6 Secrets to Decluttering & Downsizing Your Home Without Stress

6 Secrets to Decluttering & Downsizing Your Home Without Stress

Shows like "Hoarders" have brought light to cluttered homes overrun with clothes, food, knick-knacks and too much stuff. Decluttering or downsizing your home doesn't have to take an army of people, just great tips and a positive attitude. Just remember, tangible stuff is just that, but memories last a lifetime. Here are 6 stress-free tips for decluttering your home:

Donate All Extras
Go through all your kids toys and clothes they don't fit into and donate them to Goodwill or The Salvation Army. The same goes for all the stuff you got lying around the house taking up wall or table space. Do you really need a dozen flower vases? Or six different sets of dinner plates? Thrift stores are always selling things like that, and they go quickly. If you go through your home and realize you have multiple sets of things you don't need (like towels, sweaters, radios, etc.) just donate! Good vibes will come back your way.

Storage Container | For Things You Just Can't Live Without
Storage containers provide a convenient and safe place to keep your items either short term or long term. If you decide you just can't part with something but don't have room for them at the moment in your home, keep them in the garage in a storage container. If you don't have any extra space in your garage, or no garage at all, rent a self storage locker.

Try Craigslist or eBay
One man's trash is another man's treasure. If you just don't have any more room for those baseball keepsakes or 12 pieces of rustic furniture, take to the Web. Try selling your goodies on Craigslist or eBay. I guarantee you will get an offer within a week of posting. What better way to get rid of extra clutter than getting money for it?

Go Through Your Kitchen
Do you really need all those plastic tubs and Tupperware? I know it's convenient to keep all the deli meat containers and great Tupperware from restaurants, but that just builds clutter, which can easily be avoided. Stick with a good Tupperware set — that's all. You should have no more than 10 pieces.

The More, The Merrier
Enlist the help of family and friends. They will be able to help you get rid of stuff and can even take things off your hands if they find something promising. Family is always there for you, so help make your transition easy with family and friends: they know you better than anyone, so they can offer up recommendations on what to get rid of, even if it hurts you to get rid of that popcorn maker (that you've never used).

What You Need?
If you're downsizing to a smaller home, go through your current home, room by room, and write a list of everything you absolutely need. Take a look at what you want and what you need. You need a bed, but you want an extra futon? Don't add extra clutter if you don't have to. If you go through your room and find something you haven't seen in years, it might be time to get rid of it.