According to Psychology Today, “clutter (physical and mental) can interrupt your flow—both your ability to move and your ability to think. It turns out that your well-being could also become victim to what we might call the ‘clutter effect.’” So, decluttering and minimizing the number of belongings you own could significantly reduce your stress and increase your overall well-being.
For residents of our Las Colinas apartments, you might find that your floor plan is smaller or larger than where you’ve previously lived. No matter what the case may be, it’s always a good idea to arrange your space in a way that will help you feel comfortable, relaxed, and live your best life. Here are 7 tips on how to declutter and live a more minimalist lifestyle at Allura Las Colinas.
- The 6-month rule
Go through all of your belongings and ask yourself if you’ve used them in the past six months. If you haven’t, it’s probably a good idea to toss it or donate the item. Apply this rule to everything you own – especially items like makeup and toiletries. This, of course, wouldn’t apply to any seasonal items like winter/summer clothing or sentimental holiday items.
- Label your cabinets and drawers
By having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place, your home can stay clutter-free and organized without having to put much thought or effort into it. To help you with this, invest in a label maker and put labels on your drawers and cabinets. You can do this in your kitchen, bathroom, or pantry to help you keep your home clean and in order.
- Shower caddy is king
When you’re living in a smaller-sized home, it’s important to take advantage of all the space you can. That’s why having a shower caddy in your bathroom can do wonders for saving space. A shower and bathtub can become cluttered and unsightly when you have shampoo bottles, body wash, and razors lying around. Keep all of your shower needs organized and tidy by having them stored in either a standing or hanging caddy, where everything is at an arm’s reach.
- Use a weekly and monthly cleaning chart
Not only is a clean home wonderful to live in, but having a de-cluttered mind is crucial to living a happy life as well. By organizing your cleaning schedule onto a weekly and/or monthly cleaning chart, you can get that to-do list off your brain and focus on other important things. Not to mention, everyone in your household (or even just yourself) will know which day you need to accomplish which chores. By doing something small every day, you can avoid creating bigger messes that take all day to clean.
- Leave out a jar for spare change and cash
Coins and other loose change tend to collect around the house in random spots, end up in the wash, or just get forgotten about in a purse somewhere. Choose a jar or dish that complements your home décor and keep it near your front door where you can dump any change or loose dollar bills when you get home. Over time, you’ll be surprised how quickly that money adds up and you can treat yourself to a nice dinner or shopping outing. Keeping your home clutter-free while saving money – it’s a win-win!
- Choose furniture that doubles as storage
A great way to create and save space in an apartment is by choosing furniture that also doubles as storage. There are so many great and affordable options for this including ottomans that also serve as a trunk, coffee tables with storage compartments, or bed frames with pull-out drawers. You can hide and store seasonal clothing or décor, blankets, and books – the options out there are nearly endless.
- Keep your counters clear
As we first mentioned at the beginning of the article, having clutter in your home can cause stress – even without you realizing it. Make it a habit of keeping your countertops clear – especially in your kitchen and bathroom. When you have clear and clean countertops, it automatically creates peace of mind and a sense of calm when you walk into the room. Help organize your kitchen or bathroom and keep your counters clear with drawer organizers, utensil holders, or storage racks.
We want you to be stress-free and happy when you live at Allura Las Colinas. By utilizing these seven de-cluttering tips, you can keep your home clean, organized, and comfortable. Swing by and scope out our gorgeous floorplans today.