Closet Remodelers: 5 Ways to Help Clients Declutter
DEcluter, closets, Barrie Davenport

Sometimes a home remodeling project client is really looking for more than a good closet design, or an improvement in their kitchen cabinetry layout. They may be also seeking permission to change the way they live . . .and the things they live with.

Breaking lifestyle patterns can be hard for some clients. When a room gets a makeover, decluttering the space, in particular, can even be traumatic.

"I began working every day for 10 minutes on decluttering and organizing a space — a cabinet, a couple of drawers, a few shelves, a section of my closet," says Barrie Davenport, author of a new book on the subject, "10 Minute Declutter." According to Davenport,  "Once you create a daily decluttering habit, it becomes second nature, and before you know it your house is streamlined and organized with your most essential, meaningful items."

One way to help them let go of the goods is find a deserving recipient, or a way to ease that transition by connecting with like-minded people, says Annie Wazer, marketing manager for Stylistics, publishers of www.ClosetSpace.com. Wazer offers some suggestions you can share with your client that may smooth the proces:

1. Donate clothes to a deserving charity

The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Vietnam Veterans of America. Both the veterans group and the Salvation Army can even pick up, while there are more than 3,000 Goodwill retail locations across the country.

2. Recycle Clothing and Household Goods

Global Green Holy Cross Housing in New Orleans receives donations from H&M based on how many pounds of clothes U.S. shoppers donate.

Recycle unwanted items through programs H&M’s in-store Garment Collection. H&M donates to Global Green USA, greening affordable housing, schools, neighborhoods, and cities as well as rebuilding communities that have suffered from the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and environmental degradation, such as those devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.H&M offers retail discounts for recycled goods!

3. Declutter With Donation Town

Donation Town understands issues people have with letting things go, and offers advice. They also will come and get your stuff and take it away, letting you target where it goes.

4. Swap Clothes or Sell Them

Platforms like Bib & Tuck and 99dresses allow you to virtually swap clothes with other users through their own currency systems. Use your clothes as cash to refresh your closet. There are also 100 meet-up groups in 70 cities for nearly 20,000 clothes swappers, says ClosetSpace.com's Annie Wazer. "If you’d rather have some cold, hard cash in your pocket, opt for an app like Threadflip or PoshMark to sell (and maybe even buy) unwanted duds," Wazer says.
 
Consign your clothes — as long as they’re in good shape — at a local consignment shop for upwards of 60% of the selling price. Head to spots like Second Time Around or Turn Style with your department store or designer label goods.
 

5. Send Used Cabinets or Closets to ReStore

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world.ograms include greening affordable housing, schools, neighborhoods, and cities as well as rebuilding communities that have suffered from the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and environmental degradation, such as those devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.