Do you feel overwhelmed by clutter? I’ve been there, and I understand how stressful it can be.
Keeping clutter under control isn’t always easy, but these 21 practical clutter-busting hacks will help you clear space and maintain order. You’ll find simple, effective tips you can use right away.
1. Get Rid of Old Items Every Time You Buy Something New
If you keep bringing new items into your home without letting go of old ones, clutter will always be a problem. Make a habit of removing an item whenever you bring something new in. For example, donate, sell, or recycle an old pair of shoes if you buy a new pair. This keeps your possessions balanced and helps you appreciate what you own.
2. Identify Which Clothes You Use by Hanging Them in the Opposite Direction
To decide which clothes to keep, hang your garments the opposite way for a few weeks. When you wear an item, return it the normal way. After a set period, you’ll clearly see which pieces you never touch and can donate or discard them.
3. Identify Storage Space with Labels
Labels create order and reduce the chance of items being left out. Label drawers, bins, shelves, and boxes so everyone knows where things belong. Clear labeling makes it easier to maintain organization over time.
4. Schedule Time for Decluttering
Life gets busy, so schedule decluttering sessions like any other appointment. Block off an hour or a weekend slot to tackle a room or closet. Consistent scheduling makes decluttering manageable instead of overwhelming.
5. Use Clear Bottles to Reduce Visual Clutter
Visual clutter makes spaces feel chaotic. Transfer lotions, soaps, and shampoos into clear, uniform containers to create a cleaner, more cohesive look on shelves and counters.
6. Bring a Basket with You to Collect Clutter Around the House
Keep a small basket or tote and carry it as you move from room to room. Drop misplaced items into the basket and return them to their homes at the end of your walk-through. This reduces the effort of constant back-and-forth trips.
7. Use Three Boxes to Sort Items
Make decluttering straightforward with three boxes labeled Donate, Trash, and Sell. Sorting items immediately into these categories speeds decisions and keeps the process moving. Once the session ends, deal with each box right away.
8. Focus on One Drawer or Cupboard at a Time
Trying to tackle too much at once often leads to unfinished projects. Pick one drawer, shelf, or cupboard and finish it before moving on. Small wins add up and keep momentum going.
9. Declutter One Category at a Time
Work by category—shoes, cookware, books, or accessories—rather than by room. Sorting similar items together helps you compare and make clearer choices about what to keep.
10. Clear Out Your Purse
Empty your purse regularly to remove receipts, wrappers, and unused items. Consider using a small organizer insert to keep essentials tidy and easy to find.
11. Create a Clutter-Free Entryway
A tidy entryway sets the tone for your home. Use shoe racks, coat hooks, and a designated spot for keys and backpacks to keep this area welcoming and clutter-free.
12. Organize Files on Your Laptop
Digital clutter can be as distracting as physical clutter. Create a clear folder structure, archive or delete unneeded files, and clean up your desktop and inbox to improve focus and efficiency.
13. Make a Decluttering Checklist
Create a checklist for daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks. A written plan breaks the job into manageable steps and helps you stick to routines that prevent clutter from returning.
14. Remove One Item Everyday
If decluttering feels daunting, commit to removing just one item per day. Over time, these small actions make a noticeable difference and keep you moving forward.
15. Put Everything Away After Use to Avoid Clutter
Decide on a home for items and make it a habit to return things immediately after use. This small behavior prevents daily mess from becoming overwhelming.
16. Focus on Flat Surfaces First
Flat surfaces like counters and desks accumulate visual clutter quickly. Clearing these areas first creates an immediate sense of order and motivates further decluttering.
17. Take Before and After Pictures to Track Your Progress
Take photos before and after each decluttering session. Seeing visual progress is motivating and helps you appreciate the difference your efforts make.
18. Get Motivated with Some Music
Make decluttering more enjoyable by playing upbeat music. It can increase your energy and help you work faster.
19. Get Rid of Expired Beauty Products
Beauty and skincare products expire and can take up valuable space. Check dates and toss anything past its prime to free up room and avoid using ineffective or unsafe products.
20. Get Rid of Expired Medication
Old medication takes up space and can be hazardous. Dispose of expired drugs according to local guidelines and reclaim that storage area for useful items.
21. Sort through Stationery and Discard Dry Markers and Pens
Stationery tends to multiply, especially pens and markers that dry out. Regularly purge dried-out writing tools and keep only what works to streamline your supplies.
With these straightforward habits and small systems in place, maintaining a clutter-free home becomes much more achievable. Start with one tip today and build momentum—your space will thank you.