Decluttering Habits: 10 Habits To Keep Your Space Clutter-Free

Why does your home often look like a mess even after dedicating time to declutter the area a few months or weeks ago? A recent Space Invaders episode revealed that cluttering habits may be the culprit for this mess.

After working with a busy and famous couple that tried to declutter their home regularly, but the mess kept piling up, space invaders revealed the answer. The key to maintaining a tidy environment lies in adopting consistent habits that prevent clutter from accumulating.

Allow Luxo Living to break down our observations into tips you can implement in your lives, whether at work or home. This guide will introduce ten transformative habits that help you keep your space organised and serene.

Read on!

Why Declutter Your Space Anyway?

Decluttering your home or office goes beyond mere cleaning; it’s a transformative process that simplifies your living space, resulting in a sense of freedom and mental clarity. It’s also often the first step towards a minimalist lifestyle, allowing you to focus on aspects of your life that truly matter.

Decluttering can make you feel more relaxed and clear-headed if you're not after a minimalist lifestyle. Even studies show that the brain works more efficiently when fewer items are in the room to identify and process.

However, decluttering doesn’t mean your place will forever be tidy. As seen in the Space Invaders episode, the clutter keeps returning, especially if a messy person is in the house.

The beauty of decluttering is that it’s easier to clean the space quickly and bounce back into neatness. So, what habits are necessary to keep the clutter away from your home? Keep reading?

10 Essential Habits To Stay Clutter-free

Spending time to clean your space is a recipe for a calm and clearer mind; however, without the proper habit, you’ll only end up back in square one. So, here are some habits Space Invaders and Luxo Living recommends for a clutter-free life.

1. Store Items Properly

One of the habits that can help you keep your space clutter-free is to store items properly. This means having a designated spot for things like keys, backpacks, or mail so you can easily access them or deal with them later.

One storage item Space Invaders recommends is the Jenna Hollywood Dressing Table, which has ample space to store items from essential documents to beauty items.

If you leave them lying around, they will make your space clean, and you will save time and energy moving or looking for them. But what if you don’t have a designated place for an item because you don’t need it?

You should consider getting rid of it or donating it to someone who can use it. But before you discard anything, ask yourself questions to decide the item's importance so you don’t regret anything later.

Storing items properly can help you avoid clutter and create a more organised and pleasant space.

2. Tidy Up Before Bed Or Work

Another habit that can help you maintain a clutter-free space is to tidy up before you end your day or head out for work. This way, you can wake up or return to a neat and clean environment instead of facing the chaos from the previous day. To make things easier, we recommend doing the following things:

• Clean the kitchen area and put away any dishes or utensils you use for cooking or eating.
• Store any toys, books, clothes, or other items you or your family used during the day in their proper places.
• Arrange the pillows and blankets on your bed, sofa, or chairs to make them look cosy and comfortable.
• Fix the curtains, rugs, and other decorative elements to make your space look tidy and inviting.
• Turn off any unnecessary lights and appliances, and adjust the thermostat to a comfortable temperature.

These simple cleaning tips can create a relaxing and pleasant space for yourself and others living with you. You can also enjoy the accomplishment and satisfaction of caring for your home.

3. Return Things To Their Designated Location

We previously recommended setting a place for everything you own, preventing them from littering the environment. To ensure this tip works, you must habitually put away your belongings as soon as you use them.

For example, when you get home, hang your coats, store your bags and shoes, and avoid leaving them on the floor or the couch. Similarly, when your laundry is done, fold and put away your clothes immediately instead of letting them pile up on your bed or in your basket.

This way, you can prevent clutter from accumulating and save time and energy later.

4. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear

Space Invaders recommends the Mae 220cm Rectangular Dining Table - Natural for its sleek and spacious look, allowing more room in a cluttered space. Despite this furniture’s ability to make your space feel more open, failing to clear your table can defeat its decluttering purpose.

Therefore, another habit of living a decluttered life is to keep the flat surfaces in your home clear of clutter. This also includes table tops, worktops, floors, stairs, and any other horizontal space that can accumulate items.

Keeping these surfaces clear can create a sense of spaciousness and cleanliness in your home, even if you still have some clutter hidden away. Transparent surfaces are also easier to wipe and dust, which can improve your hygiene and health.

To maintain this habit, you can set a regular time to clear your flat surfaces, such as before bed or eating. This way, you can prevent clutter from building up and becoming overwhelming.

5. Clean Up After Dinner

You must also understand that cleaning up after dinner is essential for a decluttered lifestyle.

Immediately washing dishes or filling the dishwasher should become a natural part of your evening routine. Waking up to a clean kitchen sets a positive tone for the day, ensuring that you have all the necessary utensils ready for use without the need for excess.

Moreover, adopt the ‘one-touch movement’ practice—if you’re moving from one room to another, take any items that belong there with you. Are you heading upstairs? Grab that book that’s out of place on the coffee table.

Are you going to the kitchen? Carry the used glasses and plates with you. This simple habit prevents small messes from becoming larger clutter and keeps your living space organised and inviting. You maintain order and harmony in your home by consistently applying these small actions.

6. Clear Your Space Every Week

Beyond the daily clutter-clearing routine, a more thorough weekly organisation can streamline your life and home. This process might include purging expired items from the refrigerator in preparation for meal planning, disposing of garbage, and managing household paperwork.

Efficiently handling paperwork involves filing essential documents, shredding unnecessary ones, settling bills on time, and staying current with correspondence. Digital decluttering is also equally crucial; organising your email inbox can significantly reduce stress.

These weekly actions are not just about cleanliness—they’re about creating a serene environment where you can relax and recharge. Embrace this weekly ritual to foster a minimalist, organised lifestyle that frees up physical and mental space.

7. Include Others In Your Home

Achieving a decluttered home is a collective effort. It can be challenging if your family members, partner, or roommate have different views on organisation; nevertheless, it’s important to remember that you all share the same living space.

Establishing a sense of collective responsibility is best to create a harmonious environment. Discuss the advantages of a tidy space, such as reduced stress and more organisation. So, encourage them to contribute by setting clear expectations and providing incentives to maintain order.

Space Invaders’ recent episode emphasised this tip as one member in the house was more messy than others, resulting in increased clutter.

8. Make Tidiness The New Standard

After decluttering a space, pause to appreciate its clean, orderly appearance. This serene environment is visually pleasing and sets a new standard for your living spaces.

Also, consciously dislike clutter; view it as the enemy of your soothing oasis. Diligently monitor your surroundings for any signs of clutter, and act swiftly to eliminate it when you spot it.

Regularly check the things you own, and don’t hesitate to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy. Adopting these practices will help you keep your home tidy and inviting, making it a sanctuary that supports a more focused and peaceful lifestyle.

9. Handle Paperwork ASAP

If not addressed immediately, the accumulation of documents can quickly lead to clutter chaos. Embrace the habit of processing paperwork as soon as it enters your space. This proactive approach is transformative, turning potential clutter into organised files.

To efficiently handle paperwork, Space Invaders recommends these steps:

1. Sort: Immediately divide incoming papers into categories: ‘action required’, ‘to file’, and 'to recycle/shred.
2. Act: Address items in the ‘action required’ pile as soon as possible—pay bills, respond to letters or complete forms.
3. Organise: File essential documents in a designated area. Use labels and folders for easy retrieval.
4. Digitise: Opt for digital statements and records to reduce physical paper influx.
5. Routine: Incorporate a weekly routine to review and clear any accumulated paperwork.

Implementing these strategies will keep your home tidy, save time, and reduce the stress of misplaced or overdue documents.

10. Habits Take Time To Form But Be Consistent

Developing new habits is a journey that requires patience and persistence. It’s important to understand that habits aren’t formed overnight; they result from consistent, repeated actions over time.

The key to successful habit formation is consistency. Even when progress seems slow, sticking with your routine is crucial.

Here’s what we recommend to stay consistent:

• Start Small: Begin with manageable changes that don’t overwhelm you.
• Trigger: Establish a regular cue that signals it’s time for your habit.
• Reward: Give yourself a small reward after completing your habit to reinforce the behaviour.
• Track: Keep a habit tracker to visualise your consistency and progress.
• Accountability: Share your goals with someone who can hold you accountable.
• Flexibility: Adjust your habits as needed to fit your lifestyle.
• Reflection: Regularly reflect on your journey and celebrate the small victories.

By embracing these strategies, you’ll build resilience in your habit-forming process. Remember, the compound effect of daily habits, no matter how small, can lead to significant transformations over time.

Conclusion - Visit Luxo Living For More Help

Spending time cleaning your space is one thing, but without the proper habit, the clutter is bound to return. Fortunately, adopting the habits mentioned in this guide can help you slowly live that clutter-free life.

For more tips to keep your home organised and visually appealing, visit our blog and inventory. Luxo Living has professional tips and several interior & exterior decor essentials to make your dream space possible.

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