We all know how it feels to have a cluttered home. The mess can be overwhelming, and it seems like there’s never enough time to get everything in order. But what if decluttering could actually give you more time? Time to spend with your family, time to relax, time to do the things you love.
This isn’t just a fantasy – with the right decluttering moves, you can create a more organized home and free up your schedule for more important things. Here are 19 decluttering tips that will help you spend more quality time with your loved ones.
1. Start with a Family Meeting
Before you begin decluttering, it’s important to get everyone on board. Hold a family meeting and explain why you want to declutter the house. Make sure everyone understands the benefits – more family time, less stress, and a more organized home.
Set some goals together and create a plan. This could include specific tasks for each family member and deadlines for each room or area of the house. Remember to make the process fun and rewarding. For example, you could have a competition to see who can declutter their room the fastest, or reward everyone with a family outing once the decluttering is finished.
2. Declutter in Small Chunks
Don’t try to declutter your entire house in one day. That’s a surefire way to get overwhelmed and give up. Instead, tackle one room or area at a time.
Start with the easiest areas first to build momentum. This could be a bathroom, a closet, or a kitchen drawer. Spend 15-30 minutes each day decluttering. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make in a short amount of time.
3. Use the Four Box Method
The Four Box Method is a popular decluttering technique. You’ll need four boxes (or bags) labeled: Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. As you go through each item in your house, decide which box it belongs in.
The Keep box is for items that you use regularly and love. The Donate box is for items that are still in good condition but that you no longer need or want. The Trash box is for items that are broken or worn out. The Relocate box is for items that belong in a different room or area of the house.
4. Create a “Maybe” Box
Sometimes it’s hard to decide whether to keep an item or let it go. That’s where the “Maybe” box comes in. If you’re unsure about an item, put it in the “Maybe” box. After a month, if you haven’t needed or missed the item, it’s probably safe to let it go.
This technique can help you declutter without feeling like you’re making rash decisions. It gives you time to think about each item and make a decision that feels right for you.
5. Make a Home for Every Item
One of the keys to a clutter-free home is having a place for everything. When every item has a designated spot, it’s much easier to keep things tidy.
Spend some time thinking about the best place for each item. Keep items that you use frequently in easy-to-reach places. Store items that you use less often in harder-to-reach places. And remember, the best place for an item might not be where it’s currently stored.
6. Use Storage Solutions Wisely
It’s easy to think that buying more storage solutions will solve your clutter problem. But the truth is, if you have too much stuff, no amount of storage solutions will help.
Instead of buying more storage, focus on getting rid of items you don’t need. Once you’ve decluttered, then you can assess whether you need any additional storage. And remember, the best storage solutions are ones that make it easy to see and access your items.
7. Set Limits
Setting limits can be a powerful decluttering tool. For example, you could decide to only have a certain number of items in each category. If you have more items than your limit allows, you’ll need to get rid of some.
This technique can help you be more mindful about what you bring into your home. It forces you to make conscious decisions about what you really need and want.
8. Use the One-In, One-Out Rule
The One-In, One-Out Rule is a simple but effective decluttering technique. Every time you bring a new item into your home, you have to get rid of an old one.
This rule can help you maintain a clutter-free home over time. It prevents accumulation of stuff and encourages you to be more thoughtful about your purchases.
9. Get Rid of Duplicates
Do you really need five black sweaters or three sets of measuring cups? Probably not. One easy way to declutter is to get rid of duplicates.
Go through your house and look for duplicate items. Choose the best one to keep and get rid of the rest. This can free up a lot of space in your home.
10. Declutter Your Digital Life
Decluttering isn’t just about physical items. It’s also about digital clutter. Too many emails, files, and apps can be just as overwhelming as too many physical items.
Spend some time decluttering your digital life. Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read. Delete files you no longer need. And get rid of apps you don’t use. This can free up a lot of mental space and make you feel more organized.
11. Make Decluttering a Habit
Decluttering isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process. To maintain a clutter-free home, you need to make decluttering a habit.
Spend a few minutes each day decluttering. This could be as simple as putting items away after you use them, or going through a drawer or closet to get rid of items you no longer need.
12. Include Your Children
Decluttering can be a great learning experience for children. It teaches them about organization, decision-making, and letting go.
Include your children in the decluttering process. Let them make decisions about their own items. And use the opportunity to talk to them about the importance of having a tidy and organized home.
13. Sell, Donate, or Recycle Unwanted Items
Don’t just throw away unwanted items. Consider selling, donating, or recycling them instead.
Selling items can be a great way to make some extra money. Donating items can help those in need. And recycling items can be better for the environment. Whatever you choose, just make sure the items leave your house as soon as possible.
14. Celebrate Your Successes
Decluttering can be a challenging process. That’s why it’s important to celebrate your successes along the way.
After you finish decluttering an area, take a moment to appreciate your hard work. Take a picture. Tell someone about it. Or reward yourself with a treat. Whatever you do, make sure to acknowledge your progress.
15. Create a Maintenance Plan
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s important to create a maintenance plan to keep your home clutter-free.
This could include daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. For example, you could spend 15 minutes each day tidying up, do a deeper clean each week, and go through each room once a month to get rid of any unwanted items that have accumulated.
16. Keep Decluttering Fun
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore. There are many ways to make it fun.
You could listen to music or a podcast while you declutter. You could make it a game with your family. Or you could challenge yourself to see how quickly you can declutter a certain area. Whatever you do, try to make the process enjoyable.
17. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
Remember, decluttering is a process. You won’t get rid of all your clutter overnight. And that’s okay.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t make as much progress as you hoped. Every little bit counts. And the important thing is that you’re making an effort to create a more organized and peaceful home.
18. Stay Focused on the Benefits
When decluttering gets tough, stay focused on the benefits. Remember why you’re doing this – to have more family time, less stress, and a more organized home.
Keep a list of these benefits somewhere you can see it. And remind yourself of them whenever you need a boost of motivation.
19. Don’t Rush the Process
Finally, remember that decluttering isn’t a race. It’s not about how quickly you can get rid of your stuff. It’s about making thoughtful decisions about what to keep and what to let go.
Take your time. Enjoy the process. And remember, the goal isn’t to have a perfect home. It’s to have a home that feels peaceful, organized, and full of things you love.