Don’t put off decluttering your home for another minute! If you’re looking for speedy, easy and effortless ways to declutter parts of your home — minus the hassle — organizational expert Sarah Colussi has you covered. 

From tips on where to start to not thinking twice about items and focusing on the end goal, here’s how to declutter your home fast in 30 minutes or less.

Step 1: Tackle One Area at a Time

Start small and tackle one area at a time. Decluttering can be an overwhelming process for a lot of people, especially if you’ve never done it before or have many items. “Baby steps [are] key. By doing one small area at a time, you are making the process more manageable and less daunting,” Sarah explains. Try to declutter daily, weekly or bi-weekly. 

Decluttering once a week is suggested so it eventually becomes part of your lifestyle and routine. “My home is 90 per cent decluttered and I still make it a weekly habit,” Sarah says. 

Pro Tip: Everything should have a designated home — this will keep surfaces clean and tidy. 

Step 2: Set a Timer for 30 Minutes

Setting a timer allows you to focus on the task at hand. It forces you to go quickly and “think less.” For drawers or cupboards, set a timer for 20 to 30 minutes. “You don’t want to get stuck in a slow process of deciding what to keep and what to toss,” Sarah says. All decisions should be swift when going through your items, ensuring you don’t linger on them. Chances are the longer you sit on one item, the less likely you’ll want to get rid of it. 

Related: Spring Cleaning — Tips, Tricks and Mistakes to Avoid

Step 3: Keep a Donation Bin Handy

Have a cardboard box ready when you start decluttering and going through items. It’s helpful in distinguishing what you want to get rid of and is perfect as a donation bin. Aim for it to be filled up each week, or whenever you declutter. 

Pro Tip: Keep boxes from online shopping orders or groceries as your donation bin instead of recycling them. 

Step 4: Lay Everything Out on a Flat Surface

Pull everything out of your drawers or cupboards and lay them all out on a flat surface. This will let you easily see everything as you go through them. Aim to touch items once with the “One Touch Rule.” “Rather than putting it down and having to move or touch it again later, be sure to put it back where it belongs the first time around,” Sarah explains.

Pro Tip: If you use your hairdryer in the morning, don’t put it down because you’ll need to touch it again later. Instead of putting it down, put it away as soon as possible — one touch. 

Related: How to Organize Kitchen Cupboards to Optimize Your Storage Space

Step 5: Be Ruthless!

This is probably the most important rule of all. If an item isn’t an immediate “yes” then it’s a definite “no” and belongs in the donation bin. “Get rid of the guilt when it comes to keeping sentimental items and old gifts,” Sarah suggests. 

Step 6: Keep the End Goal in Mind

Once you’re done decluttering, put all the items you’re keeping back in their designated homes. The goal is to have some space left, so just because you have some room left over, doesn’t mean you have to fill it. “Keep the end goal in mind. Just remember how good it will feel with less clutter, [because it means] less stress and less cleaning,” Sarah adds. 

If you repeat this process often, you’ll fall in love with your home again and taking care of it will be a breeze.  

Looking for more inspiration? Check back for more tips and tricks from our experts who are ready to answer your burning home questions. 

Are messy cords cluttering your otherwise perfect room design? Peel and stick cord covers are an easy, affordable solution to hide those unsightly cables in no time. You can even paint them to help them blend seamlessly into your walls. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you quickly hide those cords once and for all.

Materials Required:

• Paintable peel and stick cord cover kit
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Hand saw or utility knife
• Level
• Paint
• Paintbrush

Step 1: Measure and Plan

First, identify the path your cords will take along the wall. Use your measuring tape to determine the length of the cord cover you’ll need. Mark the start and end points lightly with a pencil. If you have any turns or corners, make sure to account for them in your measurements.

Step 2: Clean the Surface

The adhesive backing needs a clean surface to adhere to. Wipe down the area where you’ll be applying the cord covers with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris. Allow the surface to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Cut the Cord Covers

Using your measurements, cut the cord covers to the desired length with a hand saw or a utility knife. If you have corners or obstacles, you might need to cut smaller pieces and use corner connectors.

Step 4: Adhere the Cord Covers

Peel off the adhesive backing from the cord cover. Starting from one end, press the cover firmly against the wall, using a level to make sure it is straight. Smooth it down as you go to ensure it sticks evenly. Continue attaching your pieces until you have covered the entire cord path. Make sure any corners have enough space left for the cords to bend.

Step 5: Insert the Cords

Once the cord cover is securely in place, pry open the cover and insert your cords. Ensure the cords lay flat and aren’t bunched up inside the cover. Snap the cover shut. If you have any bends in your cord path, use the appropriate corner connectors to hide the seams.

Step 6: Paint the Cord Covers

If you’ve chosen paintable cord covers, now is the time to make them blend seamlessly with your wall. Apply the matching wall paint to the cover with a brush. Allow the first coat to dry before applying a second coat if necessary.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Neat and Tidy Space

With minimal effort and expense, you can make a big impact! Your home will be cord-free and looking fabulous in no time!

Tips and Tricks

Extra Adhesive: If you find the adhesive isn’t sticking well, you can use additional double-sided tape or adhesive strips for extra security.

Don’t forget to check back for more answers to your burning questions about real estate, design, home organization and all things DIY.