Clutter has a habit of creeping up on us. In most cases, we don't realize that we need to declutter our homes until it has grown into a multi-hour or day job. If you realize that you can't seem to find everyday items such as your keys, or if your cabinets and drawers struggle to close, it may be time for you to declutter your home. Decluttering your home can help to alleviate stress and keep things organized in your house. In this post, we take a look at some things you can do to declutter your house.

1) Organize Countertops

Furniture surfaces tend to operate as a magnet for clutter. Surface build-up usually occurs when you don't have an assigned section for miscellaneous items such as mail, paperwork, and more. Therefore, one of the first things you should do is to ensure that all flat surfaces on your furniture are free of clutter. One way you could start is to focus on one surface at a time as to which you'll clear everything off and only leave one or two essential items. For instance, if you leave your toaster or blender on the countertop in your kitchen, place them in the cabinet.

2) Bedroom

When it comes to decluttering your bedroom, the first area you should focus on is your nightstand. Remove items that don't belong in the bedroom. The same goes for the top section of your chests, bureaus, and dressers. If you have a smaller size bedroom, a barn door can help to provide more space by not needing lots of space to open.

3) Kitchen Area

When it comes to decluttering your kitchen, evaluate each item, determine if you really need them, and place them in places where they belong. Ideally, you should start by focusing on large storage spaces such as the pantry, under the kitchen sink, or lower cabinets. Focus on your countertops as to which you'll keep as clear as possible.

4) Children

One of the things you can do to minimize clutter is to speak to your children about the importance of placing things where they belong. Based on the fact that children have a tendency of leaving everything anywhere, such as to leave their socks in the kitchen, the concept of teaching them where things go can go a long way.

5) Schedule a Decluttering Weekend

Keeping your home organized and clutter-free is an ongoing process. However, based on your schedule, the concept of spending time to organize your home every day may seem impractical. Therefore, establish a schedule as to which you'll take the time to declutter your home, at least once per month.

6) Ask a Friend

The concept of decluttering your home can prove to be time-consuming and a tad bit stressful. A loved one can prove to be especially useful if you have a habit of hoarding old items. A friend can also help to reduce the amount of time that you spend on the process as well as to provide feedback about items that they believe you shouldn't keep, such as old appliances.

7) Assign Section for Papers

Studies suggest that paper contributes to a majority of the clutter that most homeowners face. This is due to the fact that we tend to place the paper in separate locations such as in the kitchen drawer, bedroom, or dinner table. Ideally, you should establish a spot where you place all paperwork such as mail, manuals, receipts, and flyers.

8) Donations

Chances are you have several items in your home that you may no longer use. This could entail everything from clothing items to old electronics. One of the ways you can declutter your home while saving money is to donate items as to which you can get a tax write-off. Many charitable organizations have services as to which you can call to schedule a pickup for large donations such as furniture and appliances. Additionally, some of the larger organizations have various drop-off bins that you can use to donate smaller items such as clothes and shoes.

9) Four-Box Methods

When it comes to decluttering your home, room-by-room, it's highly recommended that you consider the four-box method. The four-box method entails getting four large boxes as to which you'll write four different labels: Donation, Keep, Trash, and Relocate. When you go into a given room to declutter it, you can use the four labeled boxes to place the appropriate items in them.