if you’re like me, you hate clutter but can do little about it. Once you go shopping and buy a few things, they have a way of piling up around the house.
And the bad thing about it is that decluttering can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable tasks and having a strategy can make a huge difference.
How To De-Clutter Your Home
Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the process:
1. Start Small
Pick One Area: Focus on one small area, like a drawer, closet, or countertop. Starting small helps you build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Set a Timer: Set a timer for 20-30 minutes and commit to decluttering just during that time. It’s easier to stay focused in short bursts.
Label four boxes or bins as:
- Keep
- Donate
- Sell
- Trash
As you go through your items, immediately place them into one of the boxes. This prevents the process from becoming too complicated.
2. Follow the “Four-Season Rule”
For seasonal items, ask yourself when you last used them and whether you realistically will in the next season. If you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s probably time to let it go.
Rather than tackling each room individually, sort by category (e.g., books, clothes, paperwork). This allows you to see how much you have of a particular type of item, making it easier to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.
There’s also the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle), which suggests that we use 20% of our items 80% of the time. Go through your belongings and ask yourself: Are these items in the 20% that I actually use regularly? If not, it might be time to part with them.
For sentimental items, ask yourself, “Do I really need to keep this to remember it?” Sometimes, taking a photo of a sentimental item can help you keep the memory without holding onto the physical object.
3. Go Through Papers Regularly
Papers can pile up quickly. Sort through them weekly, and use a filing system to keep only the important ones. Shred documents that are no longer needed.
Taking a photo of a cluttered space before you start can be motivating, and seeing the progress afterward can feel incredibly rewarding.
Decluttering is a process. Break it into chunks and spread it out over time so it doesn’t feel too stressful. Celebrate small wins as you make progress.
4. Set a Deadline
Setting a clear deadline can help keep you on track. Whether it’s a weekend or a few hours each evening, having a set time to complete a decluttering session can help you stay focused.
For clothes, turn all your hangers the opposite way. As you wear and wash clothes, turn the hanger back to its original position. After a few months, any clothes still facing the wrong way are likely items you don’t wear and can donate or sell.
Sometimes, having a friend or family member help can make decluttering more efficient and less emotionally taxing. They can offer a fresh perspective on what to keep and what to let go of.
5. Practice the ‘Declutter Daily’ Habit
Instead of letting clutter pile up, spend a few minutes each day tidying up. Put away items, toss out anything unnecessary, and keep surfaces clear to prevent clutter from building up again.
If you’re struggling with sentimental items, try keeping only a select few, like a special box of keepsakes or a memory album, rather than holding onto everything.
Final Word
If you’ve held onto something because you “might use it someday,” be honest with yourself. Will you really? If not, it’s probably time to let it go.
Decluttering is as much about mental clarity as it is about physical space. Once you start making small, consistent changes, it can have a big impact on your home and mindset.