Tips for How to Declutter Your Home the Easy Way

I don’t know about you, but with the new year comes the urge to declutter. Maybe it’s the sudden influx of new gifts and belongings that are still under that tree or in a pile in the corner because they don’t have a permanent home so their home for now is there. Maybe you enjoyed the white space just putting away the holiday décor brought. I am always surprised by how much brighter my office gets once I put my beloved Santa tree away.

However, life has resumed, and you are still trying to find your baring again, so thinking of decluttering your whole house can feel downright overwhelming and can stop us before we start or right after, so now we have another pile by the Christmas tree.

20 decluttering tips for busy moms to declutter their home

So, why bother decluttering?

My kids love a good body function analogy; in this case, it fits. Our body declutters daily. We keep the nutrients we need that serve us and get rid of the rest…we poop.

For years, as I decluttered, I would get so frustrated with myself. Why am I still decluttering? Then, I realized the good news is I was not doing anything wrong. Our homes, like our bodies, are being lived in. At the very least, things like groceries and school papers are coming in daily.

Decluttering needs to be a regular part of our routine, as regular as laundry and cleaning the toilets.

When we declutter, it leaves white space and breathing room for us to access what we love and need more quickly, and this, in turn, gives us more time for what matters. So, how does one declutter without getting overwhelmed? Well, I am so glad you asked…

Break Down a Big Project into Bite Size Pieces

The best way to begin a decluttering project is to start small. Like you, I get the itch to declutter every January, so I start a list in my notes app on my phone. As I think of spaces, I add to that list. I break down big spaces like the kitchen into bite-size pieces, like listing each kitchen drawer and cabinet I want to declutter. I usually choose the spaces or the room I use the most to start with so I can appreciate the fruit of my efforts.

You’ll progress without feeling overwhelmed by breaking the decluttering process into manageable chunks.

Then, as I have a small chunk of time, I can choose a task and get to work.

See Decluttering in Different Ways

Decluttering as a Project

In my mind, there are a couple of types of decluttering. Times when I pull out everything in that drawer or closet, touch every item and decide whether to keep the item or get rid of it. Plus, do some deep cleaning of the spaces that hold all those household items. I usually do this twice a year for closets and usually in January/February for the list I discussed above.

These might include spaces like a medicine cabinet and a storage space. I grab a trash bag and get to work sorting unwanted items into separate piles to trash, donate at a donation center, and pass along to other family members.

Maintenance Decluttering

That’s where the regular routine of decluttering comes in. As things wear out, we get something new to replace the old. We get rid of similar items that we don’t need.

For example, the other day, my daughter tried on a dress that was too small. I asked, “What do you want to do with it?” She said, “Pass it on to someone else.” So, it went into the donate bin (we will get to that in a minute). Making this a part of all of our routines and having a place for decluttered items to go makes it manageable when it comes to my yearly decluttering purges.

As an aside, inviting our kids to the decluttering process is a great life skill. After all, we are not just raising kids. We are raising future adults.

Declutter Daily

You might not have considered this next decluttering type, decluttering. You might call it picking up. Semantics! But picking up and decluttering on a regular basis prevents a cluttered home. Clutter begets clutter. It’s like a magnet. A piece of paper turns into ten before you know it. So, we spend a few minutes tidying up and returning things to their designated spots daily.

I focus on a few key areas, mostly my main living area, which includes the living room, dining room, kitchen area, and home office. We pick up other spaces like the kids’ playroom and their bedrooms on Sunday night during our Sunday night family tidying.

Our kitchen counter is often the biggest clutter offender for most of us. From paper clutter to kitchen appliances, they accumulate a lot of stuff, making it challenging to prepare meals efficiently. Some of us don’t like cooking dinner just because of all the work to clear the clutter.

So, I have found life can be simplified by decluttering your kitchen by keeping only the essentials on your counters. Store the rest neatly in cabinets and drawers. Sort through school papers immediately. Display what you want on the fridge or peg board, and then recycle what you don’t need. A decision deferred is a decision to keep and add clutter.

Closing the kitchen down and non-negotiable spaces at night is a good habit that prevents clutter from piling up. Plus, you’ll wake up in the morning to a clutter-free space, instantly calming the morning chaos. Mornings are crazy enough. Clear spaces to get what you need to be done instantly simplify life.

All of these decluttering habits work together to keep your living home decluttered. So, how can you practically make this happen– daily and yearly decluttering?

Want to listen to the tips? Listen in here!

15-Minute Decluttering

A decluttered home is not a far-fetched dream; it’s found in 15-minute increments. When you don’t have much time, challenge yourself to a 15-20 minute decluttering session. Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish in that short amount of time. You’ll be surprised by the significant impact you can make in as little as 15 minutes.

Remember, little bits of time add up to a big impact on your daily life if you put in the hard work. Plus, remember you don’t have to do it alone. We set a timer and get to work to declutter the main spaces at the end of the day. Teamwork makes the dream work is a phrase we use often around here.

Designate a Spot for Everything

An easy way to maintain a clutter-free home is to ensure every item has a designated spot. Whether it’s shoe storage bins by the back door or a junk drawer in the kitchen, having a proper place with easy access makes it easier to keep clutter at bay. Then, communicate where things go with your family so they can easily grab and stow items they need independently. The designated spot only works if everyone knows where it’s at and it’s easy to put away.

Overwhelmed and want to declutter your home? 20 decluttering tips for busy moms.

Create a Declutter Bin

Keep a designated bin for items you want to donate to simplify the decluttering process. We keep a bin in our garage, so when we come across something we don’t need or use, we can quickly stow that item in the declutter bin. It no longer takes up valuable space in our home, and when the bin gets full, we can take it to donate.

Use the One-In, One-Out Rule

Implement the one-in, one-out rule to prevent new clutter from entering your home. We often think of decluttering, but you must be mindful of what you purchase and bring into your home. If we bring in less stuff, we will have less to declutter later. If you get a new pair of shoes, can you let another pair go? For every new item, an old one must go out. This ensures a balance and keeps the clutter in check.

Stop Justifying Clutter

Clutter is the stuff you must justify keeping. I don’t have to justify my favorite black joggers because I always wear them, but I keep that bridesmaid dress “just in case.” That I can let go. When you hear yourself start to say, “I might need this” or “What if,” that’s normally a clue that it’s ok to let it go.

This is where the donation bin comes in handy because there’s a grace period where you can grab it if you need it before it gets full. This is especially helpful if you have family members resistant to decluttering. It’s life clutter purgatory, but make sure it has a place to go temporarily.

The other thing you can ask is if I really did need this item, can I replace it for a small amount or, better yet, borrow it…

Read more about how to part with items of sentimental value in this post.

Donate, Pass on, or Sell Unnecessary Items

Decluttering doesn’t mean throwing everything away. Consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your home. This can be a great way to declutter while making some extra money and helps us pass on those most sentimental items like kid’s clothes, books and past season items.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s essential to set realistic expectations for yourself when decluttering. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your home won’t be decluttered entirely overnight. Our homes are full of people. It’s living and breathing, and there will always be home clutter to deal with, but a little bit consistently over time can make your home feel like the space you want to be in — peaceful, calming, and cozy. Celebrate small victories along the way and remember that progress takes time.

Listen to these helpful tips:

Seek Help When Needed

If decluttering feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional organizer or enlist the support of friends and family. Sometimes, an extra pair of hands can make a big difference.

Just Remember…

As a busy mom, take a deep breath. Decluttering your home and simplifying your life is a continuous journey. You don’t have to declutter your entire home in a day. By implementing these simple tips and tricks, you can gradually reduce the clutter in your life, create more time for what matters most, and ultimately achieve a more streamlined, more intentional way of living. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Happy decluttering!

What’s Your Tweak to Implement This Week?

What’s your first step? Can you create a donation bin? Do you need to break down a big project into bite-size pieces and list it out? Then, set a 15-minute timer and do a task or two daily.

Tips for How to Declutter Your Home the Easy Way

So, why bother decluttering?

Break Down a Big Project into Bite Size Pieces