The feeling of satisfaction that comes from finally being all moved into your new home is hard to describe. It gives almost everyone a huge sense of accomplishment and order to have everything in its place in a home that's free of clutter. But as the daily routine of life sets back in it can be hard to maintain that new-home neatness.

It's been well documented that a messy home negatively affects your mental and emotional state, so creating a realistic plan to maintain your home is well worth it.

Here are some tips to keep your home clean, organized, and clutter-free long after the move.

Don't let papers pile up

Paper is the number one culprit when it comes to clutter building up in your home, so staying on top of it makes a huge difference.

• Go through mail as soon as you bring it in rather than just setting it on a counter  (IGNORE the old advice to mark the corner of the envelope and make sure mail with a mark is dealt with within a week — you'll just have stacks of mail with marks on them)
• Recycle or shred paper you don't need (junk mail, old newspapers, paid bills, etc.)
• Get a filing system for papers you need to hold on to (a file cabinet, file folders in a desk organizer, etc.)
• Designate a handy place for temporary papers (unpaid bills, coupons, invitations, etc.)

Take it a day at a time

Creating small, easy-to-do habits you can follow daily, or even weekly, make a huge difference in your home long-term.

• Make your bed every morning — it really helps!
• Clean small messes as you go (put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe counters, etc.)
• Do one chore each day rather than tackling the entire home at once (wash one load of laundry, vacuum one room, etc.)
• Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to tidy up and put things away

Don't let clutter creep back in

The longer you live in one space, the more "stuff" will start to accumulate — if you let it.

• Go through your closet every six months and donate or throw items you no longer wear
• When offered free items, consider whether you will really use them before accepting
• Go paper-free as much as possible — request bills to be sent digitally, scan documents and shred the originals, etc.
• Avoid impulse purchases and purchases you know will be a one-time use
• Purge your home once a year and host a garage sale or donate items to charity

We hope these tips help you stay cozy and happy in your new home for years to come. Whenever you're ready to make your next move, the friendly team at AAA Movers is ready to lend a hand!