5 Key Habits of a Clutter-free Home

Handling every single item in our 5-person household and making a decision about whether it should stay or go took four long years. It was a grueling process during which I felt overwhelmed at times and yet it brought a sense of great satisfaction. I can account for everything to our name and know that it's part of our home intentionally.

Pairing down our belongings was a battle. Maintaining a life with less is a completely different one. It requires new habits so that we don't go back to accumulating a bunch of stuff that will inevitably clutter our lives all over again.  Here are 5 key habits that help keep our home clutter-free.

1 Determine a set place for every item to live. In order to put things away, you have to know where they go. Decide on a specific location where each item will call home.

2 Put things away in their designated place when not in use. Clutter results from putting things where they don't belong. Self-discipline and follow-through are needed here. If you want to set down an item, make yourself put it in its designated storage place and nowhere else.

3 Scrutinize what you allow to come through the front door.  Every item you bring into your home, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, contributes to the overall amount of stuff you have in your living quarters.  Be deliberate.

4 Identify on-going sources of clutter and find solutions.  Take notice of what areas become routinely cluttered.  Determine from where the problems stem and make action plans to fix them.  

5 Keep clear your goal. What's the reason you want to have a clutter-free home? More living space? More peaceful atmosphere? Mental clarity? Remind yourself of the desired outcome and encourage yourself to keep after the clutter. You'll be happy you did.

By Krista Reimer