Minimalism, #organizationgoals and Marie Kondo’s joy-sparking lifestyle have been sweeping the nation, spreading awareness about the benefits of living a decluttered and organized life.
It may seem like just another trend, but this one’s backed by science. There are several studies that show the positive impact of cleanliness and organization on our health, both physically and mentally.
One of the main benefits of an organized space is stress reduction. Clutter triggers a stress response as our minds struggle to process all the visual information and we begin to feel overwhelmed by seemingly never-ending to-do lists. As your pile of bills or laundry grows, so does a sense of tension in the air and it becomes harder and harder to relax. It’s amazing how altering your physical surroundings can alter your mental state — clear space, clear mind.
It’s also harder to find things and go about daily routines, adding time and stress to already-busy schedules. Something as simple as getting dressed in the morning can become a chore when your closet looks like the victim of a tornado.
Stress has been linked to a number of health issues, so it’s important to take advantage of opportunities to remove it from our everyday lives when we can. Decluttering and organizing your home is one way to do that, but it can be a lot easier said than done.
Here are some ideas to help you get organized and bring some peace to your daily life.
Getting started is often the hardest part. If you find that you’re staring hopelessly at the growing pile of stuff on your kitchen table not knowing where to begin, start by getting yourself in the right mindset.
Turn to Pinterest, Instagram or your favourite home magazine and start looking for images and ideas that leave you feeling inspired. Save pictures and tips that excite you so that you can refer back to them if you start to feel unmotivated.
Letting go can be hard — but not as hard as living in the midst of clutter chaos!
If it’s been sitting in the back of the closet or collecting dust in a cupboard for the past year, it’s probably time to say goodbye. Take a good hard look at the things you’ve collected over the years and ask yourself: what purpose does this serve? Would I buy it again now? Will I really care or even notice if it’s gone? Is this item adding value to my life, or is it just weighing me down?
If your unneeded items still have some life left in them, sell or donate them to someone who can make better use of them.
You may find that you hit a roadblock when you get to sentimental objects. If it helps, take a photo of the object so that you can still easily access the most important thing that it offers you — the memories.
Now that you’ve sorted through all your stuff and are just left with your most important and useful items, it’s time to make sure that each one has a place.
The right storage solutions can make everyday life so much easier and prevent you from having to complete this process on a monthly basis. Do it right once, and future you will be thanking yourself!
These common clutter culprits deserve extra attention when it comes to storage and organization.
Dun dun dunnn... we’re starting with a doozy. The black hole of lone socks, unused neckties and musty old sweaters.
First, purge your wardrobe until you’re left with only your favourite and most necessary items. Then, make a commitment to treat each piece with respect. It might sound strange, but think about it — when you respect something, you care for it and treat it well. That means not tossing it on the floor or jamming it into a closet or drawer that’s stuffed to the brim.
Your closet, dresser and anywhere that you store clothing and accessories should display your items nicely so that they’re easy to find. There are plenty of closet storage solutions that can help, from drawer dividers and baskets hidden laundry hampers and slide-out racks.
Click here for more tips on how to achieve your closet organization goals.
When you don’t have room for something in the house, where do you put it? The garage.
If you’ve ever spent what seems like an eternity searching through boxes, toys and tools to find one item, then you know how frustrating a disorganized garage can be. Ever had to park in the driveway because the garage was too full?
Cabinets, wall storage and other clever solutions can help you stay organized, so that you can make proper use of this extra space in your home. You can even install automated 'smart' storage solutions. Your garage should be able to comfortably fit your vehicle, bikes, off-season storage, yard tools and other toys — and could maybe even be transformed into a convenient workshop, home studio or gym.
Whether you have a full mudroom or just a small space, the entryway of the home tends to become a dropzone for all sorts of random stuff — bags, jackets, shoes, sports gear, skateboards, you name it.
Storage solutions like well-placed hooks, baskets or bins, shelves, cupboards and maybe even a storage bench to help accommodate the items that people tend to leave by the door. With a proper place for everything, there should be no more excuses!
If you work from home, you likely know how important it is to have a functional and comfortable space to work. You’re also probably aware of how easily this space can become cluttered with papers, stationary and other random knick knacks.
With a bit of thought and the proper storage, even the smallest space can be transformed into an efficient workspace. Trying installing office cabinets, drawers, shelves, bins and desk top storage to help keep your area neat and tidy.
Getting organized can be a daunting task. Take some of the stress out of the process by enlisting the help of an expert.
Tailored Living Kamloops and Vernon offers free in-home consultations to help clients find the best storage and organization solutions for your home.
"Life is busy and it only seems to get busier. There is never enough time," said Bret Bresciani, owner of Tailored Living Kamloops and Vernon. "Being organized saves time and allows to you spend more time doing what you love."
Tailored Living, one of the fastest-growing home organization companies, has been providing homeowners with innovative solutions for over a decade. Book a free consultation with a local expert to learn more about how you can better organize your home!
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