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How to Declutter Your Home

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howtodeclutteryourhome

Have you ever felt like you’re surrounded by clutter at home? The place where you’re supposed to feel the most peaceful can feel out of control.

 

Even if you’re overwhelmed, fear not, we are going to get through this together. Let’s explore how to declutter your home (and find your peace again!).

 

I have this post sectioned off by rooms in your home in efforts to try to make this easier to follow. Especially, if you’d like to just start on one room in particular. Before we get started, I would like to share with you some ground rules to follow for each room.

 

Think of this as sort of a pre-decluttering list of to-do’s. It will be beneficial in every room to start with this list. Once you’ve read them, go down to the room that you’d like to start on, and follow those instructions.

 

Ground Rules

 

  1.  Get rid of all of the trash located in the room.
  2. Pick up items in clear view that don’t belong in the room that you’re currently in.
  3. Put any clothing you find into a laundry basket.
  4. Take any dirty dishes and put them in the sink, or a spot nearby if your sink is full.

 

Your Kitchen

 

Kitchen - how to declutter your home

Your kitchen is supposed to be a place that makes you feel happy. A place where you can make delicious food, brew a cup of your favorite coffee, and a calm place to be.

 

However, it is one of the most easily-cluttered rooms. We are in our kitchens daily, creating our favorite recipes (a.k.a. dirtying dishes and scattering ingredients across our countertops) and taking care of our families.

 

This is why it’s important to take a little time after you’re finished preparing food to clean up and keep this room tidy. Let’s look at how to declutter your home, starting with your kitchen.

 

Appliances

 

Let’s start with appliances. If you only have a few of these and use them often, you can skip this step. However, if you’re like me and have way too many that you have inherited or bought thinking that you would use (but haven’t!), then it’s time to evaluate whether you really need to keep them or not.

 

Go through all of your appliances and sort them between items that you use often, items that you don’t use at all, or maybe you’ve never even opened.

 

It’s worth mentioning if you have any appliances that you’ve saved that actually don’t work, but you thought you might be able to fix them at some point – throw them away. They aren’t serving you well if they’re just laying around and not able to be used.

 

For items that you don’t use much or plan to use again, consider donating them or even selling them is an option. The main idea is to just get rid of anything that is taking up space, but not being used.

 

The items in your home should bring you joy, and serve you well. Give someone a chance to have an item that will bring them joy and serve well rather than hoarding an item.

 

Utensils

 

Next, let’s tackle utensils, gadgets, measuring cups, and the like. This one hit me the hardest when I tried to declutter my kitchen. It was unbelievable how many large spoons, differently designed measuring cups, strainers, etc. that I had!

 

I was truly blessed when I got married, people we love were so wonderful and got us the nicest things. As a result, I had many duplicates and didn’t want to take them back. It seemed disrespectful to take them back, so I never did. However, the result is me having so many items that I’ll never go through them all.

 

My advice is to give yourself permission to donate these items to someone who could truly use them. I would like to think that those who bought them for you would want you to do the very same.

 

Getting rid of these types of items are essential for how to declutter your home and keep your kitchen space organized.

 

Underneath the Sink

 

Open the cabinets and take everything out from this section, then wipe down the bottom of the cabinet. I like to use Clorox Wipes for this.

 

Once you’ve cleaned the area, separate items that you use often and put those back underneath the sink. For cleaners that you aren’t using but still are good, consider giving them to someone you know that could use them. Anything that is damaged or too old, go ahead and throw it away.

 

To help keep this area organized and to make it easier to clean your home, I like to keep a caddy in this cabinet with all of the items that I use the most.

 

Pantry

 

It’s time to go through all of your canned goods, packaged foods, chips, condiments, etc. Move all of items that you are actually going to use soon out of the pantry, and focus on what’s still left.

 

I suggest looking at the expiration date on each item and toss the items that are expired. For the items that are still good, make a plan to fix them soon or donate them to someone who will use them. It’s so easy to pick up things that look good at the grocery store, and then they just sit in our pantry, never to be fixed.

 

This takes up unnecessary space and does not serve you, or anyone else, well.

 

Your Livingroom

 

livingroom - how to declutter your home

Your Livingroom is supposed to be a cozy place, designed to create a space that you love and enjoy relaxing in, or welcoming friends and family to gather together.

 

This can be difficult to achieve if your space is cluttered and you don’t feel at peace when you’re there. Let’s learn how to declutter your home, more specifically your Livingroom in this example.

 

Create Space on Tables/Desks

 

You may have end tables, coffee tables, or even desks in your Livingroom. Go through any items carefully that are on these tables/desks and create piles to keep, maybe keep, and definitely getting rid of. I realize we sometimes hold onto things that have sentimental value, old paperwork or photos that get tossed into the mix. It’s okay to put these into the “maybe” pile for now, and keep moving.

 

Books and Magazines

 

If you’re like me, you may have a bookshelf in your Livingroom. I am a book-lover! I won’t tell you that you have to get rid of all of your books and magazines because you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life!

 

What I will tell you is that sometimes we keep items that we are never going to read, and don’t actually hold any value to us. Sometimes you’ve simply been given these books and are afraid to get rid of them. Maybe you’ve collected them over the years and feel wasteful for throwing them out.

 

It’s okay to get rid of some of the books that don’t bring you joy, they may just make someone else’s day. Consider donating them to your local Library or a friend that might enjoy reading them. For magazines in particular, nursing homes often appreciate donations and it could really make someone’s day a little brighter.

 

Your Bathroom

 

bathroom - how to declutter your home

Even if you have multiple bathrooms, you are at least spending quite a bit of time in one of them. It should be a place free of clutter that allows you to get ready with ease. Let’s explore how to declutter your home: bathroom edition.

 

Underneath the Sink

 

First, remove all of the items underneath your sink and wipe down the area. Go through all of your products and separate them into piles. You’ll need a pile for keepers, a pile for items that you don’t use (but are still good), and a pile of items that are expired or are no longer good.

 

Place the products that you use back underneath the sink. Give away any products that you aren’t going to use that are still good, and throw away any of the old products that can no longer be used.

 

If you have a medicine cabinet or another storage space in your bathroom, follow the same routine to declutter.

 

Products in the Shower

 

Go through each of these items and be sure that you’re using them. Sometimes we hoard items in the shower that we never actually use, so toss the ones that you aren’t using.

 

Your Bedroom

 

bedroom - how to declutter your home

This room is supposed to be your sanctuary, so we should treat it that way by keeping it clean, cozy and organized. You don’t want to feel overwhelmed by being in this room, or worse, not be able to sleep in this room due to clutter. Let’s learn how to declutter your home by keeping your bedroom the sanctuary it’s supposed to be.

 

If you followed the ground rules, there shouldn’t be any clothes lying around before going any further. 😉

 

Your Closet

 

Go through your closet and create three piles: a pile for keeping, a pile for donating, and a pile for garbage. I understand it may seem wasteful to have a pile for garbage. However, there are sometimes that we keep clothing that is stained or heavily worn. Most people do not want items that are not like new or more gently used. Give yourself permission to toss items fitting this description.

 

For clothing that you want to keep, determine if they need washed and hang them up if/when they are clean. It can be a difficult task some days to not just throw your clothes onto the floor. Strive instead to hang clean clothes or put dirty clothes into your laundry basket. It is truly an essential habit to adopt to keep your closet, and your entire bedroom, tidy and decluttered.

 

If you have any drawers in your bedroom, you can follow the same routine to declutter your bedroom.

 

Clear Space on Your Night Stand

 

If you have a night stand(s), take time to clear it completely off (and clean any drawers out) except for essentials. Essentials include a lamp, tissues, water, or other items that are useful to have beside your bed.

 

Go through all other items and determine if they are keepers, and if so, do they actually belong in your bedroom? Sometimes we tend to put random items in drawers and they actually have no place being in that particular room. Place all of those items where they should be located.

 

Toss any items that are of no use to you, or feel free to donate items that you’d like to get rid of.

 

How to Declutter Your Home

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to declutter your home! During this crazy quarantine, it’s a great time to reflect and try to declutter in all areas of our lives.

 

For more in my decluttering series, check out how to declutter your life and how to declutter your mind.

 

I hope you have the very best weekend ahead, friends!

 

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Let’s Chat!

Do you ever feel like parts of your home are decluttered?
Do you have a favorite method of decluttering around your house?
Does it make you feel stressed if your home is cluttered?

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Thanks so much, Jennifer! That’s a wonderful timeframe. It’s so much easier than trying to do it once per year and everything just keeps adding up.

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      I’m with you, Radi! I start feeling really anxiety-ridden if things start getting cluttered/dirty.

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Thank you so much! I totally understand. It’s still a work in progress here at our house right now.

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      When we have more downtime, if definitely seems easier to get these things done. I’m so happy you found it helpful, Yvonne! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Mica says

    These are good tips! I will say that rather than throwing out torn or stained clothes, see if you can repurpose them or take them into a recycling program! H&M have a recycling program here, they will take any old clothes and recycle the ones they can and turn the others they can’t into fuel. I suspect more end up being burnt for fuel but it’s better than just adding to landfill – I love being able to take the boys clothes in, they often get stained or torn beyond repair! I have a little bag in the garage waiting for them to reopen again 🙂

    Hope that you are having a good weekend 🙂 Since some of the restrictions have been relaxed in Brisbane we were able to enjoy a picnic yesterda! With social distancing of course, it was so nice to enjoy some time in the park.

    Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Oh, that’s a wonderful idea, Mica!! You are so right, that would be much better than just throwing them out!

      The picnic sounds great!! It’s definitely hard being cooped up indoors. I’m certainly ready for some social-distancing fun!

      Reply

  8. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says

    I am kind of a neat freak, so I am always putting stuff away all day long! Ha! I even put my husband’s tennis shoes away in the middle of the day and he’ll be like… where did they go? I know, I’m crazy! Ha!! It is harder with kids, tho.

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Haha, you’re not crazy!! I’m that way with dishes. Sometimes he isn’t finished with them yet, especially cups, haha. Hope you’re have a great weekend, friend!

      Reply

  11. Ola says

    I love decluttering. This lockdown period has given me enough time to do this. Most importantly, I love having enough space at home. I just want to see open spaces.

    Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Aww, thank you, Margot! 🙂 It truly is a never-ending job, haha. I’m so happy you found them helpful!

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Aww, thank you so much, MyLeea!! I truly appreciate that! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply

  19. Simone says

    If I think about it I have too much stuff everywhere and I just won’t need it anymore lol. So many great tips to get rid of some things that are just lying around. I urgently need to declutter my house!

    xx Simone
    Little Glittery Box

    Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Haha, I’m in the same boat! I feel like I’m constantly going through it all, but I try to make sure I’m continually getting rid of things/giving them away. I hope your decluttering goes well, my friend! 🙂

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Thanks so much, friend! I totally understand, it’s easy to accumulate things. You’ve got this!

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Oh, that’s wonderful!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I’m so happy you loved the post!

      Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Thank you so much, Ashley! I can relate, mine tend to get a little overwhelmed too!

      Reply

  26. Geniussr says

    with three young kids I feel like my house is always full of clutter… these are great tips and ideas I should continuously imposing to my daily routine… thanks for sharing such helpful post…❤️

    http://www.geniusenough.com

    Reply

    • Make Life Marvelous says

      Oh my, I bet! I don’t have kids yet, so it’s only mine and my hubby’s stuff to consider. Thank you so much for reading, and I’m so happy you found this helpful! 🙂

      Reply

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