Easy ways to declutter your home
Most of us are guilty of hoarding…we hang on things we no longer need and in the process, our homes are literally gasping for breath. We asked three master designers – Sahana Singh, Magic Weaves, Mumbai; Priya Gill, Creator of Just Dreams, Hyderabad and Kapil Dhuri, Chief Designer, All things Pretty; Goa to give us tips on De-cluttering and in the process realised, it’s simple and little everyday detailing that makes this journey oh-so-easy.
Sahana Singh, Magic Weaves, Mumbai
Tackle messes one room at a time:
- When you buy something new, practice the “in-out rule:” For every one new item, get rid of an old one.
- Create intimacy in the master bedroom. Remember that improvements in one room can spread to the rest of the house.
- Make cleaning up fun for your kids.
- Create a vision for the room you’re cleaning.
- Teach your kids how to sort.
- Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don’t.
Priya Gill, Creator of Just Dreams, Hyderabad
I believe that holding onto anything that doesn’t have a working role in your home won’t allow you to create new space for anything new to come into your life . So thumb rule number one is even as we bring new things in, we need to bring old things out. In this way, we ensure a vital life flow in our lives.
Make a Date with Your Clutter:
Your first task is to schedule an appointment with your space. Most people never get around to clearing the clutter because their schedule is packed. So, just as you would schedule a regular checkup with your doctor, schedule an appointment with your home to begin organizing. Take two hours one morning and set that time aside to start getting things in order.
Leftover goodies:
You’re probably already reusing these freebies to store leftovers or to pack picnic goodies. But did you know that they’re also great for storing craft supplies like beads, buttons, magnets, and thread? Even unused portions of mixed craft paint can be stored in the condiments containers. As long as it fits, it’s got a home.
One old item:
Getting rid of one item a week sets pace for de cluttering your space. And make it an item that you hold close to your heart. It may sound difficult, but when the item has been recycled or given away, you realize you just do not miss it.
Kapil Dhuri, Chief Designer, All things Pretty, Goa
It may look daunting, but take baby steps. To start with, pick a target. Look around your home and decide what overwhelms you the most. What frustrates you most often? Is it your disordered wardrobe? Or not being able to find the granola bars in the cupboard in the morning? Or is it the stacks of paper on the floor of your office? Pick the area that is most maddening and start there.
File your paperwork:
Piles of paper can equal stacks of stress. Buy a few ring binders from your local stationery store and split them into sections with dividers, allocating each area of your life a separate binder: for example, one could be for household bills, with the different utilities filed in date order after each divider. Then store them somewhere out of sight, but accessible, for future reference.
Create a theme:
Assign a broad yet specific theme to every area of your space. If you are working in your kitchen, dedicate one shelf to breakfast foods, one to canned goods, one to grains and pastas, and one to baking supplies, etc. Make sure that items are at a sensible height so that whoever spends the most time in the kitchen can read the labels.
Make your storage space smaller and more minimal. If you have lots of storage, you’ll fill it with stuff.
