In this article, we will look at some of the reasons why decluttering can be healthy, and some tips as to the best way to go about the task
Decluttering is good for your health, but many people don’t know how to do it
Who doesn’t need a little more calm in their lives right now? It is well-documented that living amongst clutter can have a detrimental impact on your mental health and can leave you feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
Clutter doesn’t just mean that unorganised paperwork scattered around your desk that you never quite get around to, or clothes that are always all over the place in the wardrobe, but includes unanswered emails, or all those tabs open on your internet browser. Whatever form clutter takes for you, the important thing is to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand and begin to negatively affect your life. Losing bills or letters can be stressful, and have a serious knock-on impact. Many people lack the simple skills of how to declutter, and that’s perfectly normal, so rest assured.
This is where self-storage can help, as by sorting through your things and putting them in piles for use (like, give to charity, or throw away, or action immediately), you can quickly get on top of the mess and regain control of your life.
Decluttering gives you the gift of space
It may seem very obvious but once you start to declutter your home, you’ll immediately notice all that extra space to play with.
From speaking to clients, this is especially true of those trying to work or study from home; a proper sort out of these busy areas can make them a much more pleasant environment in which to get things done.
You may even be able to reclaim that spare room or loft space from being the family dumping ground, turning it into the perfect home office! We’ve also seen a number of garages converted from no-go areas to home gyms during the lockdown.
Having space is also necessary when we want to decorate and sorting out part of your home, you’ll soon run into problems painting or putting up wallpaper or shelving if the room is cluttered with stuff.
Here is where self-storage can help again, giving you a short or long-term space to suit your needs.
Want to add value to your home?
One of the biggest reasons to declutter a home is when it’s going on the market. Potential buyers want to be able to walk into a room and see themselves living there, with their own items spread around.
To help conjure that picture in their minds, you will want to turn the space into a blank canvas ahead of the viewing. Decluttering is the perfect way to frame your house as a welcoming home for the next occupant.
Presenting a messy home to potential buyers can harm your chances of getting a good deal, and as our houses are usually the biggest asset we own, it makes sense to make them as alluring as possible when it comes time to sell.
By using self-storage units you can also provide that extra space without throwing anything of your own away, instead, it will be securely locked up waiting to be moved to your new abode.
So you now have some ideas as to why decluttering is a good thing, but how do you go about it? It can be very daunting, but we promise once you take that first step, you won’t regret it,
One person who has made cleaning and organising a global business is Marie Kondo – she quite literally lives and breathes decluttering. You can find out some of her top tips right here!
How to Declutter Your Home – Step-by-Step Guide
Clearing out your clutter is easy, it just takes a little commitment to getting the job done. Where you begin is up to you, but the bedroom and living room are sensible areas to start with, given how we tend to spend most of our time between the two. It doesn’t end with what’s inside the main rooms either. Targeting lofts, garages and sheds can throw up a surprising amount of junk; it makes sense that we’ll instinctively dump old or broken things in areas we rarely go to.
1.) Sort your belongings
The easiest way to sift through your belongings is to put them into five piles:
- Items you use every day
- Items used every week or so
- Belongings used once a year or so – ski equipment, garden furniture, and so forth
- Items you want and need to keep, but hardly ever use, such as important souvenirs and mementos
- Stuff you don’t want or need – old toys, out-of-date tech, and furniture that only takes up space.
Now, if you keep the first and second piles at home, box up the third and fourth so they’re ready to store, and throw, donate or sell the fifth pile – then voila, your home is safely decluttered!
For piles one and two, make sure to invest in good home storage. Chests, boxes and cupboards are better receptacles of your belongings than floors or countertops.
For piles three and four, self-storage is the obvious answer. For a small cost each month, you can unlock the potential of your home and enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle!
2.) What room should I start decluttering first?
This is entirely up to you and also depends on which room needs it the most, but a common place to start is the bathroom as it’s usually relatively small compared to the other rooms of the house. Bathrooms also tend to have fewer objects that hold any sentimental value, so it will be easier to decide whether to keep something, donate it or throw it away.
3.) How can I declutter the house quickly?
If you’re short on time, start by picking up the rubbish around the house and throwing it in a big bin bag. Then, see if there are any items that belong in another room and take them back where they belong e.g. clothes on sofas should go back to the bedroom and in the wardrobe. Finally, go around once more and tidy up any remaining out-of-place items.
4.) Why is decluttering stressful?
Some people can find decluttering stressful and overwhelming because they don’t know where to start. Going through items and deciding what to keep and what to donate or throw away can cause lots of anxiety. The key is to look for a small area and start there. Another tip we recommend is to start to sort through items with little or no sentimental value so making the decision to keep/donate/bin will be easier. Keep any sentimental objects towards the end of the decluttering process as it will be easier to make a decision about them.
Metro Storage has been providing boutique quality self-storage in SW1, W2 and N1 since 2001 serving literally thousands of local residents and businesses in that time. Here are just some of the benefits of storing your things with Metro Storage:
Benefits of storing with Metro Storage:
- 24 / 7 storage
- All-inclusive price including FREE INSURANCE, use of a padlock, and VAT
- 50% off your first 4 weeks of storage
- Price lock – no price rises for your first 12 months of storage
- FREE wifi in-store
- Packaging supplies available on-site and online
You can either call us on the number at the top of the page or request a quote by clicking here.
