In 2024, I want to simplify our home to make it more welcoming, easier to clean and keep clean, and to give myself more free time during the week. When minimizing, I will be sorting items by 4 categories: keep, trash, donate, sell. I have created a FREE PDF you can download and print to check off areas as you go along. You can find it at the bottom of this post.
I have come up with 52 areas in and around the home to organize and minimize. My goal this year is one area per week, but we all know that’s better in theory than in action which is why I made a checklist to keep me on track. I also believe that baby steps lead to a better whole end result, rather than attempting to minimize and organize the entire home in one day or weekend. The list has some honorable mentions at the end that can replace those unneeded to you to better suit your own home. I divided my kitchen into 6 sections based on location. I know that like items are stored together in my kitchen, so I didn’t feel the need to list out “utensils, glasses, tupperware, etc.” My checklist also has free spaces for you to fill in your own problem areas. The goal is at the end of the year, nearly every single item in the home has been thoughtfully kept.
Let’s start indoors:
- Coat closet
- Laundry room
- Mud room
- Attic
- Kitchen section 1 – cabinets around the fridge LEFT
- Kitchen section 2 – cabinets around the fridge RIGHT
- Kitchen section 3 – Island
- Kitchen section 4 – cabinets right of stove
- Kitchen section 5 – cabinets above microwave
- Kitchen section 6 – cabinets below microwave
- Kitchen Fridge
- Pantry food shelves
- Pantry non-food shelves
- Home decor – currently placed and in storage
- Bedding and blankets
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies – broom, brushes, rags, etc.
- Cleaning products – soaps and cleaners
- Keepsakes
- Paper files
- Office supplies
- Exercise items
- Craft supplies
- Games
- Puzzles
- Toys
- Books
- Medicines/first aid and any supplements
- Guest bathroom
- Primary bath vanities
- Primary bath shower
- Clothes cloest
- Shoes and boots
- Jewelry and accessories
- Hats, gloves, scarves
- Coats and vests
- Bags and luggage
- Wallets and purses
- INSIDE current purse being carried
- Desk
- Bedside table
- Living room cabinets
- Seasonal decor
- Foster storage
- Pots and plants
- Empty storage bins
Next let’s move to the garage and outdoors:
- Inside the car and trunk
- Pet supplies
- Deep freezers
- Outdoor shed
- Garage storage
- Outside games
Bonus areas and honorable mentions:
- Technology
- Furniture
- Subscriptions
- Children’s closet
- Porch/patio/deck
- Email inbox
Here are a few tips I find that help when minimizing and decluttering. Take before and after pictures. Listen to some fun music or your favorite podcast. When applicable, pile all items being sorted in one single pile to see how much you actually have. Track the amount of money earned from selling unused/unwanted items. Have a designated place in the home for items to be donated. Start in an area that you already know you have items you’d like to minimize to build momentum.
If you would like this in PDF printable form, you can click HERE to download the PDF at no cost to you. If you want to get the latest updates from the Family Table Farmstead, enter your email below, thanks!
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