As the colder nights draw in, you’ll want to spend your time relaxed at home in a cosy space. It’s a good habit to keep your home as clutter free as possible to fully appreciate your home, know where everything is, and also make it easier to clean!
However, decluttering and clearing out your home is a daunting task, so to make it easier, we have created the ultimate home decluttering guide!
In this ultimate decluttering checklist, we'll guide you through the steps to achieve a fresh start and maintain a clutter-free life!
1. Set Clear Goals & Plan Ahead
Before starting, take a moment to define your objectives and goals and make a plan. Understanding your goals will help you stay motivated throughout the process and plan what to prioritise.
Once you have a plan, gather your cleaning supplies, storage boxes, black bags or anything you need to keep with you in a designated spot.
When you start moving things around your home, you don’t want to be sifting through clothing or items to find missing boxes and cleaning supplies!
Top Tip: Keep a box of cleaning supplies near when you start to organise and carry it with you to avoid losing it in clutter! Also have spare just in case!
2. Start Small
Don't overwhelm yourself by tackling your entire home at once! Begin with a manageable area, like one room, or even start smaller and work on a drawer or a single closet.
Achieving small wins early on will boost your confidence and help build momentum for the rest of the project!
3. Sort Like a Pro
As you go through your belongings one by one, categorise items into distinct groups: keep, donate, toss, or recycle. Store each category into temperary storage for later. This categorisation will make decision-making easier and more efficient and keep everything tidy while you go through it.
If you plan to sell some items, it is a good idea to remember that selling can take time.
You don’t want a bag or box of items to sell hanging around forever, so make sure the items will give you a good return and keep that "to sell" box as empty as possible!
If you find selling items difficult or you have too much to sell and it takes up space, decide whether anything could be donated instead.
4. Donate and Recycle with the One-In, One-Out Rule
If you come across items that you don't need anymore, and they are in good condition, ensure that they find new homes through donations.
You can recycle responsibly to minimise environmental impact as well, and if you aren't sure how you can recycle an item, visit your local recycling or rubbish centre and ask for advice.
Top Tip: Use the one-in, one-out rule. For every new item you bring into your home, consider removing an old one. This prevents future clutter buildup so your home can stay clutter free!
5. Does it Spark Joy? Be Ruthless
Sometimes it can be way too easy to keep everything for one reason or another, but sometimes you have to be a bit ruthless to clear up properly. Embrace expert tidier and organiser Marie Kondo's famous KonMarie method to declutter and tidy...
"Does it spark joy?"
If an item doesn't bring you happiness or serve a practical purpose, it might be time to bid it farewell!
If you find it hard to part ways with items, trying this technique can help you think hard about an item and eventually you might find the answer.
It’s okay to keep something if you’re not sure, but make sure you revisit it later!
6. Use Smart Storage Solutions
It may cross your mind to invest in storage solutions first before you start decluttering, but it is especially important to clear through the clutter first, so you are only storing what you need and what you are keeping!
No one wants to fill a box with items just to then go through it again! Save yourself some time, clear out first, then you can invest in storage containers, shelves, and organisers to keep them neat, accessible, and easy to find.
7. Digitise Documents and Memories
A way to help reduce physical clutter is by scanning old photos and documents and storing them securely online and going paperless with your banks and other accounts where possible.
If you have printed photos, you can file these in photo albums or you can digitise them and store the printed copies out of the way.
Top tips for clearing out your images, documents and other office supplies...
- Scan and then shred old/unneeded documents.
- Recycle old and tattered files and folders.
- Only keep pencils and pens you use and donate the rest.
- Recycle or use up scrap paper and stationery, including business cards.
- Check balances of gift cards and coupons and use them up.
- Donate or recycle outdated digital cameras.
- Store or donate books that you won’t read again. Books make great gift ideas!
- Excess USB drives can be stored away or donated (Once you check the contents first!)
8. Clear and Clean Counters and Surfaces
After achieving a clutter-free space, it's good to give every surface and item a quick clean, vacuum or dust while your space is clear.
Establish a habit of keeping these surfaces free from unnecessary items to help simplify future cleaning and dusting tasks!
9. Rotate Seasonal Items
When it comes to seasonal items like Halloween decorations, seasonal clothing, or garden furniture, it's advisable to store them when they're not in use and to periodically go through each season and declutter.
By storing seasonal decorations and clothing when they're not needed, you can maintain a functional and clutter-free living space throughout the year.
10. Evaluate Your Wardrobe
In a similar vein to rotating your seasonal items, assess your clothing on a semi-regular basis.
If you have a habit of buying new clothes or accessories and not going through your existing clothes, doing a regular look through can help you keep on track on what you wear and don’t wear anymore.
This is where the "One In, One Out" trick is helpful!
Top Tip: Check if you have worn an item in the past year. If you haven’t, consider donating or selling it. Creating a minimalist wardrobe simplifies your daily choices!
11. Check Expiry Dates
Dispose of expired pantry items and old toiletries regularly and check their labels. Keeping your supplies fresh and up to date reduces clutter in your kitchen and bathroom and the chance of having to go to the shop to replace an expired item in a hurry!
Top Tip: If you tend to collect items, such as bath bombs or toiletries, they have a POA (Period After Opening) symbol!
You can find this small icon on the label. It looks like a little pot with its lid open and will usually also feature a number and a letter “M” indicating months. This symbol will tell you how long a product stays good after you open it, while the expiration date lets you know when a product is no longer usable, no matter if or when it was opened.
Either way, check your items, especially makeup, lotions and medicines regularly to ensure they are safe!
12. Regular Maintenance
One way to stay on top of things is to turn decluttering into a regular habit. Set aside some time, whether it's once a month, once a week, or even a little every day, to do a quick decluttering session.
This ongoing effort will help you keep your home in order and make sure it doesn't get overwhelmed by stuff again.
Plus, it'll also encourage you to be more mindful about what you bring into your space, helping you distinguish what truly adds value to your life and what can find a new home elsewhere.
It's not just about the initial overhaul but also the consistent commitment to keeping things organised!
13. Ask for Help
Don't hesitate to get the support and accountability of family or friends during your decluttering journey if you want to.
Having a friend or two help out can make the process not only more enjoyable but also more effective. You can exchange ideas, offer each other a fresh perspective, and encourage one another to let go of items that might be holding sentimental value but no longer serve a practical purpose.
Turning decluttering into a social activity can turn a daunting task into a fun and shared experience!
14. Celebrate Progress
It's essential to recognise your achievements along the way, so each time you reach a significant milestone, take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Whether it's finally clearing out that overflowing wardrobe, creating a more functional workspace, or simplifying your daily routines, these accomplishments are worth celebrating.
By marking these milestones, you reinforce your commitment to the decluttering process. It serves as a reminder of how far you've come and the positive changes you've made in your life.
Top Tip: Consider treating yourself to a small reward, like a special treat, a relaxing evening, or a meaningful experience, when you reach a major decluttering goal.
15. Enjoy the Benefits!
Whether you needed to clear out your house, garage or finally repurpose your cluttered storage conservatory into a usable living space, you can revel in the newfound space, reduced stress, and a more organised life that decluttering brings!
Embrace the tranquillity of your clutter-free environment once you are done and make the most of it...
And that's it for our ultimate decluttering list!
If you have any other tips you would like to add, we'd love to hear them!
Also share this ultimate decluttering checklist with someone who's ready to embark on their own decluttering journey and together, let's conquer clutter and create spaces that truly bring joy and serenity into our lives.
