Quick Declutter: The Entryway Umbrella Stand Mess
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Quick Declutter: The Entryway Umbrella Stand Mess
My umbrella stand had 7 umbrellas: 3 broken, 2 too small, and 2 working. Keeping the 2 working ones and donating the rest freed space and eliminated the dripping puddle.
What Is the Quickest Way to Start?
Set a timer for 12 minutes and pick one small area: a drawer, a shelf, a countertop. Remove everything. Wipe the surface. Put back only the items you used in the last week. The rest go in a box labeled “maybe” — seal it for 30 days.
For a deeper dive, check out our complete decluttering guide.
How Do You Prevent This Clutter From Coming Back?
The 64-day rule: if you have not used an item in 90 days, donate it. Apply this to every category — clothes, kitchen tools, books, papers. Track your progress weekly and adjust the threshold as needed.
Your junk drawer is a symptom, not a disease. The real problem is that you have no system for small items. Fix the system and the drawer fixes itself.
References
- Apartment Therapy: Quick Declutter Tips
- BH&G: Small Space Decluttering
- NYT: Decluttering Quick Fixes
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Here’s my take: One stand, three umbrellas max. More is hoarding disguised as preparedness.
Start with one small area. A single drawer, shelf, or corner. Remove everything. Clean the space. Put back only what you use regularly. Everything else goes in a box labeled ‘Maybe’. In 30 days, if you haven’t needed anything from the box, donate it. This method works because it’s reversible and low-commitment.
One stand. Three umbrellas maximum. More is hoarding disguised as preparedness. If you need more than three, you’re buying replacements for lost ones—not keeping them. Hang each one to dry completely before storing. Moisture breeds mold and smells.
One stand. Three umbrellas maximum. More is hoarding disguised as preparedness. If you need more than three, you’re buying replacements for lost ones—not keeping them. Hang each one to dry completely before storing. Moisture breeds mold and smells.
One stand. Three umbrellas maximum. More is hoarding disguised as preparedness. If you need more than three, you’re buying replacements for lost ones—not keeping them. Hang each one to dry completely before storing. Moisture breeds mold and smells.
One stand. Three umbrellas maximum. More is hoarding disguised as preparedness. If you need more than three, you’re buying replacements for lost ones—not keeping them. Hang each one to dry completely before storing. Moisture breeds mold and smells.
