What To Do After You’ve Decluttered
You’ve done a big clear-out, you’ve given away lots of things to charity, you’ve sold some more, and the bins are all full, and now your home feels wonderfully light and relaxing. But now what? Decluttering is a brilliant first step, but it’s what you do next that really makes a difference in how your space feels, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more about what to do after you’ve decluttered.
Let Your Rooms Breathe
The first thing you need to do is give yourself a moment to just enjoy the space, and don’t rush to fill it back up again – you’ll want the freshly decluttered room to have a chance to breathe so you can work out how to use it best going forward. Think about how much easier it is to move around, and how less visual clutter makes you feel more relaxed – that’s what you want to keep in the future.
This is also the perfect time to do a deep clean because with the surfaces clear and the cupboards empty, you can actually reach the bits you usually avoid. So take the time to wipe the skirting boards, clean under the bed, shake out the rugs, and so on and you’ll love the results.
Look At What’s Left
Now that you’re only keeping the things you really want or need, take a closer look at how they’re arranged – could the furniture be laid out better? Is the shelving still useful where it is? The fact is that sometimes just moving a chair or swapping things around can totally change the feel of a room.
It’s also a good moment to think about what’s missing. Maybe your dining space still feels a bit mismatched, so it’s time for an upgrade like adding some new black dining chairs to tie everything together, for example. In the end, one or two changes can make the whole room feel a lot better.
Set Yourself Up To Stay Clutter-Free
Although you might not like the idea, decluttering isn’t just a one-off job, and to stop things piling up again, it’s best to come up with a few simple habits to help you. You could make a designated spot for your keys, for example, or do a quick tidy every evening before bed. If something comes into your home, you could also ask yourself what can go so it all stays tidy.
You don’t have to be a minimalist to keep things tidy, and it’s actually about being aware of what’s going on and how your home looks and feels so that it works for you and doesn’t get overwhelmed, and if you keep that in mind, staying clutter-free becomes a lot easier.
Enjoy The Calm
Finally, why not take a little time to just enjoy the calm now that you’ve decluttered? You might have the time and space to read more, invite friends over, sit quietly after work, and all kinds of other things without having to rush around tidying or stare at the stuff all around you.
The point is, you’ve done the hard bit, so enjoying the rewards makes a lot of sense.