Spring Cleaning and Uncluttering Your Home
By Budget Trucks|August 19, 2015
It’s springtime in Australia and spring cleaning goes along with spring just as much as wildflower. Usher in the cooler weather with a crisp new feel in your home. Did you know that just cleaning alone isn’t enough to make your home “feel” clean? That is because uncluttering your home is just as important, if not more important than cleaning alone. We’ll offer up some tips and tricks to removing the clutter and explain why it is so important.
Clutter and Your Mind
It might be an odd notion to grasp, but psychological studies have shown that clutter in your environment actually clutters your mind too. Part of the reason why is that if there is so much around, there are more distractions. The mental distractions are not only thinking about cleaning up the mess, but a clutter-filled messy rooms causes mental distractions in other ways too. Ever wonder why you feel so relaxed when you stay in a hotel? Sure, a big part of it is because you might be on vacation, but even when you stay in a hotel for business, it is usually a much more relaxed time. This is largely attributed to the uncluttered look of hotel rooms. There are no nicknacks or collectables lining the shelves or countertops, no dishes in the sink, and the kitchen counter isn’t cluttered with food items or mini appliances. Hotel rooms are clutter free. To even enhance the effect, the rooms are cleaned and beds made every day. You journey towards removing clutter can start when you move into your home. Don’t even pack the clutter and bring it with you. Start with a clutter-free design plan and each spring, maintain it by going back to your plan and removing the extras that you don’t need out.
Decluttering Tips
Here are some tips for removing the clutter in your home. Some of these you might not have considered clutter, but they still serve the same purpose and can help you relax and free your mind once they are removed or fixed.
Adding these decluttering tactics to your regular spring cleaning routine will ensure that you will feel great about your home not just for a couple weeks, but for much longer. Spring is all about renewal and that is why we have the notion of spring cleaning, it is giving away the old and replacing it with the new. Cleaning and organising your home for spring cleaning will last you the whole year. Adopting the mindset for keeping an uncluttered home will last you a life time.
Clutter and Your Mind
It might be an odd notion to grasp, but psychological studies have shown that clutter in your environment actually clutters your mind too. Part of the reason why is that if there is so much around, there are more distractions. The mental distractions are not only thinking about cleaning up the mess, but a clutter-filled messy rooms causes mental distractions in other ways too. Ever wonder why you feel so relaxed when you stay in a hotel? Sure, a big part of it is because you might be on vacation, but even when you stay in a hotel for business, it is usually a much more relaxed time. This is largely attributed to the uncluttered look of hotel rooms. There are no nicknacks or collectables lining the shelves or countertops, no dishes in the sink, and the kitchen counter isn’t cluttered with food items or mini appliances. Hotel rooms are clutter free. To even enhance the effect, the rooms are cleaned and beds made every day. You journey towards removing clutter can start when you move into your home. Don’t even pack the clutter and bring it with you. Start with a clutter-free design plan and each spring, maintain it by going back to your plan and removing the extras that you don’t need out.
Decluttering Tips
Here are some tips for removing the clutter in your home. Some of these you might not have considered clutter, but they still serve the same purpose and can help you relax and free your mind once they are removed or fixed.
- When you add something new to a shelf or wall, remove something so that you keep the exchange even.
- Electronics can cause clutter, especially the cords, wires, and plugs. Use zip ties or twist ties to keep all of the cords color coded, tied up nicely, and organised.
- Add extra storage to keep things hidden. Extra storage is a a great way to declutter, as long as you avoid that “junk drawer” that everything is thrown into. Just get organizers for your storage so that that can remain efficient and in order. Extra storage can help with things you might normally keep out on the counters, table tops or desk tops. It also is great for your home office or mail area. The less you can leave out the better.
- Get a closet makeover. Our closets are likely the biggest problem area for wasted space. If you can organise your closet and reclaim some space, it will help you figure out where to keep things that you regularly use but in your closet, they aren’t causing clutter around your home or bedroom.
- Adopt a minimalist design style. As you upgrade furniture, electronics, and appliances, you will likely find that the newer models are smaller and can help you save space.
- Use space saving techniques and furniture. Along with a minimalist approach to furniture, there are plenty of double duty furniture pieces to choose from or space saving furniture options. Space bags or storage are great for lesser used items or clothes that are out of season.
Adding these decluttering tactics to your regular spring cleaning routine will ensure that you will feel great about your home not just for a couple weeks, but for much longer. Spring is all about renewal and that is why we have the notion of spring cleaning, it is giving away the old and replacing it with the new. Cleaning and organising your home for spring cleaning will last you the whole year. Adopting the mindset for keeping an uncluttered home will last you a life time.
