7 Apartment Decluttering Secrets for 2019

Papers here, boxes there…at some point, we all need to take the time to clean our apartment. But where do you begin?

This does not have to be a long, drawn-out process. It can seem overwhelming at times, but it won’t be a headache if you know how to do it. Decluttering is best handled in chunks, and with a few tips and tricks in mind, your space can be neat and tidy in no time. Want to know the best ways to keep your home neat and clean? Check out these 7 apartment decluttering secrets for 2019.

1. Find Furniture with Storage Capabilities

2. Purge Before You Organize

3. Tackle One Room at a Time

4. Try the Clothes Hanger Experiment

5. Try the 12-12-12 Challenge

6. Invest in Storage Bins for Bathroom and Closets

7. Leverage Vertical Space

Invest in furniture that does double duty as storage. When you have furniture that’s designed to provide organization, keeping junk out of your apartment will be easy.

Look for ottomans with lift-top lids that offer concealed storage compartments. Decorate with bookshelves that include many slots and shelves to hold various items.

When your furniture provides hidden storage and encourages organization, messes won’t build up. Buying furniture that is both functional and fashionable will help keep your apartment neat and tidy.

As an aside, have you ever considered using the space under your bed frame? Some industrious home owners go so far as to create their own custom wooden bed box frames, complete with storage space inside. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up a new mattress while you’re at it (check out this Addable mattress review).

There’s no need to spend time organizing things you don’t need to keep. Before you start organizing, take some time to purge items you don’t want.

Go through your closet and donate those clothes you never wear. Comb through your bathroom cabinets and throw away old bottles of shampoo or other products. Throw away or donate any items that you don’t need. The less you have to begin with, the easier organizing your space will be.

You’ll drive yourself crazy if you attempt to clean your entire apartment in one day. Attack the project in small sections and work from room to room. Be prepared for this process to take a few different sessions. Spend an hour or two each night or spend a few hours on the weekend working through this process. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to finish the entire project in one day. Start with one room and don’t move on to the next room until the first room is mess-free.

Do you simply need a bigger apartment? If so, make sure you learn what the different between a condo vs apartment is before you begin apartment hunting.

If you have a lot of clothes and can’t decide which items to get rid of, try the clothes hanger experiment.

Take a few minutes to flip all your hangers in your closet so that they’re facing the “wrong way”. Every time you hang a garment you’ve recently worn and washed, hang it back the “right way.”

Do this for six months and it will be obvious which items you haven’t worn in a while. This will help you identify which items you can donate or sell.

Want to make a real impact on your clutter situation? Take the 12-12-12 challenge.

The 12-12-12 challenge is easy and can make a big impact. Start by identifying 12 items you want to keep, 12 items you want to throw away, and 12 items you want to donate.

Take a look around any room in your apartment and you’re sure to find items that you simply can’t live without. Take another look around and you’re sure to find just as many things that you don’t need and don’t want. If you have roommates, get them involved in the challenge. The more hands on deck, the better!

Don’t run out and buy a dozen storage bins. Before you head to Ikea or Target, take the time to throw things away and donate unused items. There’s no point in buying storage bins unless you know how many you actually need.

Toss old cosmetics, expired medications, and beauty products you never use. Throw out those raggedy old sneakers you haven’t worn in two years and those beach flip flops with a tear in the side (we all have them).

Storage bins won’t help you if you have too much to begin with. Eliminate whatever isn’t necessary and organize the things you actually use.

Whenever you’re doing a clean out of a closet or a cabinet, remember to recycle as much as possible. Old shampoo bottles and plastic bottles from body wash belong in the recycle bin, not the trash!

Leveraging vertical space is essential, especially if you live in a small apartment.

Use vertical space to help you organize as well as keep your apartment junk-free. To make the most of your vertical space, look for furniture that will help keep things off the floor. The more items you can get up and off the floor, the better.

In the kitchen, look for ceiling racks that you can use to hang pots and pans. Hanging cookware can free up cabinets and drawers for items that tend to dominate counter-top space.

Vertical space often gets wasted. The smaller your home is, the more you should be making use of every inch that’s available.

Keep these 7 tips and tricks in mind and wrangling any mess in your apartment won’t seem like such a headache. Take the 12-12-12 challenge or try the clothes hanger experiment to make it a bit more fun. Get your roommates involved as much as possible.

Start with one room or one area at a time until the entire apartment is clutter-free. Make use of vertical space and invest in storage bins to organize cabinets and closets.

Organizing can be fun if you know how to do it. Once your apartment is free of clutter, make a point to keep up with it.

Spending an hour or two each week is much better than having to spend an entire weekend cleaning. Remember these useful tips and your place is sure to be clean and tidy in no time!