How to Declutter Your House (Ruthlessly)

Inside: simple steps to decluttering your house one room at a time. I’ll give you lists of specific things to toss right away, plus the motivation to get it done.

So much stuff… everywhere. You aren’t sure how it got there, but you know most of it needs to go. Let’s. work together, room by room. I’ll tell you what to toss. Don’t feel bad because someone gave it to you or you spent money on it. All that is in the past.

It’s about only keeping what you use and love. Do you love those old board games with half the pieces missing? That itchy sweater you overpaid for? Didn’t think so. Throw it out!

First: Make a Plan

Starting to declutter without a plan is like grocery shopping without a list. You end up wandering around, eating snacks, and forgetting something important.

1. Take a quick tour of your home and list your rooms from easiest to hardest.
2. Tackle one room at a time. Don’t move on until you’re done with one room. I like to start with the hardest, but it’s up to you.
3. Plan to do at least one room a week. Give yourself a due date! If you give yourself endless time, you’ll take endless time.
4. Get any needed supplies. Maybe you need boxes and markers. Maybe you’re ruthless like me. In that case, all you need are trash bags. Keep it simple 😉.

The Living Room

It’s nice to start here because you feel the effects right away. Also, this can be an easy way to get rolling because it doesn’t tend to be that cluttered. That’s because you use it all the time. You don’t shove things in, shut the door, and pretend they don’t exist.

But there are still, of course, clutter hot spots. Shelves, the coffee table, corners.

Remember, organizing your home and decluttering it are related but different. We aren’t just making stuff neater. We are throwing it away.

Tip: Take a photo of your living room. Pictures have a way of showing us what we often overlook.

A Calm Kitchen

You might think you need a kitchen remodel, but chances are you just need to throw about half of your stuff in the trash.

And no judgment from me. I, too, have been seduced by a fancy kitchen gadget that I just knew would change my life, only to use it once or twice and then shove it into a cupboard.

If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you don’t need it. Stick to the essentials. And remember, every gadget you get rid of is one less thing to clean and store. Let it go.

First, if it’s not related to food prep or eating, does it need to be in the kitchen? Maybe it does. But remember, you should store things where you use them, not dump them on the kitchen counter because it’s convenient.

Why do you have fifteen mugs? How many people would be drinking coffee in your house at one time? Be reasonable.

Your Bedroom Should Not Stress You Out

And yet for many of us, this becomes a laundry pile meets a storage unit.

In the bedroom, it’s mostly about clothing and sentimental items. They are both tricky.

Decluttering your wardrobe feels hard because everything is useful in theory. And you have the convenient excuse of “yard work clothes”. But it’s liberating once you start. Start by pulling everything out. Yes, everything.

It’s time to make some tough choices. You don’t do yardwork that much. A lot of what you have probably doesn’t fit. And a lot of it, you don’t like anymore. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean you made a terrible mistake, or you’re a bad shopper, or you eat too much. It just means that the shirt isn’t something you need to keep. Get rid of it. Don’t let it mean anything more than that.

Personal items and mementos are, of course, the trickiest of all. The easiest thing for me is to have a box that I’m allowed to fill and just put what I want to keep in it. When the box is full, it’s full.

Your Home Office

This room is usually all about papers and weird tech stuff. If you think about it, all you really need to do to get your work done is probably a laptop. Almost everything else can go.

If you’re using this as a storage area and don’t actually work in there, get rid of the desk! It’s a terrible use of space if you don’t sit at it.

Get shelves for what must be stored there and turn that room into something else. (No, not a graveyard for old tablets and cords).

Kids’ Rooms

It’s a balancing act between maintaining the joy of childhood and not tripping over toys every time you walk in.

Old projects and artwork? Choose a few favorites to keep and display, and photograph the rest for memories. I like to have a folder for each year per child of “keepers.” Everything else has to go.

You’ll probably find that when your kids have neater rooms, they like to be in them more. It’s human nature. No one likes a cluttered mess.

Things You Can Absolutely, Positively, Throw Away

No matter where you find them.

• Toys with missing pieces
• Puzzles or games that are missing parts
• Cups or containers with no matching lids
• Lids with no matching containers
• Broken or outdated electronics you’ve already replaced
• Chargers and cords you don’t recognize
• Empty boxes, packaging, and wrappers
• Old mail, flyers, and expired coupons
• Dried-up pens, markers, and glue sticks
• Socks without a match
• Underwear and bras that are stretched out or uncomfortable
• Clothes that are stained or ripped beyond repair
• “Yard work” or paint clothes you would never actually wear
• Old phone cases for phones you don’t own
• Headphones or earbuds that only work on one side
• Expired makeup, skincare, or sunscreen
• Crusty or separated nail polish you never use
• Stretched out hair ties and broken clips
• Takeout condiment packets you never reach for
• Chipped mugs, plates, or glasses
• Extra water bottles and travel mugs you never choose
• Hotel toiletries and sample sizes you never use
• Picture frames with broken glass you haven’t fixed
• Candles with no wick or no scent left
• Random knick-knacks you don’t like

So, go ahead and take that first step. Start big, start small, start however you want. Just start.