Downsizing Archives - ClutterBGone

How To Organize A Small Kitchen – 10 Useful Ideas

February 6, 2023/in Kitchen Organizing /by Nikki

Small rooms can be challenging to organize and fit everything you own, and this is especially true when it comes to the kitchen area. The kitchen is often a busy room where food is prepared and consumed, leading to the accumulation of items such as dishes, utensils, and appliances. To help you maximize the space in your kitchen, here are 10 practical and effective ideas that you can implement:

1. Go vertical

Wall-mounted shelves and hanging pot racks are practical ways to add storage space to a kitchen. Wall-mounted shelves provide a spot to store items that might otherwise take up counter or cabinet space while hanging pot racks free up cabinet space and make pots and pans easily accessible.

2. Clear the counters

Try to keep only the essentials (toaster, coffee maker, knife block, etc.) on the countertops. By limiting the number of items on the counters, you can maintain a clean and organized look while freeing up space for food preparation and other activities.

3. Group items together

Store similar items in the same area to make it easy to find what you need. For example, you can store all your baking items, such as flour, sugar, or baking powder, in the same cabinet.

4. Use drawer dividers

Keep utensils and other small items organized by using drawer dividers. There are many options available, including adjustable dividers that can be customized to fit your specific needs.

5. Consider investing in multi-functional furniture

Consider purchasing furniture that has built-in storage, like a kitchen island with drawers. This type of furniture is a smart investment for those who want to maximize the storage potential of their rooms.

6. Use of the back of the cabinet and pantry doors

Install organizers on the back of the cabinet and pantry doors to maximize storage space. Shelving units, hanging baskets, and hooks are some options you can explore.

7. Use clear containers

Store dry goods in clear containers so that you can easily identify what you have and when you need to restock.

8. Keep frequently used items within easy reach

Frequently used items, such as your favorite cooking tools and spices, should be placed in an easily accessible location. Doing so will streamline your cooking process and make the room look more organized.

9. Use the space under the sink

Maximize the use of this space by creating separate compartments for different items. Some popular options include stackable bins, pull-out drawers, and tiered shelving. This will help you keep the area neat and tidy.

10. Don’t forget to purge regularly!

Regularly purging your kitchen items by disposing of what you no longer need and use can help optimize your space and reduce clutter.

Organizing and keeping a small room tidy can be quite challenging. Getting professional help to organize and keep a small room uncluttered is an excellent option for those struggling with maintaining order. Professional organizers are trained to help individuals and businesses create efficient and practical storage solutions and can provide expert advice to make the most of the available space. Whether you’re looking to declutter or simply streamline your belongings, ClutterBGone is here to help. Get in touch with us for a free consultation – let’s get started and bring order to your kitchen today!

The Unexpected Benefits Of Downsizing Your Home

January 12, 2023/in Downsizing /by Nikki

Bigger isn’t always better, and that’s something homeowners are starting to realize. And although there are a lot of reasons why families decide to downsize (retirement, grown children, an urge for a simpler lifestyle…), one thing’s for sure: it can make life way easier.

Choosing a smaller dwelling can reduce housing costs and eliminate many maintenance tasks, such as cleaning or painting. Fewer rooms and furniture also make housekeeping an easier task. In short, a smaller home offers many hidden advantages. Get to know some of the benefits of downsizing:

A chance to get organized

When you move into a smaller home, it forces you to eliminate clutter, which is a big plus for those seeking a more minimalist lifestyle. Moreover, smaller homes lessen the temptation to accumulate. If you don’t have any room in your house for that cute bookcase, you won’t feel as tempted to buy it in the first place.

Lower energy bills

When you live in a large home, the energy costs just keep soaring. From heating and cooling costs to water savings in your bathrooms and kitchens, it costs a lot to run a large home. A smaller place will give you the added benefit of reducing your family’s carbon footprint – and, of course, a lower energy bill!

Easier to maintain

If you’ve owned a large house, you know the amount of time, energy, and effort it takes to keep it clean and organized. All things being equal, a smaller home requires less of your time and energy for tasks such as cleaning, painting, or gardening.

More money for yourself

Let’s face it: the more space you have, the more you feel tempted to fill every square corner with furniture, electronics, appliances, and all sorts of home items. One of the beauties of downsizing your home is the ability to stop wasting money on those things. And, of course, if you have paid off your home or have been paying down your mortgage for years, downsizing can also add a significant cushion to your budget.

… and free time!

Many of the benefits we mentioned above (such as less cleaning, less maintenance, gardening, etc.) result in freeing up your schedule to pursue the things in life that truly matter to you. Remember: time is the greatest asset of your life!

A new lifestyle

Downsizing can represent a way to start a new life in a new home. It is a unique opportunity to declutter your life, not just of material possessions but also of obligations, relationships, and anything else that isn’t serving you. It’s about creating more space in your life, both physical and emotional, to focus on what matters.

Whether the decision is voluntary or you are forced to move for job relocation or other life events, rest assured: there are many benefits to decreasing your home size! If you love saving money, energy, and resources, downsizing may be the best thing that can happen to you. And if you need assistance in this journey, don’t hesitate to get in touch with ClutterBGone. We know that moving is one of life’s most stressful events, and that’s why we have a team of professional home organizers to help you when you don’t have the time, energy, or ability to handle the project on your own.

6 Things To Consider When Downsizing Your Home

August 19, 2022/in Downsizing /by Nikki

Downsizing your home can be both an exciting and stressful time, and it generally comes with a major lifestyle change. But regardless of the reasons that lead you to downsize, one thing’s for sure: downsizing is a process and should be treated as such. To be successful, we always recommend starting early and considering all variants. It may feel intimidating but try to think of it as an opportunity to take stock of what you own and to start fresh. Here are a few key considerations to think about when downsizing:

1. Your Financial Goals

For most people, saving money is one of the most important incentives for downsizing to a smaller house. From expensive utility bills to high maintenance costs, having a large home can ruin any bank account. Choosing a smaller, more affordable home can leave you with more money for other financial goals (such as traveling, saving for retirement, or paying off debt), which is something you should consider while searching for your new place.

2. Your Family Needs

How many people live in your household? The answer to this question will determine the sort of house you need and how small you can actually go. Remember that squeezing a family into a smaller home can be extremely challenging! So if you have a large family and plan to downsize, make sure you’ve worked out the bedroom situation. Defining your family’s space needs before downsizing is fundamental to guarantee everyone’s comfort.

3. Your Belongings

How large is your furniture? Will it fit in a smaller home? What about all the cutlery, clothes, games, toys, paperwork, and bedding you’ve accumulated throughout the years? Do you have enough space for all of it? When downsizing to a smaller home, it’s important to consider if your old furniture will fit there and think about your storage needs.

4. Your New Lifestyle

If your move to downsize also involves a significant lifestyle change, such as moving into an active adult community, considering your new lifestyle will help you make challenging decisions. For example, if you know you won’t be needing to do any cleaning, you can start by selling, donating, or giving away your cleaning appliances and tools. Likewise, you should consider your future – and future needs – if you’re planning to retire and grow old in this smaller home.

5. A Declutter Plan

It may be tempting to quickly pack everything in boxes and deal with decisions on what to keep and toss later on, but trust us: you need to make a declutter plan as soon as you decide to downsize. You can, for example, start by taking inventory of your belongings, and setting up separate boxes for items you will keep, donate, get rid of, sell, or give away.

6. And Never Forget: Start As Soon As Possible!

Giving yourself time is essential, both mentally and physically, so that you don’t run out of steam before you even get to your new house. In short, get started early, and stay focused and organized throughout. With this mindset, you are planting the seeds of success!

If you’re considering downsizing and have no idea where to start, we’re here to help! At ClutterBGone, we provide many levels of organizing services depending on your needs, lifestyle, and budget ranging from coaching to hands-on organizing and maintenance plans to help you move to your new home effortlessly. Get in touch with our team of experts, and we will be delighted to offer you a free consultation!

Declutter and Organize Your Kitchen Pantry Top 7 Tips

July 22, 2022/in Kitchen Organizing /by Nikki

Do you often find yourself struggling to find something in your kitchen pantry? Well, you’re not alone! The kitchen area is prone to becoming messy and cluttered due to how much it’s used by everyone in the house. From cooking to entertaining, the space can become disheveled if the items aren’t put away and properly organized.

Having a kitchen pantry to store non-perishable goods, food, and supplies can be incredibly helpful when it comes to keeping the space tidy and organized – but, truth be told, it can also be challenging to keep everything in order. If you’re struggling with your kitchen clutter, take note of these seven unmissable tips to organize your pantry:

Top Tip 1: Take Everything Out

To start the decluttering process, take everything out of your kitchen pantry. Remove all food, cans, and stored items, as well as any storage baskets or bins you’re using. Don’t try to cut corners by only taking out half of your pantry and moving around the rest.

Top Tip 2: Take Inventory

Once you’ve removed everything from the pantry, it’s time to get rid of anything you aren’t going to use. Check expiration dates and toss anything that is long past its best-by date. For items that haven’t yet expired, either make a plan to use them or donate them.

Top Tip 3: Give it a Good Cleaning

Now it’s time to clean! Grab your favorite cleaning supplies and wipe down all of the surfaces inside your pantry. Get rid of crumbs, old packaging, or anything else that may have fallen on the floor or your shelves.

Top Tip 4: Organize Your Pantry Items

There are endless ways you can organize your kitchen pantry. For example, you can categorize your food into zones. That may be grouping similar items together, organized by meal types, or maybe even freshness. Obviously, the groups you create will depend on what your family’s needs are, but be sure to put the groups of foods you use most often upfront.

Top Tip 5: Get the Right Storage Solutions

Storage solutions aren’t always critical, but in many situations, they can make a huge difference. The pantry is one of the most-used zones of the kitchen and as such, we highly recommend getting a few bins, baskets, hooks, hangers, racks, and containers to keep everything neat and organized.

Top Tip 6: Label Everything

Now that you know where things are going to go, it’s time to make it official! By labeling your items and storage recipients, it will be way easier to navigate the kitchen cabinets and keep your kitchen organized. You can make custom DIY labels for your pantry or simply search for printable pantry labels online.

Top Tip 7: Rinse and Repeat

For the kitchen to always look clean, fresh, and sleek, deep cleaning and decluttering are necessary from time to time. As these spaces are prone to become messy and cluttered, it’s essential to stick to a good cleaning and organizing routine.

Living with a cluttered and messy kitchen can be a real challenge. It’s distracting, annoying, and something that no one wants to deal with. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this task, maybe it is better to get the professionals in. Get in touch with our team of experts and we will be delighted to offer you a free consultation to understand your needs and help you achieve a clutter-free home.

Downsizing Tips When Moving

June 4, 2022/in Downsizing, Uncategorized /by Nikki

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to our homes. Downsizing can be the right move at any stage of life, especially if you’re pursuing a simpler and more minimalistic lifestyle. But is it something easy to accomplish? Not exactly. Decluttering and downsizing can feel like a daunting task, mainly when it comes to sentimental items accumulated over the years. It also requires a lot of energy, which is why we recommend you start preparing with these downsizing tips we’ve collected for you:

Plan Ahead

Moving can be an extremely stress-filled transitional period in one’s life. To make things as manageable as possible, you should start the downsizing process promptly to give yourself time to organize everything calmly and thoughtfully. Our recommendation? Start at least three months before you plan to move. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you will likely take too many things with you and not get the result you were hoping for.

Take Inventory Of All Your Belongings

After years of living in a home, it’s hard to have a mental note of everything you own. That’s why you should start the process by taking an inventory of your belongings – clothes, kitchenware, furniture, etc. – and include the measurements of the larger items. Once you’ve cataloged everything of significance, you can start deciding what will be a good fit for your new place.

One Space At A Time

The thought of decluttering your whole home might be daunting, so remember to take it one step at a time. Instead of rolling up your sleeves to go through your entire home at once, break it down room-by-room.

Sell, Donate or Toss

When the time comes to start making decisions on what will stay and what will go, set clear decluttering ground rules. Only keep the things you really need and that make sense in your new lifestyle. As for the rest, you can do three things: sell, donate, or toss. Some items are so worn or broken that you have no choice but to throw them away. Others can make you a few extra dollars, or be a great match to someone in need.

Digitalize Your Documents

Most people don’t realize it, but paper clutter can really add up, especially when you live in the same house for a long time. To declutter as much as possible, go through old bills, receipts, and other documents, and recycle anything you don’t need. As for the rest, whenever it’s suited, just scan the files and save them on your computer. Remember that home movies, music, and photo albums can also be converted into digital files.

Make a Pan For Your Future Purchases

While your focus is on getting rid of stuff, don’t forget to plan for anything new entering your home. Start making a list of things you want to buy and examine each item carefully. Will it make sense in your new, downsized lifestyle? When you invest so much time and effort into getting rid of things, you should offer the same effort to things coming into your home.

To declutter and downsize is an emotional, time-consuming process that’s a little different for everyone. If you realize that you need help decluttering and organizing your new home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer you a free telephone consultation so that you can tell us all about your goals for a clean, clutter-free environment.

How to Downsize Your Home: 6 Tips

March 30, 2022/in Downsizing /by Nikki

Whether you’re moving to a smaller home or just want to get rid of clutter, downsizing can be an overwhelming task. Are emotions complicating the process as you sort through memories? Have those boxes of old bank statements been gathering dust for years? Here are some tips to make downsizing more manageable.

1. Pace Yourself

One way to make downsizing less stressful is to pace yourself and give yourself plenty of time. Start the process at least 3 months before you have to move. Set realistic goals for yourself so that you’re not tempted to overdo it in one week. For example, you can give away one item every day or sort through one category at a time, such as clothing or books.

2. Break It Into Small Tasks

Rather than trying to declutter your whole house, break the project into smaller tasks. Try focusing on one room at a time, or divide a room into smaller projects, such as sorting your DVDs or thinning out your clothes closet. If your task for the day is tackling the junk drawer, just focus on that one task. Don’t even think about the rest of the house or put pressure on yourself.

3. Set New Lifestyle Goals

Now is the time to think about your reasons for downsizing. Besides having lower mortgage and utility payments, what are your new lifestyle goals? Do you want to have more money to travel or take painting lessons? Do you want to spend more time with your grandchildren? Keeping these goals in mind will keep you motivated and help you decide what items will fit your lifestyle.

4. Sort Items Into Categories — No Exceptions!

Downsizing can involve some painful decisions about personal belongings. To keep your project on track, set some ground rules and don’t make any exceptions. A good method is to sort belongings into four categories:

Keep
Sell
Donate or give away
Throw away or recycle

It can be a temptation to put off decisions about some items, but remember that you only have four categories! If some items are family heirlooms, for example, perhaps you can put them in the ”give away” pile and offer it to a family member. You can even repurpose items in the “keep” category, such as turning a trunk into a table. Don’t add a “maybe” category or you’ll find yourself keeping much more than you intended.

5. Organize and Digitize Paperwork

Now is the time to scan and digitize those boxes of documents. Shred tax documents that are more than seven years old, as well as bank statements and other paperwork that you can access online. By the time you finish sorting and shredding, you will have a small amount of paperwork — such as a birth certificate — that can be easily stored.

6. Let a Professional Organizer Help

Downsizing can be an overwhelming project that can trigger a flood of emotions. Our professional organizers provide a neutral point of view to help you organize and declutter. For help with downsizing, book a free consultation with ClutterBGone today.

What to Do When Downsizing Your Home

March 3, 2022/in Downsizing /by Nikki

Downsizing your home can be an overwhelming and emotionally-charged experience. Whether you’re moving to a smaller home or just want to clear out your closets, it’s hard to know where to start. The following tips can help you part with possessions and look forward to a clutter-free home.

Define Your Lifestyle Goals

Downsizing does not have to mean giving up things you like to do. With a little planning, you can define what’s most important for your lifestyle. Do you like to have friends over for dinner? Make your dining and living areas a priority when deciding what furniture to keep. Parting with possessions can be less painful when you’re looking forward to your favorite activities.

Keep Only What You Need

Take an honest look at your possessions and keep only the items you really need. A good method is the one-year rule: if you haven’t used it in the past year, you don’t need it. You forgot about that kitchen gadget that’s been buried in the drawer all year and will probably not need it next year.

You may experience pangs of sadness as you decide to part with possessions. Give yourself permission to grieve, but remember that you are taking a positive step by downsizing and decluttering.

Donate or Sell

Items that you decide not to keep may still have plenty of use left in them. After you’ve sorted through your possessions, decide if you can donate or sell some of the things you don’t need. Donating that outdated radio or camera to a charity thrift store may give years of enjoyment to someone who really needs it.

Newer, more valuable items can put cash in your pocket if you decide to sell them. Whether it’s at a yard sale or an online market, that unopened set of dishes or that sweater with the price tag still on it may be just what someone is looking for.

Think Multifunctional

If you’re buying new furniture, think multifunctional. For example, a trunk can double as a coffee table. Look for ottomans and other furniture pieces that have room inside for blankets. With the right furniture, an entire room can be multifunctional. For example, a convertible sofa and end tables that have storage space can turn a TV room into a guest bedroom.

Digitize

Even after decluttering, you’ll probably still have plenty of documents and photographs. You can keep all that paperwork and all those memories without taking up space. Thanks to digital technology, you can scan documents and photos and store them in the cloud. Shred and recycle what you don’t keep. You can even convert your entire video and music collection to digital files. Think of what a relief it will be to get rid of all those boxes that have been taking up space in your closet!

Expert Help for Downsizing

When it’s time to downsize, our organizing experts can make the process more manageable and less stressful. Contact ClutterBGone today for a free consultation, and let’s get started!

Downsizing and Decluttering: 3 Tips for Seniors

January 28, 2022/in Decluttering, Downsizing /by Christy B

When nearing retirement, many people think about downsizing their house. Moving to a smaller space can lessen tasks like home repairs, make more sense for those with health issues, and help with saving money with reduced bills. If downsizing and decluttering are on your plan as a senior, these tips can help make the process easier to navigate.

1. Make Thoughtful Decisions

Before making any steps, take the time to make some decisions. Think through what you want and ask yourself questions, such as where will you move to and when will you move?

Rather than rushing the process, take your time to ensure that your actions match what you want. Doing so can also help you avoid the stress of packing things last-minute.

Having a significant amount of time also gives you the chance to get used to the idea of moving. That can reduce anxiety along the way.

2. Start Small

Begin in one room and focus on it, rather than thinking about the overall house, which can feel overwhelming. While in this room, decide what you want to do with decor, supplies, and other things there.

Consider donating items to a charity or giving your friends those items that you no longer use and any duplicates. Be sure to toss those things that are broken. If you’re unsure what to keep or donate, think about what will fit in your new space and what will suit your new lifestyle.

As you pack belongings into boxes, be sure to label them clearly. For example, write the room and contents of the box on the outside. An example is “Bedroom – Sheets and Pillows.” That way, you know exactly what is in the box when it comes time to unpack.

3. Team Up with Professionals

The downsizing and decluttering process can feel overwhelming, and thankfully you don’t have to do it alone. Enlist the help of loved ones who support you in the process. Consider also working with an organizing professional at ClutterBGone. We can smoothly transition to a smaller space while keeping the belongings that matter the most to you.

We are here for you, whether you want help with packing and unpacking, assistance with decisions about what to keep or donate, figuring out an organized room layout for furniture in your new home, and more. Rather than pushing you, we provide friendly support as you need it.

Making the Process Easier for Yourself

By following the tips above, your downsizing journey can be much easier. By taking much of the stress out of the equation, these suggestions help you look forward to starting a new chapter in a new space.

As the moving date gets closer, stay positive by focusing on what you will gain by moving rather than what you lose. Also, begin making plans with loved ones for after the move to help you settle into the new home.

Finally, keep out a box of essential items for the first day of the move so you won’t have to search through boxes. Among the things in it will likely be a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, and snacks.

How to Deal with the Emotions When Downsizing

October 14, 2021/in Downsizing /by Christy B

Moving to a smaller home makes sense for many seniors and others, and the best time to do so is often when the property upkeep becomes more of a burden than anything else. The transition can bring up several emotions, including sadness, stress, and anxiety. This guide intends to help you cope with the feelings when downsizing.

Home Sweet Home

A home is an emotionally charged place. It is where you may have raised kids, and it no doubt holds many memories. Thus, it makes sense that dealing with emotions relating to the space can be difficult.

As the Memories Come Flooding Back

To help you overcome emotional challenges that hold back the downsizing process, consider thinking differently about the memories. When deciding whether to keep or donate belongings representing the past, an array of emotions is likely to surface.

As you look at each thing, take the time to reminisce. Recognize that letting go of the item will not fade the associated memory. Some people find that taking a photo of the things they do not keep is helpful, especially when printed and put into an album to look at whenever they want to recollect past times.

It is also okay to grieve what has happened over time as you go through the belongings. Being authentic with yourself is crucial.

Coping with What Others Think

Some people we help with downsizing have worried what those around them will think of their moving to a smaller house. Feelings of inadequacy and incompetence in others’ eyes might arise.

If this sounds familiar, think about what is best for you now, not what others think of you. Living in a smaller space can be necessary for many reasons, such as mobility and finances.

Moving Stress

Moving can be stressful. From packing items to cleaning rooms and signing papers, there is a lot to keep track of in your mind.

To help you manage the stress better, a checklist of what needs to happen and an associated timeline of when each task needs to be done is helpful. Also, recognize you don’t have to do it alone. Enlist the help of your partner, friend, or professional to help you through each step.

Afraid of What is to Come

When looking at the next chapter, the unknowns can feel scary. You might be downsizing to a senior home, for example, where you’ve never been before.

To help ease the associated anxiety, consider working with an organizing expert at ClutterBGone. We have helped many people downsize over the years. When the emotions become overwhelming, we can help guide the process according to a timeline that works best for you.

For example, we can create a clear plan with you and break it down into small steps. One by one, the organizer will go through the steps with you to help you stay on track and feel in control.

Having an objective person involved can ensure you maintain the focus to downsize successfully. While closing a life chapter means leaving behind a specific time, starting a new phase in a smaller space can be liberating and bring a sense of hope. Contact us today for a free consultation about decluttering and downsizing your home.

Is It Worth Organizing a Kitchen?

September 9, 2021/in Kitchen Organizing /by Christy B

The kitchen can quickly accumulate clutter as it’s one of the most-used rooms in the home. From the countertops to cabinets and drawers, there are many places that quickly overflow, especially when you have a family. If you’re wondering whether clearing away the clutter is worth it, our professional organizers assure you it is, and here are five reasons why.

Know Where Everything Is

When the kitchen is organized, you will have a place to put each item in it. Rather than searching for things at the last minute when cooking, which can be stressful, you’ll find what you need easily because it’s in its proper spot.

When there’s an opportunity to reduce stress, it makes sense to do it, right?! You’ll likely find yourself feeling calmer in the kitchen as you know where everything is there. Plus, think of the time saved during the day by not searching through drawers and cupboards for utensils and other things.

Take Back Control

A messy room can feel like it has taken on a life of its own. Organizing it, which involves letting go of those items no longer used, helps you regain control.

Paring down the number of items in the kitchen and finding a functional place to store the remaining ones is a powerful process as you look back at the transformation. It’s empowering, too, as you look at the great results you’ve achieved!

Improve Safety

Organizing your kitchen will also help keep your home safe. If there are items on the floor, for example, and you want to keep them, find a different location where they won’t be a tripping hazard.

Freeing up the counter of clutter is also important as it poses a fire risk. Also, an unclean kitchen can accumulate germs, which can spread if not wiped down, and that could make you and your loved ones sick.

Get Your Home Looking Great

A house is one of the biggest investments you can make in life. Safeguard that investment by keeping the kitchen looking its best.

Cleared countertops and overstuffed cabinets can quickly make a kitchen look sloppy, no matter how beautiful the appliances and other features are in the room. That can reflect poorly on the rest of your house. That’s even more reason to keep the room looking at its best – And it’ll appear bigger too when there is less stuff in it.

Surprise Guests? Not a Problem

Have you ever had someone drop in unexpectedly and been embarrassed by the state of the kitchen? When it’s organized and clean, the kitchen looks terrific all the time, so having guests inside when it’s not planned isn’t disconcerting.

An Organized Kitchen Awaits!

A well-organized room looks great and is free of stressful clutter. With so many benefits related to tidying up and paring down items in the kitchen, you might be wondering why you haven’t started sooner.

If you’re unsure how to start decluttering or want help keeping it organized, reach out to our friendly team today. We support you from day one!