Save keepsakes for the end of your decluttering
Sentimental items are the hardest decisions in any home, which is why professional organizers almost never start with them. Clear the pantry, the linen closet and the bathroom first. By the time you open the box of letters, you have a clearer sense of what you want your home to feel like.
Starting with keepsakes tends to stall the whole project. One afternoon spent reading old cards can leave every other room untouched.
Choose the best, not the most
A helpful question is not whether something matters, but whether it is one of the pieces that tells the story best. One christening gown can hold the memory as well as a bin of baby clothes. A favorite coffee mug of a grandparent can mean more on your shelf than a full set of their dishes boxed in the garage.
Some people find it easier to set a container limit, such as one memory box per person, and fill it with their favorites. The box does the deciding, and you get to choose what earns a spot.
- Children's artwork: keep a handful of standouts per year
- Cards and letters: keep the ones with a personal note, not just a signature
- Inherited collections: keep a few representative pieces to display
- Clothing: consider turning a few pieces into a quilt or pillow, and pass on the rest
Step by step
- Gather one category
Bring all of one type of keepsake together, such as cards or kids' art, so you can see the whole group before choosing.
- Pick favorites first
Pull out the pieces you would grab first. Those are your keepers.
- Decide on the rest
Sort the remaining items into offer to family, donate, photograph and release, or keep for now.
- Store and label the keepers
Put them in an indoor container with a clear label, and display a few where you will see them.
Honor what you let go of
Letting go feels easier when an item goes somewhere it will be valued. Offer heirlooms to relatives first, and give them a deadline to claim pieces. Quality furniture and housewares can go to an established charity; see where to donate household items in Las Vegas for options.
Photographing an item before it leaves keeps the memory without the storage. A simple digital album titled with the person's name can become something you actually look at, unlike a box on a high shelf.
Protect what you keep from Las Vegas heat and dust
The garage is the worst place in a Las Vegas home for keepsakes. Summer heat curls photographs, fades fabric, melts wax seals and can damage film and old electronics. Store sentimental items inside, in a closet or under a bed, where the temperature stays steady.
Use lidded containers to keep fine desert dust out, and label each one by person or era. Acid-free boxes and sleeves are worth it for photos and documents. Our guide on how to organize photos and keepsakes covers storage in more depth.
Go at a pace that feels right
There is no deadline on most keepsakes. Short sessions, maybe thirty minutes, are often enough. If you are sorting a loved one's belongings after a loss, it is fine to set some things aside and return to them later, and our estate organizing support is there if you want a calm, practical hand with the sorting.
