Times change, but curbing clutter never goes out of style
Removing clutter in your home not only saves time on housecleaning, but can also reduce your stress level, according to Pretty & Organized, a how-to guide for making simple storage solutions for every room in the house.
“Fads and trends may come and go, but a tidier home is something you will always benefit from,” writes author Jane Hughes. “And although a more minimal approach isn’t always easy and may not be for everyone, the benefits of a clutter-free space with simple storage for belongings will help declutter your head, too.”
In Pretty & Organized (Firefly Books, $19.95), 30 easy-to-make DIY projects are designed to organize everything from toys and gardening tools to messy mud rooms, kitchen cupboards and home offices.
“None of these projects will take up hours or your life or tug hard on your purse strings, and they’re designed for anyone and everyone and anyone,” writes Hughes, adding that “a wellorganized home can have a big effect on your own well-being and the benefits are for the long term.”
Before tackling any of the projects, Hughes offers readers a four-step process for “achieving
a pretty and organized home.”
1 Declutter
Rather than tackling the home all at once, which Hughes admits can be overwhelming, identify areas that need the most work and make improvements accordingly.
2 Sort
Divide clutter into four categories: Keep, Donate, Recycle and Garbage and “be ruthless,” she says. “At some point the room will look like it has been raided, but it will look worse before it looks better.”
3 Clean
Once the room is cleared of clutter, roll up your sleeves and give it a good clean.
4 Organize
Devise a system that works for you, but Hughes says “don’t put anything back in the room unless it has a designated space.”