Decluttering 101 - Tackling Common Trouble Spots in Your Home

Published on 5/22/2025
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Introduction:

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when life gets busy and things start to pile up. But here’s the truth—clearing out the clutter doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing event. By focusing on the common trouble spots in your home, you can make meaningful progress one step at a time. In this article, we’ll walk you through where clutter tends to hide, how to clear it out efficiently, and why a storage unit can be a powerful tool in your home organization journey.


1. The Garage: The Land of "I Might Use This Someday"

For many, the garage is where things go to be forgotten. From half-used paint cans to broken chairs and seasonal decorations, it’s easy for your garage to become a catch-all.

How to Declutter It:

  • Sort items into “Keep,” “Donate,” “Trash,” and “Store” piles.

  • Be honest—if it’s broken or hasn’t been touched in a year, it’s probably time to let it go.

  • Store seasonal and infrequently used items in a labeled bin or tote, and move them into your storage unit to clear space for tools, vehicles, or a workspace.


2. Closets: Where Organization Goes to Hide

If opening your closet feels like a game of chance, you’re not alone. Clothing, shoes, bags, and everything in between tend to accumulate in ways we don’t even realize.

How to Declutter It:

  • Use the “one-year rule”: If you haven’t worn it in a year, it goes.

  • Store off-season clothing (heavy coats, boots, or swimwear) in sealed plastic bins and rotate as needed.

  • Freeing up closet space makes your daily routine smoother and less stressful.


3. The Guest Room (a.k.a. the Storage Room)

It starts as a spare room and slowly becomes the dumping ground for everything you didn’t want to deal with elsewhere. Sound familiar?

How to Declutter It:

  • Pull everything out and sort ruthlessly.

  • If the room isn’t being used for guests regularly, consider repurposing it as an office or hobby space—but first, remove anything that doesn’t belong.

  • Items you want to keep but don’t need daily? Perfect candidates for a storage unit.


4. The Kitchen: The Small Appliance Museum

Blenders, waffle makers, air fryers, and ten mismatched Tupperware lids. It’s amazing what hides in kitchen cabinets and drawers.

How to Declutter It:

  • Toss expired pantry items and duplicate gadgets.

  • Move infrequently used appliances into storage to free up counter and cabinet space.

  • Keep your kitchen functional by only storing what you use weekly.


5. The Living Room: Clutter in Plain Sight

Because it’s a shared space, the living room tends to gather clutter quickly—remote controls, blankets, books, toys, mail, and more.

How to Declutter It:

  • Add stylish storage bins or baskets to catch loose items.

  • Rotate decorative items seasonally to keep the space fresh without overcrowding.

  • Store off-season décor or entertainment gear in your storage unit to keep the space clean and peaceful.


How Storage Can Help You Declutter with Confidence

A storage unit isn’t just for when you’re moving—it’s a year-round resource for keeping your home functional and clutter-free.

Storage units can help you:

  • Keep sentimental or seasonal items without sacrificing home space.

  • Create breathing room during home organization or renovations.

  • Make tough decisions easier by offering a safe “later” for items you’re not ready to part with.


Conclusion: A More Peaceful Home Starts with a Plan

Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be dramatic—it just needs to be intentional. Start with one trouble spot and work your way through at your own pace. And if you find yourself with items worth keeping but nowhere to put them, our facility offers a more affordable option for storage near Joplin. Let us help you clear the clutter and bring calm back into your home—one tote, one room, one step at a time.