Preparing for the Empty Nest: Seven Tips to Declutter Your Home Before the Kids Fly the Coop

Hi there, soon-to-be empty nesters! So, the nest is about to get a little quieter? Well, before your kids spread their wings and fly off into the big wide world, why not take this opportunity to declutter your home and prepare for the next chapter?

Here are seven tips to help you declutter like a pro:

1. Start Early

Don't wait until the last minute to tackle the clutter—start decluttering well in advance of your kids leaving the nest. This will give you plenty of time to sort through your belongings and make thoughtful decisions about what to keep, donate, or bin. Involving your children in the process will help emotionally and they may even take some of their memories with them.

2. Involve the Whole Family

Decluttering doesn't have to be a solo mission! Get the whole family involved and make it a team effort. Encourage your kids to go through their belongings and decide what they want to keep, sell, or donate. It's a great opportunity for them to practice decision-making and responsibility. They may even make some money selling off unwanted items. Involving your children will also save you from being left with a room full of their belongings that you don’t know what to do with. Let them do their own things before they leave.

3. Focus on High-Traffic Areas

Start decluttering in the areas of your home that get the most use, like the kitchen, living room, and entryway. These high-traffic areas can quickly become clutter magnets, so it's important to keep them tidy and organised. Look for an area that you can make an instant impact on. This helps to keep you focussed because you can see progress.

4. Set Clear Boundaries

As you declutter, set clear boundaries for what you want to keep and what needs to go. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and what you use on a regular basis. Remember, decluttering is about making space for the things that truly matter to you. Set yourself some questions to help make the decision. I use “Do I love it?” “Does it fit my lifestyle?” “Do I have duplicates?” “Was it an unwanted gift?” “Does it do its job?”. Feel free to borrow them.

5. Take It Room by Room

Instead of trying to tackle your entire house at once, break the decluttering process down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Take it room by room, focusing on one area at a time until you've decluttered your entire home. Use our 30 Day Declutter your Cupboards Challenge to get you started.

6. Donate or Sell Unwanted Items

As you declutter, set aside items that are in good condition but no longer serve a purpose for you or your family. Consider donating these items to charity or selling them online or at a garage sale. Not only will you clear out space in your home, but you'll also be giving back to those in need. I use the 5 bag system when I declutter: keep it, donate it, sell it, bin it or not sure. Once the declutter is complete, come back to the not sure bag and take another look while asking yourself your declutter questions.

7. Celebrate Your Progress

Finally, celebrate your decluttering victories along the way! Whether you've cleared out a closet, organised a pantry, or decluttered an entire room, take a moment to acknowledge your progress and pat yourself on the back. Don’t forget your before and after pictures and a special treat just for you after a job well done. Remember, you're creating a home that's clutter-free and ready for your next exciting chapter of growth and discovery.

So, there you have it, pre-empty nesters—seven tips to help you declutter your home and prepare for the next chapter of life. By starting early, involving the whole family, and taking it one step at a time, you'll be well on your way to creating a clutter-free and peaceful home for the exciting phase ahead. Happy decluttering!

Take a look this BLOG POST, it will help prepare you for your Empty Nest.

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Love and Support

Jane