Clutter & Remodeling Your Home
Considering a remodel?
It’s natural to look around your home and think about how it could be improved. If money were no object, we probably all have big ideas of how we would tear down walls, add space, and put in better storage areas, not to mention dreamy outdoor porches and patios. However, before you pull the trigger on an expensive and lengthy remodel, here are some things to consider from the perspective of a professional organizer.
Have you maximized your space?
Considering what you want for your space and what is actually happening there can be an eye opener. I recently met with a client thinking about a home renovation who had about 5 storage closets near the laundry room. While I can appreciate that it’s not the best floor plan, closet after closet barely held anything in it and instead clutter covered the nearby living room. Inexpensive and simple changes such as adding shelves into a closet that currently has only a clothing bar can make all the difference. Identify a clear purpose for each area or zone and then make sure the furniture meets your needs. Ask others to help with ideas on how you can maximize your space. I am in a facebook group where folks regularly post pictures of areas that aren’t working and others comment with ideas on how to rearrange the furniture to make it more cozy or functional. Of course, a professional organizer can also assist with this task, called space planning.
Declutter first
Have you heard the old myth that goldfish will keep growing if they have a large enough tank? I believe we are like goldfish, filling whatever space we have. If you think your house is too small or does not have enough storage, maybe it’s time to take a step back and reconsider. How many people currently live in your home? Are you or other family members holding on to items that are no longer in use? Spending time decluttering your things, even if you go ahead with a remodel plan, will set you up for success later. Creating a beautiful living room or kitchen won’t be satisfying if your items are overflowing out on the counters or coffee table. Owning less is a pathway to a tidier house, no matter what the size. You may even realize that an addition or remodel is unnecessary!
Plan homes for everything after the remodel
Before you start a remodel create a plan for the items that you will be displacing with the construction. Make a list or, even better, a visual map of where items are stored currently and where these items will be stored afterwards. Unless you are planning to get rid of the items, they will need a new home. Better to plan ahead, than end up with a beautiful new kitchen with insufficient storage for the items you already own. Get help from an interior designer or professional organizer if this seems overwhelming. Having easily accessible homes with enough room for what you have will allow you, and others, to quickly and easily put things away. Some folks define clutter as items without a home!
Avoid ending up with a DOOM room (Didn’t Organize, Only Moved)
If you go forward with a home remodel, you will have to pack up and remove all of the items that are in the construction zone. Depending on the extent of the remodel, you may have to pack up adjacent areas of the home as well. I had a friend a few years ago who went through a major remodel of their home. They had placed many items in an upstairs bedroom that wasn’t being worked on. When they returned, they found construction dust covering everything, including the toys, clothing, and items in that bedroom. She had to spend many hours cleaning and organizing before her home was ready for them. Anticipate that construction dust will get everywhere. Pack your items in boxes or bins in an organized manner so that you are able to find things that you need during the remodel, and it will be much easier to unpack afterwards. Having a room that was a dumping ground before the remodel can turn into a cleaning and organization nightmare after!
Clutter prevention after a remodel
If you have taken the above steps, you will have prepared as best you can for a remodel or addition to your home. As I mentioned before, decluttering and owning less is always the pathway to a tidier home. The other side of the coin to decluttering is changing your habits or routines. David Allen suggests, if something will take you less than 2 minutes to do - do it right away! As this becomes routine, it will become faster and easier to put something away instead of putting it down where it doesn’t belong. If you do have areas or items that build up due the busyness of life, create regular times for resetting and putting things away. Some folks do a 10 minute tidy up before bed each night. Others spend time resetting their home once a week. Whatever your preference, spending time on this task will keep your remodeled home looking beautiful and functional for your enjoyment.