How To Actually Declutter Your Space (Beyond Your Closet), According To The Pros

Apr 06, 2022

Every time we go to to declutter our space, we aren't quite sure where to start. Sometimes the mess is so overwhelming it seems like we'll never feel organized again! But take a deep breath, put on your favorite girl power tunes, and get ready to roll because we've got some tips and tricks to help you *actually* clean up your space this spring.

In addition to the decluttering process, we chatted with Clara Albornoz, co-founder and co-CEO of List Perfectly, where resellers can bulk crosspost on 11 (and counting) peer-to-peer marketplaces at once, for some ideas on what to do once you've purged your stuff.

Step One: The Declutter

Before you can sell, donate, or swap, you need to declutter.

"If you have an attic or basement, this is usually extra area in our homes where we really store stuff we don’t need. Out of sight, out of mind," Albornoz says. Consider clothes that don't fit right, old toys, and games you never play. "Don’t forget sports equipment and video games."

If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, break down your tasks however is most effective for you. Make a checklist to help you take things one step at a time, or make different piles around your room before you start going through every item.

While some of your items will be trash and some can be donated, Albornoz also recommends swapping with friends and family, "especially to get more life out of clothing."

Host a clothing swap, or have everyone bring books they've already read to create your own free bookstore!

Have You Decluttered These Areas?

Your Vanity: Check out your beauty products to see if anything is expired, or find some duplicates to give to a friend or sibling.
Your Bookshelf: There's a chance that unless a book is special to you, you'll only read it once. Be honest with your reading goals, and see if there's anything you can part with. If none of your friends want your old books, donate to your local library!
Your Closet: We're talking about more than just going through your old clothes. If you keep storage bins in your closet (or under your bed), go through and see if there's any ways you can combine or refold items to maximize your space.
Your Desk: Blank papers, old documents, empty notebooks, oh my! Every few months, it seems like our desks are overflowing with items that we never use and don't need. Tackle that for a cleaner workspace.
The Pantry: While you definitely want to keep an eye on expiration dates for food, see which products are getting low. You may be able to combine containers to free up shelf space and keep things fresh.
Your Piggy Bank: If you find yourself with tons of spare change, roll up your coins and deposit them into your bank account.
Your DIY Area: We'll be honest, our DIY area is a bit of a mess. Fabric scraps, ribbons, glue guns... If you think you're in a similar situation, go through and figure out what you can actually use and what needs to be tossed.

Step Two: Selling

Once you've cleaned out your space, you need to figure out what to do with all your old items. One option is to sell them.

"Do your research and see what items are selling for," Albornoz says. Instead of looking at listing prices, check out what items are actually selling for on Google's shopping tab. "You want to know realistically what price you could get for something."

"The main thing if you’re selling is to sell the right items on the right platforms," Albornoz says. "If you’re selling clothing, look into Poshmark. eBay is great for all kinds of different items. Etsy tends toward hand-made and crafty items, but also household items. Books can sell on many platforms but do well on Amazon and eBay."

In addition to selling items that are currently trendy, you probably have older items that could make you a lot of money. According to USA Today, American Girl items were selling for thousands of dollars in 2018, and with the return of 90s and 00s trends, VHS tapes (especially Black Diamond editions) and cassette players are starting to become hot commodities again.

Step Three: Upcycling

If you don't want to part with something, consider upcycling it! Upcycling is a great way to give an old thrift store item some new life or get more use out of something that's no longer in style.

"Upcycling helps keep items from landfills, increases the life of items, and helps the environment," Albornoz says. "Maybe an old t-shirt could be upcycled into a dress, or an old dress could be decorated to make it a whole new dress!"

Check out our online sewing class for a quick sewing 101, break out your tie dye and embroidery tools, or give an old piece of furniture a fresh coat of paint. Upcycling is easier than you think, plus it'll save you money *and* help you stay on trend at the same time!

Three Upcyling Ideas:

DIY Cherry Blossom Jeans: Give your denim a breath of fresh spring air with a little bit of paint.
Sequin Skates: All you need for a totally unique pair of skates are some sequin strands and a glue gun. Easy-peasy!
Anthro-Inspired Fringe Purse: A little bit of embroidery floss goes a long way in turning your old clutch into something brand new!

The After

Life can be messy, so don't worry if you start noticing clutter again, even if it's the day after you've cleaned. That being said, there are a few things you can do everyday to keep your stuff in check.

A Quick Declutter

Every morning or evening, depending on your schedule, do a quick tidy up around your bedroom or living room. Old takeout bins, shoes, and laundry are easy to deal with, and if you take a few minutes every day to clean up, you won't have to spend a large chunk of time later on!

Divide And Conquer

Come up with a system for keeping your items contained. You can buy (or DIY) drawer dividers to keep desk supplies separated, or put your hats, shoes, and accessories in labeled containers to make sure nothing is left in a random place.

Evaluate Before You Buy

If we're honest with ourselves, we could cut down on clutter by just... buying less. Whether you print some travel pictures in lieu of a souvenir or skip buying a new notebook because you already have two empty ones at home, you'll save yourself space in the long run. If you really like something, give yourself 24 hours. If you're still thinking about it, it's probably a good purchase.

What areas are you hoping to declutter this spring? Let us know on Twitter and subscribe to our email newsletter for more spring cleaning inspo!

12 “Exciting” Under-$15 New Finds From Target For A Little Splurge

Targetis always full of fun surprises, and their current lineup of under-$15 finds is seriously stunning. From chic home decor pieces to trendy fashion picks and affordable beauty essentials, these budget-friendly hidden gems prove you really don’t have to spend big to give your space, wardrobe, or daily routine a lil’ refresh. If you love a good deal (same here!), get ready to add some of these affordable must-haves from Target to your cart.

Scroll on to discover the 12 best new finds from Target this month – all under $15!

Target

eos Shea Better Vanilla Cashmere Body Wash

The internet's favorite body lotion scent is now available in a dreamy body wash format! With standout notes of vanilla and cashmere and a creamy concoction of shea butter, cocoa butter, and argan butter to keep your skin feelin' nourished as ever, this $10 bottle is a shower must-have.

Target

Wet Brush x LoveShackFancy Mini Shine Detangling Hair Brush

Swarmed in LoveShackFancy’s signature floral prints, this $10 mini brush is the perfect piece to keep in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. The collection, shoppable at Target, also includes everything from regular-sized brushes to hair curling sets and cute claw clips!

Target

Versed Shade Swipe Blush Stick

Versed's new makeup collection has been living in our heads rent-free, especially because we love their skincare goodies so much. Of course, they whipped up a wonderfully smooth $15 blush stick to add to the glow. The lightweight formula is super easy to build up depending on your mood, plus each stick is packed full of jojoba seed oil and fatty acids to help hydrate your complexion!

Target

Chobani Birthday Cake Dairy Creamer

Moving onto the grocery aisle, this brand-new creamer flavor from Chobani is sure to infuse your mornings with utter joy. Aside from the cheery packaging, this $5 birthday cake-flavored coffee creamer adds some really nice sweetness, whether you splash some into a mug of hot coffee or add a bit to your iced lattes. It's a limited-edition flavor, so make sure to try it before it's gone from shelves!

Target

Threshold Checker Stoneware Planter Pot

We're huge suckers for anything checkered. This $15 planter is such a cutie, add will most certainly bring some major springtime energy to your windowsill, bookshelf, or dining room table!

Target

Room Essentials Portable Mushroom Lamp

Two words: mushroom lamp. Yep – Target's selling this baby for just $14 (was $20), and the best part is that it's cordless, so you can move it around your space as you please for a trendy home decor touch.

Target

Wild Fable ButterBliss Tube Top

When it comes to spring basics, tube tops should be at the top of your list. They're easy to put on and even easier to wear, plus this solid black number makes putting together a comfy outfit unbelievably seamless! You can snag this top for just $6 (was $8), along with three more solid shades that fit the season.

Target

Threshold Easter Ceramic Flower Candle Holders

Oh, it's giving Anthro vibes, for sure. This $15 pair of flower-shaped candle holders will add some cheer and color to your springtime table spreads, and what's more is they're also perfect for sunny Easter celebrations!

Target

Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum

For a nice boost in hydration, hyaluronic acid is where it's at. This $12 bottle from Good Molecules truly packs a punch and boosts the performance of your traditional moisturizer!

Target

Wild Fable Asymmetrical Tank Top

This ever-so-trendy tank top boasts an asymmetrical cinched hem for a fun touch. Right now, it's on sale for just $8 (was $12)! It also comes in pink, green, and blue if you're seeking a bright pop of color.

Target

Room Essentials Lumbar Puffy Bread Pillow

We're seeing this puffy pattern everywhere these days, from bags to jackets. Target put it on an adorable little pillow, and we're obsessed! Snag this $7 cutie for an inexpensive living room or bedroom upgrade.

Target

Room Essentials Bud Vase Duo

Two vases for just $10?! Count us in. These playful designs work well together, though you could easily disperse them throughout your home to host all the blooms of spring!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more of the latest and greatest Target finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

The 10 Best Frozen Meals At Aldi, According To Shoppers

Aldi’s frozen food aisle is a true goldmine of easy, delicious meals that shoppers cannot stop raving about. Whether you’re craving quick comfort foods or protein-packed options for busy nights, these 10 best frozen meals from Aldi simply don’t miss! Plus, most of ‘em are shoppable at unbeatable prices – score! We dove deep into ther/Aldi Reddit thread to uncover which frozen meals Aldi fans love the most, and they had plenty of favorites to share.

Scroll on for the 10 best Aldi frozen meals that shoppers simply adore!

Aldi

Kirkwood Buffalo Chicken Wings

You can never go wrong with frozen chicken wings – they can be way easier to prepare than raw ones, plus this bag in particular comes complete with a buffalo flavoring that truly knocks it out of the park!

"I get their boneless buffalo wings in the orange bag," one Redditor offered. "I hit them with a bit of extra sauce and cook on a greased pan at 400 degrees for 30 min (I like mine well done). I like them 2 ways: over rice with cheddar cheese, or over salad with bleu cheese dressing. Fairly easy."

Aldi

Casa Mamita Frozen Burritos

This 8-pack box of frozen burritos makes a convenient mid-day snack option or a quick dinner.

One Aldi fan shared a yummy way to spice them up:

"I use a baking pan, put salsa on the bottom, then the burritos, then top with salsa and bake," they wrote. "The salsa keeps them from drying out and becoming rock hard. You can also add canned beans (I like black beans) before baking. Hit with some cheese at the end, add in rice if you want at the end."

Aldi

Kirkwood Garlic & Herb Seasoned Chicken Breasts

These pre-seasoned chicken breasts take the heavy lifting out of prepping raw chicken and offer an easy way to incorporate flavorful protein into veggie-based dishes, pastas, or salads.

"I keep the Garlic Chicken around," one Redditor noted. "I can't say it tastes amazing, but it's good enough, fast and easy to make."

Aldi

Priano Cheese Ravioli

Stuffed with fresh ricotta cheese, this fan-fave frozen iteration of ravioli is stunning if you're craving carbs that can cook quickly. We suggest adding some sauce, veggies, protein, and Parmesan for extra oomph.

Aldi

Fremont Fish Market Beer Battered Cod Fillets

Aldi's frozen seafood selection is surprisingly vast, and it's beloved for being packed with easy and quick options that still taste dang good. Take these beer-battered cod fillets for example – they turn out just like your fave fish and chips joint in around 22 minutes.

Reddit

Fremont Fish Market Jumbo Coconut Breaded Butterfly Shrimp

Same thing goes for this pack of jumbo coconut-breaded butterfly shrimp – they're all plump and perfectly crusted for dipping!

"I’m not a big fan of coconut but this is soooo good," one Redditor said. "It comes with a packet of dipping sauce which is sweet."

"I’ve bought both these and the regular butterfly shrimp and we love these for a random night of appetizers for dinner," another person commented.

"Just had these for dinner tonight with some salad," one more user wrote. "Can confirm they are delicious!"

Reddit

Priano Frozen Stuffed Shells

Aldi's frozen pasta is simply too good to pass up, per shoppers. These hand-filled shells are packed with a blend of three cheeses, alongside some good old Italian seasonings for a quick meal.

"My husband and I actually love these!" one Redditor said. "I oven bake them with sauce and cheese and they’re a hit in our house."

"These are my favorite," one more person added. "I add marinara, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and Parmesan and cook them about an hour. I actually wish they weren’t just seasonal."

Aldi

Specially Selected Macadamia Nut Flounder

This crusted flounder is another stunning hit from Aldi. Soft and tender on the inside, but nice and crunchy on the outside, it makes a yummy addition to salads, roasted veggies, or pasta!

Aldi

Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza

Aldi fans adore their frozen pizzas because they're so "easy to cook." Pizza is always a reliable frozen meal to pick when you don't know exactly what you're craving!

"Their rising crust pizzas by Mama Cozzi are really good," one Redditor said. "We prefer them to the brand name and they are a lot cheaper. We also like the French Bread pizza."

Reddit

Season's Choice Eggplant Cutlets

These frozen eggplant cutlets are the perfect shortcut to making Eggplant Parmesan right at home, or just serving up as an easy side dish.

"These cutlets work perfect and made for a quick, low calorie lunch," one Redditor wrote. "I was honestly surprised how well I liked these, definitely worth it."

"I love these, especially since it is so time consuming to bread and fry eggplant by hand," another said. "If I had to nitpick, I do wish they were peeled, but I'll happily take these any night for a quick eggplant parm. Nom nom nom."

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing Aldi products!

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15 “Exciting” New Arrivals From Gap To Snag For Spring

Gap’s latest spring arrivals definitely have us considering our next closet refresh. With chic lightweight layering pieces and trendy colors likebutter yellow and cerulean blue, every find makes transitioning into warmer weather a total breeze. If you're also dreaming of a seasonal refresh, these 15 standout pieces are simply perfect!

Scroll on to shop our 15 favorite new spring finds from Gap.

Gap

Crinkle Gauze Mixed Media Maxi Dress

With a removable strap and curved waist design, this maxi was practically made for spring wear. Whether you pair it with sandals or boots, you'll be lookin' oh-so chic!

Gap

Linen-Blend Tie-Front Cardigan

This tie-front cardi adds such a nice pop of color to any spring 'fit you want to wear it with!

Gap

Cap-Sleeve Eyelet Top

Everything about this top is super flattering. From the scoop neck to the cap sleeves, this button-up number adds some springtime flair to your top half with ease.

Gap

Linen-Blend Longline Vest

Vests are a huge fashion trend at the moment, and this longline design simply nails it. It's definitely modest enough to wear to the office, but you could also easily style it for a happy hour or dinner date!

Gap

High Stride Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans

We're keen on wearing all things dark wash this season, especially because it wears well with lighter spring hues. These wide-leg jeans hug you in all the right places and elongate your figure to a tee. Plus, the ankles come up a bit so you can show off your favorite spring shoes!

Gap

100% Cotton Crewneck Cardigan

Mocha brown is one of our fave trending colors for 2025. This 100% cotton cardigan screams coziness, wherever you take it!

Gap

Linen-Blend Cap-Sleeve Mini Dress

Butter yellow dresses are living in our minds rent-free right now, and this cap-sleeve mini is downright magic. The square neckline is certainly flattering on any body type, and lets you show some skin in a sophisticated way as the weather warms up.

Gap

High Rise Ponte Crop Kick Pants

Youthful and super playful, these gingham cropped pants are also very timeless. Matchable with just about any color, we'd wear them with a white tank top and some black ballet flats for a nice outfit base that's extremely fun (and not to mention comfy) to accessorize with more color.

Gap

Barrel-Sleeve Cropped Jacket

You've heard of barrel jeans, but how about barrel-sleeve jackets? With a wide bowing design, the sleeves on this cropped number infuse your look with a unique silhouette that feels undeniably high-fashion.

Gap

High Rise Khaki Stripe Barrel Jeans

With a gentle tapered shape, these yellow subtly-striped barrel jeans don't have to work overtime to make a statement. They're easy-wearing, being high up on the waistline, so they'd pair wonderfully with cropped tops or sweaters for spring.

Gap

Corset Maxi Dress

This has got to be the ultimate picnic dress! The white and blue color is truly timeless for all your outfit pairing needs. We'd try it out with some mocha brown shoes or denim layers if it's chilly out.

Gap

Denim Midi Dress

Polished and body-hugging in all the right places, this denim dress also flaunts a bit of stretch to move with you wherever you go this season. We adore that the straps are removable, so you practically get two styles in one.

Gap

Mixed Media Bubble Mini Dress

Bubble hems are extremely on-trend at the moment. They're playful and, well, bubbly as ever! This dress fitted with a gentle drop-waist makes rockin' the trend super easy and comfortable all the while.

Gap

Organic Cotton Heavyweight Cropped Wide-Leg Pants

Some days, you simply cannot stand to wear jeans. Luckily, these wide-leg cotton pants still provide a polished look without the added bulk. You could even snag the matching top to make it an easy set to reach for on lazy days!

Gap

Linen-Blend Pointelle Cardigan

Femme and just a bit frilly, this pointelle cardigan will be your go-to light layer for chillier spring moments. It'll look so chic with classic jeans or a black mini skirt!

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more stunning spring fashion finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Can't Get Enough of 'Good American Family' On Hulu? Watch The Real Life Documentary

I'm only three episodes into Ellen Pompeo's Good American Family, and I already can't get enough of the riveting real-life Natalia Grace Barnett story. While I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for the next episode to drop, I found a documentary on Natalia Grace's story — and it's SO good. Max released a three-season docu-series (you read that correctly: THREE seasons) that follows Natalia from adoption through adulthood, and it's absolutely riveting. Let's dig into it!

Here's everything you should know about The Curious Case of Natalia Gracedocu-series!

Max

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace first aired on ID May 29, 2023, but Max has all episodes available to stream right now.

The series has a total of 16 episodes, breaking down everything from Natalia's initial adoption, her life before the Barnett family, and everything after the Barnett family. Episode after episode, the show unravels the mystery of who Natalia really is — and if the Barnetts were right about questioning her age after bringing her into their family.

As if that's not enough, the shocking details of how the Barnett family handled this situation will blow your mind. And once the Mans family stepped in to step up for Natalia? Well, that may not be all that it seems either.

Max

The Natalia Grace docu-series features interviews from:

Michael Barnett and his son TK Barnett
The Mans family
The DePaul family — who tried to adopt her in 2009
Legal experts
Community members and neighbors

So if you're wondering how true Good American Family really is, you definitely need to check out The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. You'll get plenty of answers...and be left wondering how this could all even happen in the first place. I can't recommend it more!

Is 'Good American Family' based on a true story?

Hulu

Yes, and you can learn all about the real Natalia Grace story from the Max The Curious Case of Natalia Grace documentary!

Where can I watch 'The Curious Case of Natalia Grace'?

Max

You can stream all three seasons of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace on Max!

How many episodes of 'The Curious Case of Natalia Grace' are there?

Max

Since 2023, 16 episodes of the docu-series, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, came out!

For more entertainment news, be sure to follow us on Facebook!

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Viral Amazon Beauty Finds You’ll Want to Add to Your Big Spring Sale Wishlist

Spring has sprung, which means just one thing: Amazon's Big Spring Sale will be here in a blink. And while it may feel overwhelming to search those virtual aisles for the best beauty deals, we're here to make your life just a little bit easier. From luxury makeup to premium skincare to hair tools used by the pros, these viral products will most likely be marked down during Amazon's springtime sales event.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Get the Airbrushed Look With MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation by Jerome Alexande

Amazon

If you want seriously flawless-looking skin, you'll need this airbrush foundation. This MagicMinerals foundation offers an ultra-light, buildable, full-coverage formula that creates a flawless and silky-smooth finish. A kabuki brush is included, and it comes with everything you need to have Hollywood celeb-level flawless skin.

How To Actually Declutter Your Space (Beyond Your Closet), According To The Pros

Step One: The Declutter

Have You Decluttered These Areas?

Step Two: Selling

Step Three: Upcycling

Three Upcyling Ideas:

The After

A Quick Declutter

Divide And Conquer

Evaluate Before You Buy

Scroll on to discover the 12 best new finds from Target this month – all under $15!

Scroll on for the 10 best Aldi frozen meals that shoppers simply adore!

Scroll on to shop our 15 favorite new spring finds from Gap.

Here's everything you should know about The Curious Case of Natalia Gracedocu-series!

Is 'Good American Family' based on a true story?

Where can I watch 'The Curious Case of Natalia Grace'?

How many episodes of 'The Curious Case of Natalia Grace' are there?

Get the Airbrushed Look With MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation by Jerome Alexande

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