Decluttering your home can be a transformative experience, allowing you to create a more organized, functional, and peaceful living space. However, the process can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve accumulated a lot of belongings over the years. The good news is that you can declutter your home in just 30 days by breaking down the task into smaller, manageable steps.
This 30-day plan will help you systematically tackle each area of your home while maintaining focus and motivation. Whether you’re preparing for a move, selling your home, or simply looking to create a more organized living environment, this guide will help you achieve your decluttering goals.
Day 1: Set Your Goals and Create a Plan
Before you begin decluttering, take some time to establish your goals. Do you want to create more space? Do you want to simplify your life by getting rid of things you no longer need? Having a clear idea of why you’re decluttering will keep you motivated throughout the process.
Create a checklist or schedule for the next 30 days. Write down each room or area of your home that you want to focus on and set aside 30-60 minutes each day for decluttering.
Day 2-3: Declutter Your Entrance Area or Entryway
The first area you should tackle is the entrance or foyer. This is the first impression of your home, so it should be neat and inviting. Begin by clearing out shoes, jackets, bags, and any miscellaneous items that have accumulated. Make sure everything has a designated place. If there are items you no longer need, donate or discard them.
Items to focus on: Shoes, coats, keys, mail, and bags.
Storage tips: Consider adding hooks for coats, a small table for keys, or a shoe rack to keep things organized.
Day 4-5: Organize Your Living Room
The living room is typically the heart of the home, and it’s where you likely spend a lot of time. Begin by removing any clutter from surfaces like tables, shelves, and the TV stand. Go through books, magazines, and DVDs that you no longer use, and consider donating or selling them.
Items to focus on: Decorative items, books, magazines, remote controls, electronics, and pillows.
Storage tips: Invest in storage baskets or bins for toys or extra blankets. Keep only decorative items that serve a purpose or add value to the room.
Day 6-7: Declutter the Kitchen Countertops and Cabinets
The kitchen is often one of the most cluttered areas of the home, with a tendency to accumulate dishes, utensils, and appliances. Start by clearing off your kitchen counters, keeping only essential items that you use daily. Then, tackle the cabinets and drawers, getting rid of expired food, unused gadgets, and duplicate items.
Items to focus on: Countertops, pantry items, utensils, appliances, and food storage containers.
Storage tips: Use drawer dividers for utensils and organize your pantry with clear bins or labels. Keep countertops clear to maximize workspace.
Day 8-9: Tidy Up Your Dining Area
Next, focus on the dining area. This space tends to gather extra items like bags, paperwork, or clutter from meals. Start by removing any non-essential items from the table and surrounding areas. Wipe down surfaces and keep only the items you use frequently.
Items to focus on: Table clutter, extra chairs, place settings, and unused decor.
Storage tips: Consider a storage cabinet for serving dishes or utensils. Keep the table clear and add a centerpiece or decorative item for a clean, inviting space.
Day 10-12: Declutter and Organize the Bedroom
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and it’s important for it to feel calm and clutter-free. Begin by going through your closet and drawers, removing clothes you no longer wear or need. Consider donating or selling items that don’t fit or that you haven’t worn in a year. Organize your nightstand and keep only essentials on your bedside table.
Items to focus on: Clothes, shoes, accessories, nightstand items, and bedding.
Storage tips: Use under-bed storage for extra items, and keep your closet organized with hangers, bins, or shelves. Invest in storage baskets for smaller items like jewelry or scarves.
Day 13-15: Tackle the Bathroom
Bathrooms can quickly accumulate toiletries, towels, and cleaning products. Begin by clearing off the countertops and getting rid of expired products. Go through your medicine cabinet and remove items that are no longer needed. Declutter the shower and make sure your towels and toiletries are neatly organized.
Items to focus on: Toiletries, expired products, towels, cleaning supplies, and shower items.
Storage tips: Use clear storage bins for toiletries, and keep a small basket for daily essentials. Store extra towels in a linen closet or cabinet.
Day 16-18: Sort Through Paperwork and Documents
Paper clutter can quickly build up in any home, from bills and receipts to old documents. Begin by sorting through your paperwork and recycling or shredding anything that’s no longer needed. Create an organizational system for important documents, such as a filing system or digital storage solution.
Items to focus on: Bills, receipts, old paperwork, magazines, and documents.
Storage tips: Use file folders or filing cabinets for important documents, and keep a digital backup for everything you want to store long-term.
Day 19-21: Organize the Closets
Next, focus on organizing your closets. Start with the closet in the hallway or bedroom and go through all the clothes, shoes, and accessories. Donate or sell anything you haven’t worn in the past year. Consider using slimline hangers to maximize space and add shelf organizers or bins to keep smaller items tidy.
Items to focus on: Clothes, shoes, accessories, and seasonal items.
Storage tips: Use clear bins for seasonal items, and organize your closet by type of clothing for easy access.
Day 22-24: Declutter the Home Office
If you have a home office, it’s likely filled with papers, books, and various supplies. Begin by clearing your desk and organizing your supplies. Sort through paperwork and get rid of any outdated or unnecessary items. Set up a filing system to keep important documents organized and accessible.
Items to focus on: Papers, books, office supplies, and electronics.
Storage tips: Use drawer organizers for office supplies, and keep bookshelves neat with labeled storage for important files.
Day 25-27: Declutter and Organize the Garage
The garage is often one of the most cluttered areas of the home. Start by clearing out items that don’t belong in the garage. Go through tools, sports equipment, and storage bins, donating or discarding items you no longer use. Organize your tools and supplies into labeled bins or cabinets.
Items to focus on: Tools, sports equipment, gardening supplies, and seasonal items.
Storage tips: Use pegboards for tools, and keep seasonal items in labeled bins.
Day 28-30: Final Touches and Maintenance
In the final days of your decluttering journey, focus on small details that can make a big impact. Clean all surfaces, vacuum or mop floors, and add finishing touches like decorative pieces, fresh flowers, or candles. Then, set up a maintenance schedule to keep your home organized moving forward.
Items to focus on: Small clutter, decorative items, and cleaning tasks.
Storage tips: Create a routine to spend 10-15 minutes daily tidying up to keep clutter from building up.
Conclusion
Decluttering your home in 30 days is a completely achievable goal when broken down into manageable daily tasks. By focusing on one area at a time and staying consistent, you can create a home that feels more spacious, organized, and peaceful. Remember to celebrate your progress along the way and maintain your newly organized space with simple daily habits. In just 30 days, you’ll transform your home and enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free living environment.