The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist: Simplify Your Life

A cluttered home can overwhelm you, both physically and mentally, right?! Decluttering not only creates a more organized living space, but it also enhances your mood, productivity, and mental clarity. This guide will walk you through the decluttering process, with a step-by-step checklist to help you tackle every room in your home. It is not an easy process, especially if you haven’t done any of these in decades. Please be patient and enjoy the journey!

Step 1: Set Decluttering Goals

Before you start the decluttering actions, it’s so important to know what you want to achieve. Ask yourself:

What areas of your home need the most attention? Would it be the bedroom, kitchen, closet or all-of-the-above?

What’s your ultimate goal? Would it be a more spacious home, reducing stress, creating more storage, or all-of-the-above?

Well, all-of-the-above bucket is a bit annoying. It requires careful prioritization. Otherwise, your mind will be cluttered.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Prepare for decluttering by gathering the following supplies:

Sorting bins: labelled “Keep and Organize,” “Donate,” “Trash,” and “Sell”.

Cleaning supplies: dusting spray, wipes, facial masks, gloves, and any other cleaning products.

Storage organizers: Bins, baskets, drawer dividers, etc.

Labels and markers: For clear labeling of your storage containers.

Step 3: Declutter Room by Room

Here’s how to tackle each room in your special set of priorities in your home:

Living Room

Sort through books, magazines, and DVDs (yes, DVDs! We do believe they are still around even when Netflix is so popular): Donate or store the ones you no longer need.

Declutter coffee tables and side tables: Clear off unnecessary items and keep only the essentials.

Organize electronics: keep cords, remote controls, and gadgets neatly stored.

Pillows and blankets: Fold and store any extra pillows or throws.

Storage Ideas:

Floating shelves for decor and books. Baskets or bins for small items (remote controls, game consoles).

Kitchen

Pantry: Check expiration dates and toss expired or unused food. Once we found a bag of chips expired a year ago in the kitchen. Reorganize shelves.

Cabinets: Purge items that don’t get used (old pots, mismatched lids, etc.).

Countertop: Remove unnecessary items. Keep the essentials like coffee makers or blenders.

Drawers: Sort through utensils and gadgets, keeping only the items, you use regularly.

Storage Ideas:

Spice racks or drawer organizers for utensils or snacks. Stackable containers for pantry organization.

Bedroom

Clothing: Donate clothes you haven’t worn in the last year or longer. Sort through your shoes and accessories.

Nightstand: Clear out unnecessary items. Store books and essentials neatly.

Under the bed: Use storage bins for seasonal clothes or extra bedding.

Storage Ideas:

Closet organizers, under-bed storage bins, and drawer dividers.

Bathroom

Medicine cabinet: Discard expired medicines and beauty products.

Shower/tub area: Remove unnecessary bottles or old towels.

Drawers and cabinets: Organize toiletries and cleaning products into clear bins.

Storage Ideas:

Wall-mounted shelves or hooks for towels and toiletries.

Clear acrylic containers for makeup and skincare products.

Home Office

Desk: Clear off clutter like old paperwork, empty coffee cups, and random office supplies.

Filing system: Sort important documents and file them. Shred anything outdated or unnecessary.

Bookshelves: Organize books, binders, and supplies.

Storage Ideas:

Drawer organizers for pens, paper, and office tools. Filing cabinets or vertical storage to save space.

Step 4: Organize as You Declutter

As you begin to declutter, organize the items you’re keeping:

Use storage bins, baskets, and organizers to keep things tidy.

Label everything to make sure things are easy to find.

Maintain the organization by putting items back in their place daily.

See also, General Guidelines to Organize Your Things.

Step 5: Create a Maintenance Plan

Decluttering is an ongoing process. To maintain a clutter-free home:

Set a weekly or monthly schedule to review and remove unwanted items.

Implement the "One In, One Out" rule: For every new item you bring into the house, get rid of something you no longer need.

Focus on one area at a time: Regularly declutter small spaces (e.g., drawers, closets) to prevent clutter from piling up again.

Decluttering may seem overwhelming at first, but it becomes much easier to tackle once you break it down into manageable tasks. Use this guide and checklist to stay focused and create a more organized, stress-free home. Keep in mind that the decluttering process is ongoing, so don’t forget to maintain your tidy space with regular check-ins and by implementing simple organization systems. Leave us some comments if you have other ideas or does this guide work for you?