Whether it’s overflowing closets, packed garages, or kitchen counters buried under miscellaneous items, excess stuff has a way of sneaking up on us until one day we realize our spaces no longer bring us peace.
The good news is that having a clutter-free home isn’t as daunting as it might seem. By following these five proven methods, you can transform your living space into an organized sanctuary that works for you.
1. The “One In, One Out” Rule
This simple but powerful approach helps prevent clutter from accumulating in the first place. It works like this; whenever you bring a new item into your home, commit to removing one similar item. Bought a new sweater? Choose an old one to donate.
Upgraded your coffee maker? Say goodbye to the old one. This practice helps to maintain equilibrium in your space and forces you to think carefully about new purchases.
Getting started with decluttering often requires outside help, and that’s perfectly okay. Consider searching for “rubbish removal near me” to find professional services that can help haul away larger items or handle bulk disposal.
Many people find that having assistance with the physical removal of items makes the process less overwhelming. Professional services can also ensure proper disposal and recycling of items, making your decluttering journey more environmentally responsible.
2. Create Zones in Your Home
Aim to give every item you own an appropriate “home” in a designated zone of your house. For example, kitchen gadgets belong in the kitchen, not scattered throughout the house, and office supplies should live in your workspace, not in bedroom drawers.
When items have clear homes, you’re more likely to return them to their proper places after use. This system also makes it obvious when you have too many items in a particular category — if there’s no space in the designated zone, it’s time to evaluate what you truly need.
3. Implement a Regular Reset Routine
Choose one day each week to spend 15 minutes resetting each room to its organized state. This might mean clearing off surfaces, returning items to their proper zones, or quickly evaluating if any new clutter needs to be addressed.
This weekly maintenance prevents clutter from rebuilding and helps you maintain the progress you’ve made. Think of it as a regular check-up for your home’s organizational health.
4. The “90/90 Rule”
Look at each item and ask yourself if you’ve used it in the past 90 days or will use it in the next 90 days. If the answer is no to both questions, it’s probably time to let it go. This rule is particularly effective for seasonal items, clothing and gadgets.
Of course, there are exceptions for truly sentimental items or emergency supplies, but be honest with yourself about what falls into these categories.
5. Practice Decision-Making in Chunks
Instead of trying to tackle your entire home at once, break the process into smaller, manageable sessions. Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus on one small area, like a single drawer or shelf.
Making decisions about what to keep or discard can be mentally taxing, and working in short bursts helps maintain your energy and motivation. You’ll be surprised just how much you can accomplish in these focused mini-sessions.
Orderliness is Next to Peacefulness
The most important thing when applying these methods is to find a system that works for your lifestyle and stick with it. Don’t get discouraged by comparing your progress to others or feeling like you need to achieve perfection.
Every item you consciously decide to keep or remove is a step toward a more intentional and organized living space. With consistency and patience, these five methods can help you create and maintain the clutter-free home you deserve.
