Easy Decluttering Tips to Reclaim Your Home

If you’re ready for an easier way to clear out the mess and reclaim your home, you’re in just the right place. This list of easy decluttering tips is your gentle nudge to get started—no stress, no overwhelm, just simple steps and a little encouragement.

Bookmark these ideas and come back to them whenever you need a boost of motivation or a handy resource. Better yet, keep this how to declutter guide close at hand—you’ll be surprised how often a little nudge is all you need to make progress.

A Little Celebration for You!

Let’s pause for a second: You’re here, which means you’re officially taking your first step toward a lighter, happier home. That’s worth a self-high five, and maybe even a celebratory cup of your favorite drink.

Getting started truly is the hardest part. So give yourself credit. Mindset is half the battle when it comes to letting go of clutter, and you’re already on your way.

Before You Even Touch a Thing: The 3 “Pre-Steps”

Here’s how I like to ease into any decluttering project, with three easy “pre-steps” you can try right away. These little moves are game-changers and can make a bigger difference than you might realize.

First: Grab a bag and toss any obvious trash. Junk mail, takeout boxes, paper plates — goodbye. You’ll be shocked how much visual space trash takes up.
Second: Walk around the room and put away anything that belongs in this space. If it has a home, put it there. Stop the “I’ll just set it here for now” habit. Remember: Stop it. Don’t drop it. Put it away.
Third: Look for things that belong in another room. Stray shoes, dishes, toys, mail, even random socks. Gather them all up and put them into a laundry basket. When you are done, walk around your home and put those items away where they belong.

a woman in red picking up trash in a family room

You might be surprised how much of the “clutter” was just trash or things out of place. Once that surface stuff is gone, what remains is usually a lot less intimidating.

Action tip: Make these three steps your go-to habit before you even start decluttering a space. They’ll instantly make any room look lighter and give you a head start without much effort.

Read our guide called, 3 Steps to Take Before You Declutter to get our full walkthrough.

Easy Decluttering Tips (Let’s Walk Through It Together)

Not everyone is ready to dive it to a big clutter project, sometimes, you need to ease in slowly or even just take things for a little “test drive.” There’s no rule that says you have to declutter all at once. Start small and give yourself grace.

If you’re feeling hesitant, try a short “clutter-free trial” in just one area. See how it feels—you might find you love the extra breathing room.

Step 1: Pick One Room

Choose one space as your test zone—a family room or bedroom is perfect. Pick somewhere you spend time relaxing, so you can really feel the difference once it’s cleared.

Action tip: Imagine how you’ll use this room once it’s clutter-free. Will you read? Host friends? Take a midday nap? A vision helps you stay motivated.

Not sure where to start? Try the bedroom. It’s your little oasis and deserves to be peaceful.

Need help?

Step 2: Gather Boxes or Totes

Get a couple of sturdy boxes or some plastic totes with lids. Label them clearly with the name of the room. These aren’t permanent homes for your stuff—just a “holding space” while you try out the clutter-free life.

woman labeling a box. Easy decluttering tips you can do to test drive decluttering.

Step 3: Bring in a Trash Can

As you go, toss obvious trash right in. Quick wins build momentum.

Action tip: Every time you start a new decluttering project, bring a trash bag with you. Make it a habit—it’ll quickly become second nature and make the job much easier.

Step 4: Have a Clothes Basket at Hand

A laundry basket is perfect for items that belong elsewhere. Instead of running around the house with every stray sock or coffee mug, toss “outsider” items in the basket and do one big trip at the end.

More room-by-room help:

Step 5: Start Decluttering!

Here’s the fun part: start putting those “maybe” items in your boxes and totes as you work your way around the room. Date and label each one, and remember, you’re not tossing everything—you’re just giving yourself a trial run to see what it feels like with less.

Action tip: Set a phone reminder for two weeks from the day you finish a room. When that alarm goes off, it’s time to decide what stays and what goes.

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Step 6: Store the Boxes Out of Sight, But Not Forgotten

Find an out-of-the-way-but-visible spot for your boxed-up items—maybe the corner of a room or a closet you walk by daily. This gives you a visual reminder that the process isn’t finished yet.

Action tip: Don’t let those boxes become new clutter. Set a time limit and commit to coming back to them.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Space

Take a deep breath. Relax. Try living with less for a week or two. Notice how easy it is to neaten up, how much calmer your space feels, and whether you truly miss anything that’s packed away.

Ask yourself:

Do I feel lighter?
Am I more relaxed?
Does it feel easier to keep things neat?

Action tip: Write a few notes or snap some before-and-after photos to remind yourself of your progress.

family playing a game. Easy decluttering tips for a clutter free home.

Step 8: Revisit the Boxes

When your reminder goes off, open your boxes and get honest. If you haven’t thought about or needed the items inside, that’s a sign they can probably move on.

Keep only what you truly love or use, and find a home for it.
Donate what doesn’t belong in your new, lighter space.

Action tip: As you unpack each item, ask: Does this deserve a place in my fresh, uncluttered room? If not—let it go.

Building New Decluttering Habits

Remember, you don’t have to follow strict rules to make progress. Your journey to a simpler, happier home is about creating habits that feel right for you, not about being perfect.

Quick action habits to try:

Be Intentional: “Put your things all the way away” (no more dropping stuff on the counter.)
Leave on a Clutter-Free Note: Spend 5 minutes each night doing a “room reset”
Keep Trash Out: Recycle junk mail the minute it comes in.
Set a donation box in a convenient spot: Regularly add items you no longer use and drop it off when full.
Adopt the “one in, one out” rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer need.
Keep a Maybe Box Out: As you find things you might not want anymore, toss them inside. When full, shut it, date it, and let it coast.

three white laundry baskets with labels on them for sorting clutter

Slow and steady wins this race when it comes to clutter. Give yourself permission to take it bit by bit, drawer by drawer, or even one shelf at a time. The important thing is you’re moving forward—you’re creating a home that feels easy, light, and a joy to be in. And isn’t that the real goal?

Whenever you feel stuck or unable to face another overstuffed room, unpack these Easy Decluttering Tips, sure they might be unique but sometimes you need to think out of the box in order to fill it up.