Clutter has a sneaky way of taking over our living spaces, often without us even realizing it. One day, you may look around and wonder how your home became so crowded with stuff. The problem is that clutter doesn’t just affect the aesthetics of our homes—it can also impact our mental well-being, productivity, and general quality of life.
We have 16 practical tips to outsmart the sneaky clutter that’s trying to take over your space.
1. One In, One Out Rule
One of the easiest ways to prevent clutter from accumulating is to adopt the one in, one out rule. This rule simply states that for every new item you bring into your home, you should remove an old one. The key here is to be consistent and strict with this rule.
For example, if you buy a new pair of shoes, take a moment to look at your shoe collection and decide which pair you’re ready to part with. This ensures that you’re not just adding to your belongings, but also actively making space for new items. The one in, one out rule can be applied to any category of items—clothes, books, kitchen gadgets, toys, and more. It’s a simple but effective strategy to keep your home clutter-free.
2. Set Clear Decluttering Goals
Setting clear and specific decluttering goals can help you stay focused and motivated. Instead of vaguely saying that you want to declutter your home, break it down into smaller, achievable goals.
For instance, you might set a goal to declutter your kitchen cabinets by the end of the week, or to sort through your wardrobe by the end of the month. By breaking it down into smaller tasks, the process of decluttering becomes less overwhelming and more manageable. Remember to be realistic with your goals—decluttering is a process, not a one-time event.
3. Create a Regular Decluttering Schedule
Decluttering is not a once-in-a-blue-moon task. To keep clutter at bay, you need to make decluttering a regular habit. Creating a regular decluttering schedule can be an effective way to ensure that you stay on top of clutter.
Your schedule can be as simple or as detailed as you’d like. You might choose to declutter one room or area of your home each week, or you might decide to spend 15 minutes each day decluttering. Regardless of the specifics, the key is to stick to your schedule and make decluttering a regular part of your routine.
4. Use the Four-Box Method
The four-box method is a popular decluttering technique that can help you make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. To use this method, you’ll need four boxes: one for items to keep, one for items to donate or sell, one for items to toss, and one for items to relocate.
This method forces you to make a decision about each item, rather than just moving things around. It can be particularly helpful when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have and aren’t sure where to start.
5. Don’t Buy Storage Solutions Prematurely
One common mistake people make when trying to declutter is to buy storage solutions before they’ve actually decluttered. While it’s tempting to think that new shelves or bins will solve your clutter problems, they often just provide a place to hide things away.
Instead of buying storage solutions upfront, start by decluttering. Once you’ve pared down your belongings, you’ll have a better idea of what kind of storage you actually need. This approach not only saves you money, but it also ensures that your storage solutions actually contribute to a clutter-free home.
6. Digitize What You Can
In our digital age, there’s often no need to keep physical copies of many items. By digitizing what you can, you can significantly reduce the amount of physical clutter in your home.
For instance, you might choose to digitize your photos, important documents, or old DVDs. This not only frees up physical space, but it also allows you to easily organize and access your items in a way that’s not possible with physical versions.
7. Implement the 12-12-12 Challenge
The 12-12-12 challenge is a fun and effective decluttering method. The challenge involves finding 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper place.
This challenge is a great way to quickly declutter 36 items from your home. It also encourages you to look at your belongings in a new way. You might be surprised to discover how many items you have that are either unused or out of place.
8. Try the Hanger Flip Trick
If you’re struggling to declutter your wardrobe, the hanger flip trick can be a game-changer. The idea is simple: at the beginning of the season, turn all your hangers in one direction. Whenever you wear an item, turn its hanger in the opposite direction.
By the end of the season, you’ll clearly see which clothes you haven’t worn at all. These are potential candidates for decluttering. This trick takes the guesswork out of deciding what clothes to keep and what to get rid of.
9. Use the 20/20 Rule
The 20/20 rule states that if you can replace an item in 20 minutes for $20 or less, you should let it go. This rule is particularly useful for dealing with those “just in case” items that you’re keeping around for the off chance you might need them one day.
By applying the 20/20 rule, you can free up space in your home and reduce the amount of clutter you’re holding onto. It’s a practical guideline that helps you make rational decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.
10. Ask the Right Questions
When decluttering, it’s important to ask yourself the right questions. Instead of simply asking, “Do I like this?”, consider asking more specific questions like, “Do I use this?”, “Does this item bring me joy?”, or “Would I buy this item again today?”
By asking these questions, you can determine whether an item is truly valuable and meaningful to you. This helps you make more objective decisions and prevents you from holding onto items out of guilt or obligation.
11. Use the Box Method
If you’re unsure about whether to keep certain items, try the box method. Put these items in a box and set it aside for a specified amount of time (for example, six months). If you haven’t needed or missed any of the items in the box by the end of that time period, you can feel confident about letting them go.
The box method can be a helpful tool for dealing with items you’re unsure about. It gives you a chance to see whether these items are actually necessary or if you’re just holding onto them out of habit or sentimentality.
12. Start Small
When it comes to decluttering, starting small can make the process feel more manageable. Instead of tackling a whole room at once, start with a single drawer or shelf.
Starting small makes the task of decluttering less overwhelming and allows you to experience success early on. As you make progress, you’ll build momentum and confidence, making it easier to tackle larger areas.
13. Follow the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, states that we typically use 20% of our belongings 80% of the time. This means that many of the items we hold onto “just in case” are rarely, if ever, used.
By focusing on the 20% of items that we use and love most, and letting go of the rest, we can significantly reduce the amount of clutter in our homes. This approach can also help us create a more streamlined and functional living space.
14. Get Family Members Involved
Decluttering shouldn’t be a solo mission—get your family members involved. Not only can this make the process more fun, but it can also teach valuable lessons about the importance of organization and minimalism.
Encourage each family member to take responsibility for decluttering their own space. You can even turn it into a game or challenge, with prizes for the person who declutters the most items or the most creative decluttering solution.
15. Use the 10-Minute Daily Declutter
Making decluttering a daily habit can be a powerful way to keep clutter at bay. Spend just 10 minutes each day decluttering a small area of your home.
You might choose to declutter your junk drawer one day, your kitchen countertops the next, and so on. By spending just a bit of time each day, you can make a big impact over time.
16. Seek Professional Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter and aren’t sure where to start, consider seeking professional help. A professional organizer can provide guidance, support, and practical strategies to help you declutter your home.
While hiring a professional may be an investment, it can be well worth it for the peace of mind and clutter-free space you’ll gain. Plus, the skills and habits you learn can help you maintain a clutter-free home in the long run.
