Decluttering your home can feel like a daunting task, especially when every room seems to have its own unique set of challenges. But decluttering is more than just tidying up—it's about creating a space that promotes mental clarity, emotional well-being, and even physical health. A clutter-free home can help reduce stress, improve productivity, and allow you to enjoy your living spaces in ways you never thought possible.
If the idea of decluttering feels overwhelming, you're not alone! The key to making this process manageable is breaking it down into smaller, achievable tasks. That's where the room-by-room approach comes in. By focusing on one area at a time, you can systematically tackle clutter without feeling overburdened.
In this ultimate guide, we'll walk you through every room in your home, providing practical, actionable tips to help you reclaim your space. Whether you're decluttering because you’re moving home or diving into a full home makeover, this guide will give you everything you need to get started—and stay motivated.
General decluttering rules to follow
Before we dive into specific rooms, it's helpful to establish some ground rules that will make the entire decluttering process smoother and more effective.
The 80/20 rule
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, can be a powerful tool for decluttering. In your home, this means that you likely use 20% of your items 80% of the time. Think about your favourite clothes, your go-to kitchen gadgets, or even the books you actually reread. By focusing on the items that you use and love the most, you can simplify the process of letting go of the rest.
Sorting categories: keep, donate/sell, bin
When tackling any room, it's important to create three main categories: keep, donate, bin or sell.
Keep: These are the items you use regularly and love.
Donate/Sell: These are items in good condition that you no longer need but can benefit others. Depending on their condition, you may be able to sell them.
Bin: Items that are broken, outdated, or simply no longer useful should be discarded.
Being strict with yourself about what falls into each category is key to a successful declutter.
Setting decluttering goals
Decluttering can take time, and it's easy to get discouraged if you're not making noticeable progress. That's why it's helpful to set specific goals for each room. Try using a timer and dedicating 15–60 minutes a day to a specific area. Alternatively, you can set aside an entire weekend for a big declutter. The important part is to be consistent and patient with the process.
The one-in-one-out rule
Once you've decluttered, keeping your home clutter-free can be a challenge if you're continually bringing new things in. The one-in-one-out rule helps maintain balance. For every new item you buy, consider donating or getting rid of something old. This habit can prevent clutter from creeping back in overtime.
Room-by-room breakdown
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s take a look at how to declutter each room in your home. Every space has its own set of challenges, but with a structured approach, you can tackle them one by one.
1. The living room
The living room is often a gathering space for family and friends, but it can quickly become cluttered with everything from books to remote controls and toys
Decluttering common Items: Start by gathering all the loose items like magazines, DVDs, and books. Decide what you regularly use and what’s just collecting dust.
Organise electronics: Entertainment centres can be a magnet for clutter. Organise cords with cable ties, and use baskets or bins to corral remotes, gaming devices, and other small electronics.
Create cosy, clutter-free spaces: Decorative baskets or storage ottomans can help maintain a cosy vibe without letting clutter take over.
2. The kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, but it’s also where clutter can easily accumulate in the form of gadgets, utensils, and expired food.
Sort cabinets and drawers: Empty out your cabinets and drawers, sorting through utensils, dishes, and food items. Discard anything expired or rarely used, and donate duplicates.
Worktop minimalism: Keep worktops clear by storing appliances that you don’t use daily. This will give your kitchen a cleaner, more functional look.
Keep the essentials only: Aim to keep only the items you use regularly, like your favourite spatula, blender, or coffee maker.
3. The Bedroom
A cluttered bedroom can affect your sleep and sense of calm. Decluttering this space can lead to better rest and a more peaceful retreat.
Wardrobe declutter: Use the “1-year rule” for clothes—if you haven’t worn something in the last year, it's time to donate or discard it. Sort through shoes, accessories, and handbags as well.
Night stands and dressers: Clear off your bedside table and dressers, keeping only the essentials. Consider decorative trays or small organisers to store jewellery or personal items.
Create a calming space: Remove any unnecessary décor or electronics that may make your bedroom feel cluttered or chaotic.
4. The bathroom
The bathroom tends to be a clutter hotspot, with toiletries, cosmetics, and medicine often piled up on counters or in drawers.
Sort toiletries and cosmetics: Discard expired makeup, toiletries, or medications. Store the essentials in organisers or baskets to keep counters clear.
Keep counters clear: Try to limit what you leave on the bathroom counter. Only keep daily essentials, and store everything else in drawers or cabinets.
Organise storage: Use small bins or drawer dividers to organise items like hair tools, skincare products, and bathroom cleaning supplies.
5. The Home Office
A cluttered home office can seriously impact productivity. Organising this space is essential if you want to stay focused.
Manage paperwork: Sort through papers, shredding or discarding anything unnecessary. Invest in filing systems or digital storage to keep documents organised.
Declutter your desk: Clear your desk of anything that doesn’t contribute to your workday. Use drawer organisers for office supplies like pens, sticky notes, and chargers.
Tame tech clutter: Organise cords and electronic devices using cord organisers and labelled boxes for tech accessories.
6. The kids’ rooms
Children's rooms are often the hardest to keep tidy, but teaching kids to participate in the decluttering process can help.
Sort toys and clothes: Go through toys, clothes, and school supplies, donating or discarding anything they’ve outgrown.
Involve the children: Encourage kids to help with the process by letting them choose which toys or clothes to donate.
Storage solutions: Use colourful bins, shelves, or labelled drawers to make tidying up fun and easy for kids.
7. The garage/basement/general storage areas
These are the “catch-all” spaces in most homes and are usually the most difficult to declutter.
Tackle storage zones: Begin by sorting through tools, seasonal items, and hobby equipment. Make sure everything has a designated place.
Label and categorise: Use bins and labels to categorise and store items. This will help you easily find what you need without creating new clutter.
Maximise space: Invest in shelving units or pegboards to keep items off the floor and maximise vertical space.
Handling sentimental items
Decluttering sentimental items can be one of the most emotionally challenging parts of the process. Here’s how to handle it:
Decide what to keep: It’s okay to keep some sentimental items, but limit how much space they take up. Ask yourself if the item is truly meaningful or if it's just taking up space.
Creative storage solutions: Consider creating a memory box for items like letters or small keepsakes. For larger items, try taking photos to preserve the memory without holding onto the physical object.
Letting go gracefully: If something no longer serves you, it’s okay to let it go. Remember, the memories don’t reside in the items themselves.
Tips for maintaining a clutter-free home
After decluttering, the key is to maintain your newly organised space.
Daily habits: Spend a few minutes each day tidying up. Simple habits like putting things back where they belong or doing a quick clean-up before bed can prevent clutter from building up.
Regular decluttering sessions: Set aside time once a month or every season for a mini-decluttering session to reassess what you no longer need.
Smart storage: Invest in furniture with built-in storage or multipurpose items to help keep clutter at bay.
Decluttering when moving home
Decluttering before a move is one of the best ways to simplify the packing process and start fresh in your new home. Moving is the perfect opportunity to assess what you truly need and use, allowing you to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose. By sorting through your belongings ahead of time, you’ll not only reduce the number of boxes you need to pack, but you'll also save time, money, and effort on moving day. Plus, you'll arrive at your new home with only the essentials, making it easier to settle in and keep your space organised from the start.
Moving house?
If you’re on your decluttering journey because you’re moving, why not enlist the help of a professional removal firm? We can help pack your items by room and/or items so that all your organisation doesn’t go to waste.
From full to partial packing service, we have a range of services you can tailor to your needs. Plus, if you just can’t part with some of your beloved belongings just yet, then why not utilise our storage solutions.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.
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