6 Tips for Decluttering Your Clothes and Décor (& How to Make Money While Doing it)

While these two categories don’t seem to have much in common, I tend to group them together in my mind because the first rule for each of them is the same:

1. Get rid of anything that no longer matches your style. Even if it technically fits, even if it’s useful or in good condition… if it doesn’t work with your personal style, it’s okay to sell or donate. Décor that feels stuck in your past no longer serves you. Statement pieces that just aren’t “you” don’t need space in your closet. It’s time to step into the style you love now.

2. Finally throw out too-small clothes.Let’s get down to it. Clothes are meant to fit you. You are not meant to fit into clothes! And if you’re using an item of clothing that’s too small as “inspiration” for you to workout or skip dessert, you’re not being fair to yourself – you’re guilt tripping yourself. Get rid of the clothes that are too small in this moment and instead be inspired by your health goals, not a pair of jeans you wore in college.

3. Matching storage. Want to level up your space? Find storage solutions you love that match your aesthetic. This will really tie your space together and keep things looking fresh. This rule applies to your closet, too. There’s just something about having all-matching hangers that makes your closet feel ten times neater.

4. Say goodbye to single socks. If you needed permission to finally throw away those socks that have lost their partner, here it is. Your dryer ate them, and it’s time to let them go.

5. Keep only the jewelry you wear. It can be hard to part with jewelry, because most of the time, it is cute, or it could go with some of the clothes you own. But when it gets down to it, if you don’t wear it, you just don’t wear it. If it’s been a while since you’ve used certain pieces, get to it and clear the clutter out of your jewelry box.

Psst! If you happened to purchase any new jewelry (that was rather expensive), here’s your reminder to update your home insurance policy with your recent large purchases.

6. Vacuum closet space.Every single shelf – it makes a huge difference!

Don’t Clean out Your Bank Account

If you’re getting rid of clothes, books, electronics, and more – there are lots of ways to do so while earning a bit of extra cash. Sometimes, you just need to purge it all at once and give it to Goodwill. (Been there!) But if you’re okay with having your things around a bit longer, you might be able to get a good price for some of your old stuff via consignment.

For clothes: Poshmark, Threadup, Plato’s closet, and Etsy (there’s a huge market for vintage clothing)

For books, DVDs, CDs, etc: 2nd & Charles, decluttr.com

For electronics: Gazelle or wireless carriers (they’ll often have buy-back programs that upcycle old cell phones, tablets, etc.)

For old linens: Check out your local animal shelter, as they can regularly use towels, blankets, old stuffed animals, etc. You might not get paid in cash, but you could get compensated in puppy cuddles, which sounds like a win to me!