How To Declutter Your Home... FOR GOOD

Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in February 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2026.

It's time to declutter. Although really, I should wait until Monday. Oh wait, I've had a busy day, and I'm too tired to declutter. It'll have to wait until the weekend. Well, it's the weekend now, and I'm busy... maybe another time.

Does this sound like you? It certainly sounds like me.

I'm a magpie; I love to collect things, and suddenly, out of nowhere, my cupboards are bursting with items I really don't need. It's time to face the music and get started. The clutter won't clear itself; it's time to declutter, and this time, for good.

Today, I'll show you how to declutter your home step by step without making it even messier. We'll start with some quick wins so you can clear visible clutter and see a difference right away.

From there, we'll tackle the things that are harder to let go of, organise what's left, and put simple systems in place to stop the clutter creeping back. 

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Why you need to declutter with a plan

Don't suddenly launch into a ferocious whirlwind of sorting. You'll end up with a messy floor that's covered in piles of stuff, and soon you won't be able to find a way out. Instead of getting in a tizzy, take some time to write out a solid declutter plan.

1. Work out which parts of your home need a declutter

It's not just your living room, kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom that might need decluttering. Think of all those secret messy places you need to investigate.

• Junk drawer
• Computer
• Toiletries
• Linen cupboard
• Medicine cupboard
• Keepsakes
• Crafts
• Toy box

Once you've established the problematic areas in the home, you can begin.

2. How to work out a decluttering goal

Whether your bedroom wardrobe is so cluttered you can't see one item of clothing from the next, or your spare room has become a dumping ground for everything from mini trampolines to old make-up... you've had enough. It's time to work out what you want to achieve with a declutter.

Perhaps your goal is one of the following:

• I want to let go of 15 clothing items to free up space in my wardrobe.
• I want to declutter my garage and let go of 5 boxes of junk.
• I want two clean kitchen surfaces so I can prepare food on them.

Identifying a real, specific, measurable goal will help you reach your target. Decide your goal, and then write your plan accordingly.

3. Why you should write a declutter list

Now that you've ascertained a goal, it's time to write out your targets. If you want a decluttered kitchen, list every task.

These could include sorting out:

• Utensil drawer
• Checking the herb & spice rack (you might be shocked!)
• Downsizing linens
• Decluttering plates/bowls
• Clearing out unnecessary appliances

The list will be satisfying to tick off, and you can make sure that you've completed everything.

4. Pick the day

You don't need to set aside an entire day to declutter your home. Trying to do too much at once can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Instead, choose a manageable area and set aside enough time to finish it properly. You might spend an hour clearing a cupboard or an afternoon tackling a bedroom.

The important thing is to make progress without leaving yourself with an even bigger mess!

Declutter Day has arrived!

1. Set out containers

Start by choosing one manageable area. Keep your rubbish, recycling, and donation containers nearby, along with a laundry basket for anything that belongs elsewhere. This way, you won't create an even bigger mess as you declutter.

As you work through your belongings, put everything straight into the right container instead of creating piles across the floor.

If you find something you'd like to sell, set it aside in a designated box. For anything you're genuinely unsure about, use a small 'maybe box' that you can revisit later.

This way, you can stop at any point without leaving your room in chaos.

2. Brief the troops

Are you and your family decluttering together? If so, make sure everyone knows about your targets and goals.

If you need to, enlist a friend to help you go through your items. An outsider won't have the same emotional connection to your clutter, but will still know when something should be kept.

3. Start with easy clutter

If you're putting off decluttering, start with the things you can get rid of without thinking twice. Look for empty packaging, unwanted post, used-up products, and broken items you know you won't repair.

Try not to get distracted by cleaning, washing up or doing the laundry. One job can easily turn into three!

Clearing the obvious clutter first gives you a quick win and makes the rest of the room feel more manageable.

4. Rehome out-of-place items

Not everything that's cluttering up your home needs to be thrown away. Some things simply belong somewhere else!

Gather up dirty plates, mugs, laundry, chargers and anything else that's ended up in the wrong room.

Rather than returning each item immediately, put it in the laundry basket you grabbed earlier. Put everything back where it belongs once you've finished decluttering the room.

5. Clear visible clutter

If you want to see a difference quickly, focus on one area you use every day. It might be a kitchen worktop, dining table, coffee table or that bedroom chair that's become a dumping ground.

Clear one surface completely before moving on to the next. Stick to easy decisions for now and leave anything you're unsure about until later.

One completely clear surface is much more satisfying than five half-decluttered areas!

6. Go through every item

Now the fun part. It's time to go through the area you want to declutter. If friends and family are helping, make sure they know your goals.

Throw away or recycle old magazines, leaflets, and unopened mail. It can all build up. The good thing about it is most of it is recyclable. Get rid of expired food and items on the verge of falling apart. Be ruthless.

Donate items that still serve a purpose but that you never touch. If you don't want it, someone else might. Give your old belongings to a charity shop or Freecycle. You will be helping people.

Sell items that are too good to give away. Why not sell on eBay, at a car boot sale, or look at Facebook selling groups in your area? There are so many ways to sell items online these days that you won't have trouble. If it's good enough, people will come and pick it up, so you won't even have to leave the house.

Undecided items are those things that you may truly not know what to do with. Don't fret - I won't force you to get rid of them! I'll share a little decluttering secret for these special items...

If you're genuinely unsure whether to keep something, try a maybe box: put it in a small 'maybe box' and keep

 decluttering.

Come back to it with fresh eyes once you've finished the easier decisions. If you're still unsure, date the box and decide when you'll review it.

Just don't let it become permanent storage for things you haven't decided on!

7. Think about your clutter

Do I need these items? No... I think not.

While it takes time, thinking carefully about each item will help you in the long run.

Ask yourself the following questions repeatedly: 'When did I last use this?' 'Will I use this again?' 'Is this item useful?' - it will help you to decide and commit to your decision.

8. Repeat these mantras in your head

• I will not keep something out of guilt or obligation.
• I am not afraid to let go.

These mantras will help you realise that getting rid of an item doesn't mean you are a bad partner, family member, or friend. You don't need to hold on to something out of fear or expectation.

9. Don't take on too much to handle

Don't try to declutter an entire house in one day. You won't stay focused and will get frustrated. Instead, spend a few hours on one space.

10. Complete your decluttering tasks!

Now you've sorted everything into piles; don't just leave it by the door or in the garage. Take that bag to charity, sell those items on eBay, recycle those old magazines. You've done too much work to get rid of the clutter, so make sure it all leaves the house, in one way or another.

Check local disposal guidance for batteries, electricals, chemicals and medicines, as these may require special collection or recycling.

How to organise after a declutter

Time to face the wardrobe.

Now that you've decluttered and removed everything you no longer need or want, it's time to get organised.

1. Work out your 'Day-to-day' vs 'Hardly ever' items

Now you can sort through the useful, loved items you have left after decluttering. Start by separating the things you use daily from the ones you rarely use. Once you've made that distinction, you can organise your space accordingly.

Place items you use regularly in easy-to-reach places, at the front of drawers or in cupboards you can access without bending down. Store items you hardly ever use up high, down low, or at the back.

This can also be applied to clothes collection with a little thought. Anushka's Capsule Wardrobe Guide will help you streamline your clothes and give you the following benefits (among others):

• Freedom to spend time on other aspects of your life
• Make fewer decisions every day
• Waste less time on deciding what to wear

The same goes for organising all your other items. If the day-to-day items are all in easy-to-reach places, you can clear your mind for other thoughts.

2. Clever storage

There are so many clever storage ideas; it's just a matter of finding the ones that work for you.

Before buying anything new, measure your space and check what you already have. Only invest in new storage if it solves a specific problem. Otherwise, you could end up buying more clutter!

3. Make it pretty

It's all well and good to get rid of clutter, say, in a bathroom cupboard, but once you've emptied it and it looks sad and dreary, you won't want to keep it tidy. If you can, give the shelves and the inside of the cupboard a lick of paint. Fresh and bright white paint will make you want to keep the area clean and clutter-free.

4. Consider buying multipurpose furniture

If you've got a tiny room, you'll need to be smart about storage. Investing in dual-use furniture means you can store items without taking up surface space.

5. Beautiful baskets

Once you've cleared the clutter, buy baskets, boxes, and containers to store your items. Now that you've cleared the space, you can assess the containers you ACTUALLY need, rather than guessing and buying products that won't fit. Here are a few ways to store your pan lids that might interest kitchen declutterers.

7 clever ways to stop the clutter from returning

1. Decide to buy less

If you find yourself in a shop where you might be tempted to buy, don't buy anything. Instead, note the item you are interested in, and revisit the list at the end of the month. You'll be surprised how many items you actually don't need.

2. Be realistic about what you really need

Do you really need to get another duvet set? Do you need another baking tray? Your home doesn't need to stockpile items; you don't need twenty mugs!

3. Paper rules

Recycle, file, frame, or shred. These are the four rules for the paper that comes into your house.

• If it's recyclable, chuck it in the bin as soon as you no longer need it
• File it if it's important, such as bills or bank statements
• Frame it if it's a wonderful piece of art that your child has made!
• Shred or securely destroy paperwork containing sensitive personal information before disposing of it.

4. Get a clutter basket

This is a great idea if you've got children - or messy adults! Keep a basket in a central downstairs location, and every evening, throw in all the toys, magazines, and bits and bobs. If you've got children, work putting their belongings away into their chore rota. I love this beautiful large storage basket in grey chevron from Amazon - it's a wonderful size.

5. Make sure everyone is on board

It's great that you have pledged to live clutter-free, but make sure everyone in your home is aware. Together, you'll stay on top of it.

6. One in, one out

If you have caved and bought something on a whim, rummage around and find something you can get rid of. This will help you stay strict with yourself when it comes to decluttering, and adopt a one-in, one-out policy.

7. Write a wish list

Sometimes you fall in love at first sight and JUST REALLY WANT THAT THING. Whether it's a brand new coat or a new kitchen appliance, you can't help but gaze at it adoringly, and every fibre in your being wants you to buy it then and there.

STOP. Calm down. Grab your phone or notebook and list under a heading 'Pay Day Wish List'.

This way (if you get paid once a month), you can look at it later and decide whether you had rose-coloured spectacles on at the time, or if you really need it in your life.

Congratulations, you've done it! Now you've decluttered... great! Take your time and bask in the glory that is your clutter-free existence.