April 2026 - Is the Answer to Decluttering, Bins?
- Judy Granlee Gates
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Bins
It’s the year of less, with less buying and consuming. Spring is springing and that gets people to want to declutter and organize, and the first thing they do? BUY BINS. No, read on.
I have been following my own rules for buying less, and what to do when I do get the itch to shop out of boredom. I have been able to repurpose several items and create just what I want, so that energizes me to continue. Have I not shopped at all? No. Have I shopped a lot less? YES!!
Get my free guide to LESS here!
Decluttering and Organizing:
Spring is in the air. And that gets us thinking we need to clear out, so we buy bins, baskets, markers, labels, ALL the supplies. But that is neither decluttering or organizing.
Containers and labels do NOT solve clutter. They contain it.
I have noticed a trend in client calls. I have had many call and want to “create systems” to keep them organized. When I go to work with them, they get rid of little, if anything. Here is why that will never work.
Decluttering must occur first. A huge part of most people’s problem is simply too much stuff.
Decluttering and organizing is never “done”. We declutter, create systems and then we must maintain those systems, just like everything else in life. There is no magic decluttering/organizing bullet.
First, we declutter. Remove what you no longer use, need or love. I was recently in a space where a client has two full shelving units, floor to ceiling, of boat items. Guess what? They sold their boat and have no plans to get another. That is incredibly valuable space, that is being wasted storing items they don’t need or use.
Containers are awesome, and they are needed, but we must declutter first, then we will see the types of containers and organizing items we actually need!
When you stop trying to store more, you can easily live with less, intentionally.
And a note on containers. Clear containers work best for MOST people. Opaque containers leave you guessing, and searching.
Let’s create spaces that make your home feel calm, not chaotic.
Home Edits:
Did you know that empty or open space is a design feature? I recently edited a home for sale. The realtor commented that a small living room had two stressless recliners with ottomans, a coffee table, recliner, full couch, multiple lamps, random large art and upright cabinet along with a large TV. It was not a big room. It felt even smaller. When completed, we had the TV and stand, recliner, two lamps, and end table and coffee table and reduced and strategically rearranged artwork. The space feels so much larger, and is showing beautifully. And the funny part is, the client lives alone and only sits in one chair.
Spring is a great time to consider what you are not using or what you no longer need, and clear out. Marketplace, Offer up, Mercari, and eBay can be great selling sites. And who doesn’t love a little more space and a little more cash?
Try editing your home first. You may find you need far less than you thought. I am often surprised and what gets released when helping a client edit their home.
Short Term Rentals:
Labeled storage and signage helps guests, but too much can be overkill. Create simple, intuitive spaces where you can, including labels.
Guests are famous for moving items around and not putting them back in the right place. Ask any host how long they spend putting things away after each guest!
I help short term rental hosts create simple systems that feel effortless and easy to use.
I’ll be speaking locally in June and will share more in the May newsletter.
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Home Elevated on Facebook or Home_Elevated_WA on Instagram!
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