How to Declutter Your Home in Five Easy Steps!

You’re considering self storage to clear your congested household. However, some people living in your home may not have noticed the mountains of goods piling up, and the idea of change can alarm them. Extra possessions often accrue gradually in a garage, a spare bedroom, a basement, porch or patio. There’s a way to make a disordered domicile tidy again without upsetting anyone.

What’s the First Step toward Clearing Out the Clutter?

It begins with taking stock of items in each room. At this point, you don’t have to share your intentions with your family yet. Just look around. Note what unnecessary things have been left in the same position for a very long time.

You should do this twice. Items can stay in one place so long that they become invisible, or appear to belong there, like a mountain bike parked beside a clothes dryer, or scuba gear on top of an empty, unplugged freezer.

Some disused things that belong to you personally will be doubly difficult to notice because you’re more used to them. Once you’ve done that, take stock of which of your own belongings should be in storage.

Be tough on yourself, but fair. That way, when it’s time to negotiate with your family, you can point toward which things among your property that you’re willing to put in storage. If you show willingness to clear your own stuff out, the concept will seem less threatening to others.

Broach the Idea With Family Members Individually

Approach each family member separately and ask about a few of the things of theirs that you’ve noticed going unused. Keep the mood light.

Mention that you’re considering putting some of your own stuff in a self storage unit and are wondering about making the household more spacious generally.

Have a Family Meeting

Thankfully, yes. Over dinner or whenever everyone in the family is together, announce that you think it would be a good idea to put the household’s unused things in storage.

Expect misgivings about transferring certain items elsewhere. Be lenient with regard to special possessions that a family member needs nearby at all times. Assure everyone that whatever goes into storage will be entirely safe and you’ll be able to retrieve those things on short notice.

Then, with simple words, describe how much nicer your household will be with more space. It will be easier to organize and clean. New things can have a place. Walking around in the dark becomes less perilous. Keys and wallets and hats will disappear less frequently.

What is Step Four, if My Pitch Succeeds?

It will succeed, because everyone benefits from your excellent plan. You’ll know you’re not taking away anything that anyone is unwilling to part with. You will have to convince the members of your household to help organize the items to be stored. After this, you’ll need to roughly calculate the square footage of your moving assets and how many boxes are required.

Let Maple Leaf Self Storage Take Care of Your Extra Belongings!

If you’re creating space at home, Maple Leaf Self Storage has 15 locations in BC and Alberta waiting to serve you. Each location offers moving supplies including boxes, locks and more. Our professional staff look forward to providing you peace of mind. Contact us for a free quote today!