If your home has been looking cluttered as of late, it may be time for a decluttering session. However, if you follow the rules below, you can guarantee that your home will stay clutter-free.

  1. Remove any duplicate items.

If you have duplicates, keep the better one and get rid of the other by trashing or donating it.

  1. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, get rid of it.

If you haven’t touched an item in over a year, the likelihood of using it again diminishes greatly. Save yourself some space and get rid of those unnecessary items.

  1. Scan or photograph sentimental items.

Trying to get rid of some old, sentimental items but can’t seem to let them go? Take pictures of them instead and keep the physical copies out of your way.

  1. Don’t keep out of obligation.

Get rid of the things you keep around out of guilt. For example, that sweater your sweet aunt Betty knitted for you or the expensive dress your wardrobe but never wear. Be ruthless and get rid of it all!

  1. Return items to their rightful place.

It may be tempting to leave things lying around, but that’s how clutter accumulates. As soon as you’re finished using something, put it away so you won’t have the urge to procrastinate.

  1. And find a home for them.

Keep your house tidy by giving each of your belongings a designated space, like a storage bin or linen closet. And don’t forget: A heap of items is not an actual spot for your things.

  1. Sell, give away, donate, upcycle, or throw away.

Before you get rid of something, think about whether or not you could make some money off of it by selling it. Here are a few ideas for what types of items sell well.

If you believe the item is worthless, get rid of it by giving it to people you know who would put it to use. This could be your family and friends or even somebody in your Facebook network. Another option is donating the item to a charity so you can receive a tax write-off.

  1. Get rid of anything you wouldn’t purchase today.

Do you have any items that, upon reflection, you would never purchase now? If so, take a close look at them and decide why you feel the need for them now. Could you manage without them?

  1. Choose furniture with a cover.

If you have a problem with clutter, pick furniture with doors or covers to help keep your place looking clean and organized.

  1. Don’t forget that you can store things under your bed.

One often-forgotten area in the home that can be put to better use is under-the-bed storage.

  1. Think tall.

Use all the space in your home, including vertical spaces, to make it more efficient and organized. The less cluttered your home is, the easier it will be to find what you need.

  1. Evaluate your spending.

If you find yourself buying unnecessary items, take a long and hard look at your spending habits. Maybe our 30-day spending break will help motivate you to change your ways.

This article was originally published on POPSUGAR. More by POPSUGAR on Levo:

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