Decluttering champions: what to do with the bits and bobs?

What kind of things are you talking about?

I allow myself one nice storage box of bits and pieces that don't go anywhere else but that I don't want to throw away. Once the box is full, I go on the basis of 'one in, one out'. It kinda works...

Those are the ones that get me too. We're in a huge purge right now and I am having a hard time. Even if it doesn't have an easy to understand category, it doesn't mean it isn't useful. I've decided to not worry about what it is so much about "is it useful? Do I use it often enough to keep it around? Where do I use it? When do I use it?"

For example, our snow pants are used as part of our winter gear, but we don't have room in our coat closet for all of them. They do have to be easy to get to though. I can't get rid of them because we do use them a few times a year, and it's too expensive to buy all new ones for the times we use them. Where do I put them during the winter? I've also found some exposed rolls of film that need developed, but obviously don't have a real place in my home. Where do I put them until I can get them down to the store?

I have a spot for bills in my house, but I don't have a spot for coupon books (like from JoAnn and Costco) or papers that need to be kept for a short time. It all gets dumped in a kitchen drawer with other crap leaving me with a mess that almost makes me call on Anoia every time I try to open the drawer.

If it isn't anything you really use or anything you truly love (very special to you), then toss it.

I have nothing to add, because I'm with you. I married a pack rat, so I'm overrun with "bits and bobs" even high I'm decluttering all the time.

I face these exact issues, so frustrating! Our coat closet is all of 2 feet across, maybe 2 and a half. We are fortunate that there is a 4 foot cavity in the garage wall right next to it and we are currently in the process of getting estimates to expand the closet. For now, the vacuum cleaner is kept in the garage, the goodwill boxes in the trunk of our vehicles. I have a large spare drawer in our Butler's pantry/not a pantry where I am able to keep items to return to or give toother people. For gifts, I keep a year round gift box in my craft room closet. Which works because that is where we keep the wrapping paper and cards. I just wrap it and move it to the drawer downstairs when it gets close to the occasion.

Donate!

We have the possibility of moving in the near future and the place we will be moving into is Tiny with a capital T so I have spent the past 6 weeks going through every drawer, box, cupboard, closet etc. I'm a pretty organized person and I take stuff to the thrift store every couple of months but it was amazing the stuff I got rid of. I have allowed myself one small plastic container about twice the size of a shoebox as a misc. bits and bobs box.

If I don't love it or use it I either trash or donate it.

Precisely. A charity shop will sell on most things. Your bits and bobs might be exactly what someone is looking for.

Are the boxes you mentioned sentimental? Do you like them? Would they look nice displayed somewhere? Can they be used as creative storage? If not donate them. Glue sticks I would put with office supplies. Pantene serum in the bathroom. Change in a container until it's full enough to take to the bank. Lemon squeezer in the kitchen. Legos with toys or donate.

I don't have a front closet - there is one closet/bedroom and that is it - no linen, no coat, no broom...

snowpants aren't needed here (FL) but what about a storage ottoman or something like that to keep them in - non-visible but easy access. Or will they fit in bedroom closets or in a box under a bed?

film and coupons go into my purse - I have a pocket folder on my desk to toss random sheets of paper that don't need filing or to be kept longterm but I'll need again soon

Gifts - I have a tote for gifts but if I didn't have space in my bedroom closet for it, I would probably use a decorative box (like a hat box or something) that I would be ok having visible.

Goodwill - I'm still working on a solution for - we have a milk crate that sits on top of the recycling bins...classy and decorative neither of them are

"coin collection in the Venetian box, the ceramic box from Mexico with barrettes inside, the Alessi lemon squeezer on a shelf, the tin with a Lego + glue stick + Pantene serum + change...stuff!"

are the coins special or just change? change, take to the bank and run through the coin counter. special...keep. Ditto for the ceramic box - do you love it? Is it useful for the barrettes and do you use barrettes? Do you squeeze lemons or was that a one time use item that wasn't as awesome/useful/cool as you thought it was. The tin? I think it's helpful to have ONE (small) spot where random stuff gets tossed and go through it every so often and return the Lego to the Lego box and decide whether the glue stick is dried up or needs to go back to the desk/craft stuff and collect the change etc...

But yes - if everything HAS a home, then it's easier to put things IN their home.

My friends are getting lots of stuff from me...3 bottles of new Bath and Body Works body wash

Make up New in package (not old or used) I just don't have room for it.

New hair brushes (in the package

Clothes and more clothes...oh goodness the list goes on!

Where do things go when they go out?