Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of decluttering can be a common experience, and knowing where to begin can often feel like a daunting task. If you find yourself frozen in indecision every time you try to tackle your clutter, you’re not alone. Many people have read countless articles, downloaded checklists, and received advice, yet still struggle to make substantial progress. Some suggest starting with the messiest room, while others recommend beginning with the smallest space to gain momentum. You might have even been told to visualize a clean and organized space, creating a detailed decluttering plan. While these methods can be effective for some, they may not resonate with everyone, especially if every room in your home feels cluttered and chaotic.
It’s completely normal to feel stuck when it comes to decluttering. The good news is that I’m here to provide you with a clear and actionable starting point. Let’s take a deep breath and dive into where you can begin your decluttering journey!
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Where Do I Start to Declutter My House?
Start right where you are! You don’t even need to get up yet. If you’re reading this, it’s a safe bet that the room you’re in is cluttered. Most likely, you’re sitting on your couch in the living room or perhaps at your kitchen table. Take a moment to look around. Make a mental note of the clutter, and let’s get to work.
1. Take a Picture Before You Begin
You might think this step is unnecessary, but trust me—it can be incredibly helpful. Snap a picture of your cluttered space right now. These ‘Before’ photos serve multiple purposes: they document your starting point, provide a visual reminder of the progress you’ll make, and keep you motivated during the process. If you’re tackling a larger decluttering project, consider enlarging the photo and displaying it in a prominent spot in the room you’re working on. Whenever feelings of frustration or discouragement creep in, hold up your ‘before’ picture and take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ll be amazed at the progress you can see. You may also want to take progress photos after each decluttering session. Just like a weight loss journey, you may not notice small changes day by day, but looking back at your before and after photos will reveal a significant transformation.
2. Eliminate the Garbage
Grab a garbage bag and start picking up any obvious trash in the room. This includes items that don’t require any decision-making. Look for things like old receipts, broken items, or empty food containers—these are all clear candidates for your garbage bag. If you come across something that makes you hesitate, like a broken gadget you think you might fix, set it aside for now. The goal here is to keep moving forward and quickly eliminate the obvious rubbish. Once you’ve cleared the garbage, take another picture. Compare it to your original photo and take a moment to appreciate your progress!
3. Remove Items That Belong in Other Rooms
With the garbage bag full, it’s time to address items that belong in different rooms. This is where large baskets can be a lifesaver. Designate a basket for each ‘other room’ and place them at the edge of the room you’re decluttering. As you notice items that don’t belong, toss them in the appropriate basket. Work through the room in a systematic way, and when you’re finished, take the baskets to their respective rooms. If the idea of simply moving clutter around bothers you, feel free to sort through the baskets right away. Just remember, if you’re sorting through items from different rooms, you’re not decluttering the space you originally started with.
4. Clear the Floors
Next, focus on the floors. Nothing is more irritating than tripping over items scattered about your home. Remove everything that doesn’t belong on the floor, such as shoes, bags, toys, and various objects that could cause a trip hazard. Place each item in the corresponding baskets or return it to its designated home. If you haven’t been taking pictures between steps, now is the perfect time for a progress shot!
5. Declutter Flat Surfaces
After clearing the floors, move on to flat surfaces. These areas are highly visible and can make a home feel messy, even when the clutter isn’t extensive. Flat surfaces include countertops, tables, and desks. Focus on clearing off these surfaces, but don’t worry about storage areas just yet. Only remove items that don’t belong in the current room.
6. Clear Off the Furniture
Now, turn your attention to the furniture. Remove any items that don’t belong on couches, chairs, or other pieces of furniture. This includes jackets, throw blankets, and any clutter that has accumulated. Don’t forget to check between and under cushions for stray items, but hold off on cleaning dust bunnies for now; your focus is solely on decluttering. Additionally, remove any furniture that doesn’t belong in the room, such as TV trays or ottomans.
7. Declutter Cupboards, Cabinets, and Drawers
Depending on the size of your home, tackling cupboards and drawers can feel overwhelming. Take it one at a time, making sure to declutter inside any storage furniture, such as ottomans or side tables. The goal is to create a sense of order in your storage spaces as well.
8. Declutter the Remaining Items
Now comes the more challenging part—making decisions about the remaining items in the room. Follow the same pattern of addressing floors, flat surfaces, furniture, and storage areas. Decide which items you want to keep in the room. If you’re unsure whether to keep or discard something, here are some guiding questions to help you:
- Do you truly love this item? If the answer is yes, keep it.
- How long has it been since you last used this item? If you can’t recall, it’s likely time to let it go.
- If you saw this item in a store today, would you be inclined to buy it? If not, it may be worth considering giving it away.
Also, be sure to check the 14 Places Most People Forget to Declutter for any overlooked areas.
How to Keep Your Decluttering Momentum
Once you’ve started decluttering, it’s essential to maintain your momentum. Here are some tips to keep the ball rolling:
Work in Smaller Chunks
It’s unrealistic to expect to declutter your entire home in one go, and thinking about it can quickly become overwhelming. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your decluttered home be. Approach decluttering as a series of small, manageable sessions focused on specific areas.
Declutter Whenever Possible
Take advantage of any free moments you have throughout the day. If you’re waiting for dinner to cook, consider decluttering a drawer. Watching TV? Use that time to tidy up the coffee table.
Declutter in Stages
Decluttering is an ongoing process. If you find it difficult to make decisions, tackle it in stages. Start by removing the easy items first. Once you’ve done an initial declutter, revisit the space to deal with items that require more thought.
Celebrate All Progress
Recognize and celebrate every step you take towards decluttering. Remember, even small accomplishments are still progress. Take pride in each bit of progress you make, but avoid celebrating with new purchases!
How to Maintain Your Decluttered State
After you’ve successfully decluttered your home, it’s vital to maintain that order to prevent backsliding. Here are some strategies to help you keep your space tidy:
Have a Place for Everything
Ensure that every item in your home has a designated spot. This makes it easier to find things, helps others know where items belong, and keeps your home organized. If you can’t figure out where something should go, it might be time to consider parting with it.
Create a One In/One Out Rule
Implement a policy where for every new item brought into your home, another must leave. This rule is particularly effective for clothing, toys, and kitchen gadgets.
Establish a Tidying Routine
Make tidying a part of your daily routine. Set aside just fifteen minutes after dinner, or find a time during your day for everyone in the household to tidy up their areas and return any stray items to their designated spots.
Conclusion
Even if you understand how clutter can negatively affect your life, taking that first step towards decluttering can still be a challenge. You may have read numerous tips and watched countless shows, yet still find yourself unsure of where to begin. Start from where you are right now. Acknowledge the clutter around you, and use it as your cue to take action. Break down the process into manageable tasks, and whenever you have a free moment, use it to declutter.
Once you’ve finished, maintain your newly organized space by ensuring everything has a designated place and establishing a tidying routine. Celebrate every step you take, no matter how small, and share your progress with others. You’ve got this!
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