Clutter is something we all deal with, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The great thing is that the steps for decluttering are the same no matter where you start—whether it’s a closet, a drawer, or even a glove box. By breaking the process down into simple, manageable steps, you can transform your space into a home you truly love, just like I have. Let’s explore my seven essential tips for decluttering any area of your home!
It’s true. The best way to declutter is to do it one room at a time. It’s also 100% true that the seven steps for decluttering are the same no matter what room or space you’re working on. I call this your Decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S. strategy, using the acronym S.U.C.C.E.S.S to help remind me of the seven steps – and I’m going to teach it to you too.
How to Declutter Anything in 7 Steps – Your Decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Strategy
Start Smart
The first S in your decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S strategy is for Start Smart.
Begin decluttering in a space that will give you the quickest wins with easy decisions and minimal sentimentality.
Ideally, decluttering starting places include areas like the bathroom, pantry, or coat closet where items are generally straightforward to assess, and sentimental attachments are next to nothing.
By starting where you can achieve a quick win, you build yourself up for more success rather than becoming discouraged by any perceived failures.
So, look around your home, maybe even do a walkthrough. In each room, jot down which spaces need decluttering the most, and then choose one to start with that is fairly easy to tackle based on the criteria of a quick win and starting smart.
Unload Your Space
The U in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Unload Your Space.
You want to completely empty the space you’re decluttering. This could be a room, a closet, or a drawer.
If you think you’re going to get overwhelmed easily, start small. Next, remove everything from the area so you can see the entire space and begin with a clean slate.
Things will seem worse when you’ve got all those things in a big pile, but don’t give up. Keep moving.
Categorize Your Things
The first C in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Categorize Your Things.
Once the space is empty, sort through the items you’ve removed and group them together, like with like.
For example, if you’re decluttering a closet or a wardrobe, gather all the tops – t-shirts, tank tops, etc. – in one pile. Put all the bottoms like shorts and pants in another, or even separate those out by category. Put your shoes in another pile.
This step helps you see how much you have of each type of item and makes it easier to identify duplicates or items you don’t need anymore.
Choose What to Keep
The second C in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Choose What to Keep.
Decluttering is not about lack or scarcity, but about creating a space for what matters most in your life.
Ask yourself questions like:
- When was the last time I used this?
- Do I have space for it?
- Do I have more than one of this item?
These questions will help you decide what you should keep.
Eliminate What You Don’t Need
The E in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Eliminate What You Don’t Need.
Choose what to let go of.
Letting go of items that no longer serve you can be challenging, but it’s necessary. Otherwise, you’re just moving your mess around from one place to another, not making your home more clutter-free. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need and value.
Sell, Donate or Trash
The second S in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Sell, Donate, or Trash.
This is where you actually donate or toss the items that you’re parting with.
There are so many places that will take your used items like thrift stores, shelters, and sometimes even churches. Stores like H&M accept clothing, not even necessarily clothing you bought from them, but they take it to be recycled into other clothes. Do a search online for your area and choose your favorite place to donate to.
Don’t let those bags or boxes full of your discarded things sit around in your entryway or your trunk for days. Go and sell, donate, or trash them.
Savor the Peace
The final S in the S.U.C.C.E.S.S strategy for decluttering is Savor the Peace.
Take some time to savor your newly decluttered space, even if it’s just one closet or one drawer. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
FAQs
It’s common to feel unsure about where to begin. Start with a small space, like a single drawer or a countertop. Choose an area that feels manageable and will give you a quick win to build momentum.
Consider what you truly need or love. Ask yourself if you’ve used an item in the last year or if it holds sentimental value. If it doesn’t serve a purpose or bring you joy, it might be time to let it go.
It varies depending on the size of the space and the amount of clutter. Starting small can help you gauge how long it might take. Aim for short, focused sessions to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
You can sell items online, donate them to a local charity, or recycle or throw away anything that’s damaged or no longer usable. Just make sure to follow through and remove them from your space!
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
So, as you dive into decluttering, remember that it’s all about taking it one room, drawer, or space at a time. Following the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. acronym can make the process smoother and more effective:
- Start Smart with a space that feels manageable for a quick win.
- Unload Your Space by clearing it out completely—starting small if you need to.
- Categorize Your Things to see what you have.
- Choose what to keep based on what you truly need or want.
- Eliminate What You Don’t Need.
- Sell, Donate, or Trash those items so they don’t linger in your space any longer.
- Savor the Peace of your newly organized area, even if it’s just a drawer.
Prefer to Watch?
That feeling of accomplishment is what will keep you motivated for your next decluttering session!
How will you apply these tips to your home this week? How is your decluttering going? Let me know in the comments!
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It took my husband and I three years to declutter 35 years of stuff from our house! After my parents and my husband’s mother passed, we inherited the task of getting rid of all THEIR stuff. We both agreed NOT to do this to our kids! We downsized to a smaller house but not before having a decluttering marathon. The first year we had two garage sales and got rid of things we knew had to go. The second year, it was a little harder to make decisions of what we wanted to keep and what to get rid of. The third year, before the move, we again had two garage sales. This time we had to make really hard decisions. My mantra was “we can’t keep everything. Keep the best, get rid of the rest”! If you think your kids want your stuff, they don’t. Our house has been clean and organized for the past three years. Our rule is, if we bring something new into the house, something old has to go. I continue to have garage sales to keep our lives clutter free.
I bet it was hard! But you did the hard work. I’m often a little afraid to tell people that they need to do the work, plain and simple. But often by the time they get to me, they’re feeling run down and defeated already. It’s hard to show tough love. Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad you’ve figured it out!
Decluttering is always the buzzword for January and the start of a new year. I think that it is not only good for your state of mind but also your soul. It just is so satisfying whether you do one little junk drawer or the entire kitchen. I have learned I need to be in the right mood and level of energy to get it done and when the mood strikes there is no stopping me. Yesterday I tackled my jewelery box and brought a bag of unused pieces someone else could use. Tommorow I am going to start on my desk. That will be quite the project.🤗
It does tend to be talked about a lot in January. And yes, I’m the same, I need to be in the right frame of mind to declutter well! 🙂 Good luck with your decluttering!
I love this post, it’s a keeper. Will be applying them. Thanks for sharing
Thank You, Shannon, I enjoy your fine information. I have been going through closets, drawers, cabinets, my garage and hope to tackle my basement, too while staying at home. Sadly, one thing I have noticed is that not much is being thrown away. I do have many items for a sale. Yum, those old cassette tape may be trash worthy.
It is tough! We get very emotionally attached to our things, don’t we?
During our current Stay at Home lifestyle I have been going thru drawers, closets, basement storage room and pantry and decluttering. Some areas I’ve needed to revisit since I had a hard time donating items the first time around. When we travel I like to bring home a piece of pottery or a serving piece or bowl as a remembrance; I love using these pieces as they remind us of places we’ve visited. Paring down these items has been the hardest. Next up – family & travel photos.
Hope you and your family are staying healthy!
Yes! There is definitely some emotional decisions to be made when decluttering! You’ve go this though. You can totally do it!
Like all your ideas!! Please forward your emails to me if you have them. Thanks so much.
Done, lovely! I hope you enjoy them!
Shannon, your comprehensive guide to decluttering is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to simplify their home. As an expert in home organization, I appreciate your practical approach and the emphasis on decluttering to reduce stress and improve quality of life. Your detailed steps and thoughtful FAQs address the common hurdles people face, making the decluttering process more approachable and manageable. This guide is valuable for creating a serene and organized living space.
I’m glad you found it useful!