1. Start with the smallest space that is still meaningful

A lot of clutter-clearing professionals suggest that you begin with a space that won’t cause you any stress at all…like a junk drawer. That’s a fine idea, but an even better one is to pick a space that you can actually see—like a cabinet that you open often, or a small shelf or table that you notice every time you walk into a room. If you take the twenty minutes tops necessary to clear a small but visible space, you may be inspired to continue, and either way, you’ll feel better every time you see the results of your effort!

2. Set a timer

This one is critical. If you’ve never spent meaningful time clearing clutter, it can feel like a monumental task. But it doesn’t have to be! In the same amount of time that it takes you to heat up a frozen pizza, you can clear a drawer, a cabinet shelf, or the top of your refrigerator. Ten- to 20-minutes is the preferred amount of time for clutter-clearing mastery.

Added bonus: When you make the process a game, you’re much more likely to return to it. So in addition to setting a timer, consider keeping track of how many bags of trash or donatable items you clear out in a given week. Or put a star on the calendar for every day you fill up a full bag of clutter AND remove it from of your space (whether via donation or putting it in your outside trash bins).

3. Choose the process that works best for you

There are two general approaches to clutter clearing: slow and sustainable, or clean sweep. Which one is right for you?

Slow and sustainable starts with that junk drawer or shelf you cleared, and makes that place sacred. You will *not* put anything in that space that doesn’t belong there, and you slowly, deliberately expand from that space or add other spaces that are also officially “cleared.” Make sure each of these spaces have a chance at staying cleared…if you have roommates, pets, kids or other clutter-collectors, this isn’t always easy! So start with areas you can control, and continue from there.

Clean sweep is for those who have an uninterrupted weekend or week to tackle your entire living space…without the input of others. It also works best if you have a hard deadline—like guests coming to visit. This fast and complete decluttering approach is a full-on “out with the old/worn-out/unused/unloved” clearing. It can be invigorating, but also incredibly emotional, so it’s usually not the preferred approach…but you know best what will work for you!

4. Save the sentimental items for last

We all have them. Those stuffed animals from your youth, the boxes of letters you haven’t read through in decades, the shirt you wore when you met your spouse or won that tournament. Don’t start there. In fact, save all these items for after you’ve cleared everything else out. You may find you don’t need to part with your treasures…or you may find that your definition of “treasure” has changed, now that you are enjoying the sense of lightness that living in an uncluttered home brings. You be the judge!

5. Create a strategy for long-term success

Once you have opened up some space in your home, how do you maintain it? There are several strategies:

1. Assign a specific spot for commonly used items. In other words, all vitamins go on a certain shelf, medications on another, cleaning supplies in their own little nooks—even scissors, tape, rubber bands, etc. can have their own home. Then, when you find one of these items out in the wild of your apartment, you’ll know exactly where to put it!
2. Adopt a “one in, one out” rule…If you bring something new into your home, another item has to go. This is an especially good rule for your clothes closet!
3. Go on a purchasing diet. Make a game out of limiting your incidental “stuff” purchases to only a few times a month, or add possible purchases to a list and wait a period of time before buying them if they’re not groceries or necessary personal care items. You may be surprised at how much money you save when you cut back on impulse spending.
4. Cut down on temptation! Toss those catalogs immediately as they come in the door, ignore the coupons to stores full of stuff you don’t need, unfollow social media influencers peddling products of the type that already fill your medicine cabinets.
5. Celebrate! Set a date for when you want your apartment (or garage, or basement, or spare room) officially clutter free, and take the time to show it off and really enjoy that newly cleared space. You’ve earned it!

The post Five pro tips for clutter busting appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. First, get everything in the right place

If you hired professional movers, chances are you’re way ahead on this one—it’s far easier to get a grasp on everything you have (and where it might be placed) if you deposit all the boxes/bins/bags in the correct spot. You may find that you have more “stuff” than you have space in your designated room, but resist the urge to relocate items until you have a solid understanding of everything that’s supposed to land in a particular spot.

2. Create a “transitional” basket to get you through the first few days

If the idea of unpacking everything at once is overwhelming, set yourself up for success. Create a basket of items you’ll absolutely need in the first few days or week after you move. Add food, toiletries, bedding and a pillow and enough clothes to get you through until you can start unboxing your belongings in earnest.

3. Start with the kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen and bathrooms are critical spaces for every home, and even if the entire rest of your apartment is in disarray, you’ll feel better knowing you can find your plates, forks, and bath towels. Tackle these rooms first, creating little oases of calm amidst the Box Desert of your apartment.

PRO TIP: This also gives you your first opportunity to decide what you can downsize, if you find you have too much for your space. Unless you’re talking heirloom china, dishes are extremely inexpensive and easy to replace. Get rid of the items you don’t need (including those kitchen gadgets you’ve never unboxed after three moves!) and give yourself the gift of breathing room.

4. Get that bedroom looking beautiful!

Bedrooms are the next key area to focus on. While you can bunk down on a mattress (or the floor) for a few days, the sooner you get your bed assembled and your clothing organized, the saner you’ll feel. Plus, you’ll get a good night’s rest and be better prepared to tackle the main rooms. Once again, if you find you have too many clothes (or shoes!), consider donating or tossing the items you simply don’t wear. Given that most clothing falls under the category of “fast fashion” these days, you will be able to easily and inexpensively expand your wardrobe later.

5. Live it up in the living room

Your living room is likely where you’ll entertain both your family and friends, so as you consider how to set it up, don’t constrain yourself to the way you’ve always decorated. Try some different layouts for your couches and chairs and electronics, and make the most of the space you have, vs. trying to cram every item you own into the room. If there’s something you can donate easily—do so! New items will flow into your life when you need them.

6. Don’t rush…but don’t drag out the unpacking process, either

While the idea of unpacking everything at once can seem daunting, it’s best to stick with it day by day until you actually finish. We all know people who are still living out of boxes two years after their move…don’t be that person! Set up your space with joy and intention, and really own this lovely new home of yours. The positive energy of your lived-in space will fuel you in everything you do.

The post Unpacking your bags (and boxes, and bins) after a move appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.