Declutter Your Home Checklist: A Simple Guide to a Tidy and Organized Space
Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable tasks makes it much easier. Here’s a helpful checklist to guide you through the process, room by room, to ensure you declutter your home efficiently and systematically.
General Tips Before You Start:
Set a timeline: Decide how much time you want to dedicate each day (e.g., 30 minutes to an hour) or a weekend to tackle decluttering.
Gather supplies: Get trash bags, donation boxes, storage bins, and cleaning supplies before you begin.
Set goals: Break down your goals (e.g., decluttering one room per week) to stay motivated and track progress.
1. Living Room
Sort through cushions and throws: Keep only those that are used regularly. Donate or discard excess pillows and throws.
Clean out your bookshelves: Donate books you won’t read again and organize the ones you want to keep by category or theme.
Declutter your media (DVDs, video games, etc.): Donate or recycle anything outdated or no longer used.
Organize electronics and wires: Use zip ties or cable organizers to keep cords from tangling. Donate old gadgets or electronics that are no longer functioning.
Clear out décor: Keep only a few key decorative pieces that add value to your space. Discard or donate unnecessary items.
Tidy up furniture: Clean behind and underneath furniture, removing any items that don’t belong there.
2. Kitchen
Go through your kitchen cabinets: Get rid of items you never use (e.g., mismatched Tupperware, duplicate utensils, or appliances gathering dust).
Declutter countertops: Remove anything you don’t need, leaving only items that you use daily (e.g., coffee maker, dish soap, or fruit bowl).
Purge expired food: Go through your pantry, fridge, and spice rack. Discard expired or unused items.
Clean out drawers: Sort through kitchen drawers, especially the junk drawer. Throw away pens, old receipts, and broken items.
Organize your dishes and glassware: Donate any chipped or mismatched dishes, and organize items that are used regularly.
3. Bedroom
Sort through clothes: Go through your wardrobe and dresser drawers. Donate clothes that no longer fit or are worn out. Use the “one-in, one-out” rule to keep your wardrobe manageable.
Declutter nightstands and bedside tables: Keep only essentials like a lamp, clock, or phone charger. Dispose of old receipts, magazines, and unnecessary items.
Organize under the bed: Remove any stored items that aren’t necessary. Use storage boxes for things you need to keep, such as seasonal clothing or extra bedding.
Tidy up your closet: Use matching hangers, and organize clothes by type or color. Use dividers or bins for accessories, shoes, or bags.
Remove excess bedding and pillows: Keep only the sets that are in good condition and donate any old linens or unused pillows.
4. Bathroom
Declutter bathroom counters: Keep only essential items like soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Store other items in cabinets or drawers.
Purge expired cosmetics and toiletries: Go through your bathroom products, discarding anything that’s expired, half-used, or no longer needed (like expired medication or unused lotions).
Organize drawers and cabinets: Use bins or drawer organizers to keep items tidy. Discard old razors, expired skincare products, and extra or unused toiletries.
Clean out towels and washcloths: Keep only those in good condition, and donate any extras or worn-out towels.
5. Closet (General)
Declutter shoes: Keep only the pairs you wear regularly or need for specific occasions. Donate any shoes that are no longer your style or don’t fit.
Sort through accessories: Get rid of any scarves, hats, bags, or jewelry you no longer use. Donate items in good condition or recycle broken accessories.
Organize storage bins: Label bins and keep them organized by category (e.g., winter clothes, holiday decorations, etc.). Avoid storing things “just in case” you might need them.
Fold or hang clothes neatly: Take the time to organize clothes by category (e.g., shirts, pants, outerwear) to create a more organized and functional closet.
6. Home Office
Sort through paper documents: File away important papers and shred old documents you no longer need. Consider switching to digital storage to reduce paper clutter.
Organize desk drawers: Keep only essential items on your desk. Store pens, office supplies, and documents in organized drawers or containers.
Clean out old tech and gadgets: Donate or recycle old printers, computers, cables, and accessories that are no longer in use.
Minimize office décor: Keep only meaningful or inspiring items on your desk. Avoid overwhelming the workspace with too many knick-knacks.
7. Entryway / Hallway
Organize shoes and coats: Store coats, shoes, and bags in designated places, such as a closet or a shoe rack. Donate or discard any worn-out items.
Declutter entry tables or consoles: Keep only essentials like keys, mail, or a wallet. Throw away junk mail and remove unnecessary clutter.
Organize umbrellas, bags, and hats: Store these items neatly in bins or hooks so they’re easy to access but don’t clutter the area.
8. Garage / Storage Areas
Sort through seasonal items: Organize holiday decorations, sports equipment, and seasonal clothing into labeled bins.
Clean out the garage: Get rid of old tools, broken equipment, or things that you’ve been meaning to repair but never got around to.
Declutter storage units: If you use storage bins or shelving, go through them and remove any items that no longer serve a purpose.
9. Miscellaneous (Spare Rooms, Attics, Basements)
Tidy up spare rooms: Remove any unused furniture, items, or décor that’s just taking up space. Consider repurposing the room for a more functional use.
Declutter attics and basements: Go through any storage boxes or bins in these areas. Donate or discard anything that’s no longer useful, keeping only items that serve a clear purpose.
Organize memorabilia: If you have sentimental items, keep them in labeled boxes or albums to reduce clutter while preserving memories.
Ongoing Maintenance
Create a daily declutter habit: Set aside a few minutes each day to tidy up common areas, like the kitchen or living room, and keep clutter from accumulating.
Monthly check-ins: Every month, go through one or two areas to ensure things haven’t started to pile up again.
Implement the “One In, One Out” Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, remove something that’s no longer necessary.
Conclusion Decluttering your home may seem like a big task, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it more achievable. Use this checklist as a guide to help you declutter room by room, and soon enough, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more organized home. Remember to stay consistent and make decluttering a regular habit to maintain a calm and tidy living space.