Decluttering your home can be a stressful process! Especially if you’re emotionally attached to your belongings, unsure where to start, or overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff taking up space. With these quick decluttering tips, you can take it one step at a time. Reminding yourself that decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything—it’s about creating a space that supports your lifestyle and brings you peace.
Whether you’re just starting your minimalist journey or looking to refine your space, small and consistent steps can make a world of difference.
In This Article
The Key is CONSISTENCY!
This means decluttering should become a habit and not a one-time task if you want more permanent results.
Make it a point to simplify the process, by breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and build habits that keep clutter from creeping back in.
Most importantly, focus on progess rather than perfection-By doing this you’ll build momentum and make the process feel less daunting.
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Here are the 10 quick decluttering tips that are effective to help you create a more organized and stress-free home.
The 10 Quick Decluttering Tips Every Minimalist Needs to Know!
1. Start Small and Gain Momentum.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when decluttering is trying to do everything at once. Instead of tackling an entire room, start with a single drawer or a small section of your home. This builds confidence and momentum, making the process feel more achievable.
Need help getting started?
My 7-day decluttering challenge will help you declutter 35 items in 7 days with small daily quick wins, making it easy to stay motivated and see real progress without feeling overwhelmed. Each day, you’ll tackle a specific category—like clothes, kitchen gadgets, or paper clutter—so you can clear space effortlessly and build lasting decluttering habits. Download it Here
Helpful Tool: Use storage bins like these(amazon) to categorize items before deciding what to keep.
2. Time Yourself – 15 Minutes a Day is Enough.
Consistency is key when decluttering.
Set a timer for just 15 minutes a day and focus on a small task, like sorting through your mail pile or organizing one shelf. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish without feeling overwhelmed.
Helpful tool: A visual timer like this one(amazon) can help you stay on track without checking your phone constantly.
3. Break Tasks into Manageable Daily Goals.
Instead of saying, “I need to declutter my entire house,” break the task into bite-sized goals. Declutter one category per day—clothes on Monday, books on Tuesday, kitchen gadgets on Wednesday, and so on. This method keeps the process from becoming exhausting and prevents decision fatigue.
4. Create a Decluttering System to Maintain Consistency.
Without a system in place, clutter will always return. That’s why it’s essential to create simple yet effective habits that keep your home organized long-term. Here are some quick decluttering tips and systems that will help you form those habits:
System 1: The One In, One Out Rule.
One of the easiest strategies is the “one in, one out” rule—for every new item you bring into your home, donate or discard an old one. This prevents unnecessary accumulation and ensures your space remains balanced.
Also, be mindful when shopping; before buying something new, ask yourself if it truly serves a purpose and where it will fit in your home.
System 2: Create Designated Drop Zones.
Another effective system to control clutter is by setting up designated drop zones for frequently used items. Place a stylish entryway organizer(amazon) near your front door for keys, mail, and bags to prevent them from piling up on countertops. In the kitchen, use a basket or bin(amazon) to collect stray utensils or gadgets that need to be put away. Having a dedicated space for daily essentials makes it easier to maintain order.
System 3: Keep a Donation Bin in Clutter-Prone Areas.
To make decluttering effortless, keep a designated donation bin like this foldable storage bin(amazon) in your most cluttered zones—such as your closet, entryway, or kitchen. Anytime you come across an item you no longer need, drop it in the bin instead of shoving it back in a drawer. When the bin is full, take it to a donation center or schedule a pick-up. This simple system makes letting go of excess items a regular habit rather than a daunting chore.
System 4: Adopt a Seasonal Decluttering Routine.
Instead of waiting until clutter becomes overwhelming, schedule a seasonal decluttering session, every three months. This can coincide with the changing seasons—swap out winter clothes, check expiration dates in the pantry, and reassess decor.
Keeping a label maker(amazon) handy can also help you organize storage bins so everything has a clear place.
System 5: Make Decluttering a Household Effort.
If you live with family or roommates, create simple decluttering habits for everyone. Set a rule where each person declutters one item per week or do a family decluttering challenge together. Encourage kids to donate old toys before getting new ones, and ensure shared spaces stay tidy with space-saving storage solutions that make organizing easy.
By implementing these simple but effective systems, you’ll be able to create and maintain a clutter-free home that feels spacious, organized, and stress-free—all without spending hours cleaning.
5. Use the “Touch It Once” Rule to Prevent Clutter from Accumulating.
One of the biggest culprits of clutter is procrastination—setting things down “just for now” instead of putting them away immediately. That’s where the “Touch It Once” rule comes in.
The idea is simple: handle an item once and take the necessary action right away, instead of leaving it for later. This small shift in habit can dramatically reduce clutter and keep your home tidy with minimal effort.
For example, when you bring in the mail, don’t toss it onto the counter to deal with later. Instead, sort it immediately—recycle junk mail, file important documents, and place bills in a designated organizer like this desktop mail sorter(amazon). This prevents piles of unopened envelopes from stacking up.
RELATED POST: PROCRASTINATION: Beat Laziness and Tidy up Now!
The same goes for everyday items like clothing. If you take off your coat, hang it up right away instead of draping it over a chair. Keep a wall-mounted coat rack(amazon) near your entryway so you always have an easy place to put it. Shoes should go directly into a shoe organizer(amazon) instead of being scattered by the door.
Another common clutter hotspot is the kitchen. Instead of placing dirty dishes in the sink and letting them pile up, rinse them and load them straight into the dishwasher.
A dish drying rack(amazon) can also help streamline cleanup.
How to Make the “Touch It Once” Rule a Habit.
- Set up designated spaces for common items so you always know where things belong.
- Declutter as you go—for instance, put items back in their proper places while walking through the house.
- Use reminders like sticky notes or phone alarms until the habit becomes second nature.
- Involve the whole family—teach kids to put toys away after playtime, and encourage housemates to follow the rule.
By applying the “Touch It Once” rule consistently, you’ll prevent small messes from turning into overwhelming clutter, keeping your home neat and organized with minimal effort.
6. Declutter By Category, Not by Room: Quick Decluttering Tips That Will Simplify Your Minimalist Journey.
Another common mistake people make when decluttering is tackling one room at a time. While this might seem logical, it often leads to moving clutter around rather than eliminating it. Instead, try decluttering by category—such as clothing, books, kitchenware, or sentimental items—rather than by location.
This method, inspired by the KonMari Method, helps you see exactly how much you own and makes it easier to recognize duplicates and excess. For example, if you declutter your closet first and then later go through another storage space where more clothes are hiding, you may end up keeping unnecessary items simply because you didn’t see the full picture initially.
Here’s how to declutter by category:
- Clothing – Gather all your clothes from every room, closet, and storage bin into one pile. This allows you to assess everything at once and decide what truly deserves a place in your wardrobe. Use vacuum storage bags(amazon) to store seasonal items neatly.
- Books – Instead of tackling bookshelves in different rooms separately, gather all your books in one place. Ask yourself which ones you’ll genuinely read or reference again. Donate those you no longer need.
- Kitchen Items – Sort through all kitchen gadgets, cookware, and utensils. If you have multiple versions of the same tool, keep only the best one. A stackable shelf organizer(amazon) can help you store items efficiently.
- Sentimental Items – These are often the hardest to declutter, so leave them for last. Limit yourself to a small box of truly meaningful keepsakes, and consider taking photos of items before letting them go.
By decluttering this way, you make clearer decisions, avoid moving clutter from one place to another, and prevent excess from creeping back into your space.
7. Keep Only What You Truly Use and Love.
Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of everything—it’s about curating a space filled with things that add value to your life. If an item isn’t functional, beautiful, or meaningful, it’s likely just taking up space. A simple rule to follow is:
- If you haven’t used it in the past six months (and it’s not a seasonal item like a winter coat), it’s probably time to let it go.
- If it doesn’t spark joy or serve a clear purpose, it’s just clutter.
- If you own duplicates, keep only the best ones.
The Box Method.
A quick decluttering tip for items you’re unsure about is to try the box method—Place them in a box and set a reminder for 30 or 60 days. If you don’t reach for them within that time, you probably don’t need them.
Keeping track of what you actually use can also help prevent unnecessary purchases.
A label maker is a great tool to categorize storage bins and track items, so you always know what you have. This is especially helpful in the kitchen and office.
8. Digitize Paper Clutter.
Paper clutter is one of the fastest ways to make a space feel chaotic. Bills, receipts, warranties, old notes, and miscellaneous documents pile up before you even realize it. The best way to keep paper under control is to go digital whenever possible.
Steps to Digitize Your Paper Clutter:
- Sort Through Everything – Gather all loose papers and sort them into categories: “Keep,” “Scan,” and “Shred.”
- Use a High-Speed Scanner – A high-speed document scanner makes it easy to digitize important papers quickly. Store them in cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox) for easy access.
- Shred Unnecessary Papers – Once a document is scanned, get rid of it unless you need a physical copy. A cross-cut shredder(amazon) ensures sensitive information stays secure.
- Go Paperless – Opt for digital statements and bills instead of physical mail to reduce future paper clutter.
By making digital storage a habit, you’ll free up drawer space, reduce visual clutter, and always have important documents just a click away. Plus, a paper-free workspace helps create a cleaner, more focused environment.
RELATED POST: Digital Declutter: Simplify Your Digital Life Today.
9. Adopt a Clutter-Free Nighttime Routine-Use The “5-Minute Reset” Rule.
A clean home in the morning starts with a simple habit at night. Instead of letting messes pile up while you sleep, take just five minutes before bed to reset your space. This small effort makes a huge difference in how your home feels when you wake up, setting a calm and positive tone for the next day.
The “5-Minute Reset” Rule.
To make tidying up effortless, use the 5-Minute Reset Rule:
- Set a Timer – Just five minutes is enough to make a noticeable impact.
- Tidy Up Key Areas – Focus on high-traffic spots like the kitchen, living room, and entryway.
- Load dishes into the dishwasher(portable dishwasher on amazon) instead of leaving them in the sink.
- Fold blankets and fluff pillows in the living room.
- Clear off countertops and put away anything that doesn’t belong.
- Place shoes back in their shoe organizer(minimalist stackable shoe organizer onamazon) instead of leaving them scattered.
- Return Items to Their Homes – Make it a rule that everything has a place. Misplaced items, like mail, keys, and phone chargers, should be put back where they belong. A catch-all tray(amazon) near the entryway can help with this.
- Do a Final Walkthrough – Take a quick look around and make sure the main areas feel fresh and reset for the morning.
This nightly reset prevents clutter from accumulating and keeps your home feeling tidy, inviting, and stress-free. Plus, waking up to a clean home means you can start your day focused and refreshed, instead of immediately feeling overwhelmed by messes from the night before.
Making this a consistent habit will transform the way your home looks and feels, with minimal effort.
10. Make Decluttering a Lifestyle, Not a One-Time Task.
Decluttering isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s a mindset shift that leads to a more intentional way of living. Clutter creeps back when we aren’t mindful of what we bring into our homes. That’s why regular decluttering check-ins are essential.
To keep your home organized, regularly check in with your belongings and ask yourself if they still serve a purpose.
Keep decluttering fun and sustainable by challenging yourself to donate a set number of items each month.
Additionally, make decluttering a habit by setting simple, achievable goals,for example:
- Do a Monthly Decluttering Check – Pick one area each month (closet, kitchen, bathroom) and assess what you no longer use.
- Challenge Yourself – Make decluttering fun by setting mini-goals, like donating five items per week or decluttering one drawer a day.
By weaving decluttering into your daily life, your home will always feel organized, spacious, and stress-free, without the need for overwhelming deep clean sessions.
Final Thoughts: Practicing The 10 Quick Decluttering Tips Will Make Decluttering Simple and Rewarding!
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a massive project—it can be a simple, rewarding habit that transforms your space and mindset. By implementing these 10 quick decluttering tips, you’ll create a home that feels light, organized, and peaceful. A clutter-free home means less stress, more clarity, and a peaceful environment where you can truly relax.
If you’re ready to take action, start small! Implement these 10 quick decluttering tips today, and you’ll begin to see immediate results. Need an easy-to-follow plan? My printable decluttering ebook guide will help you eliminate 100 items in just 30 days—spending only 15 minutes a day!
📌 Grab your copy here: [Insert Link to Your Decluttering Ebook Guide]
Your journey to a clutter-free home starts now! 🚀
With Love,
Dolorese.
