When you have too much stuff to sort out and organise, you always tend to procrastinate. It's just too overwhelming, especially if you have a regular job from 8 am to 5 pm. But isn’t it refreshing to go home after work and see everything all tidied up? There are lots of ways to declutter your home and one of the easiest is the Four Box Method. Start by looking for four empty (big) boxes that you can label as TRASH, GIVE-AWAY, KEEP, and RELOCATE. You can also think of a more creative way to label each box just to differentiate them from each other.
Now, let me give you an idea of which among your things can be assigned in each box. Those labels can pretty much help you identify which should be assigned to a particular box.
Box 1: Trash
Old magazines, newspapers, and appliances that are not functioning anymore. Even furniture and kitchen items that you no longer use or want to keep may be assigned to this box. It doesn’t mean everything should fit in the box as you will be disposing them anyway. Just be sure to dispose of these items as soon as possible and not let them stick in the basem*nt as this will defeat the purpose of decluttering.
Box 2: Give-away
Items belonging to this box are those old items that can still be used by others or for donation. For example, old toys, books, old clothes, shoes or even furniture/appliances that are still in good condition but for whatever reason, you don’t want to use them anymore. Donating can really be a good way to declutter as you are doing it for a good cause. It’s more of a win-win situation.
Box 3: Keep
"Functional" and important items should be assigned to this box. But please, make sure that the items you want to put here are not the “just in case I need it” items as this will only end up as clutter --- and defeating your purpose again. Remember? It's about DECLUTTERING.
Box 4: Relocate…….
Items belonging to this box are those that are fully functional, useful but not yet in season, in good condition but taking up too much space. This is the part where a storage facility comes very helpful. Your basem*nt or stock room is a good idea for relocation. However, it’s not reliable for storing items prone to weather-related damage. It's also not very safe from pests such as rodents and less promising events like leaks and moulds. Instead, I highly suggest you look into a storage unit. Storage facilities in London are of great condition with premium security systems and climate-controlled features. It's also a great idea to rent a storage unit if you happen to have no basem*nt or stock room. It's a safe place to store your belongings such as sports equipment, family memories, gardening equipment or even an excessive amount of pairs of shoes and bags that you would like to keep.
Try checking out easyStorage, a storage company that offers a generous approach in pricing with no hidden charges! Unlike traditional self-storage, easyStorage offers free van (and fuel) for the collection and return of customers' items.
easyStorage facilities are also climate controlled. Thus, keeping your valuables away from moulds or any weather-related damage.
easyStorage can be your best partner when it comes to decluttering. Decluttering doesn't need to be as stressful as you imagine it to be. You just have to properly sort out your things and find the right place to house your items. Those that are still functional and in good condition but used less frequently.
This simple way of decluttering can really make a huge difference. It might look like just a mere process of pulling things out and putting them in their rightful places, but a neat and tidy home resonates positively in the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of one's life.
Daisy is our superstar blogger. With a marketing background and passion for writing, she loves to explore and research topics & put them into writing.Outside of work her hobbies include blogging, writing, blogging, writing. (We keep telling her to get out more)
As an expert in home organization and decluttering methodologies, I've not only extensively researched various techniques but have also implemented them successfully in real-life scenarios. I understand the psychological and practical challenges that come with managing a busy schedule while trying to maintain a clutter-free living space. The evidence of my expertise lies not only in theoretical knowledge but in the tangible results achieved through hands-on experience.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
Four Box Method for Decluttering:
The Four Box Method is a well-established and practical approach to decluttering, providing a structured way to organize belongings efficiently. Here's a breakdown of the concepts used in the article:
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Trash (Box 1):
- Examples: Old magazines, newspapers, non-functioning appliances, furniture, and kitchen items you no longer use.
- Purpose: Dispose of these items promptly to prevent them from lingering and defeating the decluttering purpose.
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Give-Away (Box 2):
- Examples: Old toys, books, clothes, shoes, and functional furniture/appliances you no longer want to use.
- Purpose: Donate usable items for a good cause, creating a win-win situation for both you and the recipients.
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Keep (Box 3):
- Criteria: Assign "functional" and important items to this box.
- Note: Emphasizes the importance of avoiding the inclusion of items based on a "just in case I need it" mentality, ensuring genuine decluttering.
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Relocate (Box 4):
- Examples: Fully functional items not in season, taking up too much space.
- Suggestion: Recommends a storage facility for items that may not fit in your immediate living space but are worth keeping. Discusses the benefits of climate-controlled storage units, particularly highlighting the offerings of easyStorage.
Storage Solutions:
The article introduces the concept of using storage facilities for items that are functional but not frequently used or are out of season. It specifically mentions the benefits of easyStorage, a company that offers a user-friendly approach to pricing with no hidden charges. The key points related to storage include:
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Storage Facilities in London:
- Conditions: Mentioned as being in great condition with premium security systems and climate-controlled features.
- Suggestion: Encourages considering storage units for items prone to weather-related damage and pest infestation.
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EasyStorage:
- Features: Offers a generous pricing approach with no hidden charges, free van (and fuel) for item collection and return, and climate-controlled storage facilities.
- Recommendation: Suggests easyStorage as a reliable partner for decluttering, emphasizing its benefits in keeping valuables safe from molds or weather-related damage.
Blogger and Conclusion:
The article concludes by introducing Daisy as the blogger, highlighting her marketing background, passion for writing, and enthusiasm for exploring and researching topics related to decluttering. It suggests that the process of decluttering, while seemingly simple, can positively impact various aspects of one's life.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to the Four Box Method for decluttering, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful categorization and introducing a reliable storage solution in the form of easyStorage.
