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Reader, are you ready for a declutter challenge!!!
This is the first email in my Declutter Challenge email series.
I know this isn't the 'typical' time that people declutter, but in my opinion, there's never a bad time to start decluttering, especially in a time of over-consumption.
Let the Decluttering Begin...
The biggest question is, where to start first?
If you haven't decluttered in a while, I suggest starting small but also in an area that you access frequently or that guests would see. I suggest either a kitchen drawer or a section of your entryway/drop zone.
But feel free to start wherever you want to.
To make this decluttering series flow the best, I'm going to be starting in the entryway/drop zone.
The entryway of my home is also the mudroom and laundry room, so it's a decent size. Yours may be smaller or it may just be a table with keys, wallet, etc.
Either way, we're starting where you 'drop your crap' 😁 each day.
- First thing that tends to pile up in this area is mail. 📨 If you don't have a system for dealing with mail I suggest setting up a simple system, such as having a mail bin for each family member (obviously if you have toddlers or young children they likely don't need their own mail slots). Also, immediately sort out all of the junk mail and put it in the recycling, you don't even need to open it.
If you don't like the idea of having a mail slot for the adult family members or only one person deals with all the mail then I recommend having a 'To Read,' 'To File,' and 'Needs Action' organization system for the mail.
- Next, another big clutter item in this area is likely SHOES. If you have a very small or 'non-existent' entryway then for this I suggest having each family member keep their shoes in their closet or their room to eliminate the unnecessary eye-clutter that shoes thrown by an entryway can create.
If you have the space then I recommend getting some kind of shoe storage. I enjoy the one we have, which is a bench that has two shelves underneath for shoes. Therefore you can sit on the bench as you put your shoes on. I've also seen ones from IKEA that are thin storage units for shoes that are bolted to the wall. They come in different sizes and price ranges too.
If you can't fit all of the shoes in the organization system that you chose then have only one pair for each family member in the entryway and keep the rest in their own rooms or hidden in a coat closet.
This is also a good time to declutter any shoes that don't fit you or your kids and/or any shoes that are too worn out. Don't keep a large amount of 'hand-me-downs' for your subsequent children. If they won't be fitting into the shoe for at least a year, don't bother keeping it, unless you have the space for it.
- Another point of contention in the entryway are coats, jackets, and backpacks.
Luckily it's summer (well for those in the northern hemisphere), so likely no coats or jackets to deal with yet, but you should still have a plan in place of where they will go once you and your kids start needing them.
Even if you have a small entryway, it's easy and inexpensive to install hooks on the wall for purses, backpacks, jackets, etc. For us, our coat/backpack hooks are not in the entryway they're actually in the hallway (we didn't install them, that's how they were when we bought the house, but it works for us). So if you think that putting hooks right by the door might make it look too cluttered then try a hallway or something else. Make sure it's an area where you and your family will 'naturally' walk past on their way in and out of the house, because if it's not then it's likely not going to work well or will be much harder to implement.
The end of summer, leading into fall, is a great time to go through your family's winter coats. Declutter what will no longer fit or doesn't suit your style anymore. Also a good time to go through hats, mittens, gloves, etc. Make sure you have matching pairs to all of the mittens and gloves if you don't get rid of them. As you're likely not going to find the other match if you haven't found it by now.
Hope you found this email helpful.
I would love to see some before and after photos of your entryways! You can email them to me by simply responding to this email or you can post them on your Instagram account and tag me @athomewithmackenzie.
Happy Decluttering! 😊
P.S. Don't forget to send me your before and after photos of your entryway declutter or tag me on Instagram if you post them on there (@athomewithmackenzie).
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