I’ve been in a bit of a rut. I’ve been stuck in routines. I’ve been stuck looking at blank pages for writing assignments. I’ve been stuck on how to take this blog from here to Substack (or even if I want to do it). So, I did what I often do when I need to shake things up: I looked for new decluttering tips that would both clear the house and my mind. That is how I tripped over the Floor Decluttering Method that is sweeping the Interwebs.
I was somewhat skeptical because I don’t tend to leave things strewn about on the floor. We live in a 900-square-foot cottage, so we do try to keep stuff out of the way. Still, stuff accumulates even when we try hard. That feeling of being overwhelmed by the chaos in the form of books, memorabilia from parents, gardening tools that are left by the back door, etc., hits more often than I would like.
I decided to give the floor decluttering method a chance. It’s as straightforward as it sounds but surprisingly effective.
What Is the Floor Decluttering Method?
At its core, the floor decluttering method focuses on clearing one specific area: the floor.
Before you worry about organizing shelves, folding clothes, sorting through your gardening seed packets (is that just me?), or rearranging your drawers (how did I get so many socks?), you start by reclaiming your floor space. Think of it as hitting the “reset” button for your room. The whole space feels calmer and more manageable when the floor is clear.
Why Start with the Floor?
Here are a few reasons why this method might work:
Instant gratification: Seeing a cleared floor gives you a quick win and an immediate sense of accomplishment. I love quick wins. I mean, I love any wins at all these days.
Less overwhelm: Tackling a whole room all at once can be intimidating. I often get tired halfway through a project, and then I’ve just created even more chaos than when I started. Focusing on just the floor keeps the decluttering task doable.
Easier to clean: Vacuuming or sweeping becomes easier once your floor is clutter-free. Your Roomba will thank you. Possibly. Mine is just bitter that I’ve neglected to charge it.
Visual impact: A clear floor instantly makes a room feel cleaner and more spacious.
How to Declutter Your Floor in 4 Easy Steps
Pick a starting point
Choose one room (or even a corner) to begin. You don’t need to do your entire house at once. Start small!
Sort into piles
As you pick things up off the floor, sort them into categories:
- Keep (but belongs elsewhere)
- Donate or give away
- Trash or recycle
Put items in their rightful places
Put shoes in the closet, dishes in the dishwasher, and dirty clothes in the laundry bin. Take the garden snippers and put them into their tray.
Appreciate your progress
Take a step back and admire the space you just freed up! You might feel lighter, more focused, and ready to tackle the next area.
How It Worked for Me
I started with my office. Because we are making plans for renovation (or at least, redesign), I’ve let myself off the hook when things have landed on the floor. I had boxes of memorabilia from my parents that I hadn’t found a home for yet. I had office supplies that needed to land somewhere. I had sewing and crafting stuff living on the floor under the sewing machine cabinet.
I’m not ready to get rid of any of these things, and I already know that I want to showcase some of them. But until we have the built-ins done, I’ve been piling stuff on one side of the room. That seemed justified, but it has definitely been adding to the buzzy brain and lack of energy in a space that is supposed to be all about creativity.
How did I use the floor decluttering method? I consolidated. I put things in bins. I made some room in drawers that were underutilized. I cleared off an underutilized shelf in the closet and put my crafting supplies in there for the moment. I got rid of some utterly destroyed shoes to make space for shoes sitting on the floor in my closet. I put office supplies away in the desk.
Is this the last time I’m going to go through this stuff? No. I’ve accepted that. But I do love how the office feels right now. It’s open. It feels cleaner. It feels more accessible. It’s not perfect, but it is a step forward. I’m good with that.
What’s My Next Step
The living room tends to accumulate shoes by the front door, extra blankets, and a lot (soooooo many) extension cords. They don’t need to be there. In fact, we are about to have the floor repaired, so they really can’t be there. It’s an excellent excuse to get a jump on the floor decluttering method in the living room so that nothing gets lost before the floor repairs begin.
Final Ponderings
The floor decluttering method is easy to implement, doesn’t require fancy tools, and makes a noticeable difference quickly. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin decluttering, try looking down. Your floor might be the best place to start.
Happy decluttering!
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