6 Spaces You’re Forgetting to Declutter

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When it comes to decluttering, there are obvious places to start: the overflowing pantry, bulging bedroom closets, and paper-stuffed offices. 

But most of us also have certain places that just tend to sit there, waiting to be emptied. And we forget to give them the attention they need. 

So let’s call out these hopeless romantics of the decluttering world. If you’re ready for some organization inspiration, here are the top six spaces you’re forgetting to declutter:

1-) Electronics (wires, etc)

I’m convinced that the technology revolution over the last few decades has led to accidental wire hoarding. And that’s just the start. Here’s how a typical electronic stash starts to build:

Step 1: Accidentally break phone. Go to store to get replacement.

Step 2: Buy replacement.

Step 3: Try to find a good spot to put old broken phone. Fail to come up with good solution. Stash old phone and charger in junk drawer.

Step 4: Remind yourself that the old charger will still be useful in case you need it for your new phone. 

Step 5: Leave charger at a friend’s house. Forget that you have the old charger and buy a new one. 

Step 6: Repeat steps 1-5 multiple times, until you have a drawer full of broken electronics and outdated “universal” chargers. 

Sound familiar? Those electronics are sneaky, but you’re smarter than them. 

2-) Underwear drawer

Here’s the thing…it’s not really appropriate to donate old underwear. And if you are an eco conscious person like me, the idea of throwing out old underwear just sounds… appalling. 

So instead of swallowing your crunchy living pride, you keep the old underwear. It doesn’t matter that you’ve had those old underwear for the past 15 years and that they are so worn through that they provide zero protection. It’s a matter of principle…amiright?

But girl, just throw out the damn underwear. You’ll be happier for it, OK?

3-) Kitchen Gadgets

If you’re not careful, kitchen gadgets can grow in number exponentially. 

For real. 

I’m not sure what it is, I don’t know a single person who only has one bottle opener. 

Maybe you can become that one person? If so, take note to declutter those kitchen gadgets!

4-) The attic or basement

In the world of decluttering and organizing, there are two types of places: places that you move stuff from and places that you move stuff to. 

Attics and basements fall into the latter category. 

But at some point we need to put them into the from category, otherwise we end up with a beautifully organized living space and a horrifying storage space. 

Not that I speak from experience or anything…

5-) Old files

When we go through our papers and decide to file something, we basically go through a ritual of deeming that paper as “important.” And if it’s important, we should never “get rid” of it…right?

Well, not exactly. 

Take, for example, tax papers. They are important now, but they won’t mean much after 7 years. 

And what about the instructions from that old blender you bought in 1992 that you replaced in 2000? Definitely no longer needed.

The point I’m making is that what’s important changes over time. As a result those files do in fact have to be purged on occasion. 

I know, I know. Sorry to burst your bubble there.  

6-) Your email

Alright, most of us don’t consider our email as part of our “home.” But in today’s world where we are glued to our cell phones, I’d argue that some of us spend more time in our inboxes than our house.

So if your inbox has 6743 unread emails, it’s time to dive in and declutter it. You’ll feel so much better once you do…or so they say 😉

That’s my top six spaces you’re forgetting to declutter. Now be free and purge! 

But if you’re feeling as lazy as I am these days, you can instead just keep reading from the couch or bed. Here are a few of the best decluttering and organizing articles on the interwebs, in my humble opinion:

How to Get Organized: 9 Attitudes You Have to Change

How to Reduce Visual Clutter and Improve Any Home’s Appeal

How to Declutter Your Bedroom For a More Peaceful Space