Decluttering After Kids Move Out: AAA Tips for Empty Nesters

Article overview

In this article, you'll find:

• A step-by-step guide to decluttering your home, room by room

• Exciting ways to repurpose empty bedrooms into a home office, gym or craft room

• Resources and AAA Member discounts to help you save on your home's next chapter 

After years of bustling schedules, sports equipment blocking the hallway and late-night study sessions, your children have officially moved out and the house is finally quiet. 

Now that you have the time, space and resources to make your home fit your current lifestyle, where do you begin? Whether you want to clear out decades of belongings or transform a childhood bedroom into a space of your own, we're here to guide you. 

Get practical downsizing tips to help you reclaim your space, from sorting through belongings to repurposing rooms, all while showing you how your AAA Membership can unlock exclusive savings.

A step-by-step guide to decluttering your home

Tackling years of family memories and stored items can feel overwhelming. The secret to successful decluttering after kids move out is to break the process down into highly manageable steps. By taking it one room at a time, you can clear out the excess without the stress.

1. Start small with high-impact areas

Don’t start with the attic or the basement. Instead, begin with smaller spaces that you use every single day. Tackle a single hallway closet, a bathroom cabinet or a messy bookshelf. Completing these smaller tasks builds immediate momentum and gives you a quick sense of accomplishment.

Once you conquer a few small areas, you will feel much more confident stepping into larger rooms. Set a timer for just 20 minutes a day. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short burst of focused effort.

2. The keep, donate, toss method

When you are ready to tackle a larger room, bring three large boxes or heavy-duty trash bags with you. Label them clearly: Keep, Donate and Toss. As you evaluate each item, place it into one of these three categories.

• Keep: Only keep items that serve a current functional purpose or hold profound sentimental value.

• Donate: Gently used clothing, old books and duplicate household items are perfect for local charities.

• Toss: Broken items, expired products and things nobody else can use belong in the trash.

If you find yourself struggling to let go of sentimental items, like your child's elementary school artwork, consider taking a digital photo of the item. You can preserve the memory without keeping the physical clutter.

3. Let the pros help (and earn AAA dollars!)

Sometimes, the "Toss" pile grows much larger than your weekly garbage bin can handle. When you need to remove large pieces of old furniture, broken appliances or just a massive pile of unwanted junk, it is time to call in the professionals.

With your AAA Membership, you can use 1-800-GOT-JUNK to clear out your home simply by pointing to what you want removed and they make it disappear. When you book this service through your AAA Membership, you can earn AAA Dollars that can be redeemed for cash back. It is the perfect way to clear your space and put a little extra money back in your pocket for your next home project.

Creative ways to repurpose empty rooms

Once you clear out the clutter, you are left with a blank canvas. Those empty bedrooms are prime real estate for your hobbies, health and happiness. Here are a few creative, highly actionable ways to breathe new life into your newly cleared spaces.

Create your dream home gym

Figuring out how to turn an empty bedroom into a home gym is easier than you might think. Start by clearing the floor space and laying down interlocking rubber floor mats to protect your hardwood or carpet. Add a few basic pieces of equipment, like a yoga mat, adjustable dumbbells and a resistance band set.

To take your fitness journey even further, your AAA Membership gives you access to the Active&Fit Direct program. For just $28 a month, you can access thousands of workout videos to stream directly in your new home gym. Plus, AAA Members can earn 10% back after 12 months with the program.

Build a foster pet sanctuary

If you have a heart for animals, consider transforming an empty room into a haven for foster pets. Remove any chewable hazards and lay down easy-to-clean rugs. Set up a cozy dog bed or a multi-level cat tree, along with a dedicated station for food and water bowls.

Taking care of furry friends is highly rewarding, and AAA makes it more affordable. You can use your membership to find discounts on treats and toys through Chewy, keeping your temporary companions happy and healthy. You can even look into AAA discounts on pet insurance if you decide your foster pet has found their forever home.

Design a relaxing art studio

Have you always wanted to paint, knit, write or craft? Turn that spare room into a dedicated, relaxing art studio. Position a large, sturdy table near the window to maximize natural light during the day. Use clear, stackable storage bins to organize your craft supplies so you can easily find exactly what you need.

To set the perfect creative mood, consider modernizing your new studio with smart home devices. Through the Amazon Device Hub, members get exclusive deals and member-only pricing on popular smart devices like the Amazon Echo. You can easily ask your smart speaker to play your favorite relaxing music or listen to audiobooks while you create.

Moving forward: Resources for your next chapter

Home organization for retirees and empty nesters is about more than just cleaning up. It is about actively designing a living space that supports your goals and your hobbies. By taking the time to downsize and repurpose your rooms, you are setting the stage for a highly fulfilling next chapter.

If your room repurposing inspires you to take on larger projects, remember that AAA discounts can help you save on major home renovations and materials. Whether you are upgrading light fixtures, repainting the walls or completely overhauling a bathroom, check your member benefits first.