We all have that one friend, who despite our best efforts, cannot reduce the clutter in their otherwise beautiful home. They may even defend their living style by saying there is a ‘method to their madness’. To be honest, none of us are immune to busy periods in our lives where cleanliness drops to second-level priority. In those rare moments, the clutter in our own homes goes from manageable to monstrosity. Various studies strongly suggest a link between having a clutter-free living or work space and a streamlined life. The low-down: a tidy living environment boosts one’s mental and physical well-being.
Let’s explore some painless ways to declutter your home (and life!):
TIP#1: TURN TIDINESS INTO A GAME
Having to declutter a store room or a basement can be a boring task. That’s probably why it keeps getting delayed. Involve as many willing participants as possible and turn ‘Operation Clean-up’ into a game! Set a timer up in plain sight and keep track of who gets each room sorted the fastest. This can be a monthly activity, especially in homes with more than one young child. The basic idea is to keep the space neat and clean at all times.
TIP#2: CONDUCT THE ULTIMATE LITMUS TEST
You are ready to part with your stash of old leggings and outdated hoodies, but how to begin? Organizational experts recommend that homeowners conduct the ‘joy and excitement’ litmus test. Start by going through a closet or drawer full of questionable items. Take a moment to evaluate how each individual item makes you feel. If it no longer gives you joy or you simply cannot remember the last time you used it, it’s time to throw it away. If any of the items you are parting with are clothes or shoes, you can designate a donation box for a local charity.
TIP#3: BASKETS AND DRAWERS ARE YOUR NEW BEST FRIENDS!
Baskets, if used correctly, can add both style and storage to practically any room. Invest in a set of 3 or 6 deep baskets and label them as required. If you are running low on closet space, these baskets can store shoes, rolled up yoga pants and even t-shirts. Once labeled and filled to the brim, grab these baskets and slide them on an empty standalone pantry shelf or under the bed. Even one big shelf running across one entire wall, in which baskets neatly fit, can result in a significantly more organized space.
TIP#4: MULTI-PURPOSE STORAGE BOXES & KITS
Hidden in plain sight, most likely at your local hardware store, are multi-purpose storage boxes. Some of these storage boxes double as footstools for young children and come quite handy when it’s time to tidy-up the nursery. Portable kits for family members sharing bathrooms can also be used as travel kits while on vacation. Bring in a knowledgeable interior designer in Pakistan to figure out how to best utilize your home’s space.
TIP#5: CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE ITEMS
Since you’re already making changes at home, why not replace older, traditional furniture pieces with trendier, convertible furniture items? Two such commonly-used items are sofa-cum-beds and instantly expandable dining tables. Other convertible utility products include a full-length mirror that flips over to become an ironing board and a full-size mirror that doubles as storage cabinet.
House Construction in Pakistan should be done so the resulting structures are both practical to live in and aesthetically-pleasing for the homeowner. Smartly-designed homes lessen the chance of clutter accumulation in the first place.