These practical tips and printable decluttering checklist will help you effectively tackle the clutter in your home.
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Let’s be honest clutter can be very overwhelming. A clutter-free home will not only positively boost your mood it will also give you a sense of peace like no other.
I know decluttering may seem very stressful, and honestly, it is sometimes. The thing about decluttering (and it took me some time to figure this out) is it doesn’t happen overnight, and you can’t rush the process. The trick to decluttering is to break into digestible “chunks” to avoid feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up.
I started decluttering back in 2021 and I’m the kind of person who wants things to happen fast. Like, insanely fast. I would try to declutter my entire house in one day and guess what? It wouldn’t happen. At the end of the day, I’d be irritated, and grumpy, and there was a mess left behind, making me even more irritated. You see the vicious cycle I was in? So, learn from my mistakes, and don’t try to declutter your home in one day.
Instead, follow my decluttering checklist to make it easier on yourself. Also, one important reminder: be patient and give yourself grace. We all have a lot of things going on during the day, and there are days when you won’t have the time or energy to tackle a space. That’s normal. Just pick up where you left off and continue on your decluttering journey.
Decluttering tips to keep in mind before you begin…
Set a realistic goal
Wanting to declutter your entire home in a day is not doable. Remember the clutter didn’t happen in one day; it accumulated gradually over time. Instead, focus on making steady progress by tackling one room or area at a time. Set realistic goals and prioritize the areas that need the most attention.
Schedule it
Don’t leave decluttering to chance. When you’re planning out your week, designate a day and time to do some decluttering. I used to rely on a mental checklist for my to-dos, but as my family has grown and my responsibilities have increased, keeping track mentally is no longer realistic.
Do it little by little
Do a little every day. Break up the process into manageable tasks and spread them out over time. This way, you’ll avoid feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Decluttering is a journey, not a race. Take your time, stay consistent, and celebrate each small win along the way. You got this!
Simple Room-By-Room Decluttering Checklist
TIP: Looking at a long checklist can be overwhelming. Instead, break it down into smaller easy-to-do sections. For example, if you want to start by decluttering your kitchen, start with the junk drawer or pantry. Once completed, move on to the next category or area.
Kitchen Decluttering Checklist:
- Expired spices and pantry items
- Stained food storage containers
- Storage containers with missing lids
- Excessive mugs
- Extra plates
- Appliances you no longer use
- Extra or unused bakeware
- Expired vitamins/medicines
- Unused special occasion serve ware
- Takeout menus
- Takeout straws
- Takeout sauce packets
- Recipe books you don’t use
- Gadgets rarely used
- Rarely used or unused pots and pans
- Damaged pots and pans
- Extra spatulas, strainers, etc.
- Damaged placemats
- Worn-out dish towels
- Excessive water bottles
Living Room Decluttering Checklist
- Extra throw blankets (keep 3 or 4 depending on your family size)
- Extra decor throw pillows
- Extra cords/cables you don’t used
- Damaged furniture
- Furniture you no longer like or fits your style
- Broken remotes
- Books you won’t read again
- Old magazines
- Stained or dirty textiles that can’t be cleaned
- Decorative items you don’t like or use
- Broken or chipped decor items
- Picture frames you no longer like or fit your style
Bedroom Decluttering Checklist
- Sheets and pillows that are old or stained
- Extra duvets (keep one guest set + 1 or 2 for you)
- Extra decor pillows
- Old or broken furniture
- Unused Furniture
- Unnecessary or misplaced items in your nightstand drawers
- Paper Clutter
- Clear under-bed storage (remove unnecessary items)
Bathroom Decluttering Checklist
- Expired/unused beauty products
- Old makeup
- Extra brushes, combs, etc.
- Unused or broken hair tools
- Old nail polish
- Product samples (use them up or get them out)
- Old or stained towels ( I keep 2 per person)
- Extra decor
Closet Decluttering Checklist
- Clothes that don’t fit properly
- Unused clothes
- Clothing that is no longer your style
- Socks/tights with holes
- Clothing that is worn out
- Shoes that hurt
- Shoes you haven’t worn in a year
- Fitness clothes you don’t use
- Dry cleaning hangers
- Broken or worn down purses
- Worn-out bras/underwear
- Old expired perfumes
Here’s an in-depth guide on How to Declutter Your Closet!
Kids Decluttering Checklist
- Paper clutter
- Outgrown clothes ( I kept a few baby items in a keepsake\box)
- Outgrown shoes
- Broken toys or toys that are missing pieces
- Toys they have outgrown and no longer play with
- School books from previous years
- Extra bookbags
- Old school projects (you can take pictures of them and save a digital file)
- Books they have outgrown
- Birthday party trinkets
Garage/Attic/Basement/Decluttering Checklist
- Old or dried-out paints
- Spare furniture parts (the ones that come with box furniture)
- Cardboard boxes
- Unused furniture pieces
- Outgrown toys (bikes, helmets, etc.)
- Hobby equipment no longer used or wanted
- Paper clutter
- Seasonal decor (items you haven’t decorated within more than a year)
This post was about how to declutter your home with this room by room decluttering checklist.
-Nina
