As you prepare for a redesign of your home, the color and style isn't the only thing you have to think about. One of the most important steps is going to be clearing any clutter so you can start with a clean slate. Every room will require a different level of decluttering, but it's important to take a few steps to make sure it's done right. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized and get rid of the clutter before bringing in your new decor.

Think About Your Space

A redesign can provide a great opportunity for really looking at your space and deciding if it's working the way you want. If you are redecorating an office, does it function properly, or are other rooms bleeding over into it? The same can be said of your bedroom, kitchen, living room and more.

Once you decide what you need this space to do, you can evaluate whether the items in the room are fulfilling their purpose. Exercise equipment in your bedroom or lounge chairs in your kitchen are probably not making the space all that it can be. The same can be said of office supplies in your media room - if you find that things don't belong in a room, start by moving them where they belong.

Evaluate Your Belongings

Now it's time to evaluate what you have in the room. If you find that you have a lot of clutter, now is a great time to go through it. Stacks of papers, piles of books, too many office supplies, overabundance of pillows - all of these are items that you may not need because they aren't adding to your space. There are many methods for decluttering. Some say only to keep what brings you joy, while others have you pull EVERYTHING out of the space, and only put back what you want to keep. Find a strategy that works for you, and stick with it!

Decide How You'll Get Rid of Clutter

Sometimes, you'll find that items need to be thrown away or recycled. Those items that are broken, papers with sensitive information, or things that have been used up (like old pens that don't work). Other times, you'll find that the items are in great condition, you just don't use them. These items could be clothes you don't wear, organizational supplies that don't work the way you expected, and decorations that aren't your style anymore. Those items could be donated to a thrift store or shelter, or sold in a garage sale or online marketplace. Figure out the best way to get rid of the items, and put a date on the calendar to get rid of them.

Redecorate!

This is not only where we come in, but also the FUN part! Redecorating a Lake of the Ozarks home is a fun excuse for decluttering, and a great way to add new life to a space. If you aren't sure where to start, our interior decorators at the Lake of the Ozarks would be glad to help. We can help you find the right colors and pieces of furniture to make the most of your space. Even if you already know what you want to do in your room, a walk through our furniture showroom at the Lake of the Ozarks can be a great way to get some inspiration as well! Stop by and see us sometime, our team would be honored to help you make your house a home.