Top Ways to Declutter Your Apartment

Accumulating clutter is an age-old problem. People want to keep as many possessions as possible for various reasons. In our modern world, we don’t need many of the things we bring into our homes, but the desire to keep them “because I might need it” is still strong. If you’re ready to declutter your apartment, read on for some helpful tips to get started.

Fill One Large Trash Bag

Grab one kitchen-sized trash bag, walk around every room in your apartment and throw unwanted items into the bag until it’s full. This will make a small difference but may spur you to keep going.

Try the 12-12-12 Method

With this fun decluttering method, walk around your apartment and choose 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate to charity, and 12 items that need to be put away (i.e. books on the floor that should go into a bookcase). Depending on your motivation level, you can do this daily or monthly.

Try the Closet Challenge

A lot of people have trouble throwing out clothes. Excess clothing is one of the biggest causes of clutter. In the closet challenge, turn all of your clothes hangers in the opposite direction. When you wear an item of clothing and return it to your closet, put the hanger on the rack opposite of the others. After a month or two, you’ll have a visual record of the clothes you wear and the ones that hang untouched. Check the condition of the unworn clothing to either donate them or place them in the trash.

Tackle the Four Box Method

Similar to the 12-12-12 method, this challenge takes it a little further. Place four boxes in each room in your apartment. Go through all of the items in each room and place items in the “keep” box, “donate” box, “relocate” box, and “trash” box. This challenge can take hours to days depending on what room you’re dealing with.

Establish an Outbox

Part of the problem with decluttering is people often can’t decide if something is valuable or not. This indecision usually results in the person keeping the item “just in case.” The outbox method helps break the attachment to an item, making it easier to part with. Designate an area in a closet or other out-of-the-way area as your outbox. Go through your apartment and gather items you’re on the fence about and place them in your outbox. Don’t look at the items for a week. At the end of the week, examine each item and then decide if you want it or not. Keep the things that you still love and throw away the items that you no longer care about.

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