Home Decluttering Tips & Tricks

Creating your dream interior can sometimes come with an unwelcome side effect: clutter. In an effort to craft the ultimate living space, we often purchase items we never use, develop collections of things we're "saving" for some time in the future, and store miscellaneous gifts and keepsakes with no clear idea of what to do with them. In this guide, we'll cover practical decluttering tips and tricks for homeowners seeking to clear their way out of clutter and into a more peaceful, harmonious space.

Decluttering doesn't have to be time-consuming or stressful; you can make it work on your schedule with these simple yet highly effective tips professionals use to help their clients simplify their living space without giving up things they love the most.

1. Start in Your Most Popular Rooms

The kitchen, living room, and dining room are often the best places to start decluttering. Why? Because the changes here tend to have a direct impact on the space's flow and function. Seeing the tangible difference of your decluttering efforts motivates you to work on less tempting parts of the house, like the garage.

Determine where you'd like to start, then pick a specific spot in that room for the first week. It could be decluttering your kitchen island or coffee table, emptying that dreaded junk drawer that barely shuts, or finally reorganizing the pantry.

2. Use a "Keep" and "Donate" Basket

Have a basket on hand to sort items as you go. You don't even need a specific decluttering session to do this. With the baskets on-site in your designated room for the week, place things in the "keep" basket as you interact with them. If they don't currently have a proper place, then you can make one later. How? By adding more things to your "donate" (or discard) basket.

Challenge yourself to add at least one item to the "donate" or discard basket each day. You'll often find that placing just one thing in the basket is inspiring, and you'll be tempted to keep going!

At the end of the week, you can review everything in the basket and make final decisions. This is a low-pressure way to declutter that doesn't lead to any overzealous cleaning sprees you regret later.

3. Choose What You Love Most

Famous Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo always asks her clients one question: "Does this spark joy?" Her philosophy is rooted in personal connection and emotion. If you don't love something in your home, why keep it?

Things that spark joy can be obvious, like a family photo, or seemingly ordinary, like a wooden spoon you love or a favorite hand towel. What matters is that with this idea in mind, you can focus on prioritizing what matters and gently letting go of the rest.

It can be hard to discard unused things, but that's where the fun comes in! Instead of simply discarding items, find ways to share them with others. You can look for shelters that accept donations, as well as charities, and even great gift boxes for family and friends.

4. Avoid Emptying Things All at Once

When it comes to decluttering your closet or a room, work through one drawer at a time, even if that's one day at a time, if that's easier. Avoid dumping all your clothing into one spot, as you're likely to leave it there for a while due to sheer dread of sorting through it. Instead, professionals approach decluttering with a strategic mindset. They take their time to perfect each space, then move on to the next.

If you struggle to get started, pick the smallest spot in a room to declutter. Make it so small that it's impossible not to finish in 10 minutes. For example, you might decide that rather than cleaning out the entire fridge, you'll tackle the overcrowded crisper.

This is one of the most valuable and practical decluttering tips and tricks for homeowners because it simplifies an often overwhelming process.

5. Make Space for Home Upgrades

Sometimes, people struggle to downsize their belongings because they don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. This is why planning for home upgrades can be a great motivator. For example, you may look into window styling ideas and decide to add window treatments or modernize your window frames.

Knowing what your rooms can look like after an upgrade can motivate you to declutter now. Avoid making changes unless you reach your specific decluttering goal for a room. This turns it into an exciting challenge with a significant payoff that only inspires you to tackle more in the future!

6. Set a Clear Intention

What's your reason for decluttering? You might think, "I'm just tired of this mess!", but under that statement, a more profound meaning could be, "I want to feel at peace and ease in my home."

It's perfectly normal to feel like you don't even know where to begin when it comes to home organization. The chaos becomes its own kind of system. However, suppose you have an apparent reason for decluttering in the first place. In that case, it becomes easier to stay motivated and part with things that truly don't benefit your happiness or comfort.

7. Set Clear Boundaries

Some people find it easier to declutter when they follow a set of rules. Instead of asking, "Do I want to keep this?" consider asking, "Have I used this in the last 60 days?"

You may decide that when cleaning out a room, you'll set aside anything you haven't used or can't recall using for at least two months.

This simple strategy can help you overcome the fear of missing out on an item you might use someday, allowing you to focus on practical, functional living.

The same applies to anything you buy or accept as well. It's okay to turn down furniture or odds and ends from friends and family if you really have no use for them. It doesn't have to be harsh. A simple "thank you for thinking of me, but I don't have the space for this. I'm sure someone else would get more use out of it," will suffice.

8. Create a "Home" for Every Item

Containers have a purpose we often forget: to set boundaries around what they hold. If something doesn't fit in a designated space, it may no longer belong in your home. Create spaces for everything, like your towels, silverware, and books, so you know precisely how much room you really have to fill.

It's okay to realize you need more organization solutions, but avoid overspending on them to keep more stuff. Ultimately, the goal is to live in a home that feels free, spacious, and restorative. Owning too much that you don't use often leads to feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

9. Use Smart Storage Furniture

Ottomans and under-the-bed storage bins are great for decluttering and organizing simultaneously. You can follow a simple rule: every time you keep something, you'll choose one thing to get rid of. Doing this in a cluttered space can help you quickly identify priorities and focus on keeping only what you really care about.

Storage furniture is an excellent investment for any part of the home, as it streamlines organization without creating clutter. These pieces of furniture are specifically designed to make every room feel more spacious and minimize clutter.

And the best part is that you can usually keep more of what matters in your home just by getting the right furniture. Instead of trying to sacrifice meaningful items because they don't fit on a shelf, consider whether a new storage ottoman or bench could be the ideal place to keep them.

10. Have Designated Donation Days

Remember those donation baskets we mentioned earlier? Set a day each week to take them to a donation center or charity. You may even be able to schedule pickup. Just commit to having a specific day every week during the decluttering process to remove items from your home. Otherwise, they're likely to linger around and just become another pile you have to sort through later.

Bonus Tip: Make Organization a Habit

Many people feel like decluttering is just something they need to do when their space feels overwhelming. However, in reality, some of the most practical decluttering tips and tricks for homeowners focus on daily activities.

If you make cleaning up, sorting, and arranging items in their proper space a part of your daily routine, it's much easier to avoid accumulating large amounts of things you don't need in the first place.

Keep a donation bin in the laundry room, so you can easily toss anything you no longer wear or need when you see it in the hamper. A quick wash, and it will be ready to go off to a new home!

After use, ensure that items are returned to their original location. Yes, even the TV remote. Such a simple habit can make your space instantly feel cleaner, calmer, and more centered.

Conclusion

Decluttering is just one way you can revitalize your home and upgrade your lifestyle. It's also a great way to create a blank canvas for future home renovations, like new moulding or energy-efficient bedroom windows. If you're looking for expert advice on ways to enhance your home, contact the team at Arcadia Sash & Door!