Refocusing a room

When a room is too cluttered it loses its purpose. Dining rooms cannot be dined in, bedrooms start looking more like storage areas and playrooms than places to retreat from the world, and craft rooms become extended catchall closets.

There are a few different methods for addressing this problem. Flylady has the steady decluttering method, making a daily practice of removing so many items from a room and doing small tasks until the room is clean. For many people this is a very good method, and it does have its advantages in the long run as once the room is decluttered her method continues as a maintenance routine.

However, there are times where we just need to be in it for the instant gratification, my method (adapted from Vicki Enkoff’s method for cleaning art studios) falls into the instant intense gratification category.

First things first, make sure that you have the time (4 hours will take care of a large very squalorous room if you keep at it, double the time if you actually plan on addressing some of the mess, or plan on cleaning carpets and walls.)

Second make a nice pot of coffee, a pitcher of lemonade or iced tea, or a 6 pack of your favorite libation; you’re taking on a big job and deserve to treat yourself right.

Next get some boxes, totes and garbage bags. Fill them up and take everything out of the room. Move everything into another room, including the furniture, computers, and shelves. Everything goes. Keep a trash bin handy for things that you no longer want, broken items, and trash. Do not make the mistake of putting all of your books or papers in one large box, break heavy things up into smaller containers (you’ll find them later, I promise.) If there is a closet, purge that completely as well. Take all the pictures off the walls and put them in the other room.

Next sweep, vacuum, steam, dust, wipe, squeegee, or polish any remaining surfaces. Touch up paint if you’re so inclined. Bask in the glory of your accomplishment. Do not make direct eye contact with the new stacks of squalor that have formed in the living room. This might be a good time to have a drink and eat something light. It’s also an excellent time to extend your arms and twirl around.

Now move the furniture, one piece at a time, nearly to the doorway of the room. Before taking anything into the room, dust or vacuum it, clean the casters on office chairs, and tighten any loose screws or bolts on everything else. Now put it where you want it. Do this with each piece of furniture and arrange things just as you like them.

Know when to say when, once you like your arrangement stop putting furniture back into the room. Decide if you’re going to sell, give away or use that furniture in another room– but don’t move it back into the room that you’ve just purged if you don’t want it in there. Or if it’s something that is absolutely necessary (like a filing cabinet) find a place for it that is out of sight (like in that closet!)

The last step is the stuff step. Take a large empty box and a trash bin to the doorway of your newly cleaned room. Open one of the bags or boxes of stuff, if you find something that you must keep and can put away in your clean room put it away now. If it is something that should go in the garbage or can be given to charity put it in the proper receptacle.

If the stuff is mostly laundry this last part can be spread over several days, same as above but with the addition of a laundry basket. If it’s clean and keepable, then put it away. If it’s not usable to you put it in the charity box, or the garbage bin. If it’s keepable and needs cleaning put it in the laundry basket. Run the laundry as soon as the basket is full, take a break while the washer and dryer are running, and as soon as the clothes are ready put them away, then restart the process.

Have fun and happy decluttering!

Filed under DIY, home economics, housekeeping |