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Spring Organizing + Knoxville Habitat ReStore

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More daylight, warmer days, blooming flowers, let’s go! It’s the perfect time of year to give your space a refresh. Open a window and let the breeze in as you let organize your home this Spring. Keep reading to see the 4 steps to get you started! We're also excited to tell you more about a local nonprofit organization (Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore) your donations can help impact. 

That’s what decluttering is: taking time to decide what’s important enough to remain in your life. It’s not about getting rid of everything, or emptying your life completely. It’s about figuring out what matters to you. And then getting rid of what doesn’t.

— Leo Babauta

Did you know? The Knoxville Habitat ReStore supports the mission of Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, which is to help local families build strength, stability, and self reliance through shelter.

Pro Tip: Do your research! Giving your items away to an organization doing great work in our community helps you to let go of your belongings in a meaningful way. Knowing your items are serving a bigger purpose beyond taking up space in your home, is such a great motivation for decluttering. By creating space in your own home, you are generating funds for affordable homeownership solutions for families.

Step 1: Pick an Area

We encourage our clients to start in the spot that causes them the most difficulty or frustration. Conquering a pain point first, will provide momentum for the rest of your home. Don’t try to do it all at once. Break down whatever is overwhelming you into approachable pockets (by room/closet/cabinets/section) so it is manageable. Make a date with yourself, put an event on your calendar, block the time… and show up for yourself!

Step 2: Ruthlessly Eliminate

Be honest, and don’t second guess yourself. Do your first purge with a clear and prepared mind to let go. You can always assess what you’ve decided to “donate” before it leaves your home. This is when some honest feedback/questions from a friend or co-organizer could really come in handy. Ask yourself: do you really need this? Is this the most appropriate room to keep it? Are you holding onto this just in case or is it actually serving you in your current season?

Instead of putting things back in other rooms of your home in the midst of organizing, simply use our 4 Box Method so you can stay on task. This approach creates 4 simple options for each item in the space you’re working on. Every item you touch in this space falls into one of the 4 categories: Trash, Donate, Keep, and Relocate. Once all items have been sorted: take the trash out, place donations in your car immediately, relocate items that belong in other areas of the home, and then start fresh with the items that you kept to remain in this space.

Step 3: Re-create your Space

With the items you have left, pause and think creatively about how to best utilize your space and storage in the area you’re working on. Before putting things back the way they have always been (furniture, decor, and other household items) think about how you wish this area could function? Is there a way to swap furniture from another room in your home that would meet the needs of this space better? Would some shelving or built in storage serve this space well? Is there an organizing solution that would improve the efficiency and use of this area? Do you need to communicate with the other members of your household about how this room works for them?

Step 4: Be a Part of Something Meaningful

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore is serious about the mission of providing homeownership to folks in our city (and beyond). Just as we encourage our clients to be thoughtful and thorough when making purchasing decisions, the same applies when considering where to donate your household items. There is something so rewarding and fulfilling about giving to an organization that is serving needs in our own community. We cannot recommend the mission of Habitat for Humanity enough, as we strive to make it possible for everyone to “love where they live”. Take a look at the items they accept for donation here.

A few perks of donating your items to Knoxville Habitat ReStore:

  • keep items out of landfills

  • promoting a greener and more sustainable future for our city

  • you can also shop their vast selection of household items (including furniture, building supplies, clothing, and more)

  • take advantage of their free donation pick up service

Interested in learning more about Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore?