Easy Guide to Declutter Every Space in your Home
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining an organized and clutter-free living environment has become more important than ever. A cluttered space not only affects our physical surroundings but also has a significant impact on our mental well-being and overall productivity.
Whether you are looking to revamp your living space or simply seeking a more serene atmosphere, decluttering is the first step towards achieving your goal. This easy guide will take you through the process of decluttering every space in your home, providing practical tips and strategies to help you reclaim your space and create a harmonious living environment.
The Benefits of Decluttering
Before delving into the decluttering process, let’s briefly explore the benefits of maintaining a clutter-free home.
Reduced Stress
Cluttered spaces can create a sense of chaos and distraction. By decluttering, you can create an environment that promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
Improved Focus and Productivity
A clutter-free space allows you to focus better and be more productive. With fewer distractions, you can accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Enhanced Creativity
Clearing away clutter provides mental clarity, which can boost your creativity and inspire new ideas.
Better Physical Health
Clutter can lead to dust accumulation and poor air quality. Decluttering helps create a healthier living environment and better physical health.
Positive Mood
A tidy space can uplift your mood and contribute to your inner peace.
Getting Started
The biggest challenge folks seem to have is getting started. Decluttering your entire home may feel like a huge undertaking. The truth is breaking it down into smaller steps can make the process far more manageable. Follow these steps to get started:
Set Clear Goals
Define what you want to achieve through decluttering. Whether it’s creating more storage space, improving the aesthetics of your home, or fostering a sense of calm, having clear goals will motivate you throughout the process. If a to-do list works best for you make one and post it where you will see regularly.
Gather Supplies
I suggest starting with 3 large heavy duty black contractor trash bags. Designate 1 bag for your Trash Bag, clutter that will be discarded. The second bag will be for Donations, new or gently used items others will enjoy. The third bag will be for new, unused items or things in excellent condition that you can sell either online or in a yard sale.
Start Small
The best way to declutter your space is to start small. The one item at a time rule works well for folks that feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Begin with just a single item. Then move on to another item.
Consider this – by removing one item daily, in one years time you will be 365 items lighter!
Decluttering Room by Room
Living Room
The living room or great room is often the heart of the home, where relaxation and socializing occur. Here’s how to declutter this key area. Really take a good look at your space before you begin.
Clear Surfaces
Remove items from the coffee table, side tables, and entertainment centers. Keep only essential items and decorate with intention.
Empty drawers
Don’t just look inside of the drawers. Empty drawers and touch each item. Do you need it? Can you donate, sell or is this item trash? Sort through the contents and arrange each item by the category of item. Do the items belong in the living room or are they in the wrong place?
Organize Media
Sort through books, magazines, DVDs, and other media. Are you going to revisit this media? Why are you saving?
Furniture Arrangement
Evaluate the arrangement of furniture. Ensure that pathways are clear and furniture serves a purpose. If your space is small and cramped with too much furniture considering ridding yourself of some of the items.
Photos
Are your photos housed in your living room? Going through photographs is generally viewed as an impossible project by clients. I wrote an entire article on the subject of sorting through your old photos.
Kitchen
The kitchen is another high-traffic area that can quickly become cluttered. Follow these steps to declutter your kitchen. Some of us suffer clutter blindness, especially for things outside the range of eye level.
Clutter blindness is when we have lived with stuff so long we don’t even notice it anymore. Reevaluate if the dusty dried floral arrangement you fit in the empty space above kitchen cabinets 2 decades ago is still to your liking. Most people are thrilled at the opportunity to discard these types of outdated things.
Cabinets
A family of 6 will not need as many tableware settings as a single person or couple. Times are different today. Back in the day newlyweds would acquire at least one large set of tableware, usually more than one set – everyday service and special holiday tableware.
Depending on the size of your family do you need all the contents of your cabinets or has the stuff built up over the years?
Many folks today, especially younger people are finding more joy filling their lives with experiences rather than stuff. Living a minimalist lifestyle has certain advantages. Decluttering is something a minimalist will never have to confront.
Pantry Items
Check expiration dates and dispose of expired items. Organize shelves and group similar items together. Why do we save chipped mugs? Food pantries will gratefully accept products that have not outlived their expiration dates.
Countertops
Just because you have a large flat surface doesn’t mean you have to cover it with stuff. Keep only essential appliances and utensils on the countertops. Store the rest in cabinets or drawers. This one designer rule makes an amazing difference in clutter control and the look is more aesthetically pleasing.
Junk Drawer
Empty the infamous junk drawer and declutter the items that no longer serve a purpose. Go through each kitchen drawer emptying drawers one at a time. Keep what you use. Toss, donate or sell the rest.
Refrigerator
How much stuff in your refrigerator have you even touched recently? Will you ever use that pricey jar of something you once tried and really did not like? Toss it!
Bedroom
Is your bedroom your sanctuary and a place you go to rest and relax? Decluttering will contribute to better sleep and a far more tranquil atmosphere.
Closet
If you are lucky enough to have a huge walk-in closet with many separate sections, you have space for all sorts of unwanted clothing, shoes and accessories!
I find the easiest way to begin closet decluttering, no matter what size your closet space is, is to first completely empty your closet. Now pick up each item and make an honest appraisal. Will you ever fit into this piece again? Even though it was expensive will you actually ever wear it? What were you thinking!
Consider donating clothes you haven’t worn in the past year. Of course there is always a market for good used clothing. Facebook Marketplace is another good resource.
If you can’t remember what you have and have not worn try using the reverse hanger system people are raving about. After you wear an article of clothing replace the item on the hanger and hang the hanger in the opposite direction of all the other hangers in your closet. At the end of 6 months or a year get rid of all the clothing you have not worn in that period of time.
Some people like to organize clothes by type and color for easier access. Find a system that works best for you. With the exception of fancy long special event wear we all generally wear only the clothing we love. Get rid of the rest.
Bedside tables
Clear nightstands of unnecessary items, leaving only items you use before bed. This drawer can get to junk drawer status very easily if we aren’t careful.
Under the Bed
I see the wisdom in storing out of season clothes under the bed in covered labeled containers if your storage space is tight. Be very careful of this system though because, when a lot of things reach the great abyss of under the bed storage, this step usually precedes the throwing in the trash step.
Bathroom
I have a clear glass soap container on the surface that surrounds my bathroom sink. That is it. I would not like using a bathroom with a lot of stuff laying around like lip balms, hair tools, eye makeup and assorted toiletries. A bunch of small items can overwhelm a space. Also the less stuff on flat surfaces makes it much easier to keep the bathroom clean.
It really doesn’t take extra time to put everyday items in their proper places. It will become a habit and you won’t even think about it eventually. Small things like this really improve the function and appearance of your physical space.
Bathroom Cupboards & Drawers
Utilize the drawers and cabinets you may have in your bathroom for all your scattered things. A clutter-free bathroom can make your daily routine more enjoyable and efficient.
Medicine Cabinet
Dispose of expired medications and skincare products. Keep only essentials within easy reach.
Towels
Why keep the thread bare towels at the bottom of pile that you wouldn’t give to your guests? If you have a puppy relegate these worn towels to the doggie supplies space. If not the animal shelters love towel donations!
Home Office/Workspace
An organized workspace enhances productivity and creativity.
Desk
Clear the desk of unnecessary items. Having a clean desktop is far less distracting than seeing piles of unpaid bills and piles of other stuff you need to get through.
Paperwork
File or digitize important documents and recycle irrelevant papers. There really is very little need to have mountains of paper today because most documents can be paperless. Certainly the companies that send us bills prefer us to go paperless because it is clearly a savings for their bottom line.
Supplies
Keep frequently used supplies within arm’s reach and store the rest in labeled containers.
Laundry Room
Laundry Rooms today can be spacious and easy to organize. Many laundry rooms have space to hang delicate clothing, ample room for ironing boards and spacious cupboards to store laundry detergents.
Garage/Storage Area
I do not have a garage in my current home. If I did I positively would use my garage for parking my vehicle.
The garage and storage areas often become dumping grounds for miscellaneous items. The garage, like under the bed storage, is often the place stuff goes to die – right before it is carted off to the landfill.
Sort and Categorize
Group items into categories (e.g., tools, sports equipment, holiday decorations). Dispose of broken or unused items. Hanging pegboard keeps tools organized in an efficient manner.
Shelving and Containers
Use shelves and storage containers to keep items off the floor and organized.
Seasonal Rotation
Rotate seasonal items to the front for easy access.
Decluttering Tips and Strategies
The One-Year Rule
If you haven’t used or worn an item in the past year, consider donating or selling it.
Minimalism
Embrace the philosophy of minimalism by keeping only items that add value or joy to your life.
Donate and Recycle
Instead of throwing items away, donate usable items to charity and recycle whenever possible. I use Freecycle.org and arrange for an easy porch pick up.
Digital Decluttering
Extend decluttering to your digital life by organizing files, deleting unused apps, and unsubscribing from unnecessary emails.
Sentimental Items
Keep sentimental items in a dedicated space, like a memory box, to avoid excessive clutter. Decluttering sentimental items may be likely be your biggest challenge. I have urged clients to photograph the huge pieces that have been in the family for years and disliked by all.
13 Tips to Maintain Your Clutter Free Home!
Yeah you! You’ve successfully decluttered every space in your home and created a more organized and peaceful living environment.
Spoiler alert! Decluttering is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. It requires consistent effort, mindfulness, and a willingness to let go of items that no longer serve you.
The key is to maintain this clutter-free lifestyle over the long term. Here are some valuable tips to help you stay on track.
1. Daily Habits
Incorporate small decluttering habits into your daily routine. Spend a few minutes each day tidying up spaces like your kitchen counters, your desk, or your living room. By consistently tackling small tasks, you’ll prevent clutter from piling up again.
2. One In, One Out Rule
For every new item you bring into your home, commit to removing one item. This rule helps you maintain a balance and prevents unnecessary accumulation.
3. Regular Assessments
Set aside time every few months to reassess your belongings. Go through your clothes, books, and other items to see if there’s anything you no longer need. This practice helps you stay mindful of what you own and prevents clutter from building up.
4. Digital Decluttering
Just as physical spaces can become cluttered, so can your digital life. Regularly go through your digital files, emails, and apps to eliminate what you no longer need. Keep your computer desktop organized and consider using cloud storage for documents and photos. External hard drives too are a good storage option.
5. Mindful Consumption
Before making a purchase, ask yourself whether the item serves a genuine purpose or brings you joy. Avoid impulse buying and focus on acquiring items that truly add value to your life.
6. Decluttering Events
Dedicate specific times each year for larger decluttering events. Spring and fall are great seasons for deep cleaning and reevaluating your belongings. Use these events to declutter storage spaces, like your garage or attic.
7. Paper Management
Implement a system for managing paper clutter. Designate a spot for incoming mail and documents, and regularly go through them to file, shred, or discard as needed. My junk mail goes from the mail box to the recycling bin immediately.
8. Storage Solutions
Invest in storage solutions that fit your lifestyle. Whether it’s storage bins, shelves, or closet organizers, having designated spaces for your belongings makes it easier to keep things tidy.
9. Teach Family Members
If you share your living space with family members or roommates, involve them in the decluttering process and teach them the principles of organization. A collaborative effort ensures that everyone contributes to a clutter-free home.
10. Embrace Imperfection
Remember that maintaining a clutter-free space doesn’t mean perfection. There will be times when things get a little messy, and that’s okay. The goal is to create a manageable and functional living environment, not to eliminate all traces of clutter entirely.
11. Celebrate Progress
Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Whether it’s completing a decluttering project or maintaining an organized space for a certain period, recognizing your efforts can boost your motivation to continue.
12. Mind-Body Connection
Recognize the connection between your physical environment and your mental well-being. A clutter-free space can have a positive impact on your mood, focus, and overall quality of life.
13. Share the Benefits
As you experience the positive effects of decluttering in your own life, share your knowledge and experiences with friends and family. Encourage them to embark on their own decluttering journey and offer support along the way.
The good news is by employing these maintenance tips it will be a very long time, if ever, that you will be faced with another big decluttering project again!
Decluttering your home is a powerful way to create a sense of order, tranquility, and efficiency in your daily life. Enjoy the numerous benefits your shiny clean clutter free life style brings!
Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutterer and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.
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