10 Decluttering Tips for a More Organized Home

If you shudder at the thought of decluttering drawers and closets, you are not alone. Even daily household tasks tend to pile up, and it’s so easy to put off decluttering for another weekend.  

We’ll break down this stressful task into more manageable pieces and share some proven methods for keeping your living space clutter-free.

1. Start Small

While you may be tempted to take a few days off and chuck all the dust-collecting things in the trash, you’ll have more success with the opposite approach.

Pick a small section — one drawer, shelf, or a box, and only do that today. It’s a motivating step in the right direction, and it doesn’t feel like you’ve wasted an entire day dealing with clutter.

2. One Room at a Time

Your next step is to pick the least cluttered room and start from there. It won’t feel as overwhelming, and you’ll get to enjoy the results of your work. You can use the method below.

3. The Four-Box Method

The four-box method is a cure for overthinking. You get four boxes (or bags, or even piles) for four categories of things: Trash, Donate, Relocate, and Keep.

Also, pick where you want to donate ahead of time. This will prevent your donation box from becoming another source of clutter. 

4. Set a Timer

You don’t even have to do the whole room at once. Set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour, and pick a part of the room that can be somewhat decluttered within that timeframe.

5. Tackle the Closet

This is one of the trickiest parts of decluttering, so it deserves its own list of tips:

• Keep a donation basket in your closet at all times

• Throw unwanted clothes whenever you come across some

• Do regular, seasonal purges

• Categorize your clothing

• Remove stained and torn items regularly

6. Bathroom

Bathrooms are filled with unused and expired products, especially if you keep your cosmetics in there. Apply the four-box rule and deal with one category of products at a time: makeup, cosmetics, medicine, cleaning supplies, decor, and towels.

7. Free Up the Kitchen Counters

The kitchen counters are notorious for collecting clutter. Make it a rule to keep them empty and store non-essential items in drawers or cabinets. If you have too many appliances or unused gadgets blocking your counters, schedule junk removal in Apex, NC, or other places in the state. 

8. Final Boss: The Garage

Garages quickly turn into clutter storage areas, and they’re typically the most challenging part of decluttering. You’ll need all the tips and tricks, from starting small to setting timers, to handle this area. If you have large, bulky items, you may need to call a removal professional.

9. One In, One Out Rule

Now, let’s move on to keeping your home clutter-free. This is a common rule that’s worth trying — for every new item you bring into your home, get rid of one existing item. The rule not only prevents clutter but it also encourages mindful purchasing habits.

10. Maintenance Plan

Once you’re done with the first decluttering session of the season, your job is to keep your home clutter-free every day (or, more realistically, every week). Incorporate decluttering into your cleaning timetable with weekly, monthly, and seasonal purges. 

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