Got Clutter? Determining What To Keep And What To Put Away
According to the NPD research firm, the average American family has around $7,000 in unused stuff. If your home is full of clutter from this unused stuff, with a figure this high, you don't exactly want to toss it all in the trash; however, it would be unrealistic to not assume that you could at least get rid of a few things. For most people, this is where the challenge comes in. Knowing what should go and what should stay can be difficult; here are some tips to get you started.
Clothing
It's fairly easy to organize clothing. Turn all the folded clothes in your chests tag side down. Once you wear an item, place it back in the drawer tag side up. Reverse all your hanging clothes so that the hanger is facing backwards. Return a worn item with the hanger facing the correct way. After three months, any clothing that's tag side down or still hung up in the reverse direction should be donated or placed in storage.
Electronics
When it comes to determining what electronic items you should keep around, compatibility should be your first consideration. For example, a container of old cellphone chargers that won't work with any of your family's new phones should be donated or disposed of. If the electronic device is still compatible, but you don't necessarily use it often, it would make more sense to store it away.
Furniture
Believe it or not, you can have too much furniture. For example, a family of four that rarely entertains probably doesn't need a sectional, love seat, and accent chair in the living room. A pillow test can help determine what items need to go. Place a pillow over each sitting surface. Remove the pillow and put it away whenever you sit down. After a month, if the pillow is still sitting on a piece of furniture, it's time to store it away.
Organizing It All
After you've set-aside the items you will keep, consider a mobile storage company. Mobile storage units are delivered to your home so that you can fill and organize the unit at your own pace. Depending on your needs, you can leave the unit on your property for immediate access or have it stored away at a secured site for long-term safe keeping.
No matter how much chaos or clutter your unused stuff seems to be causing around your home, know that you can organize it all to keep your home clean and clutter-free.