Last week I published a post with six popular decluttering methods. After deciding which decluttering method will be best for you, you’ll want to know some popular methods for clutter prevention!
After all, decluttering your home is really just the first step. Once most of the decluttering is done, you want to make sure to keep the clutter from coming back.
We all want to enjoy a stress-free, clutter-free, and relaxing home. To keep enjoying your home, you are going to need to have some methods for clutter prevention. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself right back where you started.
6 Methods for Clutter Prevention
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Used in conjunction with one another these methods are very effective at preventing clutter from accumulating in your home. Start with one method and build a habit. Once you do, consider adding on the next clutter prevention method. Then continue from there, adding one new method at a time.
1. The One-in-One Out Method
This method is really simple. For every new item you bring into your home, you let go of one item you already own. Ideally, the item you let go of is in the same category as the new item.
The Pros:
This clutter prevention method is a great way to keep your shopping habits in check. Knowing that every time you buy something new you are going to have to let something else go makes you think through your purchase.
Following this method you’ll be encouraged to think twice before acquiring new possessions. The result is to ensure that every addition is meaningful and necessary. Which of course prevents clutter from ever building up because you are required to give something up in order to make the purchase.
The Cons:
This method requires consistency and follow-through, which is not always easy. It is also difficult to apply when it comes to gifts or things you genuinely need.
2. The One Minute Rule
This is another simple clutter prevention method that comes from Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project.” Essentially, if it takes you less than one minute to put an item away, do it then and there. That’s it!
It’s a simple rule that is incredibly effective for helping to keep clutter under control and stop it from becoming overwhelming.
The Pros:
This rule is especially helpful if you tend to let paper piles accumulate, leave clothes scattered around, or cups gathered on tables and countertops. By training yourself to put things away, which takes a minute or less, you’ll stop clutter from piling up. It’s also one of my favorite ways to stop procrastinating in your home.
Perhaps its main advantage is that it encourages immediate action for small tasks, helping to prevent the build-up of clutter over time.
The Cons:
While this rule is very effective at keeping things from piling up, it is not helpful when it comes to tackling larger areas of clutter.
In addition, when life gets busy, staying consistent is a big challenge. And lack of consistency leads to frustration and eventually giving up altogether.
3. Creating Intentional Shopping Habits
We are all bombarded by images and advertisements trying to convince us of the latest item we NEED. It takes intentionality and commitment to avoid the constant temptation before us.
The truth is the only way we are going to avoid filling our homes with more clutter is to stop and consider your purchases before you head to the checkout line or click that buy now button.
This means reminding yourself of what’s important to you and what adds value to your life. Take your time and really think through purchases. You also want to make sure you’re not giving in to impulse buys.
The Pros:
Establishing intentional shopping habits comes with many benefits. One big benefit is that by purposefully considering purchases and avoiding impulsive buys, you’ll have the financial resources to purchase items that truly add value to your life.
Of course, the biggest benefit is that intentional shopping habits prevent clutter from building up and thereby reduce the stress of having to manage excess belongings.
The Cons:
In order for this method to prevent clutter you will be required to maintain discipline to resist giving into impulsive purchases. Intentional shopping usually requires time and effort in researching products and comparing prices.
It also means saying no to immediate gratification, which is not easy to do in our current consumer culture.
Nonetheless, the benefits of intentional shopping in terms of clutter prevention outweigh the cons when it comes to creating a clutter-free home, that you love!
4. Setting Space Limits
This method is about establishing space limits for certain types of items in your home.
For example, you have a designated space for books, toys, craft supplies, or even clothing. Once that space is full, that’s it. You do not purchase more of those items until you have freed up some of that designated space.
The Pros:
Of course, the first and most important is that setting limits for the things you have prevents the build-up of clutter. It also reduces the stress of having to maintain excess possessions.
When you set boundaries on the number of items you keep, you’re forced to make purposeful decisions about what truly matters to you.
The Cons:
If you have a difficult time letting go of sentimental items or tend to keep things “just in case” you may struggle with this clutter prevention method.
Space limits will likely necessitate letting go of things you rarely use but still hold onto “just in case” or because of sentimental value.
5. Regular Decluttering Sessions
One of the most effective ways to prevent clutter is to declutter on a regular basis. It’s just a matter of setting aside time each month to go through your belongings and get rid of items you no longer need.
The Pros:
Regular decluttering is a key to clutter prevention. It helps you keep a handle on the clutter before it builds up and becomes overwhelming.
Consistently evaluating and decluttering items you no longer use, makes it so much easier to find and use the things that truly matter to you. You will also be more mindful of the items you bring into your home.
The Cons:
If you have a lot of stuff in your home, regular decluttering sessions can feel time-consuming. You may also have to learn to conquer the emotions we tend to attach to our belongings. This is not easy when you have strong attachments to your stuff.
6. Use Organizing Bins For Clutter Prevention
Clutter tends to accumulate fastest in out-of-sight areas such as closets and drawers. One reason for this is that it’s easy to toss items into those spaces and forget about them. The old adage out of sight out of mind is really true.
To prevent clutter from accumulating in these spaces organizing bins are you’re best friend. Larger storage bins and baskets are great for closets. Whereas smaller organizing trays and dividers are excellent to prevent clutter from hiding out in drawers.
The Pros:
Using organizing bins is a great way to keep things corralled so that you can easily find what you need when you need it. This will help avoid going out and purchasing things you already own because you can’t find them.
They also keep things readily organized which makes it easy to notice things you don’t use and know it’s time to declutter those items.
The Cons:
It’s easy to add things to these bins or baskets that you don’t use regularly. This leads to the accumulation of unnecessary stuff.
Soon the organizing bins and baskets become sources of hidden clutter. If left unchecked, over time, these bins become clutter themselves.
Choosing The Method That’s Best For You
When it comes to the methods for clutter prevention, the key is to pick a method or methods that you will be able to incorporate into your daily life. You want to strike a balance between maintaining a clutter-free home and the stress of constant decluttering.
Just remember that clutter prevention is an ongoing process. By adopting a couple of these methods you’ll create a home that you love!
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