TIPS ON DECLUTTERING YOUR HOME AND PREPPING FOR THE NEW YEAR

HALLWAY

Create a drop-off station for everyday items such as keys, mail, wallets, and purses. Choose enough baskets or containers to keep your entryway clean. Placing a bench with a basket next to the entryway provides a subtle cue for guests to remove their shoes as they enter the home.

LIVING ROOM

Clean up your living space by carefully choosing what to display on your shelves and coffee table. If something is no longer fun to watch, give yourself permission to donate or keep it. If you have small children, leave a basket in the room and let them own it. You can put your favorite toys in it and change the contents as many times as you like. This limits the number of toys and items they contain and keeps the space organized.

KITCHEN

Tackle old kitchen utensils that you no longer use or have used multiple times. Use drawer inserts to store things and stay organized. Use countertop canisters for basic supplies and coffee or tea storage. It's an inexpensive way to add extra storage space and spruce up your kitchen. Speaking of donating, if you have any packaged or canned food you didn't use during the holidays, donate it to your local pantry. And of course, check your refrigerator for expired items.

BEDROOM

According to experts, pillows should be replaced every one to two years. If you've had the same one on your bed for a while, it's probably time to invest in a new one. Take the one-year rule seriously. If you haven't worn a dress in the past year, you probably won't wear it again. Donate it, give it to a friend, or put it in a gift box if it has nostalgic value. But keeping things you don't wear in your closet clutters the space and makes it harder to find what you're wearing. Keep all the hangers in place. We have slim velvet hangers, but you can choose the set according to your taste. It's the biggest game-changer for your closet and instantly elevates your space. From there, group tops, pants, and dresses and specify color codes within each category. If your shoes don't fit well, try a transparent shoe box. Choose from the heel, boot, or flat easily stack to triple your space.

LAUNDRY ROOM

Detergents are in containers and some products are in labeled jars. Your Shelves Will Stay Neat And Organized And Some Canisters Give Your Space An Upgraded Look. In Your Laundry Room, Store A Bin For Mismatched Socks. Matchless Shoes Think of it like a bottom. Ultimately you will find what you are looking for and save yourself the frustration. Did you know that bath towels should be washed every 2 days. If not, it's probably covered in bacteria. However, after repeated use and washing, the towel will probably wear out. Get rid of your flimsy, tattered towels (which you can recycle as rags in your garage or shed) and invest in a new set.

KIDS ROOMS

Children leave toys as quickly as they wear clothes. To eliminate confusion, we recommend that your child's items be edited by her twice a year. Focus on simple systems that are intuitive to learn and easy to maintain. First, group all similar categories and place items on special shelves. (Frequently used items should be kept on the bottom shelf and sentimental items on the top shelf.) Color-coded toys, books, and clothing help children find what they're looking for. Easy to find and easy to clean up at the end. There's nothing more frustrating than pulling out an old jigsaw puzzle to complete this year and realizing it's missing a piece. The missing pieces don't come back, so you'll probably need to remove the puzzle entirely. The same applies to card games, toys, or any other game that lacks a key element of the game.

GARDEN

It’s easy to collect flower pots over the years without even realizing it – if you have more than you need – or more than you have room to store – it’s time to get rid of the ones that aren’t your absolute favorite.