Decluttering & Organizing Tips
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Being organized can help reduce stress and anxiety. A cluttered and disorganized space can make it difficult to focus and can lead to feelings of overwhelm. Decluttering and organizing can help you create a peaceful and productive environment, enabling clearer thinking and increased efficiency in your daily tasks. Moreover, decluttering can save you time and money by making it easier to locate items you need and avoiding unnecessary purchases of items you already own but cannot find.
Breaking down the decluttering process into smaller tasks can make it feel less overwhelming and more attainable. Using a schedule or checklist can track the decluttered areas and identify the ones that require attention. Keep in mind, the objective is to establish a more organized and peaceful living space, so avoid rushing and take moments to acknowledge the progress achieved.
Lastly, do not hesitate to part with items that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy, as decluttering plays a vital role in creating a more peaceful and functional living space.
The following tips go along with the 30 Day Declutter & Organize Challenge I created.
Tips
Cleaning Supplies
- Start by Decluttering: Begin by getting rid of expired, empty, or long-unused supplies. Proper disposal is important for safety.
- Categorize Your Supplies: Group your cleaning supplies by type, such as glass cleaners, surface cleaners, and floor cleaners.
- Add Hooks and Organizers: Utilize the inside of cabinet doors by adding hooks for hanging items. Use baskets, caddy’s, under sink organizers and lazy susan’s to organize your cleaning supplies.
Food Pantry
- Remove the Clutter: Start by emptying all of your pantry items. This will allow you to take stock of what you have.
- Check Expiration Dates: Go through your items and discard any that have expired.
- Use Clear Containers: Store dry goods in clear containers so you can easily see what you have and how much is left.
- Group Similar Items Together: Organize your pantry by grouping similar items, such as baking ingredients or snacks, in the same area.
Books
- Gather All Your Books: Collect all your books from around the house into one place. This will give you a clear idea of what you are working with.
- Sort Your Books: Create piles to keep, maybe, and remove.
- Consider Your Space: Only keep as many books that you have space for.
- Organize by Categories: Arrange your books by genre, author, color, or whatever system makes sense to you.
- Digitize: If you’re open to it, consider creating a digital library. E-books take up less physical space and can be a great way to declutter.
- Donate or Sell: Plan where to donate or sell the books you are departing with.
Dining Room
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, sell or throw away. Go through everything in your dining room and decide what box the items will go into.
- Categorize: Group like items you are keeping together. This could mean keeping all table linens in one drawer and all serving utensils in another.
- Use Storage Wisely: Utilize cabinets, buffets, and sideboards to store items neatly. Consider using organizers within drawers for smaller items.
Regular Maintenance
- Keep the Table Clear: The dining table should be kept clear except for a centerpiece or necessary items for dining.
- Create a System: Establish a system for dealing with items that tend to accumulate in the dining room, like mail or school papers. Maybe set up a basket or file organizer nearby to keep these items until they can be properly sorted.
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Desk/Office
- Remove Non-Essentials: Begin by removing items that don’t belong in the office or that you no longer need.
- Categorize Your Items: Group similar items together.
- Digitize Documents: Scan documents and store them digitally to reduce paper clutter. Store them in a secure location like Dropbox or on an external drive.
- Use Storage and Desk Organizers: Invest in shelves, drawers, and organizers. Label them clearly to avoid future clutter.
- Keep Only What You Need: If you haven’t used something in a year, toss it.
- Cables and Cords: Keep your cables and cords tidy with clips, Velcro ties, or cable sleeves to prevent them from becoming a tangled mess and keep them out of sight.
Regular Maintenance
- Weekly Upkeep: Once you’ve decluttered, set aside time each week to maintain the organization.
- Develop New Habits: Make organization a habit. Put things back where they belong after using them, and don’t let papers pile up.
Bedroom Closets
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, sell or throw away. Remove all items from your closet and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
- Categorize and Organize: Sort your clothes and accessories into categories like tops, pants, dresses, and shoes and then by color.
- Use your walls: Install hooks or shelves to utilize wall and ceiling space for storage.
Regular Maintenance
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
- Maintain: Regularly review and reorganize your closet to keep it clutter-free.
Entryway
- Declutter: Remove excess items and sort what’s left into categories. Donate or toss what you no longer need and return misplaced items to their proper places.
- Establish Categories: Determine what essentials you need by the front door, such as keys, sunglasses, wallets, umbrellas, shoes, bags, and personal care items.
- Maximize Wall Space: Install hooks and shelves near the front door for coats and bags.
- Create Hidden Storage: Use an entryway closet or baskets for bulky items, and cubbies or bins for smaller items.
- Utilize a Drop Zone: Have a bench or designated area for items that are frequently used or need to be grabbed on the go.
Linen Closet
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, or throw away. Keep two sets of sheets per bedroom, two to three set of towels per bathroom. Remove all items from your closet and decide what to keep, donate, or discard.
- Storage: Look around your home first for any containers or baskets you can repurpose. Only buy what you need and make sure you can return any unused items.
Regular Maintenance
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Purse/ Backpack
- Empty and Clean: Empty out your bag completely. Use a lint roller or a damp cloth to clean the interior.
- Discard: Throw away any trash. Wrappers, receipts, etc…
- Essentials Only: Carry only what you need. Remove items you rarely use. Avoid carrying multiple items of the same kind.
- Categorize: Group similar items together. Use pouches and pocket organizers.
Regular Maintenance
- Maintenance: Once a week make it a habit to clean out your bag to avoid accumulation of unnecessary items.
- Go Digital: Use your phone for notes and reminders instead of carrying notepads and planners.
Food Storage Container
- Take Inventory: Start by gathering all your containers and lids.
- Group: Group containers by size, shape, or usage.
- Discard Excess: If you have too many containers or ones you never use, it’s time to let them go.
- Create a System: Use dividers, bins, or drawers to separate lids from containers.
- Use Clear Containers: Clear containers allow you to see what’s inside without opening them.
Nightstands
- Declutter First: Begin by removing any trash, unnecessary items, or things that don’t belong on your nightstand.
- Essentials Only: Keep only the items you might need during the night on top of the nightstand.
- Alarm Clock: Save space by using your phone as an alarm clock.
- Create Zones: Designate specific areas for electronics, personal care items, and reading materials.
- Drawer Organizers: Utilize drawer organizers to keep items separated and easy to find.
- Cables and Cords: Keep your cables and cords tidy with clips, Velcro ties, or cable sleeves to prevent them from becoming a tangled mess and keep them out of sight.
- Shelves: If your nightstand is small or nonexistent, consider using shelves or wall-mounted storage solutions to maximize space.
Bedroom Dresser Drawers
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, sell or throw away. Remove all items from your closet and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
- Organize by Category and Color: Sort your clothing into categories, such as T-shirts, pants, undergarments, etc. and then by color.
- Don’t Fold Bulky Items: Bulky items like jeans or sweatshirts can take up a lot of space when folded in a drawer. Consider hanging them in the closet.
- Use Drawer Organizers: For small or easily tangled items, drawer organizers can be very helpful.
- Consider Storage Alternatives: Not everything needs to go back into the dresser.
- Clear Clutter Off the Top: Keep the top of your dresser free from clutter.
Regular Maintenance
- Maintenace: make it a habit to put things back in their designated spot after use or laundry.
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Jewlery/Accessories
- Gather Everything: Start by collecting all your jewelry and accessories in one place.
- Sort by Category: Separate your items into categories such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, etc.
- Assess: Pick up each piece and consider its value to you. Ask yourself if it’s something you wear often, if it has sentimental value, or if it’s time to let it go. Consider creating a capsule collection of pieces that you love and wear regularly.
- Storage: Invest in good storage solutions. Use jewelry boxes, drawer organizers, or wall hangers to keep your items untangled and visible.
Regular Maintenance
- Maintenace: Make it a habit to regularly go through your collection.
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Under Kitchen Sink
- Empty and Clean: Start by removing everything and giving the space a thorough cleaning.
- Declutter: Sort through your items and get rid of anything you no longer need or use.
- Measure the Space: Before buying any organizing products, measure the space to ensure they will fit around any pipes or other obstacles.
- Maximize Vertical Space: Use stackable or freestanding drawers to double your storage space. Add hooks or over-door hangers for additional storage.
- Group Like Items: Keep similar items together in storage bins or baskets.
Junk Drawer
- Emptying the Drawer: Pull everything out of the drawer.
- Toss: Throw away anything you haven’t used or needed in the last year.
- Keep Only What’s Useful: Limit this space to essentials.
- Categorize and Organizers: Use drawer organizers to keep your junk drawer tidy.
Regular Maintenance
- Clutter Free: Clean out the drawer once a month to keep it clutter free.
Kitchen Cabinets
- Plan: Before you begin, have a plan in place. Decide on the zones in your kitchen and what items should go where based on how frequently you use them.
- Empty and Clean: Take everything out of your cabinets. This will give you a clear idea of the volume and help you make decisions. Clean the cabinets thoroughly before putting anything back.
- Categorize Your Items: Group similar items together. For example, keep all your baking supplies in one cabinet and your pots and pans in another. Place items you use most often at eye level and less frequently used items higher up or in harder-to-reach areas.
- Cabinet Organizers: Pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and vertical dividers maximize space and keep things accessible.
- Reduce Plastic Containers: If possible, reduce the number of plastic containers you use. This can help create more space and reduce clutter. (see )
- Get Rid of Non-Essentials: If there are items you haven’t used in a long time, or it’s broken it’s time to let it go.
- Use Organizing Tools: Invest in baskets, bins, or shelf dividers to keep your pantry items neat and accessible.
Regular Maintenance
- Declutter Regularly: Go through your kitchen items periodically and get rid of anything you don’t use, have duplicates of, or that’s broken.
Hall Closet
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, sell or throw away. Remove all items from your closet and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
- Assess and Measure: Before buying any storage containers, measure your closet to ensure a perfect fit.
- Categorize: Group similar items together.
- Add Shelving: If space allows, add extra shelves to maximize vertical storage and keep items neat and organized.
- Back-of-Door Storage: Utilize the back of the door for additional storage options like hooks or over-the-door organizers.
Regular Maintenance
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Mail/Paperwork
- Sort into Categories: Sort your paper clutter into three piles: keep, recycle, and shred.
- Use Files and Binders: Organize your papers using physical and digital files. Create a simple, easy-to-use filing system with labeled folders for different types of documents, such as medical records, taxes, and personal IDs.
- Limit Sentimental items: Be selective about what you keep for sentimental reasons. Digitize what you can and keep only the most important physical copies.
- Designate a Space for Incoming Papers: Have a specific spot for all incoming mail and paper clutter.
- Go Paperless: Opt for digital statements and bills to reduce physical mail. Since most information is available online, recycle physical manuals to free up space.
- Junk Mail: Discourage physical and digital junk mail from cluttering your space and your email box by opting out of mailing lists.
Regular Maintenance
- Daily Mail: Develop the habit of going through your mail every day to prevent accumulation.
- Regular Decluttering: Make it a routine to declutter regularly to manage incoming paperwork, file necessary documents promptly, and discard unnecessary papers to prevent clutter buildup.
Living/Family Room
- Sort and Purge: Gather boxes for items you’ll keep, donate, sell or throw away.
- Follow the 20/20 Declutter Rule: if you can replace something in less than 20 minutes for less than $20, you don’t need to keep it.
Regular Maintenance
- One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
Refrigerator
- Empty Your Fridge: Begin by taking everything out of your refrigerator.
- Map It Out: Plan where each item should go.
- Adjust Shelves: Make the most of your fridge’s adjustable shelving to accommodate items of different sizes and create more space.
- Invest in Organizers: Consider using bins, dividers, or lazy Susans to keep items separated and easily accessible.
- Use Clear Containers: Store your food in clear, reusable containers. This helps you see what’s inside and keeps your fridge looking neat.
Medicine Cabinet
- Empty and Clean: Take everything out of your cabinet. Clean the cabinets thoroughly before putting anything back.
- Check Expiration Dates: Dispose of any medications or products that are expired or no longer needed.
- Categorize: Group like items together, such as pain relievers, cold medications, and first aid supplies.
- Containers and Labels: Consider using small bins or baskets to keep categories of items together. Label these containers for quick identification.
- Maximize Space: Utilize door storage or add extra shelves, if possible, to make the most of the available space.
Regular Maintenance
Maintain: Make it a habit to organize your medicine cabinet every six month.
Board Games
- Purge: Donate or sell games that you no longer play.
- Broken or Missing Pieces: Throw the games away if they are broken or have missing pieces.
- Vertical Storage: store your board games vertically.
- Use Bins and Baskets: For smaller games or loose pieces, use bins or baskets to keep everything together. Label them for easy identification.
Regular Maintenance
- Purge Regularly: Go through your collection periodically and donate or sell games that you no longer play.
Makeup/Skincare/Haircare
- Gather: Start by collecting all your makeup and skincare products in one place.
- Check Expiry Dates: Throw away anything that’s expired.
- Essentials: Identify and set aside the products you use daily.
- Sort by Category: Organize your items into categories. Makeup, skincare, haircare, etc…
- Storage: Invest in good storage.
Regular Maintenance
- Purchasing: There is no need to have multiple black eyeliners. Use the One item in, one items out method: When you bring one new item into your space, you need to remove an existing item.
- Regular Purge: Make it a habit to review your collection periodically. Keep an eye on expiration dates.
Toys
- Observe: Before you start, observe which toys your children actually play with. This will help you identify which toys should be donated or discarded.
- Gather All Toys: Collect all the toys from around the house into one area.
- Sort by Category: Organize toys into categories such as stuffed animals, building toys, art supplies, etc.
- Declutter by Category: Go through each category and decide which toys to keep, donate, or discard.
- Storage: Use clear bins or labeled containers to store toys.
- Rotate Toys: Implement a toy rotation system. This keeps the number of toys in the play area manageable and makes old toys feel new again when they are reintroduced.
Regular Maintenance
- Maintenance: Make decluttering a regular event. Use the one item in, one items out method: When you bring one new toy into your space, you need to remove an existing toy.
Crafts/DIY Supplies
- Plan: Before you begin, decide how and where you want to store your supplies. Consider the space you have and whether you need to declutter other areas to make room for your supplies.
- Sort by Type: As you go through your supplies, sort them into categories. Keep all similar items together, such as pens, markers, brushes, and so on.
- Purge: If you haven’t used something in over a year and you don’t see yourself using it in the near future, let it go.
- Use Clear Storage: Clear plastic containers so you can see what’s inside without having to open each box.
- Label Everything: Once you have everything sorted, label your containers.
- Pegboard: Invest in a pegboard, they are excellent for organizing tools and supplies that you use frequently.
- Craft Cart: A craft cart with wheels can be a versatile addition to your crafting area.
Regular Maintenance
- Maintenance: Once you’ve organized your space, make it a habit to clean up after each crafting session.
Bathrooms
- Decluttering: Start by removing everything from your bathroom storage areas. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, and toss.
- Deep Clean: once everything out, clean the shelves, drawers, and counters before reorganizing.
- Use Organizers: Invest in bathroom organizers that fit your space and needs.
- Categorize Your Items: Group similar items together, such as hair care products, dental products, etc…
Regular Maintenance
- Upkeep: make it a habit to go through your bathroom items regularly to prevent clutter from building up.
Automobile
- Clean Slate: Begin by emptying out your car completely.
- Glove Box Organization: Use a glove box registration and insurance holder to keep critical documents at hand.
- Front Seat Organization: Equip your driver’s side sun visor with an organizer for quick access to items like pens, sunglasses, and earphones.
- Back Seat Organization: Over-the-seat organizers can be great for keeping books, toys, water bottles, snacks, and other essentials tidy and within easy reach.
- Trunk Storage: Use bins or organizers to keep your trunk items in order.
- Emergency Kit: Always have a small first aid kit in the car for emergencies.
- Cable Management: Use cable clips or ties to keep your charging cables organized and tangle-free.
Regular Maintenance
- Regular Cleaning: Maintain the cleanliness of your car by scheduling regular cleaning sessions.
- Trash: Keep a small trash bag or car trashcan to manage litter.
