Small Stages of Decluttering: STEP FOUR

STEP THREE will need to be repeated as many times as necessary until we've sorted each section of the room. This may take a few days---or several weeks. We need to be sure to do a thorough cleaning of each section as we declutter. Keep encouraged and keep adding to the five piles as listed below:

1. Throw
2. Give/Donate
3. Store
4. Belongs Elsewhere
5. Belongs Here

STEP FOUR

In STEP THREE we learned how to deal with these five piles after sorting each section. We learned to deal with the quick fixes and leave the not-so-quick fixes for a later date when we've completely decluttered our first room.

STEP FOUR is what we do while we're repeating STEP THREE numerous times. We begin to consider what we'll do with the Belongs Here pile once we've finished the process. Listed below are some questions to be asking yourself:

1. What is the purpose of this room and how are we streamlining it to serve this purpose?
   In my case the purpose of the room is primarily my home office though once or twice a year it is used as a second guest room with a twin bed. It is also my place of retreat when I need time alone to unwind, and therefore, it must be more than utilitarian. It needs to have character. It needs to invite me in to not only work when needed, but to relax and unwind.
   
2. On the flip side, what is this room not for?
   Sometimes it helps to think in an opposing manner. What I do not want this room to be is a storage area for all the homeless items in my house. It is not a storage room for memorabilia, unused decorations and so forth. It is not to be the junk drawer of my home!
   
3. What home do we have or will we create for these presently homeless items that really do belong in this room? Is more storage needed?
   Our goal is that each item in this room have its specific home to save ourselves the time, energy and frustration of looking for lost items. Storage does not have to be a dresser or a footlocker. Here are some ideas:
   
   • A wooden box on the coffee table to coral the multiple remote controls in your family room.
   • A basket, bin or rack to keep magazines in your living room near your favorite "cozy up and read" chair.
   • A basket on your kitchen counter where the chips and snacks can be kept in sight and accessible.
   • A bin, bowl or basket near the door or in the kitchen to drop your keys, cell phone and glasses when you come home.
   • Extra shelves added in the closet of your home office where cute and clearly labeled boxes or baskets hold office supplies.
   • Under-the-bed storage containers for linens, extra blankets or memorabilia that would perish in your attic, garage or basement storage.
   • A small towel rack installed on the side of your bedside cupboard that serves as a magazine rack for your most recent magazine that you read while settling into bed for the night.
     
4. Could the furniture be rearranged to make the room more efficient or simply more pleasing to the eyes?
   I rearranged my home office/guest room while I was decluttering to give a clearer visual impact and more walking area. I used the same furniture but ended up with a less claustrophic feeling room. It's much more inviting now.
   
5. Does the room need a fresh paint job, new curtains, furniture, decorations, accent rugs or pillows?
   A fresh paint job can do wonders. Furniture, curtains, decorations, accent rugs or pillows don't have to be new. I can't count the number of times I've 'stolen' furniture from another room in my house when I realized it was 'more perfect' in another room. Likewise, pictures, decorations, accent rugs and pillows can be moved from room to room to add freshness.

Think these things through now. Come up with a game plan as to what new storage you'll need to create for the presently homeless items in the room you're working on. Start looking for the perfect bin or basket you're envisioning to use as storage in your newly decluttered room. Begin to envision the finished product!