New Year, new you. In a study completed for the Huffpost, 84% of recently stressed Americans say they worry that their home isn’t clean or organized enough. With 2023 just starting, now is the time to reevaluate the clutter in your home and tap into your own Marie Kondo. To help, Westwood has curated a list of tips and tricks to start you off on the right foot. And of course, we can help you find the right insurance policy to protect the valuables you do keep.
1. Start with flat surfaces
The fastest way to make your home look less cluttered is to clear off all flat surfaces, such as countertops, tabletops, and nightstands. Put everything on the floor and only add back the essentials. These include your day-to-day items and what you might use most frequently. All other items can be stored in a bin, basket, or closet. Using containers in fun colors and designs to match your décor scheme is a great way to incorporate your storage solutions into your home’s aesthetic. In addition, using clear plastic or glass containers can help provide a clean polished look.
2. Ask yourself – “Do I really use this?”
The saying “if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it” still reigns true when decluttering your living spaces. By purging items first, the overall idea of organization feels more manageable and less overwhelming. And according to Amber Shay, vice president of design studios at Meritage Homes, “After purging, you’ll have a better idea of how much storage space you have available.”
3. Make the most of the space you have
Sometimes space is limited by the shear square footage with which you have to work. Anthony Carrino, vice president of design at Welcome Homes, says, “Consumers are leaning more toward customized storage [solutions] and maximizing all of the vertical height that they have. Typically, the depth of a closet is limited, so taking advantage of the entire wall is something you see consumers trying to do more of.”
4. Think outside the box
Utilizing baskets for cutting boards or dish towels can add storage space to an otherwise unused area of the home and choosing clutter-hiding furniture pieces can help organize even the smallest of spaces. Emilie Baltorinic-Navarro, interior designer at Living Spaces, suggest to “Look for storage in unexpected places, such as discreet corners tucked away from sight. For example, the area behind doors, under stairways, above headboards and under bed frames can serve as an easy base for racks, shelving, built-in drawers and more.” Thinking outside the box, like adding a hanging bar on the side of your kitchen island or backsplash for kitchen utensils, or simply adding hooks to an otherwise bare wall to show off your favorite hats, scarves, or accessories, are some easy DIY storage solutions that don’t just function as decoration, but helps utilize a space that once might not have served a purpose.
5. Make sure everything has a home
Creating spaces for your items is important when establishing long-term organization goals. Once everything you own has a designated spot, it will become easier to put things back and manage the day-to-day clean up. This results in less clutter overall. If you find something doesn’t have a “home,” it might be time to reevaluate if it is something that needs to be kept, thrown out, or given away.
As you begin decluttering, organizing, and sorting through your personal belongings – whether you are keeping items that speak to the heart or discarding ones that no longer spark joy – remember that Westwood makes it easy to protect those items most important to you. Find out more about homeowners and renters insurance or contact a Westwood agent to learn more.
