If your living space is feeling cluttered and messy, it’s time to learn how to declutter your home! But how should you get started? Whether you’re decluttering your entire house or just tackling a specific room, try one of these 14 home decluttering methods!
- Packing Party
- 30-Day Minimalism Game
- KonMari Method
- Decluttering Checklist
- Four Box Method
- 90/90 Rule
- 12-12-12 Challenge
- 20/20 “Just in Case” Rule
- Reverse Hanger Trick
- Drawer Rotation Method
- 20-Minute Method
- Five-a-Day Method
- One Method
Packing Party
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An extreme method for decluttering your home is to have a packing party. Choose a room to declutter, then pack everything in that room into boxes like you’re moving. Throughout the next several months, take out only the items you use regularly. Any items left in the boxes after three months can be sold or donated. This decluttering approach takes a lot of preparation and planning, but it’s very effective if done correctly.
Pros
- This is an effective way to part with items you don’t use.
- If you’re planning on moving, this is a great way to start packing and get rid of items you no longer need.
- The items are out of sight, so you won’t even realize you’re missing certain things, making it easier to part with them once the cycle ends.
Cons
- Your home will look pretty bare at first, and it may be difficult to navigate around the boxes.
- The boxes could become unorganized, making it a hassle to find and retrieve the items you need.
- You’ll probably have to wash certain items before use after you take them out of the boxes.
30-Day Minimalism Game
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Make decluttering your home fun with the 30-Day Minimalism Game! This game corresponds to the days in a month, and each day tells you how many items to declutter. The first day is one item, second day is two items, third day is three items, and so on. By the end of a 30-day month, you’ll have removed 465 items. Whether you choose to donate, sell, or throw items away is up to you, but the possessions must be out of your house by midnight each day. With this method of decluttering, anything goes!
Pros
- Making decluttering into a game can help the process feel more enjoyable and fun.
- After playing this game for a month, you’ll have decluttered and parted with tons of items.
- Playing this game with friends and family can help motivate you and keep you accountable.
Cons
- It can be difficult and time-consuming to find the number of items to declutter in the later days.
- If you fall behind with choosing items or taking items away, it can be hard to recover.
- The set number of 465 items may not align with your decluttering goals.
KonMari Method
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Created by professional organizer Marie Kondo, the KonMari Method emphasizes removing clutter from your home and surrounding yourself with items that bring joy. Unlike other methods of decluttering, the KonMari Method encourages you to focus on tidying up by category, not by room. When using this method, be sure to start with clothes, then move on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and end with sentimental items. The idea behind this decluttering method is to part with items that no longer spark joy, and show them gratitude as you discard them.
Pros
- Sorting by category makes it easier to get rid of any duplicates and helps you know what you have so you can save money by purchasing less.
- This process allows you to take the sentimental value of items into account.
- The discarding process gives you a chance to feel gratitude for the ways in which the items have contributed to your life.
Cons
- Sorting by category can be incredibly time-consuming if you have a large family or living space.
- The “spark joy” mantra may not resonate with everyone, making it hard to know what to discard and what to keep.
- Putting the items you’re keeping back in their proper place after pulling everything out can take a lot of time and effort.
Decluttering Checklist
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Not sure where to start while decluttering your home? Using a decluttering checklist can help you make and stick to a plan! You can follow a printable template or create your own list of areas to declutter in your home. This decluttering method is simple and customizable, allowing you to declutter any room in your house—from a home office to a mudroom. Begin by looking around your home for cluttered areas and taking note of them. After you’ve accounted for your problem areas, start decluttering each room one by one. Once you’ve made it through your checklist, you can use it as a guide to help avoid clutter from coming back!
Pros
- A checklist can give you a clear place to start.
- By having a list of areas to focus on, you can better manage your time.
- Crossing items off as you declutter can provide an extra sense of accomplishment.
Cons
- While creating your list, trying to see everything you need to declutter at once could feel overwhelming.
- If you’re following a template, it may be difficult to personalize it to your life or home.
- Your checklist could quickly get lengthy, making it harder to follow.
Four Box Method
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Use the Four Box Method to get your space looking clean and organized in no time! For this home decluttering method, you’ll need four boxes labeled with the following categories: Trash, Storage, Put Away, and Give Away/Sell. Starting one room at a time, sort items into the appropriate boxes. When you come to a good stopping point or the boxes are full, dispose of everything in the Trash box, seal the Storage box, find proper places for the items in the Put Away box, and set the Give Away/Sell box near the door or in the trunk of your car. Once you complete one room with this method, it’s time to move on to the next!
Pros
- This method makes it easier to part with items you no longer use, clothes that don’t fit properly, broken belongings, and more in an organized fashion.
- If you’re worried about wasting resources, having a sell box can help you part with items and make a little extra money!
- The key to this method is to declutter one room at a time, which can keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
Cons
- You may find yourself feeling indecisive about items you’ve already placed in the boxes, which can slow down the process.
- The Storage box could become a catch-all, making it difficult to get rid of things.
- When one of the boxes is full, it’s easy to stop the decluttering process altogether.
90/90 Rule
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Another minimalist decluttering method is the 90/90 rule. When decluttering items, ask yourself two questions: Have I used it in the past 90 days? and Will I use it in the next 90 days? If you answer no to both questions, it’s safe to say that you can part with the item. This decluttering method is great for organizing any spot in your house, from your kitchen to your garage.
Pros
- This number rule is flexible. You can change 90 days to six months, as long as you’re honest with yourself about whether you’ll use the item or not.
- The yes/no questions provide very clear guidelines for evaluating whether or not to keep an item.
- This approach helps you identify items you use on a regular basis and get rid of the items that you keep “just in case.”
Cons
- This decluttering method doesn’t apply to seasonal decor.
- It may not work for sentimental items and items that are for special occasions.
- You could be hesitant to get rid of certain items because you might need them in the future.
12-12-12 Challenge
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Tired of finding items all over your house or not in their appropriate spots? Try the 12-12-12 Challenge, perfect for organization and decluttering! Essentially, you need to locate 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper place. Make decluttering your home fun by turning this decluttering challenge into a competition with your family. The 12-12-12 challenge is also ideal for organizing a storage room or kids room!
Pros
- It’s easy to start this challenge at any time, since it doesn’t require you to pull everything out before you begin.
- This method focuses on returning items to their proper place, which can improve organization.
- Each time you put an item away, you can look at the surrounding area for your next item to throw away, donate, or return to its own proper place.
Cons
- It’s easy to get sidetracked while moving through different rooms.
- The challenge can be especially tricky for children who have sentimental attachment to their toys.
- Because of its random structure, this approach isn’t as effective for going through everything you own.
20/20 “Just in Case” Rule
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We often have clutter in our homes because we hold onto items “just in case” we need them in the future. One of the best tips for decluttering these types of items from your home is the 20/20 rule, which encourages you to part with objects you can replace for less than $20 within a 20-minute drive from your home. This decluttering method works great for parting with items like cables, towels, clothes, dishes, kitchen gadgets, baby items, books, and more.
Pros
- This rule can be implemented for nearly any category of items.
- It helps you get rid of items you no longer need and realize what items you use regularly.
- After decluttering, you won’t have any duplicate items.
Cons
- If you get rid of multiple items that you end up needing or wanting again, it can be inconvenient to replace them.
- It may be hard to know which items toe the line of being $20 or if there’s a store with that item within 20 minutes of your home.
- This rule doesn’t help you declutter any unique or higher-value items that you no longer want or need.
Box & Banish Method
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The Box & Banish Method is a simple way to declutter the home! Place a box in an accessible yet hidden spot, like under a desk or in a closet, and put any items you’re not sure whether you want to keep or purge inside. If you haven’t used the items in the box after a decided amount of time, get rid of them. If, however, you find yourself needing an item within the set period, keep it and find a place for it.
Pros
- This method helps you visualize a clean, clutter-free living space.
- It’s a simple solution for determining if you actually need an item or if you’re keeping it “just in case.”
- You can test-run getting rid of items before committing to it.
Cons
- If you struggle parting with sentimental items, you might find it difficult to follow through with this method.
- If you’re looking for something you truly need that’s in the box, you could stumble upon another item and justify keeping it, too.
- The ability to put items in a box for later might make you more indecisive about getting rid of things immediately.
Reverse Hanger Trick
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Running out of space in your closet? The Reverse Hanger Trick is one of the best ways to declutter clothes and help organize your closet! The key to this decluttering method is to start by hanging all your clothes backward so the open end of the hanger faces toward you. Every time you wear an item, hang it as you normally would so the opening of the hanger faces away from you. After six months, you’ll know exactly which pieces you need to part with based on the position of your hangers, allowing you to clear out your closet clutter!
Pros
- This decluttering method is easy to implement and doesn’t require much time.
- It’s a great way to visualize what clothing you’re wearing and which pieces are just taking up room.
- It could motivate you to wear more of the clothing you have.
Cons
- The Reverse Hanger Trick only works for clothes hanging in the closet.
- It takes a long time for this method to work—you don’t get the satisfaction of a quick declutter.
- This method does not work with special occasion or seasonal pieces.
Drawer Rotation Method
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Tackle your dresser drawers with the Drawer Rotation Method! With this method, start by folding your clothes and placing them in the drawers vertically instead of horizontally, so you can see everything at once and rotate pieces more easily. Then, whenever you’re putting clean clothes away, place them in the backs of drawers rather than the front, pushing the other clothes forward. This decluttering method encourages you to wear all of the pieces of clothing in your drawers instead of wearing the same thing over and over again. If items sit unworn, those are the ones to part with. This method works great for decluttering and organizing your bedroom when paired with the Reverse Hanger Trick!
Pros
- This method helps you assess the clothes in your drawers on a more frequent basis, rather than seasonally.
- Because you’re evaluating items often, you’re more likely to keep drawers tidy and decluttered over time.
- By folding vertically (also known as file-folding), your clothes are less likely to wrinkle and will take up less space in your drawers.
Cons
- The Drawer Rotation Method only works for clothes in a dresser.
- This method doesn’t apply to seasonal clothing you may keep in storage.
- File folding your clothes can be time-consuming.
20-Minute Method
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You can easily declutter a small space with the 20-Minute Method. Set a timer for 20 minutes, then start decluttering and organizing small spaces like kitchen cabinets or the ever-messy junk room. When the timer goes off, step back and assess the work you’ve done. If you feel like you’ve done enough decluttering for the day, you’re done. If you want to keep going, set the timer for an additional 20 minutes. Continue this process over time until you’ve dealt with all the areas you want to declutter.
Pros
- This approach is ideal for smaller, more defined spaces like a cabinet, drawer, or closet.
- By doing just a little bit of decluttering at a time, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and will be more likely to keep working at it.
- On days when you have the time and motivation to do more, you can do as many 20-minute increments as you like.
Cons
- This method might not give you an appropriate amount of time to evaluate the importance or sentimental value of items.
- Because this is a quick way to declutter, it might not be as effective or in-depth.
- You likely won’t be able to finish decluttering larger spaces in your home within the 20-minute timeframe.
Five-a-Day Method
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With the Five-a-Day Method, you choose five items per day to remove from your home, whether it’s by giving them away or throwing them away. You can focus on one room at a time or choose your five items from more than one spot. Of course, you can also get rid of more than five items at a time if you’d like—this is just a number to start with. This decluttering method allows you to declutter your home on an ongoing basis, rather than having to do it all at once.
Pros
- This method is a low-stress way to declutter, since you’re focusing on only five items at a time.
- You can easily identify five items to get rid of.
- Decluttering becomes a habit, making it easier to maintain an organized home.
Cons
- It will likely take a while for you to be able to see your progress.
- Once you get rid of five items, you may decide you’re done decluttering.
- This decluttering process may start to seem redundant after a while.
One Method
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Similar to the Five-a-Day Method, the One Method is as easy as it sounds—you just need to declutter one item a day for a set amount of time! At the end of the year, your home will be 365 items lighter. The timeframe is adjustable to your needs, as is the way in which you measure your items—you can aim for one actual item, one box-full, or one trash bag. While following this decluttering method, try to focus on one area at a time.
Pros
- This decluttering tip is easy to implement and customize to your needs.
- By removing one item a day, you can get into a decluttering routine.
- It may inspire you to clear out more items.
Cons
- By aiming for only one item at a time, it could take a long time before you declutter your entire home.
- You may initially feel like you’ve made very little progress, which can be discouraging.
- You may accumulate new clutter throughout the year, which can affect your daily progress.
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