I know that clutter can be a significant source of stress in our homes, and many of us feel weighed down by items that no longer serve us. While I’ve experienced my own moments of clutter, I understand how overwhelming it can be to decide what to keep and what to let go. The good news is that decluttering doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Over time, I’ve discovered some essential strategies that can help ease the process and make it feel more achievable. If you’re ready to clear out those piles and reclaim your space, here are five tips to guide you along the way.
Decluttering is such an empowering journey, and I’ve seen firsthand how even small changes can make a big difference in how a space feels. I want you to experience that joy too! If you’re looking for a deeper dive, check out my post on How toDeclutter Your House in 7 Easy Steps. It’s a great resource to help you tackle your clutter head-on. But first, let’s jump into my five essential decluttering tips that will help you lighten the load and make your home feel even more like yours.
5 Essential Decluttering Tips
1. Start with Small Projects
The first essential decluttering tip to keep in mind is to start with small decluttering spaces and projects for quick wins.
Never start decluttering with tough, emotional, sentimental stuff.
Instead, start somewhere easier like the bathroom or the kitchen, which rarely holds sentimental items.
Getting these quick wins under your belt in anything, not just decluttering, helps you gain confidence in your abilities and decision-making skills when you’re decluttering.
Start with small projects like a single drawer or a shelf, so when you finish it, you feel like you’ve accomplished something, then move on to the next small space.
Keep doing this until you’ve had several decluttering wins.
And then move on to bigger and harder spaces.
2. When Did You Last Use an Item?
The second decluttering tip is to think about when you last used an item.
When you’re clearing out the clutter in your home, ask yourself when was the last time that you used each item. Think about the last year through all four seasons. Have you used this item in that time?
If you’ve not used it in a year or more, chances are you won’t need it anytime soon and you can safely get rid of it.
3. Forget About “Sunk Costs”
The third tip is to forget about sunk costs.
In economics, sunk costs mean that you’ve spent money on something but you can’t get that money back.
This concept can easily be applied to decluttering too, because it can be very tempting to think about what you spent on something and hold onto it solely because of that.
Instead, you need to think about the value that item will bring to you or take away from you and your life going forward. Is it currently adding to your life because it’s useful or brings you joy, or is it taking away from it because it’s causing you stress?
4. Take Before and After Photos
The fourth tip to make decluttering easier is to take before and after photos.
Much like taking before and after photos of a room makeover, taking before and after photos of a cluttered space motivates and helps you see how far you’ve come.
Seeing those improvements reinforces the quick wins we talked about earlier and helps you to stay motivated to complete the decluttering.
5. Look at Your Space with Fresh Eyes
Tip number five is to examine your space through a new lens, or a different outlook.
If you’re struggling to see where you need to begin cluttering, view your home as a first-time visitor. Make note of where the clutter really stands out or what you first notice.
Or if that doesn’t seem to be helpful, have a trusted friend or family member come over to look at your spaces and help you decide what is cluttered and needs to be cleaned up right now.
FAQs
Start with areas that are quick and easy to tackle, like a single drawer, a bathroom cabinet, or a shelf in the kitchen. These small projects can give you immediate satisfaction and motivate you to continue decluttering.
Before and after photos allow you to visually track your progress and celebrate your achievements. They serve as a powerful reminder of how far you’ve come and can reignite your motivation when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged.
To gain a new perspective, pretend you’re a first-time visitor to your home. Walk through each room and take note of what stands out to you. What feels cluttered or chaotic? This exercise can help you identify problem areas you may have become blind to over time.
Begin with easier, less emotional spaces, like the bathroom or kitchen, where you can quickly see results. Once you’ve gained confidence, move on to more challenging areas, such as bedrooms or sentimental spaces.
More Decluttering Ideas
- How to Start Decluttering When You’re Overwhelmed
- 10 Types of Clutter You Probably Have in Your Home
- How to Declutter Your House in 7 Easy Steps
- The 5 Decluttering Methods
- 5 Essential Tips to Make Decluttering Easier
- How to Declutter Your Home Room-By-Room
- FAQs About Decluttering Your Home
- How to Declutter Sentimental Things
- Get Rid of Paper Clutter Once and For All
- Why is Decluttering Your Home Important?
- 50 Things You Should “Throw Away” Today + Free Printable Checklist
- What Not to Do When Decluttering
- 9 Creative Ways to Easily Declutter Your Home Right Now
- 30 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered
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As you start decluttering, remember this: Begin with the space that will give you a quick win to boost your confidence! If you haven’t used something in a year, it’s time to let it go. Don’t hold onto items just because of their cost—focus on what adds value to your life now. And take those before and after photos—they’re such a great motivator! Finally, look at your space with fresh eyes, like a first-time visitor would. You might be surprised at what you notice.
Do you have any other decluttering tips? Share them below!
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