also an ideal time to sort hazardous materials and plan for their proper disposal. Everything inside your garage should fit into a category. This method not only streamlines the organization process but also simplifies the task of retrieving and returning items. You can sort your belongings into categories such as:
Once you decide what you will hold on to, determine if you need to add extra storage. Take a look at the storage you currently have. Is it enough? Can you add more storage space somewhere? Do you need to add shelving for additional bins? Should you invest in a slat wall system to make good use of wall space? What about bike storage? Steady Rack makes the ultimate space saver bike rack. If you have high ceilings, install a heavy-duty, ceiling-mounted rack. They are great for keeping seasonal decor and outdoor cushions up and out of the way. There are so many fantastic storage options out there to help you organize your space.
Once everything has a home, don't forget to label everything.
Labelling shelves and bins is a crucial step in maintaining organization; it not only helps you find items quickly but also makes it easier to return things to their proper place. If you have young children, add picture labels to bins so the they know where to put their sidewalk chalk, bubble wands and bouncy balls. As with other areas of your home, the key to keeping your garage organized is regular maintenance. Make a habit of reassessing your garage's organization at least once a year. By investing the time to declutter and organize your garage this spring, you'll not only regain your space but also reduce stress and improve efficiency in locating and using your stored items. Decluttering and organizing your home in the spring is a great way to kick off the season with a fresh, simplified living space. By making a plan and following these tips you'll be well on your way to a clutter-free, transformed, stress-free home.
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