At this point on the calendar, I always feel the itch to clean out and clean up around the house. The holiday heyday is in the rearview mirror and I just want a fresh start before the warm weather arrives. But before I clean up, I need to clean out- in other words, it’s time to declutter!
Luckily for us, the Charlotte Region ReStores are a great place to bring our excess home stuff: furniture, furnishings, tools, and more. But if your home is anything like mine, there are places I regularly forget to declutter. Are you guilty of forgetting about these spots when it comes to lightening the load at home?
There are kitchen cabinets that we use all the time and we know exactly what they hold. But there are often a handful of cabinets that are hard to access. And the chances are high that those unopened cabinets are storing things we really don’t need to hold onto. Whether it’s above the refrigerator or awkwardly narrow in the corner, check those cupboards for dishes, serving pieces, and table linens that you no longer need.
Goldilocks weather (when it’s not too cold, not to hot, and just right) is the perfect time to venture into your attic. And I’ll bet there are bins and boxes of any number of things that you haven’t used in a very long time. From holiday décor to picture frames and everything in between, your attic can become a breeding ground for the forgotten and unused.
I’m not sure why, but hall closets often become closet-sized junk drawers. In other words, they end up holding a lot more than just coats and umbrellas. From sporting goods to books, those hall closets can become a catch-all when run out of space for extra “stuff”.
The backyard shed is like the garage’s forgotten cousin. Maybe you bought tools for one specific project and never used them again. Or you upgraded your lawn mower and moved the old one to the shed. Either way, don’t forget to check those sheds for tools and gadgets that are just taking up space.
Of course, not everyone’s home has a basement. But I know from childhood experience that basements are a great place to store old(er) furniture, excess DIY supplies (all that yarn!), nostalgic (at the time) mementos, and outdated tech (hello, old records). No matter what’s down there, it’s a great place to start cleaning up.
You’re not alone if you have so much stuff that you have to pay extra for storage. Cleaning out your storage unit can have multiple benefits, including downsizing to a smaller unit (less money) or ending your rental agreement altogether! So, don’t forget to declutter that storage space in case you can improve your own personal bottom line.
I hope this has given you some fresh ideas on areas of your own home that could use a good going-through. Our homes can store a surprising amount of “stuff” that we really don’t use or need. And when your trunk or truck bed is full of your Spring Clean-Out donations, we hope you’ll bring them to one of our Charlotte Region ReStores!
