I just recently moved to a new house in a new town and I LOVE it but it’s quite a bit smaller than my first house. I cleaned out before we packed but STILL have too much so I really had to edit my belongings and think about what I needed and what I could let go. Use these tips in your own home this New Year to get a clean, fresh start in 2015.
Seasonal Decor: Since you have the Christmas decorations out already this is a good time to think about what you really love and what’s worth storing. I love seasonal decorations but do we really need a pot holder for every single holiday? Choose your favorite holiday decorations and get rid of the hand-me-downs and things that you have no attachment to.
Towels and Sheets: I used to have enough towels for an entire army to spend the night and shower at my house. I cleaned out and have two sheet sets per bed, and a few towels for each of us in the house. In the guest bath, I only have a couple of towels because I never have 12 people at my house at once.
Kitchen Gadgets: I know I disappoint all of the women in my family and my husband’s family when I say I don’t like cooking. It’s just never been fun to me even though I really want it to be. I have every gadget, baking dish, and gizmo you could ever need to be a professional chef but no space for it. Let the 50 piece cake decorating kit go if you have never opened the box since your wedding shower 🙂
Toiletries: You know you have this in your house…a closet full of half used bottles of shampoo, 50 hotel lotion samples, and that makeup you bought for your Halloween costume last year. It’s where all of your toiletries go to die but you can’t throw them away because you MIGHT need them someday. Toss them and don’t look back!
This was the BEFORE:
I took everything out of it’s package, tossed the old stuff I would NEVER use, and set everything up straight so that nothing would spill. I keep it all under my sink in a plastic tub and will really try to keep it clean this year 🙂 No promises…
Hi 🙂 I have a great idea for toiletries…(Well, I think it’s a good one, anyhow!)
1) if they’re hotel sized and unused, donate to local homeless shelter. The shelters LOVE receiving these.
2) If you have a YMCA (or other gym kind of place) you belong to, take everything bathroom-y on a field trip (hairspray, lotions, abandoned shampoos and failed beauty products, etc). Put the shampoo/conditioner/soaps in shower stalls and leave them. Leave everything else out near the sink in a disposable container (metal foil pan? cardboard bucket?) with a sign – free!
3) Last but not least, my husband is a toothpaste, sample sized, hoarder. I don’t really know where they come from but they multiply in the night. I started putting them out in my bathrooms, removing the big tube. ONLY when i go through the samples will I use the big tube again. It’s working! Finally the supply is dwindling! 😀
Great ideas! We used travel toothpastes for about a month or two because I had a ton!!
LOVE this easy to do list of ways to declutter! Pinning and sharing everywhere!
~ Ashley
Thank you friend 🙂
You are speaking my love language – organization! I so want to continue to have less of everything. Your tips are spot on! I think when you move you are quickly reminded how little you really need! Thanks for motivating me even more!!!
Thanks! I knew you would like this one 🙂