Urban Neat

Home Organization: What To Do When You’re Overwhelmed By Stuff

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Discover effective home organization ideas and decluttering tips to regain control.

At Urban West, we believe that a well-organized space is the foundation to the feeling of peace and harmony that every home should exhibit. Many of the homeowners we work with are in pursuit of that feeling, but their vision of that dream home environment is obscured by the stress and reality of accumulating clutter. Because we understand that true harmony at home requires embracing the art of intentional organization, we’ve created this guide: your roadmap to transforming your space by implementing tailored tips, professional services, and organizational tools that result in the clutter-free haven of style and order you’ve always dreamed of.  

How To Start Decluttering When You’re Overwhelmed By Stuff

Conquering the clutter in your home can sometimes feel like an overwhelming, insurmountable task. We’re all too familiar with the feeling that when one item is put away, it seems like three more spawn in its place, making a seemingly simple task seem never ending. Fortunately, our team of designers and organizers are experts at what they do, with years of experience transforming homes, so we’re prepared to break down decluttering into manageable, productive steps. 

There are a variety of ways to approach the process of decluttering your home. Here are a few methods that we recommend to build momentum:

  1. Start by choosing a single area. Limit your cleaning and organizing to just one space: your entryway, your bedroom closet, your bathroom counter, etc. This targeted approach keeps things simple, gives you a small victory to maintain momentum, and prevents overwhelm.
  2. Set a timer for 15 minutes, and only declutter for that amount of time. Giving yourself a defined time period ensures that you’ve got an end in sight, keeping you encouraged and focused. 
  3. Create a sorting system: divide your clutter into piles that determine where they’ll go. One example we like to use is “keep,” “toss,” and “donate.” 

Once these steps have helped you to successfully embark on your decluttering journey, create a curated decluttering checklist, personalized to you, your style, and your needs. Don’t feel pressured to follow the latest decluttering social media trend, just do what works for you. This might look like a list of areas that need to be decluttered, a list of categories to sort through, or anything else you feel might help your home the most. If you’re looking for a place to start, take a look at our free Declutter Checklist. By approaching your organizing process with intentionality and strategy, you create a much more productive state of mind for yourself, helping your efforts to thrive as your house becomes an organized, elegant haven! 

The Magic of Decluttering and How It Transforms Your Home

At Urban West, we know that the magic of decluttering doesn’t just exist in the physical space of your home – it lives in your mind and the mental shift that comes as a result of living in an organized and peaceful home. The act of decluttering holds a transformative power that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your space, but also calms your mind and allows you to redirect precious mental energy to other valuable pursuits. 

Psychological research indicates that living in an organized environment can decrease cortisol (lowering feeling of stress), enhance the ability to focus, increase energy, and even help establish more positive sleep habits. Even the act of decluttering itself can have a profound impact on those who do it: organizing and getting rid of items requires a willingness to let go of past memories, establish healthier habits, evaluate consumption and purchasing habits, and face sometimes uncomfortable truths about our attachment to material things. Thankfully, this process opens us up to new experiences and new growth, as we make room for the future and for the things that truly matter to us.

For example, a professional artist suffering from a creative block might find the additional headspace needed for creative inspiration when they make the effort to organize their home studio. A student dedicated to their academic success would likely experience heightened ability to focus and more restful sleep when living in an organized environment, two variables that are key to doing well in school! Through our tips and professional organizing services, we know you’ll experience a similarly freeing transformation in your space! 

Top Home Organization Ideas for  Every Space in Your House

Turning your home into an organized oasis becomes far more manageable when you take it room by room. Remember, do what works for you. However, here at Urban West Home we understand that oftentimes, different rooms have different needs. Here are our top tips for organizing each room in your household. 

Follow These Tips for an Organized Bedroom

  1. Make the most of your closet space by using double hanging rods, shelf dividers, and cube storage solutions. 
  2. Use a bedside caddy or maximize your nightstand storage to give books, electronic devices, and other bedtime items a determined place to belong. 
  3. Consider purchasing drawer divider systems to keep folded clothing neat and create more space in dressers and armoires. 
  4. Use vacuum-sealed bags and under-the-bed storage containers for bulky or seasonal items, like extra bedding or winter coats. 

Declutter Your Bathroom Using These Methods

  1. Add stackable drawers under the bathroom sink to maximize storage and keep cleaning and self-care supplies tidy. 
  2. Use magnetic strips inside of drawers to hold small metal items like bobby pins or tweezers, and hooks inside cabinet doors to hold spray bottles and/or styling tools. 
  3. Inside the shower, install a tiered shower caddy to keep shower products organized (and to separate them by person if the bathroom is shared). 
  4. Invest in high-quality, stylish bathroom storage containers that double as decor to keep your countertop looking chic and clean. 

The Best Kitchen Organization Tips

  1. Use drawer dividers to keep cooking tools, utensils, and other kitchenware organized. 
  2. Install smooth-gliding pull-out organizers in cabinets (especially deep or lower-level cabinets) to make accessing the entire storage space much easier. 
  3. Organize pantry food and spices with tiered shelving, lazy Susans, and elevated storage cubes. 
  4. Opt for styled containers for everyday ingredients like salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar to create a more cohesive appearance on your countertops. 

Guidelines for Decluttering Living Rooms

  1. Designate and design a charging station for family devices to keep them neat and out of sight. 
  2. Curate furniture choices like ottomans and couches that have hidden storage solutions to store blankets, throw pillows, and seasonal living room decor. 
  3. Decorative boxes and containers on shelving can keep small items, such as remotes, out of the way. 
  4. Implement a system for cable management for a more organized look and to avoid tangled electronics cords. 

Easy Ways to Organize Your Home Office

  1. Implement a wall-mounted pegboard system or organizer to quickly access frequently-used office items. 
  2. Use cable organizers to wrangle computer cords and other electronic devices, keeping your desk clear for useful tools. 
  3. Stylish storage boxes can keep papers contained, sorted, and out of sight. 

Decluttering Tips for Hoarders and Those Struggling With Sentimental Items

Disclaimer: Hoarding disorder is a serious mental health condition. This advice is not a substitute for professional help. If you’re struggling with hoarding or concerned about your mental health, please contact a mental health professional in your area or call the National Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357 for immediate assistance. 

We understand that tackling clutter can be emotionally draining and challenging, especially when the volume of clutter is overwhelming or when sentimental items are involved. It’s important, first and foremost, to be gentle with yourself during the process of decluttering. Here are a few tips that might make the process feel simpler. As always, please seek the help of a mental health professional where needed, and remember that organizing is not a destination, it’s a journey. You deserve to celebrate each step you take in a forward direction, regardless of how small or how infrequent. 

Why Hiring a Professional Home Organizer is Worth It

Making the choice to enlist the help of a professional home organizer is a surefire way to fasttrack the transformation of your home into a beautiful, sophisticated haven. Expert home organizers have spent years curating their solutions, honing their skills, and maximizing their efficiency in order to provide stunning results that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and space. They’re up-to-date on the most recent organizing strategies and products and can help you implement them seamlessly in your household. The benefits from their fresh eyes and lack of emotional attachment to your material items are immediately apparent as soon as the home organization process begins, and along the way, you’ll pick up valuable systems and habits that will benefit your peaceful space in the long run, too. When it comes to the reduced stress, time saved, and improved quality of life, the upfront investment to hire a home organizer is very much worth the cost. Our team of stylists and organizers at Urban West Home would be thrilled to work alongside you in the pursuit of creating the home you deserve – contact us for a professional home organization consultation today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know where to start with home organization?

A: We recommend starting with a predetermined amount of time (set a timer for 15 minutes) or with a small and manageable space (a specific closet or tabletop). 

Q: What are the best home organization ideas for small spaces?

A: Small spaces can benefit from several organizing hacks: first, make use of your vertical space! Tall shelving and under-furniture storage can really maximize storage space. Second, multifunctional furniture can be a game-changer. Look into options with built-in storage!

Q: How can a professional home organizer help me declutter?

A: A professional home organizer is an expert in implementing efficient systems. They can provide you with the products and direction to manage customized organization systems. They can also teach you productive decluttering methods and provide motivation along the way. 

Q: What is a decluttering checklist, and why do I need one?

A: A decluttering checklist is a guide, often room by room, that details the steps to organizing each room. It helps the decluttering process go much more smoothly, as you maintain more focus and track your progress as you work. 

Q: Can decluttering really reduce stress and overwhelm?

A: Yes, absolutely! Research shows that living in an organized space reduces cortisol (the hormone associated with stress), improves focus, and even benefits your sleep.

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