How To Fit Your Family Back in Your Family Room
They go by many names: the den, the study, the living room — sometimes even the library, but often times the family room. Regardless of what you call your family fun zone, chances are it could use a declutter. Doesn’t it seem like a tighter, more cluttered space now than a few months ago? Lots of people and nowhere to sit, sports and swimming gear stacked everywhere, games and electronic equipment piled high. Sound familiar? There is so much stuff stuffed in your family room you may not be able to find your family. Ahead we’ll show you how to declutter your family’s central spot, and also provide you with some great ideas on how to entertain your family and friends once you’re done. Our tips are quick, easy and free so let’s get started.
The 3 Box Method for Decluttering and Organizing
Decluttering is as easy as 1-2-3 boxes or heavy-duty trash bags. Start your process by gathering up three boxes or bags and a permanent marker. Use your marker to label one “Keep,” one “Toss,” and the last one “Donate.” Once that easy step is complete, this is all you need to do:
Keep- Every cluttered space has items that you want to keep and use in the future. Start decluttering your family space by determining what you use regularly and value as a keepsake. Put these items in your boxes marked “keep.” Moving them physically from where they are in the room and into a box will help you to 1) determine if you really want to keep it 2) clear out your existing cluttered space and 3) end with organizing your room. More on that a bit later.
Toss- Family rooms are clutter caves for stuff that really needs to be thrown away. Magazines, newspapers, junk mail, old school work and broken toys are just a few items that need to go. Taking a few minutes to declutter what you, or someone else, will never use again will give you that awesome feeling of clean!
Donate- Now it’s time to fill up your donate boxes and bags with those items that you no longer want or need but will be used by someone else. Donating usable, functioning and useful items will not only put your family back in your family room, it will also help to support our nation’s veterans and their families. A list of great donation ideas includes:
- Videos
- Good condition toys
- Small electronic equipment
- Small furniture (easy for one person to pick up)
- Knickknacks
- Decor pillows and throws
- Lamps
- Books
- Other items that you no longer use or value
Donating to the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is quick, easy and completely free. Simply add VVA to your boxes and bags and schedule your free pick up. That’s right, forget hauling your donate items to a center. Schedule your free pick up through Pickup Please by CLICKING HERE.
Now that you have your space cleared out of clutter and stuff you no longer need or use, it’s time to organize your “keep” boxes back into your family space.
Organizing for Family and Friends Time
First, take a moment to congratulate yourself on a job well done! By using our Three Box Method you now have a clean and cleared-out space. Now it is time to re-imagine your family room. Here are some great organizing and decorating ideas that will bring a sense of calm to one of the most important spaces in your home:
Decorative Storage Boxes- Your favorite homegoods store offers a multitude of beautiful and useful storage boxes to keep your stuff where it is supposed to be. Specialized storage boxes come in amazing colors and textures can be used to hold magazines, videos, games, toys and books. Pro Tip- Labelling storage boxes will help you and your family with the number one rule of a clutter-free life: A place for everything and everything in its place.
Organize Up- One of the smartest ways to make more space for your family is to use your wall space. Installing shelving is now inexpensive, quick and easy. Take a look around your space and decide which wall will make a beautiful, organized, floor to ceiling shelf area. Safety first: be sure that all shelves are secured. Use lower shelves for your kid’s toys, videos, books and other items. Clean up time will be a breeze.
Beautiful Baskets- More and more you are seeing wicker, canvas and cloth baskets being used for decor and organization. Pro Tip- Use baskets for shoes, jackets, throws and pillows. All that stuff that usually ends up piled on the floor, sofa and chairs will now be contained in modern baskets.
Time to Entertain
Your space is clean, decluttered, and organized. You have mastered the Three Box Method and added in some great organization and storage ideas. You have donated to the VVA and made other families happy. It’s time to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Family Game Night can return to your family room, with your games neatly organized in your game boxes! It’s time to invite friends over to enjoy your space, have a bite to eat and enjoy video games and movies. Time for you to show off your declutter and organizing success! Enjoy, smile, and relax knowing that you did a good thing!
America’s Best Donation Pickup Program
