20 Must-Remove Items to Declutter Your Home Today: A Room-by-Room Guide

Is your home starting to feel a bit too cramped? You’re not alone. Most of us have way more stuff than we need and it’s weighing us down – both physically and mentally. Walking into a cluttered space can instantly spike your stress levels and make it harder to relax in your own home.

Let’s face it: getting rid of things isn’t always easy. But clearing out the unnecessary stuff from your living space can be so freeing. Think of it as giving your home (and your mind) room to breathe. We’ve put together a list of 20 items you can toss right now without missing them. Trust us – you’ll wonder why you kept them for so long in the first place.

Tackling Your Bedroom Clutter

Your bedroom should be a peaceful sanctuary but often becomes a catch-all space for items you’re not sure where to store.

Outdated Clothing and Accessories

Start with your closet and remove clothes you haven’t worn in the past year. Those ill-fitting jeans waiting for “someday” take up valuable space. Toss stretched-out socks missing their pairs orphaned scarves & broken belts. Remove outdated accessories like old costume jewelry faded handbags & worn-out shoes. Let go of clothes that don’t match your current style or lifestyle including formal wear from previous jobs & trendy pieces that no longer suit you. Consider donating these items to local shelters or second-hand stores.

Mismatched Bedding Sets

Clear out those incomplete sheet sets missing pillowcases or fitted sheets. Remove stained faded or torn bedding that you’ve been hanging onto “just in case.” Ditch those mismatched pillowcases that don’t coordinate with any of your current sets. Get rid of heavy winter blankets if you live in a warm climate or seasonal themed bedding you no longer use. Keep only two complete sets per bed: one for use & one for backup.

Old Magazines and Books

Sort through that stack of unread magazines collecting dust on your nightstand. Keep only books you’ll actually read again & donate the rest to your local library. Remove outdated reference materials lifestyle magazines & old catalogs you’ve been holding onto. Let go of books you bought but never finished reading – if you haven’t picked them up in six months you probably won’t. Consider switching to digital subscriptions for magazines you regularly read to prevent future clutter.

Clearing Kitchen Chaos

The kitchen often becomes a magnet for unnecessary items that take up valuable counter and storage space. Let’s tackle the most common kitchen clutter culprits.

Expired Food Items

Start your kitchen declutter by checking expiration dates on everything in your pantry and fridge. Those ancient spice jars from 2019? Toss them. Check condiments lurking in your fridge door freezer items you’ve forgotten about and canned goods hiding in the back of your cabinets. The FDA reports that properly stored canned foods remain safe indefinitely but their nutrition and quality decline after 2-5 years. Don’t forget about those half-empty boxes of pasta or stale crackers that no one’s touching anymore.

Duplicate Kitchen Utensils

Count how many spatulas or wooden spoons you’ve collected over the years. You probably don’t need four vegetable peelers or six serving spoons. Keep your two favorite items from each category and donate the rest. Focus on quality over quantity – one good can opener works better than three cheap ones. Consider this: if you haven’t used that extra whisk or measuring cup set in the last six months you likely won’t miss it.

Chipped Plates and Mugs

Those damaged dishes aren’t just eyesores – they’re potential health hazards. Chips and cracks can harbor bacteria and pose risks of further breakage. Take inventory of your dinnerware and examine each piece carefully. That mug with the broken handle? Time to say goodbye. The plate with the worn pattern and tiny chips? Replace it. The National Sanitation Foundation recommends discarding any dinnerware with deep cracks or chips that could collect food particles.

Organizing Your Bathroom Space

Your bathroom should be a clean sanctuary but often becomes a collection spot for expired products and unnecessary items.

Expired Medications

Start by checking your medicine cabinet for expired prescriptions supplements and over-the-counter medications. Expired meds aren’t just ineffective – they can be dangerous to keep around. Remove any medications that are past their expiration date discolored or showing signs of damage. Don’t just toss them in the trash though. Take them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal or check for medication take-back events in your area. Make sure to document any prescription medications you’re discarding so you can get refills if needed.

Old Makeup and Beauty Products

Beauty products don’t last forever and hanging onto old ones can harm your skin. Check the small symbol on your products showing how many months they’re good for after opening (like 6M or 12M). Mascara should go after 3 months while foundations typically last 6-12 months. Toss any products that have changed color texture or smell. Get rid of those free samples you’ll never use dried-out nail polishes and half-empty bottles of hair products you didn’t love. Your skin will thank you for using fresh products.

Excess Towels and Linens

You really don’t need 20 towels for a household of four. Keep two bath towels per person plus a few extras for guests. Sort through your collection and remove any towels that are frayed stained or have lost their absorbency. The same goes for washcloths and hand towels – keep only what you regularly use. Donate clean usable towels to animal shelters where they’re always needed. For the ones that are too worn out use them as cleaning rags or drop them off at textile recycling centers.

Managing Living Room Items

Your living room should be a welcoming space for relaxation and entertainment. Let’s tackle some common clutter culprits in this high-traffic area.

Unused Electronics and Cords

Take a look at those tangled cords behind your entertainment center. You’ll likely find charging cables for devices you no longer own or outdated tech accessories gathering dust. Remove any cords that don’t match your current devices. Next check your drawers for old remotes phones tablets or gaming consoles you haven’t used in months. If you haven’t powered up these gadgets in the past year it’s time to recycle them properly. Many electronics stores offer free recycling programs or you can donate working devices to local charities.

Old DVDs and CDs

In today’s streaming era your collection of DVDs and CDs might be taking up valuable shelf space. Start by removing any discs with visible scratches or damage. Sort through your collection and keep only special editions or titles unavailable on streaming platforms. Consider digitizing your favorite albums then donate the physical copies to your local library or second-hand store. For damaged discs look for specialty recycling programs that handle optical media.

Decorative Items That No Longer Spark Joy

Walk through your living room and identify decor pieces that don’t match your current style. Remove seasonal items that should be in storage and outdated family photos that need updating. Look for dusty artificial plants faded throw pillows or worn-out candles that have seen better days. Consider keeping only the decorative pieces that truly bring you joy or serve a purpose. Donate good-condition items to thrift stores or gift them to friends who might appreciate your old style.

Decluttering Your Home Office

Your home office should be a productive space but it’s often a magnet for unnecessary items that slow you down.

Obsolete Paperwork

Start by tackling those mountains of old papers cluttering your desk and drawers. Shred or recycle outdated bills utility statements and bank statements that are over seven years old. Scan important documents you need to keep and store them digitally in a secure cloud service. Get rid of instruction manuals for items you no longer own user guides you can find online and old newsletters or magazines you’ll never read again. Remember to properly dispose of anything with sensitive information using a cross-cut shredder.

Broken Office Supplies

Let’s be honest – you don’t need that collection of dried-out markers and broken pencils. Toss any pens that don’t write staplers that jam and scissors that won’t cut cleanly anymore. Clear out those old rubber bands that have lost their stretch paper clips that are bent or rusty and folders with broken tabs. Don’t forget to check your desk drawer for broken tape dispensers calculator with missing buttons and that hole punch that’s been jammed since 2019.

Outdated Technology

It’s time to deal with those old electronics gathering dust in your office corner. Recycle or donate that printer that’s incompatible with your current computer old charging cables that don’t fit any of your devices and obsolete software CDs. Let go of outdated external hard drives ancient USB drives and those mysterious adapters you can’t remember buying. Check with local electronics recycling centers to properly dispose of old monitors keyboards and other tech items that no longer serve a purpose in your workspace.

Addressing Storage Areas

Storage spaces often become catch-all areas for items we think we’ll need someday but rarely use. Let’s tackle these hidden clutter zones with purpose.

Empty Boxes and Shopping Bags

Start clearing out those empty boxes you’ve been hoarding from electronics gadgets or online shopping. Keep only a few sturdy boxes for moving or storage needs. Those fancy shopping bags you’re saving for “something special” should go too – limit yourself to 2-3 quality bags for future use. Paper bags can go straight to recycling unless you use them for composting. If you haven’t used a box or bag in 6 months you probably won’t need it. Pro tip: Break down and recycle cardboard boxes immediately after unpacking to prevent accumulation.

Old Paint Cans and Tools

Check those dusty paint cans in your garage or basement. If they’re over 2 years old or have been frozen they’re likely unusable. For partial cans mix them with cat litter to dry them out then dispose properly. Examine your tool collection too – toss any rusty duplicate or broken tools. Keep one quality version of each tool you actually use. That collection of “just in case” screwdrivers can be donated to a local school or charity workshop. Remember: working tools you haven’t touched in 3 years should find new homes.

Forgotten Holiday Decorations

Time to sort through those tangled lights and broken ornaments taking up precious storage space. Dump any holiday lights that don’t work – they’ll never magically fix themselves. Toss cracked ornaments faded wreaths or decor that’s seriously outdated. Keep only decorations you’ve displayed in the last 2 holiday seasons. Those themed items from holidays you no longer celebrate can go too. Consider donating good-condition items to thrift stores in their respective pre-holiday seasons when demand is highest.

Eliminating Garage Buildup

Your garage should be a functional space for your car and essential tools but it often becomes a dumping ground for forgotten items.

Outgrown Sports Equipment

Let’s face it – those dusty tennis rackets and golf clubs aren’t magically going to make you a sports star. Check your garage for outgrown or unused sports gear like old bicycles skateboards or exercise equipment. If your kids have outgrown their sports gear donate it to local youth programs or schools. That treadmill you bought during your New Year’s resolution phase? If you haven’t used it in the past year it’s time to sell it online or give it to someone who’ll actually make those miles count.

Broken Outdoor Items

Those broken lawn chairs and rusty garden tools aren’t fixing themselves. Toss out damaged planters cracked hoses and broken sprinklers that you’ve been meaning to repair. Check your collection of plastic flowerpots and only keep the ones you’ll actually use next spring. That wobbly wheelbarrow with a flat tire? If you haven’t fixed it by now you probably won’t – time to let it go and free up valuable garage space.

Unused Car Accessories

Your garage is probably hiding car items you forgot you owned. Clear out those old floor mats windshield wipers and air fresheners that don’t fit your current vehicle. Ditch outdated GPS devices since your phone already handles navigation better. Sort through partial bottles of motor oil windshield washer fluid and other car maintenance supplies – keep only what’s fresh and properly dispose of the rest at your local auto parts store.

Making Smart Decluttering Decisions

To make your decluttering journey successful you’ll need a clear strategy and consistent approach.

Setting Up a Sorting System

Create three distinct zones in your decluttering space: keep donate & toss. Put a large box or bin in each zone to make sorting easier. Use the “90-day rule” – if you haven’t used something in the past three months it probably needs to go. Label your boxes clearly and keep a trash bag handy for items that can’t be donated. Make quick decisions by asking yourself “Would I buy this again today?” or “Does this add value to my life?” Remember the one-in-one-out rule: for every new item you bring home remove an old one.

Establishing Disposal Methods

Set up specific disposal routes for different types of items. Schedule donation pickups from local charities for furniture and larger items. Find electronics recycling centers for old devices & batteries. Use Facebook Marketplace or local Buy Nothing groups for items still in good condition. Keep a list of nearby donation centers with their accepted items & hours. Schedule monthly trips to drop off donations so they don’t pile up. Consider consignment shops for valuable items like designer clothes or antiques.

Creating Maintenance Habits

Dedicate 15 minutes daily to quick decluttering sessions in different areas of your home. Do a weekly sweep of common clutter spots like countertops & entryways. Set calendar reminders for seasonal cleanouts of closets & storage spaces. Create a donation station in your home where you can place items throughout the week. Empty your donation box monthly to prevent it from becoming overwhelming. Make decluttering part of your daily routine like checking mail or doing dishes.

Conclusion: Maintaining Your Clutter-Free Space

Now that you’ve cleared the clutter it’s time to keep your space organized. Set aside 10 minutes each day to put things back where they belong. Create a “one in one out” rule when bringing new items home. Remember decluttering isn’t a one-time task but a lifestyle change that’ll help you maintain a peaceful living space.