Month: March 2020

How to organize your closet with out spending anything!

Shortly before Christmas, I sat looking into my closet. My goal was to get it organized in one day. It wasn’t a big project (my closet isn’t that big) I hadn’t bought anything for this project, as I was just going to tackle it as quickly as I could. I could think about purchasing products afterwards if I so decided.

In the middle of organizing, I realized I was out of good hangers to use. Instead of stopping, and running out to get more hangers, I just kept on going through the clothes. I found more hangers from clothes I was no longer keeping.

I have written other posts about organizing on a low income or while being on a budget. I thought this is the perfect time to talk about how you can organize with out having to buy a thing! You do not always have to purchase supplies, you can just use what you have on hand.

This site contains affiliate links. I can make money if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links.

Clear out the closet.

Clearing out the entire closet is always the very first step I do. I do this because once you can actually see the pile of clothes you own, you are more likely to truely evaluate what you have. And I found, I have a much easier time to part with things because I see how much I actually have.

Take everything off of the shelves and make sure there is nothing left hanging in the closet. If you have room, I would even recommend taking all the other clutter out of the closet! That includes shoes, purses, belts, accessories.

Starting your organizing with a clean space can help you visualize how you want the space to look, how the space can work for you, and how you can best use the space. Because you are no longer limited to a system you currently were using.

Down the road, in the future, you may want to consider heading over to EasyClosets for easy affordable ways to help maximize your closet space.

Declutter all your clothes.

Now comes the fun part…decluttering your wardrobe! I know, you think I’m crazy for thinking this is fun. But it really can be! Let me explain…

Start by sorting your clothing into categories, such as shirts, pants, dress, jackets, ect.

Once all the clothing is categorized, then you will be holding up each individual piece of clothing. Ask yourself, do I love how I feel when I wear this? If the answer is yes, out it in the keep pile. If the answer is no, put it in the donate pile. If the answer is well… or ummm…. or I guess…. then put it in the maybe pile.

After all the clothes have been put into piles, its time to go back to the maybe pile. Start by turning on some music and trying on each piece of clothing you have in the pile.

Be totally honest with yourself when you look in the mirror. Only keep clothes that you love to wear, because why would you want to keep something that doesn’t make you feel good.

Put away clothing by type.

Get piles of unwanted clothes out of your space. Put them in your garage or your car to donate and/or sell. Only keep the clothes that make you feel great in your space before you try to put those things away. It will give you a clear visual for what actually should go there.

If your closet is on the right side of the room when you are standing in the doorway, you should hang your clothes from left to right. If your closet is on the left hand side, hang your clothes right to left. I know it sounds funny, but think of it like this: you are hanging all your clothes so they face the door. The are some exceptions to that based on the type of closet you have. And set up of your closet, but for most closets, this system seems to be the most effective.

When hanging up your clothes, start by putting away all your pants. Try to use the bottom hanging space for your pants. I recommend going from dark to light. Then move to your dress pants.

Hang your tops by color, but sort by type of top with in each color. So an example would be to grab all your white tops. Then, hang your tank tops first. Then t-shirts, followed by quarter sleeves. Long sleeves are next, followed by jackets and sweaters. Continue this until you have gone through all colors of your clothing.

Dresses should be hung in the space where you have ample space for longer hanging clothes! And keep belts and scarves on hangers, preferably near where the dresses are hanging because there will be room for the length.

Use what you have.

While I love using beautiful organizing containers and bins from Dollar Tree. Sometimes, budgets, or space don’t allow for them. If that’s the case, I’m pretty sure you might have something around your house you could use.

Shoe boxes

I really love using shoe boxes to organize almost anything. All my kids drawers have their shoe boxes holding all their clothes. I will cut the shoe box lid to use as drawer dividers. If I need to make it sturdier, I will cover it with duct tape. And I love all the colored and decorative duct tape that you can find at Dollar Tree. So you can even spice up your space with some colorful tape.

Hangers

While I love using velvet hangers, sometimes the investment isn’t feasible for your entire wardrobe. That’s perfectly fine. Just use what you have. The biggest thing about organizing your closet is to make sure that you can see all your clothes, and that you feel good about every item you own. That’s how you will be able to keep and maintain an organized closet.

Organize your closet with you spending anything!

I have some super random tips. Some you might laugh at. But once you follow them, you will no longer laugh. So give some of these tips a try. And I promise, if you laugh at them, I wont be offended. I mean, I talked about how to set up your closet based on where it was in your room. If you weren’t laughing at that, well, that is pretty silly to think about at first.

  • The curve of the hanger should be facing you.
  • All your clothing should be going the same direction.
  • Make sure your clothes are not inside out before you hang them up.
  • Hang your pants with the butt facing towards the wall.
  • Set up your closet so that all your clothes are facing the doorway, unless you have a walk in closet with a U shape. Then all clothing should be in the same direction all the way around.
  • Make sure you can reach everything you hang up in your closet.
  • Try to keep seasonal clothing in your closet all year long. It gives you a better visual for what you have.
  • Store a bag for dry cleaning in your closet or near your laundry basket. This makes it easier for you to collect your dry cleaning with out it piling up on the floor.

Color coding

*Start with lighter colors then move to darker colors

*When color coding your closet follow this color system

  • white
  • pink
  • red
  • orange
  • yellow
  • green
  • blue
  • purple
  • brown
  • gray
  • black

Now it’s your turn to get your closet organized with out spending anything. Take everything out of your closet and declutter all of your clothes. Put things back in your closet by category and color code your closet.. Use what you have to help organize your space, and don’t forget to follow my random tips for keeping your closet organized.

How I conquer clutter when it’s emotionally difficult.

I understand the emotional attachment to stuff.

I love the idea of minimalist living. I strive towards it, in fact. (At a snails pace, yes, but still – I’m striving).

Those who are naturally minimally inclined don’t quite understand the emotional turmoil that some of us feel when we try to take on the task of de cluttering so this post is for all you emotionally attached clutter bugs out there. The ones who want to live in a clutter free space, but struggle because you feel controlled by your stuff.

I get it. I’m high anxiety, seriously over sensitive, and easily over whelmed. Or at least I can be. I work every day to bring my sane self to the surface (that’s what I like to call that little voice of reason that allows me to function – when I choose to listen to her – and I do that more and more these days).

SuperAreaRugs.com Now that I’m able to see my floor… they have the most amazing rugs, and ALL affordable!

This post contains affiliate links. I can make money if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my link.

I’ve learned 4 little tricks to make de – cluttering easier.

De – cluttering is something I have worked on alot in the past couple of years. And man do I love how it feels to live in a home with less stuff. It hasn’t been easy.

If any one can benefit from these tricks I’ve learned to make it easier – well that’d be the icing on the cake. So let me walk you through a typical (for me) decluttering session.

First I tell myself that I will do it no matter how hard it is, because I can do hard things.

Dollar Tree has so many affordable, and pretty things to help with organization. Its one of my go to places if I find I need anything.

#1 Get permission

The first drawer goes ok.

I get the unused ,broken, don’t even know what this is into a box and I feel pretty proud of myself. Then I pick up something that I know needs to go… but it can’t because… (insert ridiculous reason here).

In the past I would have become discouraged, given up and probably drank some wine. But, now I do this…

Getting rid of the thing trick #1 I call someone who I know values a tidy house and understands the burden that excess stuff can be, and I explain that I need permission to get rid of the thing.

I’m no psychologist and I can’t tell you why this works, but having someone else’s permission and support to get rid of the thing helps immensely.

https://uncommomspaces.com/5-bad-habits-that-keep-your-home-a-cluttered-mess/ Here a a few more ideas to help keep your home tidy.

#2 Turn the tables

So, then I continue, encouraged.

Until I pick up something that some one gave me. (this totally derails my decluttering train).

I want to get rid of it (oh the guilt)

But I can deal with it because I’ve learned:

Getting rid of the thing trick #2 I imagine that I was the one who had given this thing to someone else and I know that if the thing I gave them was causing the this much stress, I would feel terrible! I would want them to get rid of the thing.

I never gave it to them to burden them. So chances are good that who ever gave me this thing wouldn’t want me burdened with it either. They would want me to get rid of it. Plus it helps to remember that I am emotionally attached to stuff, and other people are not. There is also a good chance that the gifter doesn’t even remember giving me this thing, and just sees it as a thing.

#3 Ask for help

Then, I get to the thing I can not get rid of.

There’s no way. I sort of want to, but my resolve is going and I need this thing for absolutely no reason. I can’t.

Getting rid of the thing trick #3 I get someone else to get rid of it for me. I have to say, I don’t do this very often, and I do it less as I get better at allowing my sane self to be heard.

#4 Get rid of the thing now.

I’m done for the day, so I set the box of stuff on the spare bed. I’ll donate it next time I go to town. I feel ok right now about the things I’m getting rid of and even if some of it was difficult to imagine parting with, at least I get it in the box so I can start coming to terms with the fact that its gone.

Oops…

I’ve noticed that 89% of the time I never even thing of the thing again after its out of the house.

I’ve also noticed, that if the box stays on the spare bed, the stuff will get out of the box.

https://uncommomspaces.com/8-things-you-can-do-right-now-to-reduce-dust-in-your-home/ After you finish your decluttering, you can do these 8 things!

Hofdeco Has beautiful pillows and other decor to help your home look pretty after you have finished your decluttering projects.

Getting rid of the thing trick #4 Get rid of the thing! Now, while you feel determined, while you have permission, while you understand why it needs to go.

Drive that box right to the thrift store, to the donation bin, to the dump if its stuff no one else will use. Do not let all your hard work go to waste.

You can do this! You can conquer the clutter your stuff does not have to control you.

Also, consider addressing the disorganization in your home – for good. Some times just deluttering isn’t enough.

Addressing the disorganization in my home took me a long way towards keeping the clutter at bay.

But I din’t know where to start, with getting organized and I actually needed someone to teach me how to do it.

De clutter your home fast!

Taking a good hard look at the clutter in your home can be overwhelming, and is usually the first hurdle you have to jump across before you can actually work out how to declutter and organize your home.

But, what if you knew there was an easy way to get clear of clutter and organize your home?

I have a simple decluttering hack that makes decluttering easy and fast. And all in 5 simple steps.

Why de clutter?

De cluttering is the very fist step you should take when you start to organize your home. After all, there is not much point in organizing a mess, right?

There are also other reasons why you should de clutter.

Less clutter means less stress. You may be constantly worried about the mess in your home with out even realizing it. Not to mention the stress when you are trying to find an item!

A cluttered home makes you tired. Having constant clutter around you makes it hard to focus and organize your thoughts. You may also be using up more energy then you think on worrying about your homes clutter.

You will have more space. Not only physically, but mentally too! When you stop have to worry about tripping over a mess or moving things around to create space you will be surprised by how much lighter you feel mentally as well as having more room to breathe in your home.

Cleaning is easier. How to make cleaning your home easier? Have less to tidy up! You have more space to clean which makes the chore much easier.

Your home is healthier. If you have lots of clutter, chances are you clean less. Or if you have cluttering habits like not washing up straight away, your home is breeding germs! And don’t forget the actual physical danger of a lot of clutter like tripping on clothes thrown on the floor.

You can save money… And even make it by de cluttering. When you get into the habit of having less in your home you will stop buying unnecessary items. You will also be more organized which means you stop buying replacements for items you can’t find… and in the process of decluttering you can sell all those unwanted items for cash.

You can learn self awareness. Learning to decide what is important to you is a fantastic life skill. You might start by learning with items and nic nacs, but this skill will flow into all other areas of your life too.

You might stop being late. All those minutes trying to find keys, shoes, and your phone all really add up. Watch your time management skills improve as you declutter.

You might make different decisions. How does clutter affect your decision? Well, take for example moving house. Maybe the thought of having to move everything is enough to keep you from making the change. It could be stopping you from having your home in the style you love, if it doesn’t go well with all those items you have been hoarding for 10 years!

How to organize your home.

How to get rid of clutter-Easy steps to de clutter.

So, now you know why getting rid of clutter is important. But, what are the 5 magic steps to decluttering?

A Pact

As you know a pact is a formal agreement… so make one with yourself and the clutter in your home. Use it as a tool to help you remember the easy steps to decluttering. The best part is that you can use this tool for large spaces like whole rooms and also for the tiniest areas like an office drawer.

But, what does a pact mean?

The first step to decluttering.

A Ask

Before moving or sorting anything ask yourself some questions.

How do you want to use this room?

What is the reason you want it organized?

How do you declutter your room?

You wont really declutter unless you dig deep with these questions. It’s no good answering that you want the house tidy. Being really specific will give you a solid goal and help you stay motivated.

For example, say you want to organize the piles of paperwork in your home office. Ask yourself why do I want to organize this space?

Maybe it’s because last time you needed an important document it took you half an hour of sifting through the pile, or maybe you missed paying your insurance because the bill disappeared into the pile.

Once you’ve answered the question, then move on to step 2.

Decluttering action steps.

P Pile

This decluttering step is just like it sounds. Start to pile “like” items together.

Be as specific as you can.

In the pantry, pile spices together. In your closet, pile all your shirts together. And do another pile for your socks.

With your paperwork, pile all 401k paperwork together. Pile phone bills in another ect, ect.

Declutter with purpose.

A Analyze

Now it’s time to sort through your piles. Take each pile and break it down into two piles. One “treasure ” and one “Trash”.

By only having two piles you will start to learn to make those quick and sometimes tough decisions. Don’t detour from these two piles or you will end up with a third “not sure” pile that will just end up as clutter.

This step will get easier the more you declutter. And don’t feel that just because it is in the trash pile it means it’s going to the garbage. Rather it means it will no longer be in your home.

Next…

Making money from decluttering.

C Cash

Now you are going to go through your trash pile and break this down into more manageable piles. Donate, sell, or garbage.

Once you have these piles, make sure you take action steps straight away.

Put your donate pile in the car so you can drop it off nest time you drive somewhere. Take photos of the items you are going to sell and put them up on face book or other great selling website.

The final step is where you get organized.

Last step to decluttering.

T Tidy up

Take your treasure pile and start organizing. You will find that organizing your home is so much easier now you have got down to just those items you really want or need.

Place items where they belong, put new organization systems in place and keep those like items together.

Some other home organization ideas are to make all your storage systems super simple and easy. And to organize items depending on how often you use them. Be sure to have items you use more frequently with in reach.

So now you know the simple steps to have A Pact with your clutter.

A great place to shop for organizational items is the Dollar Tree. They have it all from labels to bins. You may also want to look into Easy closet.com click here to go to their website!