36 Effective Decluttering and Organizing Hacks for a Clutter-Free Home
Decluttering and organizing your home can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies and a little effort, you can transform your living space from a cluttered mess to a haven of order and tranquility.
Decluttering Hacks
1. Designate a Spot for ‘Junk’
Create a specific area, such as a drawer or caddy, for items that tend to accumulate in high-traffic zones. This will prevent clutter from spreading throughout your home.
2. Use Magnetic Desk Organizers
Utilize magnetic trays and accessories to keep office supplies organized and easily accessible.
3. Designate a Donation Center
Having a designated space for donations will make decluttering easier and more efficient. Find a local charity or donation center where you can drop off unwanted items.
4. Hang Kids’ Artwork
Display children’s artwork using clips or magnets to reduce fridge clutter. This allows you to showcase their creations while keeping the refrigerator organized.
5. Use Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Just About Everything
Shower curtain rods can be repurposed to organize items in closets, kitchens, and other areas. Hang scarves, handbags, belts, or tea towels on these rods to maximize space utilization.
6. Declutter Your Mudroom with Built-In Storage, Hooks, and Bins
The mudroom is often a dumping ground for shoes, bags, and outerwear. Install built-in storage, hooks, and bins to keep these items organized and off the floor.
7. Be Prepared with Baskets
Baskets are a versatile storage solution for living rooms, bedrooms, and other areas. Use them to corral clutter and maintain a tidy appearance.
8. Create a Clutter Cabinet for Home Accessories
Designate a cabinet or storage space for infrequently used home accessories, such as candlesticks, picture frames, and seasonal items. This will keep these items organized and out of sight until needed.
9. Have a System for Project Magazines
Don’t hoard magazines for a single recipe or DIY idea. Create a system for managing magazine content by storing recipes, project ideas, and other relevant information in designated folders or files.
10. Invest in a Shredder
A shredder is an essential tool for reducing paper clutter. Shred junk mail, old bills, and other unnecessary documents to keep your home tidy and protect your privacy.
Organizing Hacks
11. Save Countertop Space
Maximize countertop space in the kitchen by storing knives on a magnetic strip or in a drawer with a divider. This will free up valuable counter real estate.
12. Use Storage-Friendly Furniture
Choose furniture that doubles as storage, such as beds with built-in drawers or nightstands with shelves. This will help you maximize space utilization, especially in small living quarters.
13. Create Clutter Hub Spots
Designate specific areas in your home, such as a hallway or landing, as “clutter hubs.” Use these spaces to temporarily store items that belong in other rooms until you have time to put them away.
14. Set a Timer for 15 Minutes
If you find cleaning and decluttering overwhelming, break it down into manageable chunks. Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on cleaning or decluttering a specific area during that time.
15. Treat Every Item in Your Home the Way You’d Treat a Fork
Assign a specific storage space for every item in your home. This will help you quickly identify when an item is out of place and needs to be returned to its designated spot.
16. Use Your Smartphone
Reduce paper clutter by taking photos of documents, menus, and schedules instead of keeping physical copies. You can also use apps or online services to store and manage digital documents.
17. Use Hanging Storage
Maximize vertical space by using hanging shoe organizers or over-the-door organizers. These can be used to store a variety of items, from shoes and accessories to canned goods and cleaning supplies.
18. Get Familiar with the Box Method
The “box method” involves using three boxes—keep, donate/sell, and trash—to sort through your belongings. This can help you quickly and efficiently declutter your home.
19. Store Plastic Bags for Later Use
Keep plastic bags organized by storing them in a paper towel tube or a fabric bag. This will prevent them from becoming a cluttered mess.
20. Store Seasonally
Rotate seasonal items in your closet so that the clothing you wear most often is easily accessible. This will also give you an opportunity to assess each piece of clothing and decide if it needs to be repaired or donated.
Additional Tips
21. Use Baskets in the Linen Closet
Baskets can help organize linens and towels in the linen closet. This will keep these items neat and tidy, making it easier to find what you need.
22. Pare Down Your Clothing
Embrace a minimalist approach to your wardrobe by decluttering unnecessary items. This will save space and make it easier to maintain your clothing.
23. Give Everyone’s Items a Space
Create designated storage spaces for each family member in the mudroom or entryway. This will help reduce clutter and encourage everyone to keep their belongings organized.
24. Quickly Declutter a Bag
Declutter your handbag or backpack in just five minutes by emptying it and replacing only the essential items. This will keep your bag organized and prevent it from becoming a cluttered mess.
25. Control Your Email Clutter and Junk Mail
Reduce email clutter by unsubscribing from spam, setting up filters, and deleting unnecessary emails. You can also create separate email accounts for different purposes.
26. Don’t Neglect the Junk in Your Car
Keep a trash bag in your car to collect coffee cups, receipts, and other items that accumulate. This will prevent your car from becoming a cluttered mess.
27. Use the 5 Things a Day Rule
Dedicate a few minutes each day to find homes for five items that don’t have a designated spot. This will gradually reduce clutter and keep your home organized.
28. Fill One Bag a Week
Declutter gradually by filling one trash bag each week with items to donate, shred, or discard. This will make the task feel less daunting and help you maintain a clutter-free home.
29. Start Moving Prep Early
If you’re planning to move, start decluttering early to avoid packing and moving unnecessary items. Ask yourself if you would pack each item and move it to a new home.
30. Check Food Expiration Dates
Regularly check expiration dates on food items in your pantry and freezer. Discard anything that is expired or no longer identifiable.
31. Organize Recipes 10 Minutes at a Time
Declutter your recipe collection by taking 10-minute intervals to gather, sort, and organize recipes. This will help you streamline your collection and keep it manageable.
32. Use the Traveler’s Method
Declutter your home by imagining that you’re packing for a trip. Designate a specific container for each category of items, such as toiletries or cleaning supplies. Once the container is full, you can no longer add more items.
33. Use a Scanner for Office Clutter
Scan receipts, important documents, and other paper clutter to reduce physical paper accumulation. This will help you keep your office organized and prevent clutter from building up.
34. Declutter for the Holidays
Plan a clutter-free holiday season by donating unused ornaments, wrapping paper, and other decorative items. This will make it easier to enjoy the holidays without the stress of excess clutter.
35. Designate Specific Areas for Toys
Establish designated play areas or storage spaces for children’s toys to prevent them from becoming scattered throughout the house. This will help maintain a tidy living environment.
36. Use Pegboards to Organize Visually
Maximize visibility and organization by using pegboards to store tools, crafts supplies, or other items. This will help you quickly locate what you need and prevent clutter from accumulating.