Decluttering can make any home look instantly fresh and doesn’t need to be overwhelming. We asked experts for their top tips for quickly decluttering rooms, such as organizing drawers, clearing out trash cans, and more.
An effective rule is the “one in, one out” principle, which suggests that for every new item you bring into the house, an older, similar item should go out the door so clutter never builds up.
1. Get Organized
Decluttering can be daunting, but its rewards can be enormous. A clutter-free space is easier to maintain, more functional, and truly represents your style; plus, it’s freeing to let go of items that no longer bring joy or serve a purpose!
Start small and take it one area at a time. Instead of trying to tackle your entire bedroom all at once, break it into manageable sections with manageable goals for each session—for instance, if you plan on decluttering your counters each day for 20 minutes until they’re all cleared off before moving on to another section.
Mimi suggests starting with something straightforward like clothing, as this will allow you to see immediate results, encouraging and motivating you. Furthermore, starting small will get your organizing muscles moving so when dealing with more challenging categories like paperwork or sentimental keepsakes, it won’t seem so daunting.
Once you’ve accomplished decluttering, it’s essential that the process continues regularly. If you don’t have time to tackle an entire room in one session, make it your goal to clear out clutter every month so it doesn’t accumulate and cause another messy look.
2. Rearrange Your Furniture
Rearranging furniture can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give any room a fresh new look, making the space feel more welcoming while clearing away clutter that has collected beneath or on top of different pieces. Reorganizing can also improve air quality in your home, which is especially important if there are children or family members living with allergies.
Rearranging furniture can be a fun and creative activity! Try moving items around in your entryway to reduce visual clutter and make guests feel welcomed upon entering the house. Take on a “take away 10” challenge by moving objects back to their proper homes or into your declutter pile for an added sense of achievement!
When rearranging furniture, be mindful to follow the 2/3 rule: the largest pieces (such as a sofa and coffee table in living areas or a bed with nightstands in bedrooms) should occupy roughly two-thirds of available space so as to prevent people tripping over extra furniture or one another when moving through a room. This ensures there will not be tripping hazards for passersby and people moving through.
3. Refresh Your Accessories
If your home is overrun by small accent pieces and decor items, try refreshing their look by moving some to different areas of the home. For instance, if there is an abundance of vases on your coffee table or nightstand, try placing one into a clear glass bowl before storing the others to create an organized look and make storage less cumbersome.
If you find that there are too many throw pillows or table lamps in your bed or on your bookshelf, consider keeping only those that hold sentimental value to you and clearing out some. This will allow the remaining pieces to shine more brightly and will help give your home an updated aesthetic without adding clutter.
Mountford suggests using the one-in, one-out rule to declutter your home. The idea behind it is straightforward: whenever an item is added to your collection, an equivalent one should be removed in order to keep space free for other things that come later. When decluttering clothes closets, for example, whenever new purchases such as dresses or jackets come into your closet throughout the year, they should be removed to prevent overcrowding your space.
Mountford suggests taking small steps when decluttering. Instead of trying to declutter an entire pantry at once, start small by decluttering one area at a time—this way the process feels manageable and won’t overwhelm you!
4. Clean Up
Once your home is decluttered, it’s essential to maintain it by engaging in regular decluttering sessions and devising systems to prevent things from piling back up again. One effective approach is the “one in, one out” rule, which means taking away one item for every new purchase made (or brought in).
At times it may be challenging to find time for this, but it’s worth making the effort—think how much more attractive your house will look without clutter! Furthermore, this will save time in the long run, as less time will be spent looking for and storing items away.
Another great tip is to start small. Begin by picking one area, like the top of a drawer or bookshelf, and work from there; don’t attempt to tackle an entire room at once, as this could become overwhelming, and you won’t see any real results from your efforts.
After you have cleaned up an area, put it on your calendar as a reminder for later and increase the odds that you actually do it. Furthermore, be sure to inform anyone else who lives in the home about what you’re doing and its effects—they may want to join in and help declutter with you!
