Genius Decluttering Tips: Room-by-Room Solutions
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Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re tackling one drawer or an entire room, setting clear goals for each area that needs attention is the key to success. Before organizing, always start by decluttering—don't waste time organizing items you no longer need. Start small, focus on one task at a time, and celebrate every step along the way.
Follow these simple rules to get started:
Declutter first: Don’t waste time organizing items you no longer need. Start by doing a deep declutter, and once that’s complete, you’re ready to organize.
20/20 Rule: If you can replace something in 20 minutes for $20 or less, it’s time to let it go.
Touch it once: Avoid letting items pile up. If you bring something into a room, make sure it goes back to where it belongs immediately. Don’t put it down; put it away.
Trash goes in the bin: Immediately throw away any trash. Don’t let it linger in different rooms around the house.
Donate regularly: Keep a bin labeled “Donate” and add items consistently. Once it’s full, take it straight to a donation center.
Save big projects for the weekend: It’s easy to declutter a drawer in a few minutes, but larger projects like closets are best saved for weekends or when you have more time.
Now, let’s dive into some genius decluttering tips, organized by room. It’s essential to choose one room at a time and focus on decluttering it completely before moving on to the next. As you work through each space, keep a bin labeled “Relocate” handy. This bin is for any items that don’t belong in the room you’re currently decluttering, allowing you to stay focused. You can deal with those items later, ensuring a smoother and more efficient decluttering process in the space you are working.
Kitchen
Water Bottle Organizer: Keep water bottles from rolling around on shelves with a water bottle organizer.
In-Drawer Knife Organizer: Clear up counter space with an in-drawer knife holder (great if you don’t have young children).
Narrow Rolling Cart: Use the space between your washer and dryer or fridge and wall with a narrow rolling cart to store items like detergent or pantry staples.
Decant Pantry Items: Transfer frequently used items like cereal, flour, and sugar into labeled containers for easier access and organization.
Shelf Risers for Canned Goods: Maximize pantry space by using risers to stack and organize cans, making them easy to see and grab.
Spice Organization: Alphabetize your spices and use drawer inserts to keep them neat. For an upgraded look, decant spices into matching jars with labels.
Closet
Color Code and Group by Type: Make mornings easier by grouping clothes by type (shirts, pants) and then organizing them by color from light to dark.
Non-Slip Hangers: Use slim, non-slip hangers to prevent clothes from falling and to save space.
Shelf Dividers: Use these to organize handbags, sweaters, or folded clothing on closet shelves.
Turn Your Hangers: At the start of the year, turn all your hangers around. As you wear items, turn them back. At the end of the month, it will be easy to see which clothes you don’t wear, and they can be donated.
Home Office
Elevate Your Screen: Raise your computer screen or laptop for better posture and to create extra space for supplies underneath.
Go Digital: Scan and digitize important documents, keeping in mind some (like notarized papers) should remain in physical form. Be sure to set up a digital filing system for all of the scans.
Tame Cords: Use cable ties to keep cords from tangling and a cable management box to hide them.
Back-of-Door Organizer: Maximize vertical space by using an organizer for supplies. These are also great in pantries, kids’ rooms, or garages.
Living Room
Daily 5-Minute Tidy: Schedule just five minutes at the end of each day to put things back in their place and keep clutter under control.
Return Items Immediately: As soon as you're done with something (like that coffee mug), return it to its rightful place to avoid piles of clutter.
Contain Clutter: Use decorative baskets or bins to contain items. This adds style while keeping things organized.
Designated Mail Spot: Assign someone in your home to bring the mail inside (this is a great chore for kids!). Create a designated space in your entryway, kitchen, or home office where all the mail should be placed. This way, the person responsible for sorting through the mail knows exactly where to go when they have time to review what’s been sent. Consider keeping a recycling bin nearby so junk mail can be immediately disposed of, reducing clutter right from the start.
Reduce Junk Mail: Gather all the junk mail that enters your home each week and call companies to be removed from their mailing lists. Schedule this task at the end of each week, and after a month, you’ll notice a significant reduction in mail clutter.
Laundry Room
Use Narrow Spaces: A slim rolling cart between your washer and dryer is perfect for storing detergent, stain removers, and a trash bin for lint.
Wall-Mounted Drying Rack: For small laundry rooms, a wall-mounted drying rack that can be collapsed when not in use is a perfect solution. This space-saving option allows you to air-dry clothes without taking up valuable floor space, keeping your laundry area neat and organized.
Final Decluttering Tips
Take Before and After Photos: Capture progress by taking photos of your space before and after decluttering. It’s a great motivator to keep going.
Use Labeled Bins: While decluttering, have bins ready for trash, recycling, donation, and relocation to make sorting easy.
Start Small: Tackle one drawer, one shelf, or one small space at a time. It’s more manageable, and you’ll feel accomplished after completing each mini project.
Label. Label. Label.: Use labels on pantry shelves, bins in your closets, or any other place where you might find it useful. This helps everyone in the household know where things belong, making it easier to maintain order.
Elevate Your Environment: Embrace the Decluttering Journey
Decluttering is all about starting with small, manageable steps and maintaining your progress with daily habits. By focusing on one area at a time, you’ll create a home that’s organized, functional, and stress-free. Creating systems in your home for all of your belongings will not only save you time but also boost your productivity. And if that doesn’t get you excited, think about how easy it will be to find what you need: groceries will have a place to be put away, clean clothes will have a designated spot, and you'll reduce the stress of searching for misplaced items. You’ll finally have more time to focus on what matters most to you!
For those bigger projects, don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends or hire a professional organizer. You deserve a clutter-free home where everything is in its place.
More Organizing Ideas
Need even more ideas on how to organize your home? Living. Simplified. is ready to help. Take a look at these blog posts or send us an email at lauren@livingsimplified.net and we can work together to reach your organizing and decluttering goals:
How to Organize Your Kitchen in 4 Easy Steps