How to declutter your home: a comprehensive, room-by-room guide

Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming, especially if you're not sure where to start. But it doesn’t have to be stressful! By breaking the process down room by room, you can tackle your clutter systematically and transform your space into a serene, organised haven. Whether you’re a first-time de-clutterer or someone looking to refine their system, this comprehensive guide will help you clear the clutter and maintain an organised home for good.

1. Entryway/Front Hallway

Your entryway sets the tone for your entire home. If it’s cluttered, it can create a sense of chaos as soon as you walk through the door.

How to Declutter:

• Start with a clean slate: Remove everything from the space, from shoes to keys to coats.
• Sort by category: Organise shoes, coats, bags, and accessories. Decide what needs to be stored elsewhere, donated, or thrown out.
• Use storage solutions: Add hooks for coats, baskets or trays for shoes, and a small table or basket for keys and mail. Make sure everything has a designated spot.
• Limit “catch-all” spots: Avoid creating a pile of random items. If you need a place to drop things, invest in a tray or bowl for quick storage.

Pro Tip: Use vertical storage, like wall-mounted racks or floating shelves, to maximise space in smaller entryways.

2. Living Room

Living rooms tend to accumulate a lot of items over time — from magazines to remote controls to random household clutter. Organising this area can help create a relaxing, inviting space.

How to Declutter:

• Clear the surfaces: Start by removing everything from coffee tables, side tables, and the floor. Dust and wipe surfaces as you go.
• Sort items: Get rid of old magazines, books you’ve already read, and unused or broken electronics. Donate or sell what’s in good condition.
• Use functional storage: Invest in a storage ottoman, TV stand with drawers, or baskets for blankets and pillows. This helps keep everything neatly tucked away.
• Minimise knick-knacks: Limit the decorative items on tables and shelves to avoid visual clutter. A few meaningful objects are often more effective than a display full of trinkets.

Pro Tip: Keep remote controls, chargers, and other small electronics in a dedicated drawer or basket, so they’re always easy to find but don’t take up space on surfaces.

3. Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, but it’s also a place where clutter tends to pile up quickly — from dishes to utensils to kitchen gadgets you rarely use.

How to Declutter:

• Clear countertops: Take everything off the counters, and wipe them down. Leave only essentials like your coffee maker or toaster.
• Organise drawers and cabinets: Go through utensils, pots, pans, and small appliances. Get rid of duplicates and items you no longer use or need.
• Tackle the pantry: Check expiration dates and remove any expired food or items you’ll never use. Group items by category (e.g., canned goods, grains, snacks) for easier access.
• Optimise storage: Invest in drawer dividers for utensils, pull-out organisers for spices, or baskets for snacks. Maximise vertical space in cabinets by stacking items neatly or using adjustable shelves.

Pro Tip: Do a quick daily or weekly sweep of your kitchen to prevent items from accumulating. A clean and organised kitchen makes meal prep so much easier!

4. Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a restful space, but it can quickly turn into a storage area for clothes, shoes, and random items that don’t belong anywhere else.

How to Declutter:

• Start with the bed: Strip the bed, fluff pillows, and make it up. A made bed immediately makes the room look tidier.
• Clear surfaces: Remove everything from dressers, nightstands, and chairs. Sort through any clutter and decide what needs to stay, go, or be organised.
• Tackle the closet: Go through your clothes, shoes, and accessories. Donate or sell items you haven’t worn in over a year, or that no longer fit or suit your style.
• Maximise closet space: Use matching hangers, fold clothes neatly, and add storage bins for accessories, scarves, or seasonal items.

Pro Tip: Consider under-bed storage for extra bedding, seasonal clothes, or shoes. Use clear bins or bags for easy access.

5. Bathroom

Bathrooms are small but high-traffic areas that tend to get cluttered with toiletries, beauty products, and cleaning supplies.

How to Declutter:

• Clear countertops: Take everything off the sink and vanity. Clean the surfaces thoroughly before putting things back.
• Sort through products: Get rid of expired products, old makeup, or toiletries you don’t use. If you have a lot of duplicate items (e.g., shampoos or lotions), reduce them to your favourites.
• Organise under the sink: Use bins or baskets to group items (hair care, cleaning supplies, etc.). Invest in drawer organisers for smaller items like makeup and razors.
• Keep it simple: Limit the number of items on your bathroom counters to the essentials — toothbrush, soap, and hand lotion.

Pro Tip: Regularly check expiration dates on toiletries and beauty products to avoid buildup. And if you don’t use it, toss it!

6. Home Office/Study

If you work or study from home, your office is a space that can quickly become disorganised with papers, office supplies, and random files. Keeping this area organised helps improve productivity and focus.

How to Declutter:

• Clear your desk: Remove everything from your desk, then wipe it down and only place essential items back (computer, lamp, etc.).
• Sort papers: Go through your files, mail, and paperwork. Shred anything you no longer need, and organise important documents into labeled folders.
• Organise supplies: Keep office supplies like pens, markers, and sticky notes in drawers or containers. Use drawer dividers to keep everything from pens to paperclips in order.
• Optimise storage: Invest in file organisers, wall shelves, or filing cabinets for your documents and books.

Pro Tip: Set a weekly routine to review your home office. A quick clean-up of papers and desk items can help you stay organised in the long run.

7. Storage Spaces (Attic, Basement, Garage)

Storage areas often end up as the catch-all for things we don’t have space for elsewhere. These spaces can quickly become a jumble of seasonal items, old furniture, and unused belongings.

How to Declutter:

• Tackle one area at a time: Don’t try to declutter the entire basement or attic in one go. Break it down into smaller sections (e.g., storage bins, seasonal decorations, old furniture).
• Sort through everything: Be ruthless about what you really need to keep. If it’s broken or hasn’t been used in years, it’s probably time to let it go.
• Use labeled bins and containers: Store seasonal decorations, camping gear, or extra items in clear bins with labels so you can easily find what you need.
• Create a functional system: Consider shelving units, pegboards, or hooks to store items off the floor and maximise space.

Pro Tip: If you’re storing sentimental items, consider creating a dedicated “memory box” so everything has a specific place and you can easily revisit it when needed.

8. Kids’ Rooms and Play Areas

Kids’ toys and clothes can take over a room if left unchecked. Keeping these areas organised makes it easier for your children to find and put away their things.

How to Declutter:

• Go through toys: Sort through toys, games, and books. Donate or sell any that are broken or no longer played with.
• Involve the kids: Get your children involved in decluttering by having them help sort through their items. This encourages responsibility and helps them learn the value of keeping things organised.
• Create designated storage: Use bins, baskets, or toy chests to store toys. Label the bins with pictures or words to help kids know where things go.
• Rotate toys: If you have a lot of toys, try rotating them. Store some out of sight and swap them out every few months to keep things fresh without overwhelming your child.

Pro Tip: Use vertical space, such as wall-mounted shelves or hooks, for artwork or small toys that need easy access.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering your home can feel like a huge undertaking, but breaking it down room by room makes it manageable. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll not only reduce clutter but also create a more functional and peaceful living environment.

Take your time, stay consistent, and remember that organising is a process, not a one-time event. With a little dedication, you’ll have a clutter-free home that feels organised and enjoyable to live in. Happy decluttering!