How to Declutter Your House in 7 Easy Steps

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

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!