Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming at first, but starting small and taking it one step at a time can make the process much more manageable. If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s a simple guide to help you start decluttering your home with ease.
1. Set Clear Goals
Before you begin, it’s important to set clear intentions for why you’re decluttering and what you hope to achieve. Ask yourself the following:
Why do I want to declutter? (e.g., reduce stress, create more space, improve home organization)
What do I want to accomplish? (e.g., clear out one room, organize a specific space like a closet or kitchen)
Setting clear goals will give you direction and help keep you motivated throughout the process.
2. Create a Decluttering Plan
Decluttering an entire home can feel like a huge task, so break it down into manageable steps. Consider the following:
Start small: Begin with a small area or room, like a kitchen drawer or a bathroom counter. This way, you’ll see quick progress and feel encouraged.
Go room by room: If you want to tackle the entire house, work on one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Set a timeline: Decide whether you want to declutter in one weekend or over several weeks, and make sure your goals are realistic for the time you have.
3. Gather Your Supplies
Before you start, gather some basic supplies to help with sorting:
Boxes or bins: Use these for sorting your items into categories (e.g., keep, donate, sell, trash).
Trash bags: For items that are no longer usable or necessary.
Cleaning supplies: You’ll want to wipe down areas after decluttering them to keep things fresh.
Labels: If you are storing items, labels can help keep things organized.
4. Start with One Small Area
Begin with a small, easy-to-manage area—this could be a drawer, a small shelf, or a countertop. Starting small helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and gives you a sense of accomplishment quickly. Here’s what you can do:
Take everything out: Empty the space completely, so you can see exactly what’s there.
Sort through items: Start looking at each item and ask yourself whether you use it, need it, or love it.
Keep: Items you use regularly or that are essential.
Donate: Items in good condition but no longer useful to you.
Trash: Items that are broken, worn out, or have no value.
Sell: If you have valuable items you don’t need, consider selling them online or hosting a garage sale.
5. Be Decisive and Avoid Overthinking
When deciding what to keep or get rid of, try not to overthink each item. If it doesn’t serve a purpose or bring you joy, it’s time to let it go. The key is to be quick with your decisions, so you don’t get stuck in indecision.
If you’re unsure about an item, put it in a “maybe” pile and come back to it later after you’ve completed the rest of the space.
6. Dispose of Items Immediately
Once you’ve sorted through your items, it’s important to take action right away:
Donate: Drop off the items at a local donation center or schedule a pickup.
Sell: List valuable items online or set up a garage sale.
Trash: Throw away broken, damaged, or unusable items as soon as possible.
By dealing with your donations, sales, and trash immediately, you prevent the clutter from returning.
7. Organize as You Go
After decluttering, take the opportunity to organize what’s left. Use storage containers, shelves, or organizers to keep your belongings tidy and easy to access. Organize items by category or frequency of use, so everything has its place.
Label boxes or bins for easy identification.
Maximize vertical space by installing shelves or using hooks for things like bags or hats.
8. Clean the Space
Once you’ve decluttered and organized, take a moment to clean the area. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum the floor, and refresh the space. This not only makes the area feel even more organized but also creates a sense of accomplishment.
9. Maintain the Decluttered Space
The key to keeping your home decluttered is to maintain it. Establish new habits for keeping things organized:
Daily 10-minute tidy: Set aside 10 minutes every day to put things back in place.
Routine decluttering: Spend 20–30 minutes each week going through a small space to keep clutter from accumulating.
One in, one out: Whenever you bring a new item into your home, make sure to get rid of something else to prevent clutter from building up.
10. Celebrate Your Progress
Decluttering is a big task, and once you’ve made progress, take a moment to appreciate your efforts. Enjoy the clean, organized space and use it as motivation to keep going. You’ll feel more relaxed and productive in a clutter-free environment.
Final Tips for Starting Your Decluttering Journey:
Don’t rush: Decluttering takes time, so be patient with yourself.
Stay focused on one task at a time: Trying to declutter your entire home all at once can feel overwhelming, so focus on one space at a time.
Avoid holding on to things out of guilt: If you don’t need or use it, let it go.
Ask for help: If you’re feeling stuck, consider asking a friend or family member for support.
By starting small and following these steps, you can gradually declutter your home and create a more organized, functional space. Don’t worry about getting it perfect right away—every little bit of progress counts!