Recently, I polled a group of friends to understand common areas people need help with in the quest to become Fancy Free. A resounding amount of surveys came back saying they need more storage. I want to challenge that notion before I write a post with storage ideas...Odds are, you can work with the storage you have. I believe you don’t need more storage, you need less stuff.

Here are 5 places in the home that very commonly accumulate stuff, invite disorganization or generally consist things that take up too much space. Donate or sell the rest.

1. Bedroom Closet

If you’re not ready for a capsule wardrobe quite yet, then at least comb through your closet and pull out what you no longer like, anything that has holes or damage and anything that only fits the version of you from 3 years ago. It’s time you parted with it. Remember if it's not serving you, it is taking away mental space that is being filled by the feeling you get when you notice the lack of physical space you have (perhaps subconsciously). Sell what you can on Kijiji, Facebook or Craigslist. Donate everything salvageable. Any clothing you would opt to throw out, see if you or someone you know can use it for cleaning rags or donate to someone for crafts.

If tackling your entire closet seems too daunting and you just need a quick fix, then start by only focusing on your jackets/coats, sweaters, handbags and shoes. Those all take up the most space and will make the biggest difference.

2. Bathroom Cosmetic Drawer/Cupboard

Although the items in your bathroom drawers and cupboards might not take up much physical space on a per-unit basis, in no time, those products multiply like rabbits and the next thing you know, you're rummaging through half used bottles of who-knows-what, collecting makeup dust and it's now taking you longer to get ready in the morning than you have time for.

Pull everything out of your drawer and clean out the cupboard (with cleaner) and get all the makeup and dust out of there. Make 3 piles: trash, donate/give away, keep.

As you go through everything, ask yourself: Do you use it regularly? If not, do you actually need it? Why do you need it?

Remember the sunk cost bias discussed in my previous post? We all need to get over that. Why would you give this thing a place to live if it's not serving you in some way shape or form? It is literally taking up your real estate and not paying you any rent.

If it's a nearly full bottle and in decent condition, you could consider donating to a local women's shelter or on the Buy Nothing Facebook group for your neighbourhood. If you are tossing these items, please try to recycle the packaging at least after you clean out the bottles.

3. Kitchen Appliance Cupboard

This cupboard tends to be a challenging one for a few reasons. First, most kitchen appliances tend to last a long time and therefore you don’t have the reason of "it no longer works" to justify parting with it. Many appliances cost a fair amount of money so there’s that “sunk cost” bias again that makes us attached to the item because we’ve already spent the money.

Ask yourself, have you used it in the last 6 months? If you didn't have it, how would you make those one or two meals that you used it for? There is almost always a work around. Half the appliances and gadgets we have today didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago but people were cooking and baking the same recipes!

Are there any duplications? Do you really need a toaster oven and a toaster? Which one holds more value in your household? Which one is worth the real estate it takes up?

Appliances tend to sell quickly (at the right price) on Craigslist or Facebook, or if it's little value and you just want it gone, consider your neighbourhood Buy Nothing group on Facebook.

4. Bookshelf / Board Game Shelf or Cupboard

Most of us have a proud collection of books somewhere in our house. How many times have you actually gone back and read them? Ask yourself, why are you holding on to them? A friend of mine is legitimately passionate about books and did not want to part with any. If you're like her, maybe it's not the time to part with the all the books, but are there even a few that you didn't like that you could donate or give away? Local libraries tend to accept donations regularly. I have not bought a physical book in almost 2 years and I read more than ever. I borrow from the library or friends, and download digital or audio books (also from the library).

I love a good board game!! But sometimes we buy them or get them as a gift, then some of them run their course and we tire of them. They generally come in larger boxes and take up a lot of space. Re-evaluate what board games are in your house and donate or sell what you don't need.

5. Linen Closet or Cupboard

Towels and bedding! Do you really need 3 spare sets of sheets for one bed? At most you would need 2 sets of sheets for every bed in your house. . Towels take up a lot of space too...if you have 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel and 1 face cloth for every person in your house, plus a set for guests that is more than enough. Donate or sell the rest.

I use old face cloths as cleaning rags - they are the best for wiping mirrors and dusting.

During the COVID-19 crisis be sure to practice safe, contactless donation and selling practices by offering porch pick ups and using e-transfers for payment.

I would LOVE to hear from you in the comments if you found any other places in your home to purge that made space in your home. And if you did any of my recommendations above, what did you notice?