Decluttering Without Regret: Here’s How!

You may have heard the term “decluttering” from time to time: a minimalist way of dealing with your belongings by keeping only the things that truly make you happy and getting rid of the rest. Tidying up can genuinely make us feel good too: 11% of women even find it more satisfying than sex! But be careful, because getting rid of too many belongings can lead to regret. In fact, 17% of women have thrown away something valuable and later regretted it. We share some useful tips on how to declutter without regrets!

The benefits of decluttering: more space and happiness in your home and mind

It is true that a tidy home can contribute to a happier mind. For 45% of people in the Netherlands, a clean and clutter-free home is the most important factor in enjoying their living environment. It is therefore a good idea to give your home a thorough clear-out every once in a while. Spring and autumn are particularly suitable times for this.

Decluttering does not necessarily mean throwing things away

Tidying your home is a good thing, but the danger is that you may start throwing away too much. Would you also like to avoid regretting the belongings you have discarded? Around 28% of women have searched through rubbish bags to retrieve items they did not actually want to lose. And rummaging through rubbish bags is something you would obviously prefer to avoid!

Then there is the previously mentioned 17% whose belongings could no longer be recovered. Combined, this means that 45% of women have thrown away items they should have kept.

Tips for decluttering the right way

The best way to declutter and organise your home is to divide everything you own into three groups. You will find that all your belongings fit into one of these categories:

Group 1: Items that make you happy, that you use every day and therefore want to keep at home.

Group 2: Belongings that you never use, are broken or no longer have any value to you and can therefore be discarded, donated or sold.

Group 3: Items that also make you happy but that you do not use every day, meaning they do not necessarily need to take up a prominent place in your home. Examples include:

• Skiing equipment or holiday items, such as suitcases, that you will not need again until next year;
• Toys that your children no longer play with but that may be nice to keep for future grandchildren;
• Christmas decorations and an artificial Christmas tree that remain in the way until next Christmas;
• Your grandmother’s old cabinet, for which you currently have no suitable space;
• Seasonal clothing, such as winter coats during summer or summer clothes during winter;
• Books that have sentimental or personal value.

On average, these belongings take up approximately 10 square metres of living space. That is comparable to the size of a guest room! It may therefore be a good idea to remove these items from your home, because who would not want an extra room?

How can you declutter your home without throwing away valuable items?

The solution is simple: make use of space outside your home. You can rent a small, secure storage unit in which to keep your belongings. When your next skiing holiday approaches, you can easily collect your winter sports equipment again.

A nearby storage unit allows you to store everything you do not use every day. You can access your belongings whenever you need them, so there is no need to worry about not being able to use them again in the future.

In conclusion, decluttering your home is a great way to create more space, peace and happiness. Just make sure you do it responsibly!