How to Declutter Your Home in 9 Simple Steps

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the mess in your home, and just don’t know how to declutter your home or where to start? You’re not alone! These 9 simple decluttering tips in this post will help you go from being completely overwhelmed to stress-free in no time.

When I see a pile of clutter in my home, I instantly feel my body tighten up and feel overwhelmed by the mountain of stuff. When you’re standing in a home filled with clutter, trying to tackle it can be quite overwhelming.

Can you relate? If so, it’s time to declutter your home.

What is decluttering?

Decluttering is certainly a trendy buzz word these days. But what exactly does it mean?

In simple terms, decluttering is the process of taking things from an untidy area and giving them a new “home”.

Sometimes that means a new “home” that’s out of the way in your house, and sometimes that means a new home in a different house through the process of donating items. Frankly, sometimes the new home is the garbage or recycling bin, and that’s okay too!

If you want to tackle your clutter but constantly feel stressed out by just the thought of the process, then this post is for you.

How to Mentally Prepare to Declutter Your Home

Decluttering is almost more of a mental task than a physical one. You have to get your head in the game before you begin – here’s how to do it.

Start by mentally preparing yourself to tackle the challenge. Honestly, that’s usually the biggest hurdle. We see the clutter, get overwhelmed and decide that we have no idea how to declutter.

Even knowing where to start feels like an impossible decision. However, remember that you don’t have to have the end product all figured out before you start!

If overthinking the task is holding you back, let it go and just get started. As you work through the process, you’ll figure out which direction you want to head in.

Reduce Overwhelm by Joining An Organizing Group

A Decluttering Club is the perfect tool to help give you the inspiration and motivation you need to start tackling your chaos. With weekly challenges and training, and a community where you can ask your questions or just put your feelings out there for support, a Decluttering Club helps you go through the process in small, manageable bits.

Practical Decluttering Tips To Get You Going

Tell yourself that the clutter didn’t all happen at once and it doesn’t need to get cleaned up all at once either. By taking some small steps, you can get that clutter gone faster than you think!

Once you are ready to tackle the messiness, it’s time to just do it. Here are 9 simple steps to get you started:

1. Purchase Organizing Books Or Magazines That Inspire You

I always feel so inspired when I see other people’s ideas. Purchase a book or magazine that gives you practical ideas for reducing the clutter in your home.

You can also purchase a step-by-step guide to lead you through each task so you stay motivated to finish.

2. Just Begin Decluttering!

That phase where you’re frozen in place while trying to decide the next step to take isn’t going to help you sift through the chaos to create calm.

Instead, declutter your home by just rolling up your sleeves and getting started. When you do that, things quickly tend to feel more manageable. It sounds weird but truly works.

3. Start Small

It doesn’t matter if you start with a drawer, a cabinet or a shelf. Pick one small area and clean it off. Then only put back what you regularly use and love.

Make three piles to help determine where everything else goes: trash, give away, or another place in your home.

4. Create A Plan

I’m not suggesting that you know exactly what you’re going to tackle and when or what your entire process from start to finish looks like. Instead, have a general idea of what you’re doing. Basically, you’re continuing the process from #3 above to other areas of your home.

I suggest being able to answer these questions:

What is your desired goal? What are you wanting? ex: a clean family room, organized kids’ rooms, etc.
What will you do with the clutter once you remove it? Remember those three piles I suggested making? Here’s where they come into play.
What area are you decluttering? Just pick a place and start!

By planning just a little, you will feel less overwhelmed because you know what you’re working toward, even if you don’t know exactly what that looks like yet.

5. Focus On The Task

It’s easy to get distracted by the phone or laundry that needs folding, but if you try to multi-task, you’ll likely get sidetracked and distracted, then give up completely on what you started doing: decluttering.

Instead, focus only on the decluttering project in front of you. The laundry, the phone, and everything else can all wait until you are done.

6. Set A Timer

Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, keeping it short and sweet. Setting a timer helps in two ways:

Keeps you focused on only one thing because you know your time is limited.
Keeps you motivated because you know you can do it for a short amount of time.

7. Declutter The Area That Will Yield The Greatest Benefit

I always feel amazing when I see the results of my efforts. Seeing the benefits of your work will motivate you to keep decluttering.

Whatever area is making you the most unhappy and will have the greatest positive impact is where you should start working.

Great places to consider starting with are the entryway, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.

8. Let Go Of Perfection

Eliminate that pressure on yourself by letting go of perfection—it doesn’t exist! Homes are lived in…that’s what they are meant for. Remember that any decluttering is progress. Aim for progress, not perfection.

9. When In Doubt, Hire A Professional Organizer

If, after reading these tips, you still feel overwhelmed at the thought of decluttering your mess, hire a professional organizer to come in and help guide you through the process.

Sometimes we just need that little extra encouragement. If you need the extra help, get it. It’s okay! Often times just having one session with an organizer will provide you with tips, tricks and valuable insights that you can use throughout your entire home.

Remember, living in a home cluttered with things causes anxiety and saps motivation. Using these simple steps to declutter your home will yield great progress and leave you feeling much better quickly!