Create a stress-free living environment

The first quarter of the year is filled with all sorts of new routines and additional pressures that can easily lead to household clutter. Some areas of the house tend to be more prone to disorderly chaos than others. By remaining mindful of these clutter zones, homeowners can create far less stressful environments in which to live.

Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa warns homeowners to guard against clutter building up as the year progresses, as this could easily lead to damage or disrepair within the home.

“To safeguard the investment value of a property, it is important to keep the home in a state of good repair and to address any maintenance issues as and when they occur. Damages can often be hidden under piles of clutter that the homeowner only discovers when they later decide to sell, which then causes delays and might become expensive to fix,” says Goslett.

By keeping the home in a good condition and free from clutter, homeowners will also create a less stressful home environment for themselves – which can be highly beneficial in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. To help homeowners keep their homes in check, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares the following tips:



1) Be cautious of multi-functional spaces

Many homeowners use the kitchen table as a multifunctional area that doubles as the home office, place to eat, homework spot for kids, and/or a craft zone. In spaces such as these, it is easy for clutter to gather. If the home does not have space for a designated home office or playroom, then homeowners need to invest in good storage solutions to help keep the space organized.



2) Be mindful and clear out regularly

Life can get so busy that it is easy for clutter to build up without noticing. To guard against this, schedule regular reminders or events on your phone to prompt you to clear out any unwanted goods on a weekly or monthly basis.



3) Identify your home’s dumping zones

Everyone has that one designated junk drawer or that one table that becomes the dumping ground for everyone’s clutter. Knowing what yours is will be the first step towards creating a less-stressful environment. Get creative with storage in these zones to help encourage you to keep things tidy.



4) Ideas on how to upgrade your storage:

• Leave a tray for any papers or mail and empty this every week.

• Install a key rack by the front door so you never lose your keys.

• Purchase shoe racks to keep your footwear neatly arranged.

• Invest in some clear containers for your fridge and your pantry so you can easily identify what’s running low and what’s spoiled.

• Put up a coat rack in your bedroom or by the entryway to stop you from piling clothes up on a chair



For those who are searching for a home that does not add to the stress load, Goslett recommends reaching out to your nearest RE/MAX Office to see what other options are out there. “It can be stressful to live in a home that does not offer the right amount of space and storage to accommodate the needs of your family. Speak to a real estate professional to find out what homes are available in your price range. You might need to move further afield to afford a home that has more space, but that additional space can often make up for possibly a longer commute,” he concludes.