How do I get rid of clutter?

Arrange belongings to use what brings you comfort and joy in your new space.

Fill the closets, drawers, and other storage spaces with what you need on a daily basis. Then consider the rest of your items carefully. Will you need it? How often? Could you do without it?

Create a pile of items you can sell or giveaway.

We downsized also and faced the same struggles. We gave sentimental objects to family and good friends. We sold what we could survive without (you need a bed and dresser but not all the doo dads that we all collect over the yrs. ) The best thing to do is remove everything out of the room except what you HAVE to have, like the bed, a dresser, a small end table, a lamp etc. Then sort through the rest of the furniture from that room and put them in one of 3 categories: sell, give, throw away. Do this with all the knick nacks, clothes, crafts, tools, shoes, boots, cosmetics, linens, towels, EVERYTHING in the house. Do every room that way. Also think of ways to organize. Use shelves and baskets for extra storage in spare bedrooms or hallways or ends of the hallway or dining room etc. Invest in a storage shed for seasonal items like your Christmas tree and all the decorations etc. Put them in clear plastic large tubs to store and keep mice out but also to be able to see what is in each tub. Stack them neatly by season. (I have as many fall decorations as I do Christmas etc). Put in extra shelves above the closet shelves, above the laundry shelf, etc. Put roller flat tubs under the bed if you can. Use trundle beds in the spare room for more room and use the room for sewing or crafting but available for any sleep overs of visiting friends, relatives. Use organizers inside closet doors that hang on the doors, on the cabinet doors in the kitchen for pan lids, cutting boards, muffin tins etc. Hang "shoe" organizers on the back of every door and organize like: one for hand tools, one for extra shoes, one for crafts. They come with 24 or more pockets each for storing items. One mom used one on the front hall closet door for gloves, hats, scarves , house shoes, flip flops etc at the entrance. Put extra shelves in the pantry and get creative like a door hanging metal organizer for all the spices, sugar pkgs, salt boxes, coffee etc. the full size of the door. Do one room at a time to prevent feeling over whelmed. A good rule, if you have not used something in the past 6 months get rid of it. (sell, give, or throw). It is hard, but you can do it. The more you declutter the better you will feel, I know!

This is one of my favorite articles on cleaning, organizing and decluttering. It really breaks down the steps of the process, and even includes an interview with TV show Hoarders star Matt Paxton. Hope this helps! Hugs, Holly

https://pinkfortitude.com/hoarder/

The three-box method is my favorite. Go through your things and decide if you'll: keep, give away, or throw away. If you've downsized your living space, you'll have to downsize your stuff too! Use that rule of thumb - if you haven't used or worn it in a year...let it go.

Best wishes to you!

Since your new space is much smaller, any extra rooms of bedroom furniture, bedding, pillows, carpet, lamps, etc. can be sold or donated.

You can most likely do the same with bath linens, kitchen aapliances you rarely or never use, diningroom tablecloths and dishware, etc.

If you previously entertained on a regular basis, evaluate your continuation of this habit. If the answer is no, sell or donate chafing dishes, extra coffee makers, silver service, additional flatware, glasses, mugs, cook and bakeware, etc.

It's unlikely you'll use much of what you had in the basement and garage, so look at snowblowers, snow shovels, yard equipment, building materials, power tools, multiple screwdrivers, hammers, painting equipment, sandpaper, shovels, etc., keeping only what you may absolutely need.

Easy, anything you no longer use or want, sale or donate. Have a yard sale and whatever is left over donate. Make sure you save a few good things for gifting.