If you want to have this….
You’re going to have to find some of this….
It’s called space and it comes at a premium in most homes!
While I totally prefer living in a smaller home, there is a continuous challenge to find extra storage space.
The good news is that “living small” keeps me from collecting clutter. Yet, despite my best efforts, I still find myself with stuff that I don’t use anymore or as often as I used to, from time to time.
I just don’t have the space for things I don’t need. Frequent and ruthless inventories are taken in our home, purging ourselves of “stuff” as much as possible, making space in our home for only what we need and use.
Here are a few tips to help you make room for the things that are important to you:
1. First ask yourself what it is you want to make room for. For me, I want to make more room for the food I intend to can. Remembering the goal can keep you motivated.
2. Take your cleaning in stages. First, grab a box and take a walk through your house. Open closets and cabinets to take a good, hard look. There will be obvious things that you don’t need or use anymore, so have some instant success by ridding yourself of those items by putting them in your box. Drop the box off at Goodwill next time you’re out.
3. Take it to the next level and start with one room at time, which ever one looks the worst. Depending upon the room, you may want to take one cabinet at a time, as your schedule allows.
4. Completely empty out the cabinet and wipe it down. That alone will make you feel great. Give yourself a little pat on the back!
5. Take a hard look at what you have emptied out and ask yourself the following questions:
* How often do I use this? Especially in the kitchen, we tend to hang on to things that we only use once a year or so. Is there someone you can give those items to and just borrow once in a while? Do you need to use it at all? Waffle irons, griddles, excessive casserole dishes and serving dishes have a way of making a home for themselves in your valuable space!
* Do I really need to keep it around? If so, then…
* Can this be consolidated or organized better? (You might want to check out the Dollar Store for some small baskets to help you.)
* Check expiration dates and dispose of medications that are no longer good.
* First aid items and bandaid boxes that need to be cleaned out and reorganized.
* Nail polish, half-empty hair sprays, multiple lotions, old make-up….all of these tend to clutter our bathroom cabinets and take up valuable space. Pitch, pitch, pitch!
* Consolidate what can be like multiple bottles of the same cleaner, half-used bottles of shampoo and conditioners, liquid soaps and the like. Rinse out old bottles and recycle or re-purpose.
6. Only put back what you can’t live comfortably without!!! Be ruthless!
7. For books, DVD’s and CD’s, strongly consider donating to the library and let them store for you! Borrow when you need them and share with others.
8. How many clothes can you really wear in a week’s time? Two weeks? You may love the outfit but don’t have a place to wear it. Give to a friend, Goodwill or garage sale it, but don’t let it take up valuable space in your home!
9. Shoes: See #8.
10. Sports equipment and children’s toys can completely take over a room or garage. I’ll bet you don’t even use 50% of what’s out there, maybe more! Goodwill!
*****
All of us are given a finite amount of space to work with. Setting priorities for what’s important to you will help keep you motivated to clean and clear out!
Where are you going to start?
PDF 
About kmorris
Love this… very direct and to the point.
I have a book that is priceless… “Clutter be gone” author actually tells you not to keep the book after reading… to pass it on.
Kim
Kim,
Sounds like a good book, I’ll have to check into that! Thanks for commenting!
I like what you have to say here. It’s funny how my parent’s generation has that “big house” mentality — I guess success was based on how large your home was. But in today’s economy, we see it being wiser to downsize — to live with less – to make less so we’re paying less taxes — to be more self-sufficient. I think many families will be forced to do as taxes increase and more.
Liz,
Over the years and different properties we’ve lived in, I’ve come to realize that property taxes are a huge part of determining where to live. Even after you pay your mortgage off, the taxes remain and continue into the lower income-earning years of our lives. Good comment, thanks!
Lots of good information!
My annual garage sale keeps me pretty decluttered. There is still some stuff to go, though. I need to take a good hard look at my closet. I think I’m going to toss some clothes to make room for more yarn.
I would love to have a pantry like that! I have been trying to get things cleared out for the things I really want. I just have to decide what that is…
).
Great post! We’ve been going through this in our house for the New Year and every bag we donate is like a 100 lbs off my shoulders. It’s just so good to get rid of the clutter! We started by going room by room and sort anything that was broken, didn’t fit, or wasn’t age-appropriate out. Now we’re going back and sorting out what’s just extra that we CAN live without to make room for something else (like peace of mind, not like more toys, books, or clothes.)
Jamie,
That’s awesome, doesn’t it feel great?? Thanks for commenting.
I need to do this to my walk-in closet
Thanks for the really good, practical tips 
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
HI! I haven’t had much time but to skim through your blog lately. Busy, busy! This is an area I really struggle with and we live in a huge Victorian style home. With our family of seven it’s amazing how cluttered it gets. I occasionally manage to get a bag or box off to the Thrift store, but never really seem to make much progress. We’re trying to rearrange our week to have more time to do this and just keep up with the regular chores of farm life and homeschooling. Inspiring post. Thanks for the motivation!
Missy,
Ahhhh, the old Victorians with 12 foot ceilings???? LLLLOVVVVEEEE those and you’re right, there are lots of places to collect stuff!
Kelly,
Thanks so much for sharing your adoption coming home video on this page. So wonderful to see it…
We’re hoping to adopt sometime soon and it’s always inspiring to watch other families walk that journey.
Blessed by your love!
Lacy
Lacy,
Thanks for sharing. Raising ‘wounded children’ is much more difficult than any video or brochure will reveal. Bathe your decision in prayer.
P.S. Is that YOUR canning closet? LOVE IT!! Gorgeous!
Lacy,
Unfortunately, no. I WISH!