The Space You Have Is The Space You Have (Decluttering For Your Space, Not Your Stuff)

I spent years unsuccessfully decluttering because I was trying to make the space work for the stuff I wanted to keep. Then, I learned what I call the Container Concept. The only way to successfully declutter is to accept the reality of your space. (Sorry!) In this video, I demonstrate what that looks like.
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[@vondrabejot9851]

Last year my husband gave me our tax return money. Of course I first thought I can now buy some cabinets to put above my washer and dryer instead of the single shelf that I had. Well of course I had to declutter and organize the towering choas that was piled up there. After getting everything down and sorted and mostly thrown out because it was trash. At the bottom of the pile I found the four organizing bins I had been using to begin with. After all that what I didn't need new cabinets because the shelf had plenty of space. So I opted for a wallpaper and now I have a beautiful space for a fraction of the cost. I spent the money on fixing up the back patio.😊

[@susanl19561]

Dana's concepts on decluttering have totally changed my life. I love blaming the space for getting rid of stuff. It really does make it easier.

[@Mushkiepotamus]

How does Dana not have 1+ million subscribers????

[@ktburger659]

This boggles my mind too

[@bmonster]

Because most people understand "a container is meant to contain" or "sawing creates sawdust" without having to be told. 😂 There's a lot more useful minimalists out there.

[@SproutingHealth]

Right!?!!!

[@pippas5808]

"That's harder than it looks on TV." Story of my life right there...

[@erika-xu1wg]

"we try to only invite nice people into our house" while filming for the entire Internet 😂 you're the best. Having a shallow shelf is way better than no shelf and nothing is getting lost at the back

[@maggiebates3941]

Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind! Wise words of Dr Suess!

[@emmkaa2099]

Dana, that corner that remains is RIGHT at your eye level! Please be careful leaning over and into the washer. At the very least, see if you can take your jigsaw and round the corner.

[@TheLadyPonders]

Yes, ty for pointing that out, wow! And/or put bright orange tape on the corner or something.

[@kathystearns9012]

That's what I was thinking too 😮 I don't like things too close to my face

[@byusaranicole]

"It's like science or something!" 😂😂😂

[@andreacosta3727]

5:42 "Accepting the reality of the space that I have. The space I have is the space I have, that's how the container concept works".

[@kennethbailey9853]

Your Methods have Permanently Worked for me. I Thank you from my heart. ❤

[@CC-jt5fc]

I love that you are so real.

[@carolynworthington8996]

Has me thinking about accepting the reality of my time and my energy too. Thank you!

[@PigletSaysHello]

That is a VERY good point too. 😊

[@tml3982]

"We try to only invite nice people to our home anyway." I love it!!!!

[@grutarg2938]

I can't tell you how much it helps when you show your real actual clutter like a real actual person. Like what is that at 8:10 - a lobster in a Halloween costume? I don't know, but the same thing could happen in my laundry room too.

[@suzy1676]

Embracing space you have?: Awesome!; Saving the Rest of Shelf? BRILLIANT 👏🏻 😂🎉❤

[@FebbieG]

I was thinking to myself that i would probably just cut out a notch from the shelf, and then you did it. Lol

[@breallred19]

I am so glad you are on the internet. Our brains think very much the same way. So, I am so thankful to have found you! Our home is much better off after having listened to your content. ❤

[@alanbirkner1958]

We're 3 people in a 2BR apartment. I toss at least 20 items every day. Some recycling, some is trash. Tina, Al's wife

[@m.e.nickels]

I love your videos so much, i was decluttering and i needed to get rid of a stool and then i thought " i cant get rid of that stool bc then where will the pillows sitting on it go" and it hit me. I need to declutter the pillows too 😊 ive learned so much after watching you for the past years ❤

[@PigletSaysHello]

Love your comment, and totally understand 😊.

[@lmack6596]

I love this!! 😅💕 I'm forever catching myself thinking things like that too

[@willeke1234]

This changed everything for me. Its the space, not the stuff.

[@andrealynn5154]

I love you😁. You are so fun and very helpful 😁😁

[@zmommy4044]

I do that....wait until i cant stand it any longer. My hubby always asks why it took so long for me to get to that point. I just remind him that at least i finally did it. Forward motion. Thanks for this.

[@bethpiercebaker2322]

I can’t quit laughing…this is my most favorite diy channel 😂😂😂

[@lizm4557]

"Yep! Haaaah!" I love your sense of humor- so very funny!!!

[@sherylporter9557]

I have heard you talk about the container concept many many times and yet I still come back for your lovely face and your humour. You never seem to tire of bringing the messages in a fun and fresh way. ❤ U Dana

[@constantinprayer757]

Hi there from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹. Your strategies have been life changing altered the way i forever look at stuff and even relationships. Thank you so much

[@crystalsea72]

I never tire of your "realness" Dana, love it so much.

[@glendaw5221]

This made my morning!!!!!! And that’s why we love you Dana. Congrats on the DIYish fix to the problem! I love “we only invite nice people to our house”

[@RaeRaeSparkles]

I listened to this during my plan time today and it helped me get unstuck to tidy my classroom.

[@njmaryannez]

Reid changed the end credits! I like the larger font- it works well on my phone. 😊

[@andreamiller6200]

The container concept is the alpha and omega of satisfaction. We have been striving to practice this now for over 3 years when we moved from our prior home with umpty-ump storage closets and built-ins and shelving up the wazoo. The reason we opted for our now-forever home with a fifth the storage space is the soul-stirring view we now have. We realized at once that all of the crap we had accumulated for 16 years in our old home was there without any thought or even desire. We contained what our vast container would hold and there was no real happiness in it, or inspiration. We did it mindlessly because we could, and nothing pushed us to evaluate doing so. So when we had the chance to move, we had the most marathon sudden decluttering session of ever, and now, the container our current home is, definitely causes us to use our imaginations (our washer and dryer are in the kitchen pantry and we use wire shelving in the kitchen for our canned goods). The point is, we love living here and love having so much less and love brainstorming on how to keep it free and inviting. Having way less storage space now feels like a blessing and lets us get right to the heart of what counts. I really admire today's video.

[@Conval-wi5eh]

What a beautiful story!

[@Lillian584]

“We try to only invite nice people to our house” 😂 omg , I love it!!! Learning so much from your books and videos!!!

[@cheerfulmouse]

At the end of 5 minutes, I was like, surely she's going to tell us why that shelf is still there 😆

[@debrabowie5141]

Ingenuity! We have a thought ocassionaly don't we?

[@MotherMuckerWISC]

Lol ! Within the first 3 minutes, I thought, OMG - this is a DIY situation. Love it.

[@stephaniegaddis1716]

Isn't it weird how much time and brain energy we let little annoying things like that consume? Usually the solution is such a simple thing -- like sawing your shelf. LOVE IT!!

[@angelas.goodman9891]

Love it!!!!

[@lonnarheaj]

Trimming the shelf is a great idea! A support bracket under that cut edge of the shelf will be needed if any heavier items are placed on the shelf. Installing a shelf bracket is easy peasy.

[@rover790]

I was thinking the same thing and if she can place the bracket on the wall where it screws into the internal timber stud it will be very strong

[@dorothythorpe6183]

How wonderful! You actually solved one problem twice and got double the rewards.

[@debbiev.1311]

Great video...thank you for the giggles too!! ❤🤭🪚🧺💡

[@jocelynturner2532]

Great example. Thanks for this video!!

[@annw1395]

I would either add a support brace under the bottom shelf, or better yet, remove that whole 1st board. Your shelf currently isn't supported well enough to bear much weight. Also, you can just paint that raw edge and it'll be white again. I'm glad your washer lid opens now!

[@carolpope9882]

Best one ever…short and to the point..thank you.

[@MicheleMaBelle67]

You make so much sense. Thank you

[@pinkroses135]

The container concept really makes you appreciate wherever you're living

[@jeanmcintyre4662]

Your last comments, typed at the end made me laugh out loud. Enjoyed the video and the story.

[@jinglesh1398]

Our minds think so much alike. I love and appreciate you so much. Thank you for being you!

[@lauradanatzko1854]

Great video!

[@StarrREVA]

Great job. Thumbs up that you only invite nice people to your home. If you ever accidentally get a non-nice person, that cannot hold their peace, you just make them hold their pee. LOL

[@joannemazurek9075]

I'm glad that you removed enough of the shelf that you still had a portion of it if you needed it. Now you can open your washer lid all the way. WIN WIN There is no doubt: Reid and Dana and the rest of the family ARE SOUL MATES

[@Haynorie]

Reid is her son, but he's absolutely inherited her ability to make people laugh

[@joannemazurek9075]

@@Haynorie tee hee I corrected my comment. I can barely keep track of my own family.

[@jessandjessica452]

You are so cool!

[@NJHeart2Heart]

I love that you not only explain the container concept, but also explain how if you are CHANGING a space (eliminating it), you STILL use the decluttering question "If I needed this item ---and this is no longer available --- where would I look for it first. Simple change to the question, and poof! You still declutter!

[@Haynorie]

Right I love that part too. For sure I would still go to the laundry room to look for the light bulbs. But when I see the missing shelf and go "oh yeah the shelf is gone", in that moment of frustration where would I look next? Sometimes I have to do that when the answer to "where would I look for this first" is in a box I'm trying to declutter that's turned into its own piece of furniture

[@Conval-wi5eh]

@@Haynorie "a box that's turned into its own piece of furniture"- so relatable 😂😂😂

[@nicolataylor6546]

Thanks for explaining “The container concept” to newb who stayed til the end and enjoyed the credits very much. (From a fellow diyer who has No purpose doing diy either). 🙂

[@Kakkydidit]

The concept for me in intellectually easy and I still see my future with a spare "bedroom" wall lined with with stacked Rubbermaid totes. And even that leaves however many totes to my son to add to a dumpster one day.

[@ElizabethDohertyThomas]

This concept is the most deliciously simple, liberating idea! I also feel like it helps "gamify" decluttering because there is a very black and white goal that you meet or don't meet based on decisions to get rid of crap, relocate crap, etc.

[@sarahloy2699]

Great lesson in creative thinking to make life work. Thank you. Also I confess, I was decluttering while I watched this and ended up making piles rather then taking it there now so I could keep watching😮. And that is why you need to keep teaching us these things over and over😂😅.

[@staff2thecats]

Now you can put your light bulbs back in there! You know, since that is where you would look for them. 😅

[@regdesousa9763]

I am getting this !! I have a charity pick up on Friday because I plan on moving to a smaller place soon .

[@bcvahsfam]

You are so RIGHT!!! Oh my! I love this video!!! This is just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much!! I have thought about, read about, watched videos and have not grasped this important concept-- the space you have is the space you have!!!!! Accept the reality! Thank you for saying this so CLEARLY. I love how you are so REAL and transparent!!! DIY story was so funny because I can so relate!! I'm glad it worked out so well!!!

[@glendaelabra4657]

I always like listening to you Dana. You're so natural and funny. For some reason I dont like videos that look so scripted 😅

[@nolagranolabar]

Great video Dana! I’m SO happy for you and your shelf-washing machine lid hack! It’s a winner! I love things done perfectly, but being a working woman, I now tell myself, It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done! 😄.

[@buddyneher9359]

That's a great motto! It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done!

[@nondanelson9553]

New. Still here. Shared with my sister. Thank you.😊

[@maureenbullis1805]

I love to fill my containers and take them to the goodwill!

[@Alex-s7y3d]

That half opening top loader is still 💯 better than the rubbish front loaders we normally have in the Uk due to smaller houses.

[@anniekim9470]

I just discovered your content and my husband and I just LOL because you describe my mindsets that I’ve been stuck in for two decades if homemakership. So refreshing , incredibly helpful and I love your sense of humor too. Thanks and God bless the work you’re doing!!

[@kelseyd4196]

Woo-hoo!! The Container Concept...otherwise known as EMBRACE THE SPACE! I love it! What a positive mindset shift that is, Dana! Thank you ❤ And your diy is genius, by the way. 👏😄

[@yavrum22]

I agree 💯.

[@thefarmista]

I love that I am not the only one to get SO excited about random household things and "projects" like this! I'm happy for your recent diy success!

[@zoe0abundant]

I just realized I need to use the container concept on my fridge 🤦‍♀️ it is so stuffed full I can't find things and it's a pain. Plus I'm probably wasting food.

[@PigletSaysHello]

Excellent idea. If you are anything like me it may help you to have designated areas (shelf etc.) for different things. Example: I have one shelf for things that need to be used soon. It's the first area I see when I open the fridge because otherwise I forget what's in there.

[@notnotnever]

I love your washing-machine-lid-hole! Great work with the jigsaw!!

[@barbarahaberman349]

You might want to take a bit of the board that you took out and make a verticle support between the two shelves. OR be very sure only to pur lightweight things on the remaining bit of the bottom shelf.

[@donnawiseman9311]

That’s genius! Aren’t you proud?! I love your container concept! I use it all the time now.

[@thisisbethm]

Nice DIY! It reminds me that I warn to add shelves over my washer and dryer and have to stop expecting perfection and just do it!!

[@TheLadyPonders]

WooHOOOO!!! Fantastic job, and you did it all by yourself!!!! Now you can put your lightbulbs back in their original home! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@SoMagicalMichele]

But only if that's where she now looks for them first. 😉

[@jac4YouTube]

NO, NO, NO, lightbulbs don't belong in a laundry space, just saying

[@seaspeaktome9167]

Oh that must feel sooo nice every time you do laundry!! Also Reid -give your mama some credit 😅

[@dinakennedy9304]

I am working on decluttering a container, aka a small space in my home that houses the laundry, plus a TON of crap and appliances I don't use etc etc. I gave myself the month of October to clear out and then reset the space so it actually works for me. I've been using my timer to work on it in 15 minute increments as it was seriously overwhelming at first. It got more and more exciting as the container started to emerge and I could actually start to plan on how I want to embrace the space I have as the space I have with what I have (no shopping!!) That's my first huge thank you to you, Dana. Yesterday I got to the hardest boxes which were holiday stuff and sentimental stuff and I absolutely froze, closed the door, and gave up for the day (or maybe longer...). Last night I was thinking about how to move through that froze, and remembered (1) where would I look for this first, and (2) your video with that weird first hair of your son's that went into the trash. And, huge thank you #2, I saw my way forward and couldn't wait to get back at it this morning. That stuff is now all decluttered and either put where I'd look for it first or gone with great relief into the trash. I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of your videos and how they've gotten into my brain and HELPED me with a major project I've procrastinated on for years. THANK YOU! Next up, the "spare" room -- is there still a bed and a desk in there?? ;-)

[@idid138]

Haha! Yes it's under there!

[@fallencyano9015]

i stole the desk and bed, sorry -clutter monster

[@PigletSaysHello]

Wow good for you. 😊❤

[@dinakennedy9304]

hahaha! @@fallencyano9015

[@dinakennedy9304]

thank you!@@PigletSaysHello

[@wee_haggis6374]

Entirely off topic here, but I have adhd and I’m distracted!! But that shirt you are wearing is absolute perfection! It fits you immaculately, the sleeves fall exactly where they should! Stunning. Ok, back to organizing!! 🫣🖤

[@lizzabbott]

I am considering a move which is also - yet another - downsize for me . Downsizing is the way to go for me @ this time in my life. I’m looking at the new space, & it’s clear that a significant amount of furniture must GO to make the new place comfortable & peaceful, and not look like a crowded warehouse. Dining room table : has to go. There’s a breakfast bar in new place that works great for all meals. Large dresser, kitchen roll cart, dining room hutch, & big comfy living room chair … all gotta GO ! Maybe a pretty wooden storage chest, too. Couch stays. My indulgence : my 2 largish bookshelves ( with books !) will stay. I’ve had this furniture for 24 - 27 years. Am I a lil attached ? Yes but itz okay. Container concept ! And I’ll be traveling light ! Some clothes, linens & kitchen items … & SOME books, will go, too !

[@tiffanylandes2345]

Thank you for this video. Including the shelf fix. (I actually asked out loud, so what about opening the washer?😂

[@SoMagicalMichele]

Awesome video. Good job and success!!!

[@carolcoleman7107]

All's well that ends well...❤ Love you Lady!!

[@LindaLee1971]

It's awesome, if you paint that edge white, it becomes "custom". You are such an encouragement to me.

[@diannalaubenberg7532]

Embracing the space is a constant issue for me. My husband is a Pastor, and since his first parish, we have lived in parsonages. No all personages are created equal in terms of space, storage, size, etc. Often, what looks like an easy transition is more difficult just because of the layout. Our current home does not have a coat closet, laundry room or convenient storage for mop and broom or vacuum. So everything goes in our third bedroom. (It is a real challenge when we have guests, which while not as frequent as we would like, is still frequent enough.) I'm working on it.

[@DeeDee4always]

I laughed so hard when yu said you only invite nice people to your home. ME TOO!!! Love it.

[@cherylbowers4502]

Great job, Dana! You are thinking like an engineer!

[@sevahnmerian1299]

I adore your sense of humor and your ideas! Superbly presented! I'm thrilled you can open your washing machine all the way!

[@ESan-ix8gj]

Necessity is the mother of invention or figuring out a different solution. Good for you!

[@buddyneher9359]

A fake ending!! And a wonderful comedy performance 😀You're the best, Dana! You'd feel right at home around some of my DIY projects 🥸👍

[@sarahjanepalmquist8469]

I like the bar for hanging your hangers. Another option would have been to move the shelf up a couple of inches and kept the two shelves.

[@buddyneher9359]

too much like work!

[@yadiaag7771]

KonMari also had like one sentence in her book that basically said the exact same thing. Then my mind went….wait! If you add more boxes you have more stuff you can hide, you don’t have less you actually have more because you can add more later. This realization made me get rid of SEVERAL organizing totes, containers boxes ect. Since I couldn’t hide it I had to throw away, donate, declutter. Now my kitchen, bathroom, both living rooms feel like they can finally breathe.

[@janetlyon9843]

My favorite sentence (which is when you explain no one cares how it looks): “We try to only invite nice people to our home anyway.” But then you go ahead and show the whole world what it looks like! Thanks for this great example of prioritizing function and your sanity over aesthetics.

[@sherryyost786]

Thanks Dana for the refresher on the container concept. I always need to hear the basic concepts over and over again.

[@denisebrown3834]

I love your container method. We are retired and I have been decluttering since travelling in our caravan for a few months. When we came back, I looked at all the junk I had that I didn't need and thought of all the time I spent looking after that junk and began to declutter. It was difficult for me to get rid of books. My husband, four children and I are all bookworms and we had books everywhere. My husband had built a bookcase at the end of the passage that leads to our bedrooms and one along one side of the passage. Both of these bookcases were from floor to ceiling. We also have built in bookcases in our living room. When caring for a sick friend, we had difficulty getting a wheelchair around because of a lot of furniture, etc. I decided the long passage bookcase had to go to make it easier if one of us needed walking aids or such. It took a while but I'm proud to say it is done. I told my family that I was using Dana's container method and that all the books we kept would have to fit in the existing shelves and they do!! Thank you so much for your inspiration.

[@kathybullmer8884]

I listen to your podcast every night. I decluttered my camping stuff and have it all in one space now. While on my last campout, my granddaughter heard your podcast on dishes math and we had a good conversation.

[@oatssettle846]

Great job Dana, thinking outside of the box. Love that! Might I suggest getting that white tape edging to cover the brown edge that is showing and then no one would even notice it. You are so awesome. Love you❣

[@yavrum22]

That’s actually a great idea taping it off or even touching it up with some leftover white paint if she has any

[@ilakaiser3778]

Or a $.60 bottle of close matching acrylic paint from a big box store. Take the piece you cut. Out in with you. Dana, you rock!💜🐞

[@terryruiz7417]

So many of us, well, certainly me, have struggled with something for a long time, then suddenly realized there's a simple solution that takes no time. We have 2 two drawer filing cabinets. I just realized we should be able to manage with one, and I intend to clean one out, purge, clean out the second, and combine contents. My husband is thrilled! It will soon be done!

[@maureenreiersen1326]

I love Dana K White’s decluttering videos and I am so motivated! Thankfully it has changed my life and I feel like I can do this! I have made so much progress already, thank you Dana!❤️❤️❤️

[@lindahill1199]

I was lucky enough to had went online before purchasing our new washer/dryer set and seen the Lids are alot larger than the old style we had. Lucky for us because we have overhead built in cupboards.

[@bethreisman8869]

I love this!!! Not your typical Pinterest perfect DIY however, who cares? Problem solved!!! You go girl!

[@rachelmunoz]

I loved your DIY portion of the video, Dana! 😂🎉

[@pray714]

Geeeniuuuuussss I loooooveeee you!!!! The thing you did with the sawing the shelf thing excites me so much hahaha