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Five Steps to a Happier Home

January 16, 2013 By Kerry Cooks 16 Comments

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Photo Credit

Every January when I take down my Christmas decorations and take them back up to my attic, I’m seized with an impulse to get organised, really organised! When you work full time (and live with two crazy cats) clutter has a tendency to accumulate throughout the year, and once you add in Christmas gifts, your house can start to feel claustrophobic. Having moved four times in the last seven years since meeting my boyfriend, I’m keenly aware of the dangers of having too much stuff, especially when it comes time to move. Plus, less stuff = more happiness!  I’ve become more aware of the effect of disorganisation at home on me – as the work week goes on, the house gets messier and I have less energy to do anything about it, but the clutter also has a negative effect on my mood.

Photo credit

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If you’d like to do something to get your home more organised in 2013, read on!

Step 1 – Identify problem areas –

These are the places where clutter naturally accumulates. For us, it’s the kitchen counter where keys and miscellaneous items get dumped, the dining room table, where packages and mail get dumped, my dressing table, and the lounge coffee table. Clutter attracts clutter, so as the week goes on, more and more things get left in the dump zones.

Step 2 – Tackle disaster zones –

These are the cupboards you dread opening or maybe even the rooms you dread going in! For us, that’s the under sink cupboard (even though the handyman assured us that he’d never seen a tidy one), the under stairs cupboard and the attic room. If it seems like too much to get through in one go, its because it is! Add a cupboard or two to your cleaning to do list every weekend and you’ll get it all done, slowly but surely.

Step 3 – A place for everything –

After tackling your problematic and disastermatic areas (I know its not a word but it could be if we all try to make it happen!), some patterns will probably begin to emerge around the kind of items that are making messes in your house. Decide where these items will go and make sure it’s an obvious, easily accessible place for things that you use frequently. If winter scarves, gloves and hats don’t have a home, they will always end up dumped somewhere.

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Step 3 –Recycle –

Set yourself the task of taking stock of your possessions and weeding out the things that you don’t quite love and that therefore don’t deserve a place in your home. We’ve all got bits and bobs knocking around that we don’t need. Donate them to someone else who can put them to good use instead.

Step 4 – Restore order daily –

Fifteen minutes a day spent putting things in order in these problem areas should do it. Did you know that its proven that clearing up makes you feel more energised?

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Step 5 – Maintain your organised house!

Now your house is looking awesome, here are a few tips for keeping it that way!

Reduce/reuse/recycle – I have pretty much entirely stopped buying books. I know that as habits go, its not up there with being addicted to crack, but nevertheless – why spend time and space on things you can borrow for free, from friends or a library. We visit our lovely local library at least once a week and return with 10-15 books to devour. Unless it’s your favourite book in the world, or an item that you’re 100% sure you will use frequently, just borrow it!

Tackle mess daily – Why not download a free weekly job chart to help you remember to tackle little jobs every day

Tackle bigger projects weekly/monthly – It can be easy for niggling tasks like clearing out your attic to get pushed to the bottom of the list when it comes time to do your weekly chores – that’s why I really love this weekly/monthly to do list format to help you remember the bigger projects

Good luck! Let me know in the comments what organising and cleaning shortcuts or tips have worked for you.

x Kerry

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Filed Under: Home stuff, Seasonal Tagged With: Christmas, Clutter, Cupboard, home, house, Personal Organization, shopping

Previous Post: « Snapshots from my week
Next Post: Stop what you’re doing and look at this! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jorie says

    January 16, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    Great tips, Kerry! I agree with you that when the decorations come down, I just want to start over with organization and change up my home decor too.

    Reply
    • kerrycooks says

      January 16, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Thanks Jorie! It seems to be a common impulse!

      Reply
  2. Susannah Bianchi says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    This is a wonderful piece Kerry…so packed with declutter tips. One of my rules is, if I buy an article of clothing something has to go. Could be socks, but one in then one out. Under the sink is a big deal…gets jammed with nice shopping bags I think I’ll reuse or just the way my cleaning stuff starts to look as if it’s drunk…the way things topple over domino fashion.

    When you live alone it is much easier to stay on top of things but yes, it could happen to the best of us…magazine build-up…catalogues…mail that says occupant. Again, nice, helpful, thoughtful post:)

    Reply
    • kerrycooks says

      January 16, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks Susannah! I should have mentioned the one in one out rule, great tip!

      Reply
      • Susannah Bianchi says

        January 16, 2013 at 5:20 pm

        You did fine…excellent post…you should write for magazines 🙂

        Reply
  3. The Vagabond Baker says

    January 16, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    love that kitchen wardrobe, so gorgeous!

    Reply
    • kerrycooks says

      January 16, 2013 at 1:20 pm

      I know, sigh. My dream home board on pinterest seems to have amazing kitchens as a theme!

      Reply
      • The Vagabond Baker says

        January 16, 2013 at 1:24 pm

        I have one just for kitchens! Yet my kitchen is in a van 🙂

        Reply
        • kerrycooks says

          January 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm

          WOW – am I following you? Will find you 🙂

          Reply
          • The Vagabond Baker says

            January 16, 2013 at 9:25 pm

            I don’t think you are, I’m following you! You can find me easily by clicking on the Pinterest button on the right hand column here on my blog, it’s right under the search box xxxx

          • kerrycooks says

            January 16, 2013 at 10:08 pm

            Found you!

          • The Vagabond Baker says

            January 16, 2013 at 10:21 pm

            yay! I’ve pinned some of your pins already, a while ago xxxx

  4. makedospend says

    January 16, 2013 at 9:47 am

    I have a room in my house that I dare not enter because I find the chaos of it deeply upsetting! I’m dying to turn it into a little creative space for myself but it’s overrun with stuff I never use and plan to recycle or sell at a car boot sale. I think i might follow your advice and spend 15 minutes this evening having a little tidy…….
    -E

    Reply
    • kerrycooks says

      January 16, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Sounds like my attic was… I finally had to sort it when people came to stay! Believe me, you will feel SO much better!

      Reply
  5. florenceandbelle says

    January 16, 2013 at 8:57 am

    On my to to list – clean out cupboard under stairs and bathroom cupboard. It will be done! I definitely agree with the theory tidying gives you energy. It’s just the getting started that’s tough sometimes. I always reward myself with a fresh bunch of flowers when I’ve done a good clean. They only cost a few pounds, but are a great addition to any tidy room 🙂

    Reply
    • kerrycooks says

      January 16, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Great idea Erin! If its on your to do list, I am 100% sure you will get it done – probably before 9am!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Kerry!
Cookie-dough addict, rainbow cake lover, friend to cats, never met a pizza I didn't like. VERY enthusiastic human. Homebody and adventurer. Nice to meet you!

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