Category: Uncategorized

Martha Tobin

6 Benefits of decluttering to move: 

• Selling a home is one of the biggest returns on investment 

• Important to create a good first impression to potential buyers

• Starting early gives you a headstart on moving and packing 

• Decluttering creates more space in the home 

• Decluttering neutralizes the home 

• Decluttering makes for better listing photos and showings 

6 Effective Downsizing and Decluttering Tips

1. Start early and schedule decluttering times 
2. Consider the logistics of your new home 
3. In current home, start with the least used room
4. Keep only what you need, use, want and love for your new home
5. Pack your ‘keep for new home items’ as you declutter  
6. Set up a 7 ‘box system’ for sorting: 

• Trash
• Recycle
• Shred
• Donate – charities list at www.Declutter4Good.ca
• Sell
• ‘Maybe’ items
• Items for later review  

What you are left with is your ‘keep for now’ items 

 5 Tips to Declutter any room:

Process to tackle any room 

• Start with items on the floor 
• Items on surfaces 
• Closets/shelving 
• Sort ‘like with like’ items 
• Ensure any essential ‘keep for new home’ items are clearly labelled when packed 

 8 Questions to ask yourself as you are sorting

1. Have you used this item in the past year?

2. Would I buy this item again?

3. Is this item worth the time, energy and money to move with it? 

4. Where will this item live in your new home?

5. Is this item worth repairing?

6. Do I own something similar?

7. Is this item worth the space it will be taking up?

8. Could someone else use this item more than me? (Declutter4Good.ca/charities)

by Martha Tobin

While there is no doubt that decluttering will give you more space and calm, many people continue to put it off to ‘another day’.

Here are the top 6 reasons why people don’t declutter:
1). Lack of time
2). Not motivated
3). Unsure about where to start
4). Little support from others in the family
5). Uncertain about being able to accomplish the task
6). Overwhelmed by the thought of it

If any of these reasons resonate with you, you are not alone. Every client at Declutter4Good has mentioned one (if not all) of these reasons when they have reached out to ask for our assistance.

And that’s ok. Decluttering can be challenging. For some Tips & Tricks, check the drop down menu on this website.

If you would like some assistance, reach out so that Declutter4Good can quickly and efficiently declutter any space that has become a problem. We know what to do, where to start, how to help you make decisions and how to accomplish your decluttering goal. And we make it fun!

Once you start decluttering you’ll feel lighter and more in control of your life. And isn’t that a great way to start the year – with more space, more calm, and more focus? We’re here to help you get there.

“Your home should be a reflection of you – not a distraction to you”.
(Sarah Nettleton)

Martha Tobin

Getting your closets organized and decluttered can make a huge difference in your home as they offer great storage space (top shelves, bottom of closet and hanging area).

Here are a few tips & tricks for getting started:

• Start with your least-used closet as you are probably less emotionally attached to those items so you’ll see progress and be inspired to continue.  
• Begin with items on the closet floor, then the top closet shelves and then those items that are hanging.  
• Declutter items by asking yourself these questions:
  • When was the last time you used this item?
  • Does this item need repair and if repaired, are you likely to use this item again? 
  • Is this item worth holding onto and does it merit the space it is taking up?  
  • By having fewer clothes will it make it easier to choose items that compliment your current size and style?
  • Can you create a ‘maybe’ pile for undecided items and then circle back to these in a couple of days to make a decision?
  • Why not give the current season’s items premium spots in your closet and store out-of-season items in less easily accessed areas of your closet?
  • How about adding labelled baskets/canvas bins to contain ‘like with like’ items (i.e work out wear, scarves etc)?

By decluttering items that you no longer need, use or wear, you can focus on items that truly reflect your lifestyle and who you are now.  Decluttering always frees up valuable space and makes finding and returning items easier.

As an added incentive this is a great time of year to donate clothing (especially winter clothing, coats, boots and winter accessories).  There are many in need who would benefit by having items you no longer need or want.

by Martha Tobin

Now that the holidays are over, you probably have more stuff than you have space for.  Between all the gifts, the gift wrap and the newly purchased holiday decor, your spaces are probably feeling quite cramped.

If that’s the case, here are some options where you can donate items you no longer need or use.  You’ll get more space and others in need in our community will receive items they desperately need.  

—House2Home – Furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, towels, sewing machines, carpets and art

—Caldwell Family Centre – Clothing, unopened personal care items, linens and kitchen dishes and small appliances

—Habitat for Humanity – Gently used home goods and building materials, furniture, housewares & décor, home appliances, electronics, fixtures, flooring, lighting, doors and windows (in good condition/full working order)

—Hakim Optical – Eyeglasses (including both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses)

—Heartwood House – Computer equipment and other electronics for reuse, repair or environmentally friendly recycling

—Helping with Furniture – small kitchen appliances, lamps, flatscreen TVs over 27′ and stands; couches, love seats, living room chairs, curtains, brackets/rods, bed frames, box springs, mattresses, tablets and laptops

—Cornerstone Housing for Women: furniture, toiletries, linens, clothing for women

—OrKidstra – Musical instruments in good working order (no pianos, keyboards, guitars or drum kits)

—Ottawa Outdoor Gear library – A broad range of outdoor gear (i.e. camping, outdoor sports and games, and yoga)

—Ottawa Tool Library – Household tools in good working order

—The Well – New and unopened toiletries

—Friends of the Ottawa Library – books

—Product Care Recycling – old/leftover residential paint and spray paint

**Refer to these websites to determine what is being currently accepted

**For more donation locations check out Declutter4Good.ca

by Martha Tobin, Owner Declutter4Good

Whether your children are young, in their teens or older, the colder weather means more indoor time.  And for the sake of everyone’s sanity, having a designated space in your home where they can play or lounge is key.

If you want to create this space in your basement, a spare room or your family room, sometimes it requires decluttering and organizing to achieve that vision.

Here are a few tips & tricks to make that easier:

1. Start with items on the floor first (and once this is done move to surfaces and then shelving)
2. Clear out any obvious garbage, paper or items that can be recycled
3. Sort the remaining items into broad categories (i.e. books, clothing, toys, etc)
4. Review the items in these piles and determine if they are to be kept or purged (i.e. outgrown clothing, old toys, books already read, etc)
5. Pack up items to be purged into a few labelled boxes (i.e. to donate, to sell, to give to family/friends, etc)
6. What you are left with are your ‘keeps’.  For any item you are keeping, determine where that item is going to ‘live’ in your home (ie books on a bookshelf, clothing back in dressers, toys into a toy box etc)

Items need to have a place to ‘live’ in your home so that everyone knows where to find them and to return them.  

When items don’t have a place to live, they just end up moving around your home nomadically and ultimately become a pile somewhere.  

Finding a home for your items makes organizing easy and more maintainable.

Decluttering a room reveals its essence and allows you to create a space your children will love.

by Martha Tobin, Owner at Declutter4Good

I read recently that one of the top regrets amongst palliative care patients is that they wished they’d had the courage to live a life more true to themselves.

Certainly we all have regrets about things we did or didn’t do. It’s part of the kaleidoscope of life. Sometimes though, we get a second chance to grab at those missed opportunities.

This coming new year is there a second chance you could reach for?

Maybe it’s to take up photography, host more get-togethers with friends, set up a reading nook in your home, or just be more present with yourself and those you love.

If organizing and decluttering can help you move you forward so you can live your best life, we would love to be a part of this journey.

At Declutter4Good we help clients create calm environments in their homes so that they can recharge and refocus on what’s truly important to them.

As the saying goes, ‘this is not a dress rehearsal’. If not now, then when?

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you imagined.” (Henry David Thoreau)

Feeling deflated by the thought of decluttering and organizing on your own?

At Declutter4Good we know how to make any home more calm, spacious, organized and maintainable.

Reach out and we’ll show you how quickly we work so that

your dream for your home becomes a reality.

***And on any job we’ll take your donations to local charitable organizations***

by Martha Tobin, Owner at Declutter4Good

8 questions to ask yourself about the ‘stuff’ in your home:
–Do you find it difficult to keep rooms clean and tidy?
–Do you waste a lot of time looking for items?
–Do you purchase duplicates because you can’t find the original items?
–Does your home make you feel stressed?
–Do you repeatedly organize your home with little success?
–Are your closets, cabinets and shelves at capacity?
–Are the majority of your surfaces covered?
–Do you feel anxious about having people over?

8 Benefits of organizing and decluttering:
–More space to move around (and safer spaces)
–Knowing where to find items when you need or want them
–Better overall mental well-being
–Improved relationships with more attention to present moments
–Less energy and time wasted trying to find items
–Increased productivity and focus due to less distractions
–Easier to clean your home with less stuff to work around
–More money now that you know what you already have

Wasting time, money and energy on accumulating items you don’t need, use, want or love will not bring joy or contentment.
In fact, too much ‘stuff’ will likely keep you from lasting happiness.

“Never underestimate the importance of abandoning crap you don’t need. It has the power to change your life dramatically.”
(Joshua Becker, founder on Becoming Minimalist)

Wondering what to get someone you love this year for Christmas? Or maybe you’re wondering what they can give you?

How about a gift certificate for an organizing and decluttering session?

No one likes to feel overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ they have. A home should be your sanctuary where you/your family can recharge and rejuvenate. Working with Declutter4Good can quickly allow you to see results and hope.

As professional organizers Declutter4Good makes the organizing and decluttering process easy. We’ll keep you focused and motivated so that you can achieve the vision you have for the space(s) you currently find unmanageable and daunting.

And for those items you no longer want we’ll take them and deliver them to local charitable organizations. This is part of our Donations That Do Good program as we see this as a Win-Win-Win: you get more space and calm; people in need in our community get the items they require and our planet benefits by not having those items go into landfills.

An organizing and decluttering gift certificate is the gift that keeps on giving!

by Martha Tobin, Owner at Declutter4Good

The holidays are a time when you want your home to look and feel its best.   Whether that’s because guests will be dropping by or

for our own peace of mind so that you can truly relax.

Quick wins for organizing and decluttering will allow you to see progress before the holidays and will motivate you to continue.

Areas to focus on for quick wins:

—front entrance/hall closet

—kitchen counter

—dining room table

—bathroom counter

Tip for quick wins:

Create some cardboard boxes and label them:

• donation
• sell
• recycle/trash
• memorabilia
• documents

Questions to ask yourself as you tackle areas:

• Have I used this item in the past 6 months or year?
• Am I likely to use this item again?
• Do I have something similar that can do the same job?
• Does the item need to be repaired to be functional?
• Where is it going to live in my home?

Quick wins do not involve scooping all items into a box to get them out of view.  Important items will get lost and inevitably make the situation more overwhelming after the holidays.

Like dieting, quick wins for organizing and decluttering will allow you to see your progress and this will motivate you to continue.

by Martha Tobin, Owner at Declutter4Good

It’s a great time of year to be changing over your seasonal wardrobe ensuring less cluttered and more organized closets.

• Pack out-of-season items in large, clear labelled bins (labels specific to different family members)
• Add items you no longer need or want (i.e. due to fit, colour, style etc) to a donation bin
• Have a couple of donation bins in your home to make decluttering easier (i.e. guest room closet and/or basement laundry room)
• Consider using thin, felt hangers in your closets as they are durable, non-slip and save space
• As you hang up your current season’s items, turn the hangers around. When you wear the item for the first time, turn the hanger back the right way so that you can easily know at the end of season what you did and didn’t wear
• Put ‘like with like’ clothing together (i.e. skirts, pants, dresses) to be able to see your wardrobe at a glance
• Colour group items in each of these categories to see your volume per colour and avoid duplicate purchasing
• For the upper shelves of closets, use labelled canvas bins/baskets to make the most of this vertical space (versus piling items on top of one another)
• Sort items ‘like with like’ in these bins/baskets (i.e. jeans, work out clothes)
• Use shelf risers to add additional shelving (i.e sweaters and hoodies)
• To make the most of under-used spaces on the back of doors, use over-the-door hooks and over-the-door shoe racks

Check out my recent appearance on CTV Morning Live discussing all of the above.

Decluttering, organizing and maintaining closets is always easier and more maintainable when you have good systems in place.