Step-by-Step Declutter
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      • How to Organize with Lists
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      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
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    • Donate Your Stuff >
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Basics of Home Organization


Implementing the 4 M's

The secret of home organization lies in the implementation of a simple four step process. I call it the 4 M’s.
We all live with the constant threat of clutter. It bombards us on all sides. Some clutter we invite into our homes and lives, some forces itself upon us. Whatever the source of our clutter, we can learn to control it with these simple principles.​

Minimize


The most basic concept of home organization is the need to minimize the stuff that occupies our space. Purging must be a regular part of our routine.  The less stuff we have, the easier it is to create and preserve an orderly environment, and the easier it will be to implement the principles that follow.  
​

I talk to tons of people who recognize they have too much stuff. What they don’t understand is how to reduce it. In some cases, they’re not ready to do so – they have an emotional attachment. In many cases, they simply don’t know where to begin.

Get Help Getting Organized


I know it can be difficult to part with possessions. You think you might need it someday. You feel guilty for spending money on it. You feel an attachment to it. Whatever the reason for your hesitation, an unbiased opinion can be extremely useful. That’s where I come in.  For help with the process of purging, contact me today.
Here are a few suggestions for minimizing the excess in your home. ​
Discard:  Get rid of the broken, battered, unwanted, unused, outdated, incomplete, unnecessary stuff that’s cluttering your space. Take an honest look at your possessions and decide to part with the things you don’t want, need, or use.
Donate: 
There are literally thousands of organizations seeking donations of gently used stuff (household goods, appliances, clothing, etc.). Donating to a worthy cause can ease the difficulty of parting with your belongings.  
Reduce:  Some people have a tendency to collect multiples – everything from vegetable peelers to office supplies to hand tools to small kitchen appliances. If you’ve got more than one of the same thing, take a moment to consider how many you really need. Chances are, one will do the trick. Most households get by just fine with one ice cream scoop, one blender, one hairdryer, etc. Donate the excess to charity. 
Recycle:   Recycling is a responsible way of decluttering. Often multiples can be combined into one package (particularly in the kitchen), thus freeing up precious space. The excess packaging can then be recycled.  Do you have a tendency to hang onto original packaging 'just in case'? Take a moment to seriously consider the likelihood that you will need it and recycle as much as you possibly can to free up space.  Many household items can now be recycled to include televisions, computers, mobile phones, extension cords, athletic shoes, crayons, cosmetics, and carpeting. Check with your local recycling center to see what sorts of items they accept. You can also do some online research to see what companies take back used items. This list from Mother Nature Network is a good place to start. 

Recommended Reading


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For an extensive (though by no means all-inclusive) list of donation options, see the Donate Your Stuff section of this website. There you will find detailed lists of donation options for specific categories of items (books, clothing, school supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment,  electronics, and more) as well as household goods in general. ​

Maximize


When it comes to home organization, it’s important to maximize the space or use it to its full potential. Most home organization projects benefit greatly from simply rethinking the space. Here are just a few suggestions for maximizing your space:
  • Group like items in baskets, boxes or stackable bins
  • Place organizers or sorters in drawers to keep the contents in order
  • Utilize the space inside cupboard and closet doors
  • Utilize wall space for shelving or hanging pegs
  • Add an extra shelf 12” or so above the hanging rod in closets
  • Fill an awkward niche with shelves
  • Look for multipurpose furniture – coffee tables with storage, ottomans or benches with storage inside or underneath, etc.
  • Make use of hidden space such as under the bed

Master


The true quest of home organization is to become a master of your space. It’s not enough to minimize possessions and maximize space. Systems need to be established in order to master clutter once and for all.
​
The purpose of a system is to evaluate what is causing the clutter in your home and develop strategies for dealing with it or preventing it.  Consider these simple ways of mastering clutter:
  • Establish a habit of dealing with whatever you’re carrying with you as soon as you enter your home - put coats and shoes away, sort mail, put purchases in their proper place, etc.
  • Create a paper processing center to keep bills and other correspondence organized.
  • Find a permanent home for everything you own and develop a habit of putting things away.

Read More


For more information on the processes of mastering clutter and maintaining order, click on the images below.
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Maintain


The final step in the home organization process is to maintain the order that’s been established through minimizing stuff, maximizing space and creating systems to master clutter.  The best way to maintain home organization is to develop a habit of purging. Train yourself to routinely look for things you no longer use – clothes that are too small or damaged beyond repair, kitchen tools that don’t work the way you hoped they wood, toys that are broken or missing pieces, etc.

I wish you ongoing success in implementing these 4 basic principles of home organization. May they bring lasting order to your home.
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  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Declutter Papers
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog