How to Keep Clutter from Creating Chaos
Clutter has a way of creeping up on you, and it is much easier to catch clutter before it accumulates than it is to try to tame the beast once it has a life of its own. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to keep the pile of clutter from growing out of control and nip the problem in the bud.
Pushing Aside Paper Piles
One of the main culprits in any clutter problem is paper. So if you can get in the habit of handling each piece of paper that you touch just one time, you can keep the clutter piles from happening. Keep a trash can and shredder handy wherever you open your mail, and as you open each piece make the determination what you are going to do with it. It is either correspondence to be answered, a bill to be paid, mail for another family member, an ad or trash. Have a designated place to organize your bills, and a simple organizer to distribute mail for other family members. Review any ads and discard as you open them, and if you are not going to take the time to read it now, throw it away, because even if you mean to read it later, once an ad finds its way into a paper pile, it is lost forever. So it may as well be lost in the trash can.
Keeping Counters Clear of Clutter
Clear off all horizontal surfaces, and let your family know that this is the rule for all public spaces in the home. If this is a new concept for your family, you may want to sweep anything left on countertops, desks or tables into a bin to be discarded in a week. This way your entire family will get in the habit of putting their belongings away instead of strewing them about the house. Make a spot for things that travel in and out of the home on a regular basis like backpacks, car keys and briefcases. That way everyone has a place to put their belongings as they enter and exit the home rather then dumping them on the kitchen counter or table.
Do Not Pile Paper on the Desktop
Desks are notorious for collecting clutter, especially paper clutter. Try to deal with any paper that you touch the first time so that you never have to clean a pile of clutter; but if your desktop starts to get out of hand, deal with the mess sooner rather than later. By keeping your desktop clear, it is easier to get back to ground zero each day. Keep pens, staplers and paperclips in a drawer. This will leave a wide open work space for you to use, and when you are done, you can clear off, throw away, file and leave the space as empty as you found it.
When All Else Fails, Just Clean It Up
If there are places in your life where you simply get interrupted and piles of clutter begin accumulating, set aside some time each day or week to go through and complete any unfinished tasks. Whether it is paying the bills, a craft project or mending clothing, by finishing a project that you started, you can throw it away, put it away or clean it up and keep the clutter from taking over your home.
Now celebrate your new, uncluttered and spacious home with a new wooden wall decor or wall metal art that captures your style.
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Comments
piles of clutter can cause stress. Even just fixing up the piles, makes a huge difference! Great article!
Hi Sookie --- I absolutely agree. Sometimes after clearing the clutter from a room, it really does not need too much in the way of redecorating to look fantastic. Thanks for reading.
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