Strategic Planning for a Decluttering Blitz<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nReally, every problem is based on how you decide to frame it, you know? Just as with the old saying that “No plan survives first contact with the enemy,” your home’s mess won’t survive first contact with your strategic plan if you think things through properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s an idea: Make a list of what you absolutely need to get done today, and what can wait! Also: Snap a photo of your cluttered room. This will serve as motivation anytime you need to remember exactly why you’re on a mission to declutter your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Room-by-Room Breakdown: An Efficient Approach<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nEach room has its own routine for cleaning. You wouldn’t clean your bedroom the same way you might clean the kitchen, right? After all, that’s how to organize your home \u2014 room by room. It’s also a good opportunity to take an inventory of your most cherished belongings, and to remind yourself what insurance does and doesn’t cover in Washington<\/a>. For example, your collection of shaving mugs \u2013 is it worth enough to consider adding a rider to your policy? <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou’re going to want to make a plan to tackle each room separately, with the exact steps needed to get it done as quickly as possible (or for however long your “housecleaning” Spotify playlist lasts). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kitchen: Kickstarting Your Declutter Session<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nStarting with the kitchen, throw out any expired or bad food in the fridge. No science experiments allowed, period. And also maybe take some time to properly clean the countertops and fixtures, and sweep the floor for good measure. That appliance you swore you’d use but never did? (Looking at you, fondue set.) Donate it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living Room: Tips to Quickly Unclutter Spaces<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nMoving right along on the path toward a decluttered house. Make sure you get things organized ahead of time before you break out the vacuum cleaner \u2014 you don’t want to accidentally suction up anything of value, right? Remove anything that doesn’t belong. (No, your laundry basket isn’t a permanent coffee table fixture.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, use baskets to store remote controls, coasters, and other small items. And don’t forget to declutter your bookshelves. If you haven’t read something ever (or in a while), maybe think about donating it to your local public library or donation center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bedroom: Crafting a Serene Retreat<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour bedroom is the first sight you’re going to see when you wake up in the morning \u2014 and not having a clean one is not very nice for your psychological state. After all, that’s no way to start your day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First things first. Swap out seasonal clothes. If you haven’t worn that neon sweater since 2008, it’s time to part ways. That may take care of a good deal of the clothes you have lying on the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional home organization tips: Keep your nightstand(s) minimal with only the essentials, like a light and books. Also, on the subject of essentials: The chair in the corner is not a secondary closet. If you haven’t sat in it for months, donate it. And the clothes too, alright? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bathroom: Maintaining Cleanliness and Sanity<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor bathrooms, it’s all about cleanliness and sanity. Toss expired medications and beauty products. That half-used lotion from 2015 isn’t coming back in style and probably has lost its magical skin smoothing properties anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use drawer organizers. No more scavenger hunts for the nail clippers. And also \u2014 hang up towels. A floor towel is just laundry waiting to happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more in-depth cleaning, figure out what non-abrasive chemicals make sense for your specific type of surfaces (and ideally steer clear of harsh ones like bleach unless absolutely necessary). <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/vf-avoid-becoming-a-hoarder-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHome Office: Promoting Productivity and Focus<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you regularly work from home, a decluttered home office can significantly improve your productivity. Nobody wants to work in a messy space, after all. Shred old paperwork and file the stuff you want to keep. If you need it later, then it’s probably online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tidy up your cords. If it looks like a snake pit, time to invest in some cord organizers. And last, but not least \u2026 keep your desk minimal \u2014 because let’s be real, the only thing you need is a laptop, a coffee mug, and the will to survive another Zoom call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garage and Storage Areas: Maximizing Space Utilization<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow that you’ve cleaned out where you <\/em>sleep, it’s time to clean out where your car <\/em>sleeps. Donate old sports equipment. You haven’t played tennis since the Bush administration. Wall-mounted storage is your best friend. Get those bikes, tools, and boxes off the floor. And here’s a running theme: If it’s broken and hasn’t been fixed in over a year, you’re never fixing it. Let it go. <\/p>\n\n\n\nChildren’s Rooms: Creating a Playful and Orderly Environment<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt’s easy to keep acquiring toys over time. The first step here is a “one toy in, one toy out” rule to keep things from getting too crazy (obviously, consult with your child before making these critical decisions!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Store toys in labeled bins, and consider using pictures, too, if the kids are still learning to read. Finally, if they’ve outgrown their clothes, it’s time to get that donation bin out. Baby clothes have no place in a preteen’s closet! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clever Declutter Tactics for Immediate Impact<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nA couple of so-called “high impact” strategies for decluttering can make an immediate difference in your home. Here are a few of the best ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 80\/20 Rule in Action: Essentials Versus Excess<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou use 20% of your belongings 80% of the time. The rest? Clutter. Start eliminating the unnecessary 80%. If it hasn\u2019t been used or worn in 12 months, it\u2019s time to consider donating it or tossing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Utilize the “One In, One Out” Principle<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor every new item you bring in, one has to go. Otherwise, you’ll wake up one day buried in a sea of throw pillows. This applies to items such as knick-knacks, too. There is such a thing as too many tchotchkes, trinkets and souvenirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Implementing the 12-12-12 Challenge to Simplify Decision-Making<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nFind 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put where they belong. It’s like a decluttering Bingo game but with fewer awkward family game night moments (and if you cringed there, we apologize for that one). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the Four-Box Method for Sorting Items<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe four-box method is idea for those who are serious about decluttering, but there\u2019s no room for wavering. Obviously, you are allowed to keep deeply sentimental and useful items, but letting go gives you a sense of freedom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Label four boxes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Keep (because it sparks joy \u2026 or at least mild appreciation)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Donate (someone else might love it more than you)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Trash (bye forever)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Store (seasonal or sentimental items)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Follow Marie Kondo’s “Spark Joy” Philosophy<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf it doesn’t spark joy, thank it for its service and send it on its way. If you’re holding onto that ugly sweater out of guilt, let it go \u2014 it won’t miss you. This philosophy applies to everything \u2013 even those cute cat socks you acquired at a flea market 3 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decluttering Challenges and How to Overcome Them<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s a reason why people end up surrounded by clutter. For many, it\u2019s not easy to let go. Learning how to turn off that little voice and approach items with reason can be very self-illuminating. Some of the most common challenges people face when decluttering include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- “But I might need it someday!” <\/strong>If you haven’t needed it in the past year, you won’t need it next year either. Say goodbye.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- “I spent good money on this!” <\/strong>Keeping it won’t get your money back. Donate it and let someone else enjoy it.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- “It has sentimental value!” <\/strong>Take a photo of it. Keep the memory, not the clutter. Especially those plastic flamingos you have out on the lawn \u2014 your HOA won’t be happy, and that might affect your insurance premium too<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, you don’t want to be stuck in the past. Having lots of clutter around is exactly what keeps you in that mire, alright? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining Your Clutter-Free Home<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt’s not enough to just declutter every once in a while. This is something you need to do as frequently as makes sense for your lifestyle. Even a daily five-minute cleanup might be enough to take you in that direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, be sure to adopt a more minimalist mindset \u2014 don’t let any kind of clutter start to pile up, and regularly throw away or donate things you don’t need anymore (but maybe consider donating before throwing out \u2014 that’s much healthier for the Pacific Northwest environment after all). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Most Important Part of Home Maintenance is Reviewing Your Home Insurance<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that your home is free from clutter, make sure it’s protected! After all, if a freak weather event sweeps through your neck of the woods, you’ll want your freshly organized house covered. Get an online homeowners insurance quote<\/a> today with Vern Fonk Insurance, and keep your home safe from unexpected disasters (or your neighbor’s questionable BBQ skills). You can also give us a call at (800) 455-8276<\/a> or visit your local Vern Fonk office<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Each room has its own routine for cleaning. You wouldn’t clean your bedroom the same way you might clean the kitchen, right? After all, that’s how to organize your home \u2014 room by room. It’s also a good opportunity to take an inventory of your most cherished belongings, and to remind yourself what insurance does and doesn’t cover in Washington<\/a>. For example, your collection of shaving mugs \u2013 is it worth enough to consider adding a rider to your policy? <\/p>\n\n\n\n You’re going to want to make a plan to tackle each room separately, with the exact steps needed to get it done as quickly as possible (or for however long your “housecleaning” Spotify playlist lasts). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting with the kitchen, throw out any expired or bad food in the fridge. No science experiments allowed, period. And also maybe take some time to properly clean the countertops and fixtures, and sweep the floor for good measure. That appliance you swore you’d use but never did? (Looking at you, fondue set.) Donate it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving right along on the path toward a decluttered house. Make sure you get things organized ahead of time before you break out the vacuum cleaner \u2014 you don’t want to accidentally suction up anything of value, right? Remove anything that doesn’t belong. (No, your laundry basket isn’t a permanent coffee table fixture.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, use baskets to store remote controls, coasters, and other small items. And don’t forget to declutter your bookshelves. If you haven’t read something ever (or in a while), maybe think about donating it to your local public library or donation center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your bedroom is the first sight you’re going to see when you wake up in the morning \u2014 and not having a clean one is not very nice for your psychological state. After all, that’s no way to start your day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First things first. Swap out seasonal clothes. If you haven’t worn that neon sweater since 2008, it’s time to part ways. That may take care of a good deal of the clothes you have lying on the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional home organization tips: Keep your nightstand(s) minimal with only the essentials, like a light and books. Also, on the subject of essentials: The chair in the corner is not a secondary closet. If you haven’t sat in it for months, donate it. And the clothes too, alright? <\/p>\n\n\n\n For bathrooms, it’s all about cleanliness and sanity. Toss expired medications and beauty products. That half-used lotion from 2015 isn’t coming back in style and probably has lost its magical skin smoothing properties anyway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use drawer organizers. No more scavenger hunts for the nail clippers. And also \u2014 hang up towels. A floor towel is just laundry waiting to happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more in-depth cleaning, figure out what non-abrasive chemicals make sense for your specific type of surfaces (and ideally steer clear of harsh ones like bleach unless absolutely necessary). <\/p>\n\n\n If you regularly work from home, a decluttered home office can significantly improve your productivity. Nobody wants to work in a messy space, after all. Shred old paperwork and file the stuff you want to keep. If you need it later, then it’s probably online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tidy up your cords. If it looks like a snake pit, time to invest in some cord organizers. And last, but not least \u2026 keep your desk minimal \u2014 because let’s be real, the only thing you need is a laptop, a coffee mug, and the will to survive another Zoom call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you’ve cleaned out where you <\/em>sleep, it’s time to clean out where your car <\/em>sleeps. Donate old sports equipment. You haven’t played tennis since the Bush administration. Wall-mounted storage is your best friend. Get those bikes, tools, and boxes off the floor. And here’s a running theme: If it’s broken and hasn’t been fixed in over a year, you’re never fixing it. Let it go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s easy to keep acquiring toys over time. The first step here is a “one toy in, one toy out” rule to keep things from getting too crazy (obviously, consult with your child before making these critical decisions!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Store toys in labeled bins, and consider using pictures, too, if the kids are still learning to read. Finally, if they’ve outgrown their clothes, it’s time to get that donation bin out. Baby clothes have no place in a preteen’s closet! <\/p>\n\n\n\n A couple of so-called “high impact” strategies for decluttering can make an immediate difference in your home. Here are a few of the best ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You use 20% of your belongings 80% of the time. The rest? Clutter. Start eliminating the unnecessary 80%. If it hasn\u2019t been used or worn in 12 months, it\u2019s time to consider donating it or tossing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For every new item you bring in, one has to go. Otherwise, you’ll wake up one day buried in a sea of throw pillows. This applies to items such as knick-knacks, too. There is such a thing as too many tchotchkes, trinkets and souvenirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put where they belong. It’s like a decluttering Bingo game but with fewer awkward family game night moments (and if you cringed there, we apologize for that one). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The four-box method is idea for those who are serious about decluttering, but there\u2019s no room for wavering. Obviously, you are allowed to keep deeply sentimental and useful items, but letting go gives you a sense of freedom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Label four boxes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If it doesn’t spark joy, thank it for its service and send it on its way. If you’re holding onto that ugly sweater out of guilt, let it go \u2014 it won’t miss you. This philosophy applies to everything \u2013 even those cute cat socks you acquired at a flea market 3 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a reason why people end up surrounded by clutter. For many, it\u2019s not easy to let go. Learning how to turn off that little voice and approach items with reason can be very self-illuminating. Some of the most common challenges people face when decluttering include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, you don’t want to be stuck in the past. Having lots of clutter around is exactly what keeps you in that mire, alright? <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not enough to just declutter every once in a while. This is something you need to do as frequently as makes sense for your lifestyle. Even a daily five-minute cleanup might be enough to take you in that direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, be sure to adopt a more minimalist mindset \u2014 don’t let any kind of clutter start to pile up, and regularly throw away or donate things you don’t need anymore (but maybe consider donating before throwing out \u2014 that’s much healthier for the Pacific Northwest environment after all). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that your home is free from clutter, make sure it’s protected! After all, if a freak weather event sweeps through your neck of the woods, you’ll want your freshly organized house covered. Get an online homeowners insurance quote<\/a> today with Vern Fonk Insurance, and keep your home safe from unexpected disasters (or your neighbor’s questionable BBQ skills). You can also give us a call at (800) 455-8276<\/a> or visit your local Vern Fonk office<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nKitchen: Kickstarting Your Declutter Session<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Living Room: Tips to Quickly Unclutter Spaces<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bedroom: Crafting a Serene Retreat<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bathroom: Maintaining Cleanliness and Sanity<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHome Office: Promoting Productivity and Focus<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Garage and Storage Areas: Maximizing Space Utilization<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children’s Rooms: Creating a Playful and Orderly Environment<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clever Declutter Tactics for Immediate Impact<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The 80\/20 Rule in Action: Essentials Versus Excess<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Utilize the “One In, One Out” Principle<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Implementing the 12-12-12 Challenge to Simplify Decision-Making<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using the Four-Box Method for Sorting Items<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Follow Marie Kondo’s “Spark Joy” Philosophy<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Decluttering Challenges and How to Overcome Them<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Maintaining Your Clutter-Free Home<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Most Important Part of Home Maintenance is Reviewing Your Home Insurance<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n