Storage Room Declutter

How tired are you of digging through piles of junk when you need to find something? Have you ever wondered how many hours of your life you’ve spent looking for lost stuff? I sure have. Time I could have spent doing something really great was instead wasted as I spent hours searching for things in my home.

So this week we’re going to focus on clearing out the “junk room.” Maybe you don’t have a junk room. Maybe you have extra stuff in your attic or crawl space – that’s where you can focus your time this week.

Go into your storage area. Look around. I already know what’s buried under your mess – it’s a beautiful space you can use for something better! Can you envision it?

For example, I desperately wanted a work-out area but didn’t think I had the space for one. You know what happened when I cleaned out my storage area? You guessed it – I had enough space for a work-out room! (See above photo.)

One thing decluttering taught me is that I am the decision-maker for the space in my home. Sure, I don’t have enough room for everything, but I can make room for the things that are really important to me.

What do you want? A work-out area? Space for a new baby? A craft room? A schoolroom or playroom for your kids? Perhaps you dream of having your own home office? Or even a guest room for company?

I believe that you can have your own special space, even if it’s a very small area.

Before you can create your nook, chances are you’ll need to clean your storage area first.

A few important things to remember as you work:

1. Work Quickly.
2. Realize that if you haven’t needed something in the two years it has been buried under clutter, then your chances of ever needing it are slim to none.
3. Have plenty of trash bags nearby so you can throw things away or put them into donation bags as you go.
4. Remember that the less stuff you have, the more space you have.
5. Know that it’s okay to ask for help. Friends and family members who don’t have sentimental attachment to your stuff can see things for what they really are, not just for what those things used to be or could be. Allow an honest (and kind) person to help you if possible. Trust their judgment.

If you didn’t read my article about storage-closet organization, read that now because all of the same rules and tips apply to this post as well, including tips on how to organize and store the items.

Question and Answer Time!

Don’t forget, this series is still open for questions so ask away! What organizational topics would you like me to discuss? All you need to do is leave your question in the comments section or send an e-mail my way!