Frequence of Decluttering: Identifying Insufficient or Excessive Efforts Based on Expert Opinions from Professional Organizers
In the quest for a clutter-free home, professional organisers offer a blend of decluttering strategies tailored to various areas and items within our living spaces. By adopting a mix of quarterly deep decluttering blitzes, biweekly small tidy-ups, annual or biannual checks on seasonal or rarely used goods, and immediate attention to problem clutter zones, homeowners can maintain an organised and functional living environment.
Professional organisers recommend quarterly decluttering blitzes for high-traffic zones such as living areas, bedrooms, and closets. This approach allows for the removal of items that are no longer used or needed regularly, keeping these spaces tidy and functional. For instance, a 30-day decluttering blitz targeting family rooms, kitchens, entryways, bedrooms, and closets, repeated every three months, can help maintain order [1].
Frequently used items, like sunglasses, pet supplies, mail, and school items, should be kept well-organised in easily accessible spots. Small maintenance decluttering, performed weekly or every couple of weeks, helps keep daily clutter under control without overwhelming effort [3].
Seasonal or rarely used items, such as holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, and serving platters, should be stored in harder-to-reach spaces and decluttered less frequently, approximately once or twice a year. Using a system like the "garage sale sticker technique" can help identify what items are actually used over a six-month period before deciding to declutter [3].
Problem areas like junk drawers or entryway closets require focused methods such as the "cousins or coworkers" technique, which involves pulling out all items, sorting them by category, discarding what’s unnecessary, and reorganising. This targeted decluttering should be done as needed, but frequently in these trouble spots to prevent buildup [5].
Ben Soreff, a partner at House to Home Organizing and an expert with Level 5 Hoarders, advises setting repeating decluttering tasks in calendars during less busy times of the year. Kimberly Corey, another certified professional organiser and the founder of FSO (Finely Sorted Organizing, LLC), established in 2000, suggests decluttering the entryway/mudroom and car weekly.
Regular decluttering not only frees up room for the things that truly matter but also can inspire new ways of organising current belongings. It encourages a serene environment that promotes focus and clarity, reduces feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and encourages intentionality and mindfulness [4].
Reflecting on buying habits, feelings towards possessions, and what matters most can make a huge difference to your mindset pre-decluttering. Regularly assessing possessions encourages intentionality and mindfulness, opening up space for new experiences, opportunities, and even new belongings that align with who you are now [6].
Kiera Malowitz, another certified professional organiser, recommends decluttering daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, and annually, with each time frame depending on what is being decluttered and the number of items to be let go. The more important thing in decluttering is to seek to improve your relationship with stuff [7].
In conclusion, the verdict on how often a person should declutter their home is threefold: as needed, as you go, and when you can work it into your schedule. Decluttering can be liberating as it allows letting go of things that no longer serve you, opening up space for new experiences, opportunities, and even new belongings that align with who you are now.
- To maintain an organised living environment, professional organisers suggest decluttering the living room, kitchen, and other high-traffic areas every three months.
- When it comes to seasonal or rarely used items like holiday decorations and serving platters, they should be decluttered less frequently, about once or twice a year.
- For problem areas such as junk drawers or entryway closets, targeted decluttering is required, which can be done as needed but frequently to prevent buildup.
- Embracing a decluttering lifestyle can inspire a serene environment in your home-and-garden, promote focus and clarity, and encourage health-and-wellness through mindfulness and intentionality.
