Decluttering Demystified

Less to clean. Less to organize. Less stress. More time to spend on things you most enjoy.

These can all be the result of decluttering your home. Whether you are getting ready to move or are simply tired of living with too much stuff, now is a great time to start purging those belongings you don’t use, don’t love, are broken or out of date.

As a move management company, we specialize in working with clients who are getting ready to downsize. We help sort and pack and items being given to family members and remove belongings headed for donation or resale. Although there are memories associated with many of these items, we frequently hear clients lament about not clearing out sooner.

Joshua Becker is a Minimalist author, blogger and speaker (becomingminimalist.com). While Minimalism may not be for everyone, Joshua has great tips about ways to get started decluttering. He also publishes a terrific list of the 101 things that can be reduced in most homes. As he says, just choosing 10 will make a big difference. Here you go:

1. Kitchen Glassware

2. Cookbooks

3. Kitchen gadgets

4. Kitchen appliances

5. Pots / pans

6. Mixing bowls

7. Tupperware

8. Water pitchers

9. Coffee mugs

10. Glass jars

11. Magazines / Newspapers

12. Books

13. Over-the-counter medicine

14. Make up

15. Hair accessories

16. Personal beauty appliances

17. Toiletries

18. Photos

19. Photography supplies

20. Sewing supplies

21. Scrap-booking supplies

22. Other craft supplies

23. CDs

24. DVDs / VHS tapes

25. Wall Decorations

26. Candles

27. Candle Holders

28. Figurines

29. Crystal / China

30. Vases

31. Audio/visual components

32. Audio/visual cables

33. Computers equipment

34. Computer peripherals

35. Old cellphones

36. Furniture

37. Video game systems

38. Video game accessories

39. Video games

40. Shirts

41. Pants / Shorts

42. Dresses / Skirts

43. Hats

44. Clothes hangers

45. Shoes

46. Ties / belts / accessories

47. Coats

48. Winter gear

49. Socks / Underwear

50. Sleepwear

51. Jewelry

52. Purses

53. Pillows

54. Linen sets

55. Duvets / Comforters

56. Blankets

57. Towels

58. Televisions

59. Items on your bulletin board

60. Magnets

61. Home office supplies

62. Coins

63. Pens / pencils

64. Rubber bands / Twist ties

65. Cleaning supplies

66. Old batteries

67. Tools

68. Hardware

69. Coolers

70. Manuals

71. Phone books

72. Coupons

73. Board games

74. Puzzles

75. Decks of cards

76. Unused gifts

77. Baby clothes

78. Baby supplies

79. Old schoolbooks/papers

80. Toys

81. Stuffed animals

82. Kid’s artwork

83. Suitcases

84. Pantry food

85. Paper goods

86. Wrapping supplies

87. Pet supplies

88. Plastic bags

89. Party supplies

90. Seasonal decorations

91. Sporting goods

92. Sports memorabilia

93. Automobiles

94. Automotive supplies

95. Scrap pieces of lumber

96. Brooms

97. Rakes

98. Shovels

99. Garden tools

100. Plant containers / Pots

101. Empty cardboard boxes

Five Easy Closet Organizing Tips

A confession: I love to read articles about organization and organizational supplies. I also am a big fan of the New York Times sponsored website https://thewirecutter.com/. So when The Wirecutter published a Closet Organizing Ideas article this week, including links to the its favorite organizing tools, I was quick to dig in.

At A Bridge Forward, all of our Senior Move Managers are expert organizers. Here are five of our favorite closet organizing tips and The Wirecutter links to some of their favorite organizational supplies:

1. Before you buy any supplies, take time to declutter. Get rid of anything you don’t love or doesn’t fit. If you aren’t sure, try it on. A quick glimpse in the mirror usually seals the decision. A selfie also is a great way to see how a piece looks when being worn.

2. The quickest way to make your closet look more organized is to switch out all the hangers for a matching set. The uniformity eliminates visual clutter. Thin, velvet hangers take up less space and keep hanging clothes in place. The Wirecutter recommends: Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers. Wooden and padded hangers may be necessary for specialty items. Hanging blazers on padded hangers, for example, helps to maintain their shape. Padded Hangers.

3. Keep things visible by using shelf dividers. These maintain neat stacks of folded items such as sweaters or jeans. The Wirecutter has two recommendations. For shelves up to 3/4-inch thick: Lynk Tall Shelf Dividers. For thicker shelves: Clear Shelf Divider.

4. A basic organizing principle is to think vertically so that you take advantage of all the space that you have. Hooks are easy to install and are a handy solution for hard-to-organize accessories like purses, belts and necklaces. The Wirecutter suggests: 8-Hook Wall Mounted Rack.

5. No need to get out the power drill or call a handyman to add a second rod to a closet. Hanging rods that hook over existing rails are an inexpensive and instant way to create extra room for short hanging clothes. From The Wirecutter: Double Hang Closet Rod. If you don't have enough shelving in your closet, suspend a hanging rack from the rod. This recommendation is sturdy and durable: Hanging Organizer.

If your appetite has been whet for more organizational tips, you can find the entire article from The Wirecutter here, including reviews of closet systems. A small investment in closet organization and supplies now will pay big dividends once we return to our busy lifestyles.

Chaos to Order: Tips for Organizing Printed Photos

When Bridge Forward teams work with clients to downsize in preparation for a move to a smaller home, printed photos often present a challenge. In many cases, they are scattered in boxes, bins and closets throughout the house, coming in all sorts of odd shapes and sizes. Frequently clients are unsure how to bring order to this treasure-trove of memories.

Based on our client experience, here’s what we recommend:

1. Purchase or order acid-free photo storage boxes. These boxes, also referred to as archival safe, are reasonable priced available through Amazon or craft stores. The acid-free boxes are free from chemicals that speed photo deterioration.

2. Find a spot in your house that you can leave messy for a few days. A dining room table works well and may even provide motivation to get this project done in a few days so that you can have your table back.

3. Gather ALL your photos into this area. Check the garage, attic, drawers, boxes, bins, and anywhere else you might have photos stashed away.

4. Separate special portraits from snapshots so that you can store these separately.

5. Determine time period categories for your snapshot photos. (i.e. middle school, high school, college, early adulthood, after kids). Group your photos into these categories. Don’t worry about trying to get the photos in perfect chronological order. You don’t want to get bogged down or discouraged.

6. While you are sorting, throw away duplicates, pictures that are over or under exposed and any others that are no longer meaningful.

7. Your photo boxes likely arrived with acid-free envelopes. Organize your photos by event (i.e. Yellowstone vacation 2019), label the envelopes and file them in the boxes.

8. Store your newly organized photo boxes away from sunlight in a cool, dry area.

9. If you have some photos that you now would like to arrange in albums, acid-free, three-ring photo sleeves also are available through Amazon or craft stores. It’s easy then to organize the pages in three-ring binders.

10. And, it you have remaining organizational energy, make up a box or photo album for each of your children or other close relative who would enjoy sharing these memories.

A Bridge Forward is a Milwaukee based move management company helping seniors, busy families and singles downsize, pack and move. We do the hard work including basements and garages. Learn more: https://www.bridgeforwardmoving.com/