The kitchen is the hub of most homes, and it tends to collect the most clutter from other areas of the house. Start clearing one area of the kitchen at a time, beginning with cupboards, drawers and storage spaces, including the pantry.
• In the pantry: Throw away stale or expired items and donate canned goods you know you will never use but are still edible.
• In the cupboards: Remove chipped dishware, as well as utensils, pots, pans and bakeware that are damaged or not ever used.
• Keep the kitchen clutter-free: Put items where they belong and leave a small bin to collect items that don’t belong there.
Living Room: Clutter makes it difficult to relax; your mantra for this room is “A place for everything, everything in its place.”
• Create easily accessible, permanent storage space for items you use most often, such as remote controls.
• Fold throws and place in a decorative basket within reach of the sofa.
• Sort through your electronics to determine what works and if you still use it.
• Recycle back issues of magazines and newspapers you’ve already read. Donate books you don’t want to your local library; categorize others for your home library.
Bathroom: Create more space in your cabinets, linen closet and counters.
• Clean out medicine cabinet; safely discard outdated meds, skincare and makeup.
• Organize the drawers and shelves so the items you use most are readily available.
Bedrooms: In the bedroom, clutter seems to center around storage areas, such as closets, drawers and nightstands.
• Clear out dressers, wardrobes and closets by removing non-seasonal clothing you haven’t worn in more than six months and items that no longer fit. Sell or donate if they are still in good condition.
• Organize your drawers by function— undergarments, activewear, t-shirts, etc.
• Purchase hanging storage or floor shelves for shoes.
• Separate anything that should go to the cleaner or tailor.
• Remove everything from nightstand; place items that belong elsewhere in Bin #1.
Mudroom/Foyer: This is where we tend to drop things when we get home.
• Clear items off entry tables and decide what to put away, recycle or toss.
• Place keys in a bowl or on hooks so you don’t have to waste time searching for them.
• Remove coats, shoes and boots that are out of season, don’t fit or need repair.
This should keep you busy this week. When listing your home for sale, I’ll be sure to thank you for your neat, uncluttered home. Until next week.
Jill Santandrea, Broker Manager, EXIT Homestead Realty Professionals LLC, 1070 E Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360; 856-692-EXIT; Cell: 856-362-0967; Direct: 888-856-5455; TheJillTeam.com; E-mail: [email protected]; Text JillS to 85377 for my mobile business card. Listen to Jill on 99.9FM SNJ Radio Today. Source: 2019 Buffini & Company
