I’ve Decluttered… What Do I Do With All Of The Items I No Longer Need? Thoughts From A Professional Organizer

 


With the holidays here, that might mean more stuff coming into our homes and spaces, and, with 2025 just around the corner, you might have goals of getting your home in order. Whatever the case, what do you with all the items that are leaving your home once you’ve decluttered?

As a Professional Organizer, one of my biggest goals is to keep as much out of the landfill as possible. You’ve spent money on these items, and many items may hold some value, whether that be monetary or sentimental - you want to find the right homes for your exiting belongings.


Looking to make some money back? Here are some of your options:

  • Have a garage sale
  • Sell on Facebook Market Place, Kijiji or wherever people in your area list things they want to sell
  • Find a local secondhand clothing shop that offers money for your gently used clothing, shoes, jackets, purses and accessories
  • Host an Online Auction
  • Antique Dealers
  • Jewellers - for gold, silver and precious gems
  • Find places that buy old records, CD’s and movies
  • Stamp and coin collectors
  • Sports gear - take to a store that buys used gear

Too much memorabilia, but having a hard time letting go? Try turning them into something useful or put it on display:

  • Make a photo book of your kids’ art
  • Turn old T-shirts that you love into a quilt, pillow or stuffed toy
  • Digitize your photos and turn them into photo books
  • Turn someone’s handwriting into a beautiful magnet, or a display cutting board
  • Fill a shadow box with concert, event and/or movie stubs and display them on a shelf or wall
  • Turn Grandmas china plates into a beautiful gallery wall
  • Old mugs and cups can hold plants

Donate! So many people would love to have your no longer needed items for use in their home 😊 

  • Find your local thrift stores, Habitat for Humanity, or shelters to bring your clothing, toys, furniture and household items
  • Toiletries and non-perishables (not expired) can go to shelters and food banks
  • Lots of boxes? See if someone moving could use them for packing and give them a second life

Other ways to ensure your items stay out of the landfill as best as possible:

  • Regift - your unused item might be the perfect gift for someone in your life
  • Do a careful sort of trash vs, recycling, vs compost.
  • Medications - take them to the pharmacy for proper disposal
  • Eyewear - take them to your local eyeglass store and they up-cycle them!
  • Old electronics - see if anyone local can fix them, donate, sell or recycle if broken and not fixable

A reminder, the money on the item(s) is already spent. There is a good chance that what you think you should get for something is not very realistic. Be sure to have the right mindset and think about the most important thing - keeping things out of the landfill and finding a good home 💚


If you have anything to add to this, be sure to leave a comment! We would love to hear your feedback and share your information and knowledge with this community! 


Thank you for reading! 

Kristen 

Professional Organizer

KAS KONCEPTS - Helping you get and stay organized! 

W: https://kaskoncepts.godaddysites.com

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