10 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide (2025)

Does your home feel like it’s bursting at the seams with stuff? You’re not alone. Most of us struggle with clutter that builds up over time making our living spaces feel cramped and chaotic. But don’t worry – getting your home organized isn’t as hard as you might think.

Living in a tidy space does wonders for your mental health and productivity. When you know where everything belongs and can find what you need quickly you’ll feel more relaxed and in control. A clutter-free home also means less time spent cleaning and organizing in the long run.

Want to transform your cluttered space into an organized oasis? We’ve broken down the decluttering process into 10 simple steps that’ll help you tackle the mess without feeling overwhelmed. These practical tips will guide you through organizing your home room by room.

Starting Your Decluttering Journey: A Room-by-Room Strategy

Breaking down your decluttering project into manageable sections helps prevent overwhelm and ensures steady progress.

Creating a Timeline and Schedule

Set realistic goals by dividing your home into zones you can tackle in 30-minute sessions. Start with a simple weekly schedule:

• Dedicate 2-3 specific days each week for decluttering
• Choose times when you’re most energetic (morning or evening)
• Allow 1-2 weeks per room depending on size
• Schedule harder tasks (garage attic basement) for weekends
• Mark completion dates on your calendar or phone

Create a priority list of rooms starting with:

1. Most-used spaces (kitchen living room)
2. Quick-win areas (entryway bathroom)
3. Storage spaces (closets cabinets)
4. Seasonal spaces (garage attic)

Gathering Essential Supplies

Stock up on these must-have items before you begin:

• Clear storage bins (3 sizes) for sorting items
• Trash bags (heavy-duty black for garbage white for donations)
• Labels markers for organizing boxes
• Cleaning supplies (all-purpose cleaner paper towels)
• Storage solutions:
• Clear containers
• Drawer dividers
• Shelf organizers
• Hanging systems

Keep a “decluttering kit” ready with:

• Box cutter
• Measuring tape
• Sticky notes
• Sanitizing wipes
• Work gloves
• Basic tool set

Remember to store your supplies in a portable caddy for easy room-to-room transport.

Clearing Out the Entryway and Living Room

Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home while your living room serves as the primary gathering space so keeping these areas clutter-free is essential for maintaining an organized home.

Organizing Shoes and Coats

Start by removing every item from your coat closet and entryway area. Sort shoes into three piles: keep wear often keep seasonal and donate/discard. Install a shoe rack that fits your space such as an over-the-door organizer tiered shelf or boot tray. For coats apply the same three-pile system keeping only items you’ve worn in the past year. Add hooks at different heights to maximize vertical storage space and make it easier for everyone including kids to hang up their belongings. Consider adding a small bench with built-in storage for seasonal items like gloves and scarves.

Tackling Entertainment Centers

Begin by unplugging all electronics and removing everything from your entertainment center. Sort through your media collection discarding scratched DVDs outdated gaming consoles and unused cables. Use cable ties or cord organizers to manage wires and prevent tangling. Store frequently used items like remotes in decorative boxes or baskets within arm’s reach. Convert physical media to digital formats where possible to reduce clutter. Install a floating shelf or wall-mounted unit to create more floor space. Keep only current gaming consoles and accessories storing extra controllers in labeled drawers. Consider a media cabinet with doors to hide electronics and maintain a clean look.

Transforming Your Kitchen Space

Your kitchen deserves special attention as it’s one of the busiest areas in your home where clutter can quickly accumulate and impact your daily routine.

Sorting Through Cabinets and Drawers

Start by emptying one cabinet or drawer at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remove everything and wipe down the inside surfaces before sorting items into three piles: keep use frequently keep but store elsewhere and donate/discard. Check expiration dates on food items spices and supplements tossing anything that’s expired. Group similar items together like baking supplies cooking utensils or food storage containers. Test all container lids and recycle any that don’t have matches. Consider using drawer organizers shelf risers or lazy Susans to maximize space and keep items easily accessible. Donate duplicate utensils appliances you rarely use and mismatched containers to free up valuable storage space.

Decluttering Countertops

Transform your countertops into functional workspace by following the “keep clear” rule. Remove everything from your counters and only return items you use daily such as your coffee maker or knife block. Find homes inside cabinets for appliances you use weekly or monthly. Create designated zones for different activities like food prep coffee station and baking area. Use vertical space with mounted magnetic knife strips wall-mounted spice racks or hanging fruit baskets. Store paper towels under cabinets and install a charging drawer for electronics that typically clutter counters. Consider a decorative tray to corral cooking essentials like oil salt and pepper keeping them contained while looking intentional.

Reclaiming Your Bedroom Sanctuary

Your bedroom should be a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and recharge. Let’s transform this space into the serene sanctuary you deserve.

Managing Clothing and Accessories

Start by emptying your closet and dresser drawers completely. Sort your clothes into four piles: keep daily wear rotate seasonal items donate and discard. Follow the six-month rule – if you haven’t worn it in six months (excluding seasonal items) let it go. Use matching hangers to create a uniform look and organize clothes by category then color. For accessories group similar items together using drawer dividers or small boxes. Store frequently worn jewelry in a dedicated dish or organizer on your dresser. Remember to assess your shoes too – keep only pairs you regularly wear and store special occasion footwear in clear boxes with labels.

Organizing Storage Solutions

Make the most of your bedroom space with smart storage solutions. Install shelf dividers in your closet to prevent stacked items from toppling over. Use under-bed storage containers with wheels for off-season clothes or extra bedding. Maximize vertical space with over-the-door organizers for scarves belts or shoes. Add hooks to the back of your bedroom door for robes and frequently worn items. Install floating shelves for books and decorative items to keep your nightstand clutter-free. Consider investing in a bed frame with built-in drawers or vacuum-seal bags for bulky items like winter coats. Label storage containers clearly so you can easily find what you need.

Conquering Bathroom Clutter

Transform your cluttered bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary with these practical organization strategies.

Sorting Through Products

Start by removing everything from your cabinets drawers and countertops. Group similar items together: skincare dental care hair products medications and cleaning supplies. Check expiration dates on medications cosmetics and skincare items tossing anything that’s expired or hasn’t been used in 6 months.

Create a “daily essentials” collection for items you use every morning like toothpaste deodorant and face wash. Store occasional-use items like special occasion makeup or first aid supplies in separate containers. Keep only one of each product open at a time storing backups in a designated spot.

Consider travel-size options for guests and consolidate half-empty bottles of similar products. Label containers clearly and set up a quarterly reminder to review products ensuring nothing expires unnoticed.

Maximizing Storage Space

Install floating shelves above the toilet or towel rack for additional vertical storage. Use clear stackable containers with labels to organize smaller items keeping frequently used products at eye level. Add over-the-door hooks or an organizer for towels robes and hair tools.

Maximize under-sink space with pull-out drawers or stackable bins. Use drawer dividers to separate small items like hair ties makeup and dental products. Mount magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for metal items like tweezers nail clippers and bobby pins.

Invest in shower caddies or corner shelves for bathing essentials. Use vacuum-sealed bags for extra towels and seasonal items stored under the sink. Consider a medicine cabinet with adjustable shelves to customize storage based on product heights.

Organizing Home Office and Paperwork

Your home office can quickly become a paper trap that creates stress and wastes time. Here’s how to transform it into an efficient workspace that keeps you productive and organized.

Creating Digital Storage Systems

Start your paperwork declutter by going digital with a simple scanning system. Use your smartphone’s camera or a compact scanner to digitize documents then organize them into clearly labeled folders on your computer or cloud storage. Create folders like “Tax Documents” “Medical Records” and “Receipts” to make finding files quick and easy. Set up automated backups to protect your digital files and use secure password protection for sensitive information. Consider apps like Evernote or Google Drive to access your documents from any device. Pro tip: Create a consistent naming system for your files (date-topic-type) to make searching faster.

Filing Important Documents

Set up a three-tier filing system for your remaining physical papers: active current monthly bills immediate action items and long-term storage. Use a small desktop filing box for documents you need regularly and a larger filing cabinet for less-accessed papers. Label folders clearly with categories like “Insurance” “Vehicle Documents” and “House Records.” Keep only the most recent versions of paperwork and shred outdated items. Create an “action folder” for items needing immediate attention and place it where you’ll see it daily. Use hanging folders with color-coded tabs to make finding documents quick and maintain a “pending” folder for items awaiting response.

Decluttering Children’s Spaces

Transforming your kids’ spaces from chaotic to organized requires a systematic approach that balances fun with functionality.

Sorting Toys and Games

Start by gathering all toys and games in one area to assess what you’re working with. Create three distinct piles: keep favorite items rotate out less-used toys and donate or discard broken pieces. Get your kids involved by asking them to pick their top 10 most-loved toys which should stay in easy reach. Use clear labeled bins storage cubes or floating shelves to organize the “keep” items by category such as building blocks action figures or art supplies. Install low shelves or bins so your children can easily access and return items independently. Consider using picture labels for younger kids who can’t read yet making it easier for them to maintain the organization system.

Rotating Seasonal Items

Set up a simple rotation system using clear storage bins for out-of-season items like winter toys summer sports equipment or holiday-themed games. Store these bins in a basement garage or closet shelf clearly labeled with contents and season. Swap out toys every 3-4 months to keep playtime fresh and exciting for your kids. This rotation method helps prevent toy overwhelm reduces daily clutter and makes old toys feel new again when they’re reintroduced. Keep a calendar reminder to switch out seasonal items and use this opportunity to assess if anything needs repair or should be donated. Remember to involve your children in the rotation process explaining why certain toys are being stored and when they’ll see them again.

Making Sense of Storage Areas

Storage areas often become the final destination for items we’re unsure about keeping or organizing. Let’s tackle these challenging spaces systematically.

Basement Organization

Start your basement transformation by creating clear pathways and zones. Invest in sturdy plastic shelving units and stack clear storage bins to keep items off the floor. Label each container with its contents and create a simple inventory system on your phone. Group similar items together such as holiday decorations tools camping gear and seasonal clothing. Install proper lighting to eliminate dark corners that tend to collect clutter. Consider using vacuum storage bags for fabric items to protect them from moisture and pests. Remember to check your basement twice yearly for any water damage or items that need to be rotated or discarded.

Garage Clean-Up

Transform your garage into a functional space by starting with a complete cleanout of all items. Install wall-mounted storage systems and hooks to maximize vertical space and keep tools equipment and sports gear off the floor. Create designated zones for different categories: gardening supplies automotive items sports equipment and workshop tools. Use ceiling-mounted racks for seasonal items like holiday decorations or camping gear. Add pegboards for frequently used tools and clear plastic bins for smaller items. Keep your car’s parking space clear by marking it with tape on the floor. Remember to store hazardous materials like paint and chemicals safely in locked cabinets above ground level.

Implementing a Donation Strategy

Transform your decluttering efforts into meaningful contributions by creating an effective donation plan that benefits both you and your community.

Deciding What to Keep

Start your donation process by using the 12-month rule: if you haven’t used an item in the past year it’s probably time to let it go. Ask yourself key questions about each item like “Does this serve a purpose?” “When did I last use it?” and “Would someone else benefit more from this?” Focus on keeping items that you regularly use need or truly love. Create three distinct piles: keep donate and trash using sticky notes or designated areas in your space. Be honest with yourself about clothing that no longer fits kitchen gadgets you never use and duplicate items taking up valuable space.

Finding Donation Centers

Research local donation centers that align with your items and values. Check organizations like Goodwill Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity ReStore for furniture clothing and household goods. Look for specialized centers that accept specific items:

• Women’s shelters for professional clothing and accessories
• Schools for art supplies and educational materials
• Animal shelters for old towels and blankets
• Local libraries for books and magazines
• Churches for clothing and household essentials

Call ahead to verify current donation policies and arrange pickup services for larger items. Many centers offer tax receipts so remember to keep records of your donations for potential deductions.

Maintaining Your Clutter-Free Home

1. Set up a daily 10-minute tidying routine

Take 10 minutes each evening to put things back where they belong. Reset your living spaces daily to prevent clutter from building up.

1. Follow the one-in-one-out rule

When you buy something new, remove a similar item. This simple habit helps maintain your decluttered spaces without accumulating excess stuff.

1. Create drop zones

Designate spots near entrances for keys wallets & mail. These organized catch-all areas prevent items from spreading throughout your home.

1. Schedule monthly check-ins

Mark your calendar for a quick monthly declutter session. Focus on problem areas like kitchen counters desktops & bathroom cabinets.

1. Use the “handle it once” principle

Deal with items immediately instead of setting them aside for later. Put away groceries right after shopping & file papers when you receive them.

1. Keep flat surfaces clear

Make it a habit to keep tables countertops & other flat surfaces 80% clear. This prevents them from becoming clutter magnets.

1. Maintain organization systems

Stick to your labeled storage solutions & filing systems. Return items to their designated spots after each use.

1. Do regular donation runs

Keep a donation box in your closet & schedule monthly drop-offs. This prevents unwanted items from piling up.

1. Practice mindful purchasing

Ask yourself if you really need new items before buying. Wait 24 hours before making non-essential purchases.

1. Reset rooms before bedtime

Spend 2 minutes in each room before bed returning items to their proper places. You’ll wake up to a tidy space every morning.