How to Declutter Your Home Room by Room
Wouldnāt it be amazing to have a step-by-step plan on how to declutter your home room by room that actually works without leaving you overwhelmed, stressed, or frustrated? The great news is, that plan is right here. With a little determination and motivation on your part, youāll have everything you need to create a home you truly love.
How to declutter, focusing on one room at a time, giving you a space that is neater, more organized, and easier to keep it that way.

Decluttering isnāt exactly a new concept. Itās something people have been doing for decades.
Over time, as homes got bigger, we started filling them with more and more stuff. What might have started as a cozy setup with a few pieces of furniture and some nice decorations slowly turned into surfaces covered in knick-knacks, trinkets, and, well⦠clutter.
At first, you probably didnāt even notice it happening. But as your stuff kept piling up, your space started feeling smaller and smaller, until one day, it hit youāyour home was buried under a cluttered mess.

The great news? That messy chapter is behind you. Youāre here, ready to take on the clutter and make a real change in your home.
Choosing to declutter is a huge step, and I want to take a second to celebrate that. Iām so proud of you for deciding to start, and Iām genuinely honored to be part of your journey. Together, weāll turn your space into a home you truly love again.

Before we jump into things, letās take a moment to go over a few key points. These are important reminders to help you feel confident that your choice to declutter your home is absolutely the right one.
There are some amazing benefits to having a clutter-free space. Big ones. And I want you to hold onto those perks when the hard work starts to feel, well, a little overwhelming.
Happiness is a place between too little and too much
Old Finnish Proverb
Why is it so important to declutter your home?
Why should you declutter your home? Well, besides the obvious “because itās driving you crazy” answer, there are some fantastic reasons to tackle the clutter. Letās chat about why itās totally worth the effort.
#1. It makes keeping your home clean so much easier.
Think about it. No piles on the floor? Sweeping becomes a breeze. Fewer knick-knacks on the shelves? Dusting wonāt take forever. And when your kitchen counters aren’t buried under gadgets, itās suddenly manageable to keep them clear.
Cleaning is already a chore; decluttering takes a lot of the pain out of it. That alone makes this a win in my book.

#2. Less debt, less regret.
Hereās the thing about clutterāit was all stuff you bought once upon a time. Yeah, that can sting a little. But hereās the bright side! From now on, youāre only keeping things that are truly worth the price you paid. Itās like hitting a reset button, and honestly, thereās something so freeing about that.
#3. Less stress and anxiety!
Itās wild how stuff can mess with your head. A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind, right? But hereās the kickerāeven though letting go of things can feel stressful, itās nothing compared to the peace youāll feel once itās gone. A calmer, happier you is on the other side of this process, I promise.
#4. Finding things is so much easier.
Iām not even kidding when I say this might be my favorite perk. No more frantic searches for lost keys or digging through drawers for that one missing sock. Research has even shown that wasting time searching for things is a huge stress trigger. Simplify what you have, and suddenly, everything has its place. Amazing, right?

#5. Youāll love your home again
And isnāt that what weāre all really after? A home where you can relax, make memories, and not feel like youāre drowning in stuff. A home where you can open the door to unexpected visitors without having to panic-clean or hide behind mountains of clutter. Thatās the dream. And guess what? Itās totally achievable.
Okay, now that we got that dose of reality, let’s put on those shoes, roll up those sleeves and get busy creating a home you love.
How to Declutter Your Home Room by Room
Alright, here comes the hard part. Time to roll up your sleeves, tie your hair back, and get ready to dig in.
Prework
Before jumping in, there are a few quick steps to help you prep both yourself and your space for the transformation ahead.
#1. Get Clear on Your Goals
Whatās your goal for decluttering? Are you tackling the whole house or just focusing on your main living areas?
What are your expectations? Are you dreaming of a full-home makeover, or just hoping to clear enough space to walk from the family room to the kitchen without tripping?
When you know where you want to end up, itās so much easier to create a simple, realistic game plan you can actually follow.

#2. Prep Your Tools
What do you need to declutter your home?
Good newsānot much! Just grab a few boxes or baskets, a couple of bags, some tape, and a trusty black marker. Chances are, you already have everything you need lying around the house.
I like to keep my decluttering kit ready to go. That way, when the mood strikes, I can just grab it and jump right in.
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Read our quick guide on How to Set Up a Decluttering Kit so you are ready whenever the urge strikes.

#3. Know Your Target
Not everything in a messy space is actual clutter. A lot of the time, itās just trash, dishes, or random piles of papers making things look worse than they are. Once you get rid of that top layer of stuff, you might be surprised to see that your āgiant messā is really just a much smaller pile.
Hereās how to uncover whatās truly clutter in three quick steps:
Grab the Trash – Take a big bag and go through the space, picking up anything thatās clearly trash. Donāt overthink or move things around too much. Just toss in items like paper plates, crumpled papers, napkins, empty shopping bags, or bits of tin foil. Keep it simple and fast.

Recyclables – Now grab another bag and collect anything that can be recycled. Think empty water bottles, soda cans, food boxes, or newspapers. If itās recyclable and you see it, throw it in the bag.
Items to Put Away – This is where a laundry basket really shines. Itās sturdy, holds a ton, and keeps those smaller items from falling out. Walk through the room with the basket and grab anything that clearly belongs somewhere else. Dishes, clothes, toys, mail, food, pensāif itās out of place, it goes in the basket.
Once youāve worked through these three steps, step back and take a look at whatās left.
Thatās your real clutter. These are the items youāll need to go through individually, deciding whether to keep, donate, or toss. With that pile now looking a whole lot smaller, the task ahead suddenly feels way more doable.
Setting Up a Sorting Area
This is one of those tips that can easily be overlooked but makes a world of difference when youāre decluttering.
What Is a Sorting Area? A sorting area is just a setup of labeled containers where you can temporarily place items while you work. The idea is to keep everything organized until youāre ready to put away what stays in an orderly way.

You can use anything you have on hand for your sorting containers. Think boxes, plastic totes, bags, or even laundry baskets. Whatever works!
Try to set up your sorting area along one wall in the space youāre working in. Keep it easy to access so you can focus your energy on making decisions, not running back and forth.
Containers to Include in Your Sorting Area:
- Donate – Any items you are sure you do not need, use, or want.
- Give Away – Anything you want to pass on to friends or family. These might be sentimental items or things you know someone specific could use or wants.
- Toss – Anything that is stained, chipped, broken, or snagged.
- Put Away – Anything that belongs in another room.
- Keep – Anything that will stay in the area you are currently working on.

D/M Pro Tip: Label anything in your give-away pile before putting it in the box. You donāt want to make decisions twice. A post-it note with the personās name works perfectly.
Here are a few examples of give-away ideas:
- Baby clothes for the neighbor who just had a little one.
- Kitchen supplies for a teen heading off to college.
- DVDs for your movie-loving nephew.
- Yarn for your mom whoās always knitting something.
Just remember to double-check before you hand anything over. You donāt want to turn your clutter into their clutter! Always ask if they actually want what youāre offering first. This is one of those unwritten rules of decluttering.
Declutter Your Home Room by Room
I find when faced with a large project, breaking it down into smaller steps removes most of the overwhelm. Focus on just one room at a time as you work your way through your entire home.
Your Bedroom
I believe the most important room in the home is the bedroom. Since sleep is essential for health it is important to create a space where sleep is easy to get.
If your bedroom is full of stuff that doesn’t belong, then it can be a lot to ask your mind to shut off so you can get ample rest. Make a promise to yourself to only keep the things in this room that will help you to get a good night’s sleep.
Things to remove – Keep the stuff out of your room that tends to cause unwanted stress or overwhelm.
- Papers/receipts
- Boxes
- Workout equipment
- Toys
- Random craft or home improvement tools/supplies
Things to keep – Stock your space with things that help you calm down and rest so you are always at your best.
- A favorite book or magazine
- Hand/foot lotion
- Extra pillows/blankets
- Sound machine
- Alarm clock
- A few family photo favorites
Action Step:
Take 15 minutes today to tackle one corner of your bedroom. Start with removing anything that doesnāt belong, like papers or workout gear. Then, arrange your sleep-friendly essentials, such as a comforting book or an extra blanket, to create a space that feels restful and inviting.

More Bedroom Clutter Resources:
If you want to take it a step further, check out these extra resources for bedroom decluttering inspiration:
- How to Organize a Messy Bedroom
- Decluttering Hacks for Your Bedroom
- What Items do You Need in an Organized Bedroom
Your Closet
It can be quite shocking to see the amount of clothing we have. And if your closet is crammed full of things to wear you might not even realize the size of your collection.
By downsizing the clothes that you have and only allowing the things you absolutely love to remain, you will create a space that you love to be in. And a collection of clothes that you love to wear.

Things to remove – Get rid of anything that you haven’t touched in months. Free up space for thing you enjoy wearing.
- Clothes that no longer fit. (and let’s face it, probably never will again…gasp.)
- Torn or stained clothing.
- Shoes that hurt your feet.
- Clothes that are overly stretched out.
Things to keep – Stock your closet with clothes you love to wear.
- Clothes you need for work
- Clothes you simply love to wear.
- Clothes that make you feel amazing.
- Clothes that are perfect for special occasions.
Action Step:
Use the hanger trick to get a clear picture of what you wear and whatās just taking up space in your closet. Hereās how it works:
- Start by flipping all the hangers in your closet so the hooks face backward. Yes, it might take a few minutes, but itās worth it.
- As you wear items, put them back on the hanger the correct way (hooks facing forward) after laundering or hanging them back up.
- Set a reminder to check your closet in two months (or whatever timeline works for you). When you do, notice which hangers are still backward. These are the things you havenāt worn and likely donāt need.
- For those pieces, ask yourself: āWhy havenāt I reached for this? Does it fit? Do I love it?ā Donate anything that no longer deserves a spot in your closet.

The hanger trick is a simple, low-pressure way to edit your wardrobe without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, it frees up space for the pieces you love so much you reach for them time and time again. Give it a shot, and you might just be surprised by what you end up letting go.
More Closet Clutter Resources:
Get more on point help for clutter in closet so you can create a space you love to get dressed in.
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The Kitchen
For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Itās where everything happensāfrom cooking and eating to homework, game nights, budgeting, and even craft projects. With so much going on, itās no wonder the kitchen can get messy fast.
Things to remove – Place a basket on your counter or floor to quickly toss these items into as they show up. Itās an easy way to gather random clutter so you can sort through it later.
- Random papers
- Toys
- Craft or repair supplies
- Boxes of stuff
Things to Keep – Set up homes for tools in the area where you use them most. This will help you to keep things put away where they belong.
- Anything you use to cook a meal
- Anything you use to eat a meal
- Anything you use to store a meal
To keep the kitchen running smoothly without chaos, try setting a few ground rules. For example, use baskets or bins to catch the items that always end up here, like mail, school papers, medicines, vitamins, oils, or spices. Having designated ādrop zonesā for these things will keep your counters clear and your space more functional.
Action Step:
Take 10 minutes today to tackle one counter or drawer. Start by removing anything that doesnāt belong in the kitchen (like toys or old papers), and put it in a bin to deal with later. Then, organize the essentials. Add a basket for mail or a small container for spices to make your kitchen feel tidy and manageable again.
More Kitchen Clutter Resources:

The Pantry
Food is one of the biggest expenses in many households, so itās important to avoid tossing out spoiled, stale, or outdated items whenever possible. By decluttering and organizing your pantry, you’ll not only keep everything easy to find but also make sure youāre using up what you have before it expires.
A well-organized pantry can also make grocery shopping easier. When you can see what you already have, thereās less chance of accidentally buying duplicates.
Things to Remove – Food is one of those areas that does better organized so you can use things up before they go bad. Start with a clean slate!
- Outdated food (Check those expiration dates!)
- Opened and stale food (If itās past its prime, itās time to go.)
- Food you know your family wonāt eat
- Food you have way too much of
DM Pro Tip: Fill a box with food you donāt want, wonāt use, or simply have too much of, and donate it to a local food pantry. Itās a simple way to help others while creating a space you enjoy using!
Once youāve cleaned out the extras, itās time to set up a pantry that works for you. Use sturdy bins to keep everything organized in a way that makes sense. You can sort food by category or by typeāwhatever feels most natural to you.
Here are some ideas for organizing your pantry bins:
- Theme – Group by cuisine, like Italian, Asian, Mexican, or American.
- Type – Soup, pasta, rice, or beans.
- Style – Separate cans, jars, and bags for easy access.
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Action Step:
Set aside 15 minutes today to tackle one shelf in your pantry. Start by removing everything from that shelf and checking expiration dates. Toss anything outdated, stale, or inedible. Next, sort whatās left into categories like canned goods, snacks, or baking supplies.
Use bins or containers to group similar items together, and label them if it helps. Finally, place everything back neatly so you can see what you have at a glance. One shelf down, and you’re on your way to a more organized pantry.
More Pantry Clutter Resources:
- How to Declutter Your Messy Pantry
- How to Organize Your Kitchen Pantry
- Storing Appliances in Your Pantry
The Family Room
The family room is the heart of your home’s downtime. Itās where you kick back, watch movies, cozy up with a good book, or just hang out together. Every family’s needs are different, so before you start organizing, get everyoneās input. Ask what they enjoy doing in this space and what helps make it feel inviting.
Once you know what matters most, itās time to declutter.
Things to Remove – The goal is to free up space so your family can enjoy a little downtime. Be ruthless with what needs to go!
- Clothes lying around
- Random or unused toys
- Worn-out blankets and torn pillows
- Damaged DVDs
- Old newspapers and magazines
Things to Keep – Stock your room with cozy, fun items you and your family enjoy.
- Cozy blankets and extra pillows
- Games, toys, puzzles, or books that actually get used in this space
Read our guide on How to Organize Puzzles and Games so you can set up a fun area without sacrificing space.
Now that youāve narrowed it down, think about functional storage options to keep this space neat yet practical. Ottomans with hidden storage, TV stands with shelves, and tables with built-in compartments are great ways to organize without losing that cozy feel.
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Action Step:
Today, choose one corner of your family room to tackle. Clear out anything that doesnāt belong and organize the things that do. For example, use a basket for blankets or designate a shelf for family games. Bit by bit, youāll transform this space into a clutter-free haven you love.

More Family Room Clutter Resources:
The Bathroom
The bathroom has only one main purpose, a personal one, and that should make it a black-and-white, easy room to declutter. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, as this room also requires quite a few supplies to keep it running smoothly.
The key to decluttering this space is to remove anything you donāt use or need and find smart ways to organize whatās left.
Things to Remove – Many times the clutter is more trash that needs to be tossed to free up space for things we need and use.
- Old or expired makeup
- Outdated medications
- Torn or overly stained towels
- Broken bath toys
- Personal items you no longer use
- Damaged combs, brushes, or hair tools
- Worn-out hair ties and bands
- Extra or duplicate cleaning supplies
Once youāve narrowed it down, focus on containing and organizing the essentials in a way that works for your space.

Smart Bathroom Organizer Options:
- Makeup organizer
- Cleaning supplies tote
- Shower caddy
- Medicine cabinet
- Bathroom supply tote
- Laundry Basket
- Bath Toy Wall Organizer
Action Step:
Take 10 minutes today to declutter one drawer or cabinet in your bathroom. Toss anything outdated, broken, or unused. Then, neatly arrange whatās left using bins, baskets, or organizers to keep similar items together. A little effort now will make your daily routine so much easier.
More Bathroom Clutter Resources:
The Office
The home office can be a tricky spot, especially if you donāt have a dedicated space for work, paperwork, or homework. Even without a formal office, itās likely you still deal with plenty of paper, and without a system to manage it, clutter can quickly spill into other rooms.
Paper clutter has a way of multiplying, and when itās disorganized, it can cost you time and money. To get started, choose a hub for your office needs. This can be a full room, a corner of another room, a kitchen drawer, or even a portable tote you can bring to your workspace. The key is to pick a spot and stick to it.

Things to Remove – This is an important area that needs to be kept current. Be routine about removing anything outdated or not needed.
- Outdated papers
- Old newspapers or magazines
- Junk mail
- Expired coupons
- Unused recipes
Things to Keep Close – Have things you routinely need access to near your work area for a more efficient setup.
- Financial papers for the current year (set up a simple filing system)
- Current medical records
- Recent receipts (organize these for quick reference)
- Current manuals or warranties (try using a labeled binder)
- A list of addresses in a notebook or binder

Things to Store Away – Find a location, such as an attic or crawl space, to safely store older files.
- Financial records from the last 5ā7 years
- Older medical records
Once youāve decluttered, create systems to stay organized. Consider a mail station to keep incoming mail visible and prevent it from piling up. A family command center can also help everyone stay on top of schedules and responsibilities.
Action Step:
Take 15 minutes today to set up your office hub. Clear out one stack of papers, keeping only whatās necessary and discarding the rest. Use a folder, binder, or tote to organize current documents and label everything clearly. This simple step will save you time and reduce stress later.
More Office and Paper Clutter Resources:
The Garage
The garage often gets overlooked, either because not everyone has one or because itās become a catch-all for storage instead of a home for your car. If your garage has turned into a storage zone, the first step to reclaiming it is to decide what belongs.
Things to Keep – It’s okay to keep a lot of things in the garage however, it is easier to keep things put away when you organize them into zones.
- Outdoor toys
- Lawn equipment
- Car cleaning supplies
- Tools
- Trash and recyclables
- Pet supplies
- Home improvement items
Things to Remove – Start fresh by tossing the junk. Going forward, be more conscious of broken items you are keeping so you can fix or reuse them.
- Anything broken, dried out, or used up
- Items that donāt fit the ākeepā list above
Once youāve sorted everything, itās time to set up storage solutions for whatās staying. Think big bins for outdoor toys, a wall-mounted system for lawn tools, shelves for home improvement gear, and clearly labeled bins for car supplies and pet items. Donāt forget trash cans for garbage and recycling!
Action Step:
Dedicate 20 minutes today to clear one section of your garage. Sort through items and toss anything broken or no longer needed. For the things you’re keeping, start creating designated areas for storage, like a corner for tools or a shelf for pet supplies. Bit by bit, you’ll reclaim the space and maybe even make room for your car again.
More Garage Clutter Resources:
When learning how to declutter your home it is important to work with how you think about your things. Do not force yourself to remove anything you love. Give yourself simple rules to follow.
Partner that with a small list of smaller steps that focus on one room at a time and what you have is a formula that will help you to declutter your home room by room and step by step.
Organizing Guides
Now that the clutter is under control, itās time to keep it that way! Here are our favorite tips and tricks to help you stay organized in the busiest areas of your home.
Wow! I read this whole article. Today my clutter hit me hard. Itās given me stress and anxiety. I canāt tell you how much this has inspired me to get my home in order. Iām a working full time (50-60 hours week) mom of two boys and wife to an amazing supportive husband. Iāve always taken pride in how well my home is maintained but over the last year things have been placed everywhere. Seems like every drawer and cupboard is packed. I even asked my husband today if I could hire an organizer to help me.
Thank you so much for helping me focus on one room at a time to hopefully get my home back in order. ā„ļø
I am so glad you found it helpful, Jana! Good luck, keep me posted on your progress!
Tracy Lynn
Thank you for this article! I am in the decluttering process and I need any form of encouragement loll.
I am sooo overwelded that I can o ly do litle by little. It is so true that clutter is causing stress and unhappiness. But knowing how to have a place for everything is just a mistery to me…
Looking forward to reading more of your articles.
Danielle
Hello, Danielle!
I am so glad you are finding help. I wish you much organizing success!
Tracy Lynn
Hi Tracy,
Love this guide on decluttering! Using laundry baskets to declutter is such as great idea – never thought of that. It’s a lot easier to use what you already have (laundry baskets) instead of going out and getting boxes. Additionally, laundry baskets are great because as opposed to throwing stuff in garbage bags, you can actually see what’s in them.
I also love your point about giving away and donating. While it’s exciting to donate stuff we don’t need and clean as quickly as possible, it’s important to ask before giving it away.
Donating stuff is a great way to help others in need. When you donate your used goods to a thrift store, those who cannot afford to buy retail can purchase them. Additionally, most thrift stores’ profits go towards a worthy local charity. Helping others all while enjoying a cleaner space is a win-win in my books!
If someone is new to decluttering, which room should they start with first and why?
– Jani, Frugal Fun Finance
Thank you for your comment, Jani!
For someone brand new to decluttering I usually suggest their bedroom for a few reasons.
1. Most, if not all, of the items in that room are theirs so they can make all the decisions.
2. They will get to enjoy the rewards of a clean and organized area.
This will hopefully give the motivation needed to start in another room.
Tracy Lynn