Having to stay at home for long periods of time can be a drag. Routines are disrupted, work and school circumstances are turned upside down, and families are seeing a lot more of each other, for better or worse. But being home more can also be productive.

If you have house projects that you’ve been meaning to get to but haven’t had the time, maybe now’s your chance. Some of the most time-consuming projects homeowners run into can be home organization and decluttering. Clutter doesn’t happen overnight, so clearing the clutter won’t, either. But now that you have the time, here are four large decluttering projects for when you’re stuck at home.

Storage areas

Arguably, the best place to start decluttering is where there’s the most clutter. Typically, this is an attic or basement – the place where things go when there’s nowhere else to put them.

Having large storage areas is convenient until they fill up. When they’re overflowing or disorganized, you can’t keep moving things there from other places in the house. So, it makes sense to start decluttering by working on the basement or attic first.

Go through everything in your storage areas and decide what to purge and what to keep. Once you have a “purge pile,” makes sure it actually gets purged – thrown out, recycled or donated. For everything that you’re keeping, make sure it has a place. If you have to add shelves or storage bins, so be it. Once everything is in its place and you have more room, then clutter from the rest of the house (if you’re keeping it) will have a place, too.

Clear the closets

If there’s anything that can take up a lot of space in a little time, it’s clothing. Every house has clothes in the closets and dressers that are rarely, if ever, worn. As you buy new clothes, closets and dressers can burst at the seams.

But cleaning them out can be a long process, so it’s rarely done. Now that you’re home more, you can go through everything, decide what you want to keep, and put everything back neatly and more organized. Throw out or donate what you don’t want, and try to save a little space for new items you’re sure to add when you’re able to go clothes shopping again.

Check the children’s toys

The temptation might be to declutter room by room, but there’s an argument for doing things category by category instead. In some homes, there’s a lot of one category in several different rooms. One such category might be children’s toys or sports equipment.

If your kids are home from school, you can involve them. Go through their things with them and reach an agreement on what can go and what must stay. This means anything in playrooms, rec rooms, their bedroom, the garage, storage shed – wherever. Just as with things you’ll never again wear, toys they’ll never again play with should make their way out the door.

Ditch the kitchen claptrap

If you’ve ever had to clear your kitchen cabinets for refinishing or replacement, you probably know how much stuff accumulates over the years. Cabinets can fill up in a hurry, and things then overflow onto counter space and the top of the refrigerator, where they’re all too visible.

Do you need every single coffee mug or souvenir cup you’ve gotten over time? Do you really need three different sizes of slow cookers? What about all the plastic containers for leftovers that seem to multiply exponentially? People spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so having a more spacious, better-organized one can be a significant improvement in day-to-day life.

There are probably more decluttering projects you’d like to do. But focusing on the large ones while you have some extra time makes a lot of sense.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new homes every hour. By signing up for New Listing alerts you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!

Start your Home Search now

Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

Welcome home! This well maintained and regularly serviced 4 bedroom 1930s home that has stayed within 3 generations of the same family is up for grabs! Bring your vision as you step into this gorgeous home with original trim and French doors between the dining and living rooms, 9' ceilings, strong bones, welcoming front porch, and relaxing 3 seasons patio. Replacement windows allow for plenty of natural light. The open floor plan basement houses the laundry, sink, and toilet. An oversized 2 car detached garage goes perfect with the brick home as well as four additional rock parking spaces- two on the west and 2 on the northeast of the house. A smaller shed that was once used as a smoke house and garden tools storage is next to the detached. More! A 1.90 acre lot is included to do with as you please! There is a partial chainlink fence lining the three sides of the rear half of the lot. Tall cedars line a part of the the west for privacy.

$219,000 Active

1281 E 2nd Avenue Jasper, Indiana

4 Beds 2 Baths 1,250 SqFt 1.900 Acres

Listing courtesy of Keasha Fromme from Carpenter Realty LLC.

This nice, well kept home in the heart of Huntingburg is sure to please. There are two bedrooms on the main level, and large bedroom upstairs. The custom headboard and built-in bunk stay with the house. The oversized living room and dining area have beautiful hardwood floors. Upstairs is a den that is currently being used as a 4th bedroom. The basement provides an abundance of storage, and has direct access to the garage. Outside is a child's paradise with large yard and basketball goal with concrete pad.

$174,900 Active

105 E 1st Street Huntingburg, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 2,080 SqFt 0.290 Acres

Listing courtesy of Steve Lukemeyer from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

Welcome home to Huntingburg's desirable Hunter's Crossing neighborhood! This pristine 1564 square foot ranch has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths with a thoughtfully designed layout. The open concept design and vaulted ceilings in the living and kitchen areas add to the spacious feel of this home. The living area has large windows which overlook the stunning in-ground pool. A gas fireplace with floor to ceiling stone surround makes an impressive statement in the living area. The living area is open to the kitchen which has an island with sink and dishwasher for convenience. The kitchen has beautiful granite countertops, stainless appliances, and space above the cabinets for decor. Off the kitchen is the lovely dining area, which also overlooks the pool and has a door that opens to the covered patio. The owner's suite which is off the living area also overlooks the pool and has vaulted ceilings. An ensuite bath off the owner's suite has a jetted tub, walk-in shower, and huge walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms and a second full bath are on the opposite side of the home for more privacy. A nice laundry room is off the foyer and leads to the two-car garage with extra space. Out back, the 18'x36' in-ground saltwater pool with automatic cover and heater makes this home an absolute perfect place to entertain! A large patio and beautiful black metal fence surround the pool area. There is also a covered patio as well for enjoying the outdoors in the shade. A large back yard and nice utility shed rounds out this perfect property. Extremely budget-friendly utilities are a plus at this home. Budget for utilities including electric, gas, water, and sewer is only $268/month. Hurry or you will miss your chance at this lovely home that is convenient to everything!

$319,900 Active

210 W Stellar Way Huntingburg, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,564 SqFt 0.300 Acres

Listing courtesy of Jennifer Fritz Wahl from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

4 Large Decluttering Projects for When You’re Stuck at Home during Covid-19 (Coronavirus)