Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thrifter's Decluttering Guide: Tackle the Surface

Nothing will make a bigger difference in the look and harmony of your home than tackling the surface clutter. Finish decluttering all surface space today and you'll feel relieved and ready to take on the bigger steps to follow.

1. Toss the Trash

Go from room to room tossing all visible trash into the trash bags.


2. The Quick Purge

With a box labeled "donate", place all items displayed on surface space that you no longer love or use into the box. Take the box out to your car when you're finished so you can donate it the next time you go out. 



3. Clear it Off

Now that only the items you'll keep are left, start to clear off your surfaces one by one. Don't do this all at once or you'll feel overwhelmed. Instead, clear one surface, dust and polish it, then place your favorite items back on their perch.

Time Hack: Set a timer and challenge yourself to perform each step as quickly as possible.

Don't go into drawers and closets at this stage, just focus on tidying up all the visible chaos.We'll challenge cabinets and drawers tomorrow (this is where the real horror begins!) Still need help getting started? Check out part 1 of the Thrifter's Decluttering Guide for the basic decluttering rules. 

How do you keep surfaces in your home clear of clutter?

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17 comments:

  1. This is something I try to do every night, right before I go to bed I put away anything that is left out on my coffee and end table, my dressers and the kitchen counters. It's a great feeling waking up and coming home after work to a clean house. Now the dusting and polishing...that is something I need to work on! How often should somene dust anyway??

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  2. I'm with Jamie on all counts (But cupboards, now that's a different matter!!)
    Portia
    xxx

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  3. Thanks for sharing these great tips at my party...please be sure to link my blog name or party button on your post...thanks.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  4. Hi Linda: I've amended the blog post.

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  5. Jamie: I need to make this my nightly habit, too. I've been doing good putting everything back immediately...except in my bedroom! Gotta tackle it again tonight.

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  6. Just tackling the surface area makes decluttering seem so much more do-able. Now if I could just get at those junk drawers.

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  7. Alyssa: Tomorrow I will address the infamous junk drawer!

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  8. Thanks for stopping by, love your blog topic! I'm knee deep in decluttering right now myself, these are great tips. Here's to a lighter new year.

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  9. I'm trying to keep "clutter free" this year. So far, so good!

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog! Love this topic- I've gone on a major decluttering binge as of late (can you really even call that a binge? I guess I mean SPREE!!) Your tips are great. Unfortunately keeping tidy is one of those things that is simple, but not easy.

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  11. I like the timer idea! I'm just about to read the Pomodoro time management book. I think it's going to be a really effective tool. I'm not using it right now and I can see my productivity flying out the window.

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  12. thursday: I want to find a pretty vintage timer to keep on my desk at all times to time management. It's tricky without one!

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  13. Excellent tips! I love an organized room.

    <3, New Follower

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  14. Excellent post! Thank you so much. I need to do this right away.

    Blessings!
    Melanie

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  15. Man, I need to take all these tips! Serious decluttering about to commence!

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