Throw These Items Out Today to Make More Space in Your Home

Often, we reach a point when we look around and ask ourselves, “Where did all this junk come from?” Many of us accumulate a lot of stuff over time without much thought about the ever-increasing pile of possessions. Then, one day, we realize we’re living in Cluttertown, a cramped, stress-ridden space that not only saps peace of mind but can also be downright dangerous.

If your home feels like it’s carrying more than it should, the ideas below can help clear out unnecessary items and restore your living place to a more comfortable, manageable space.

The Decluttering Mindset

Before spelling out specific decluttering tactics, let’s address the question, “How did I accumulate so much stuff?” There are two main drivers. First is the input or acquisition driver. Some things we truly need. Other things we acquire for less concrete reasons, like that seashell picture frame that was supposed to be a beloved vacation keepsake. In either case, this is the inbound stream of items that we either consume or store.

The second, and arguably more important, is the output or elimination driver. If you do not maintain a day-to-day mindset of getting rid of unnecessary items as you go, the amount of stuff in your living space will accumulate until clutter takes over. While the theme of this blog is ways to pare down your existing pile of possessions, it’s crucial to make the elimination driver a habit so you don’t simply accumulate your way back into chaos.

Defeating “What-If”

A significant obstacle to establishing a decluttering habit is the “what-if” elf whispering in your ear, “You never know,” or “that thing might come in handy someday.” Brush that bad boy off your shoulder and remember:

• Have you used that thing in the last 12 months?
• If you get rid of it, how easy would it be to replace it?
• Does it hold enough sentimental value to justify its contribution to your clutter catastrophe?

Honestly answering these questions helps you establish an effective decluttering habit. So, with a positive mindset in place, here are some ideas for clearing up your living space.

Start in the Kitchen

  You can begin in any room you like, but the kitchen in many homes is a classic clutter spot. Begin by throwing out any expired food items in the fridge, pantry, or cupboards. The spice rack is notoriously full of things purchased for one meal and then forgotten. Even if they are not expired but are unlikely to be used anytime soon, toss them.

Next, move on to old take-out menus, the collection of single-serve condiments, and any plastic utensils or disposable chopsticks that come with them. If you still pack lunches or picnics, keep a few sets of the utensils, but toss the rest. Move on to the small kitchen gadgets and tableware. Anything you haven’t used in at least a year or two can go, as well as broken or chipped dishes and coffee mugs that haven’t seen the light of day in a year.

Other candidates for disposal are old food containers or those without lids, as well as covers without a container. Also, long-used plastic containers usually have scratches that harbor bacteria and stains that indicate the material has degraded. Finally, you’ll probably come across other junk like newspaper clipping recipes, coupons, flyers, and grocery bags, all of which can be cleared out.

Purge Your Medicine Cabinet

Medicine cabinets often conceal useless, expired items that range from harmless junk to dangerous medications. Unwanted pharmaceuticals should not be thrown into the regular trash. Instead, find dedicated medication disposal locations in the community. Many pharmacies will take such items, or they can refer you to places that can.

While in the bathroom, also consider disposing of:

• Expired self-care products or almost-empty bottles you won’t finish.
• Old makeup, hair, or oral care products.
• Cleaning products that are mostly empty or seldom used.

You may also have old towels that aren’t soft, don’t fit your color scheme, or have rips and holes. These can be tossed or recycled.

Scan Your Electronics

  When upgrading electronics, we often shove the obsolete version into the back of a closet because we think it will somehow get used again—that, or we don’t know how to dispose of it properly. The reality is that it will probably never be used again by anyone in the household, so it needs to leave the premises. But to where? Type “electronics recycling near me” into a search engine to find local entities that will take the old devices and either recondition them for further reuse or recycle the valuable materials inside.

What about DVDs or CDs of movies, shows, or music that you no longer enjoy or use? These typically can be donated or sold at stores that specialize in used media. What about personal photos or videos? Some businesses specialize in transforming such media into digital formats that last longer and use much less storage space.

It’s Closet Time

  Clothing evolves with seasons, size fluctuations, and changing fashion, yet we tend to hang onto items that we never wear. Items that have not been worn in the past year are less likely to be worn in the next year and can be discarded. Are there any garments that no longer fit, but you’re hanging onto them in anticipation of hoped-for weight loss? Discard them now and treat a future slimmer you to new clothes in celebration.

There are numerous ways to get rid of old clothes. Many local charities accept clothing donations, but sometimes ask that donations match the season. For example, summer clothes are best donated in the spring or early summer. If you have high-end clothes, consider a local consignment shop, or websites like Poshmark, The RealReal, or Vestiaire Collective.

Clear Those Bookshelves

  Avid readers love their books, and many will say being surrounded by books brings a sense of comfort. However, overflowing bookshelves can also cause clutter madness. When going through your shelves, honestly assess the likelihood of reading a given book in the future. If the answer is low or not likely, then it’s time to get rid of it. (In the future, if you end up wishing you still had the book, you can probably repurchase it.) Books can be donated to libraries or thrift stores like Goodwill. Also, you can donate your books to independent used bookstores in your area, or chain stores like Half Price Books.

In the spirit of building up a solid decluttering habit, many book lovers maintain a “one in, one out” policy, so for every new book acquired, at least one gets donated or sold.

Toys and Kids Items

If you have outgrown having children in the house all the time, allow yourself to get rid of that old kid stuff. It’s very common for older adults to hang onto items from their child-rearing years for sentimental reasons. Some even cling to the fantasy that future grandchildren will enjoy playing with their parents’ worn-out childhood toys or games with missing pieces. While holding onto some items as keepsakes makes sense, much of that decades-old stuff needs to go out the door to free up your living space.

Clearing out what no longer belongs there creates room to move more freely and enjoy the space again. A well-organized home is easier to maintain, safer to live in, and far more comfortable day to day. Letting go of excess possessions allows the house to function the way it was meant to.

Related Content: