How to Declutter Your Home Room by Room

Wouldn’t 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, you’ll 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 isn’t exactly a new concept. It’s 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 didn’t even notice it happening. But as your stuff kept piling up, your space started feeling smaller and smaller, until one day, it hit you—your home was buried under a cluttered mess.

The great news? That messy chapter is behind you. You’re 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. I’m so proud of you for deciding to start, and I’m genuinely honored to be part of your journey. Together, we’ll turn your space into a home you truly love again.

Before we jump into things, let’s 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 it’s driving you crazy” answer, there are some fantastic reasons to tackle the clutter. Let’s chat about why it’s 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 won’t take forever. And when your kitchen counters aren’t buried under gadgets, it’s 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.

Here’s the thing about clutter—it was all stuff you bought once upon a time. Yeah, that can sting a little. But here’s the bright side! From now on, you’re only keeping things that are truly worth the price you paid. It’s like hitting a reset button, and honestly, there’s something so freeing about that.

#3. Less stress and anxiety!

It’s wild how stuff can mess with your head. A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind, right? But here’s the kicker—even though letting go of things can feel stressful, it’s nothing compared to the peace you’ll feel once it’s gone. A calmer, happier you is on the other side of this process, I promise.

#4. Finding things is so much easier.

I’m 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. You’ll love your home again

And isn’t that what we’re all really after? A home where you can relax, make memories, and not feel like you’re 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. That’s the dream. And guess what? It’s 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

What’s 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, it’s 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 news—not 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, it’s 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 “giant mess” is really just a much smaller pile.

Here’s how to uncover what’s truly clutter in three quick steps:

Grab the Trash – Take a big bag and go through the space, picking up anything that’s clearly trash. Don’t 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 it’s recyclable and you see it, throw it in the bag.

Items to Put Away – This is where a laundry basket really shines. It’s 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, pens—if it’s out of place, it goes in the basket.

Once you’ve worked through these three steps, step back and take a look at what’s left.

That’s your real clutter. These are the items you’ll 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 you’re 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 you’re 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 you’re 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 don’t want to make decisions twice. A post-it note with the person’s 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 who’s always knitting something.

Just remember to double-check before you hand anything over. You don’t want to turn your clutter into their clutter! Always ask if they actually want what you’re 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 doesn’t 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 what’s just taking up space in your closet. Here’s how it works:

1. Start by flipping all the hangers in your closet so the hooks face backward. Yes, it might take a few minutes, but it’s worth it.
2. As you wear items, put them back on the hanger the correct way (hooks facing forward) after laundering or hanging them back up.
3. 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 haven’t worn and likely don’t need.
4. For those pieces, ask yourself: “Why haven’t I reached for this? Does it fit? Do I love it?” 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.

• Declutter Your Closet Checklist
• How to Fix Your Messy Closet
• 15-Minute Closet Clean Up

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The Kitchen

For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where everything happens—from cooking and eating to homework, game nights, budgeting, and even craft projects. With so much going on, it’s 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. It’s 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 “drop zones” 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 doesn’t 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:

• How to Have Clutter-Free Kitchen Counters
• How to Fix Your Messy Kitchen
• Clever Kitchen Organizers

The Pantry

Food is one of the biggest expenses in many households, so it’s 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 you’re 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, there’s 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 it’s past its prime, it’s time to go.)
• Food you know your family won’t eat
• Food you have way too much of

DM Pro Tip: Fill a box with food you don’t want, won’t use, or simply have too much of, and donate it to a local food pantry. It’s a simple way to help others while creating a space you enjoy using!

Once you’ve cleaned out the extras, it’s 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 type—whatever 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 what’s 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. It’s 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 everyone’s input. Ask what they enjoy doing in this space and what helps make it feel inviting.

Once you know what matters most, it’s 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 you’ve 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 doesn’t belong and organize the things that do. For example, use a basket for blankets or designate a shelf for family games. Bit by bit, you’ll transform this space into a clutter-free haven you love.

More Family Room Clutter Resources:

• How to Use Baskets to Organize Your Home
• 85 Things to Declutter

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 don’t use or need and find smart ways to organize what’s 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 you’ve 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 what’s 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:

• How to Fix Your Messy Bathroom
• Organize the Perfect Linen closet Fast

The Office

The home office can be a tricky spot, especially if you don’t have a dedicated space for work, paperwork, or homework. Even without a formal office, it’s 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 it’s 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 5–7 years
• Older medical records

Once you’ve 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 what’s 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:

• How to Fix a Cluttered Office
• How to Organize Your Home Office
• Family Command Centers

The Garage

The garage often gets overlooked, either because not everyone has one or because it’s 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 don’t fit the “keep” list above

Once you’ve sorted everything, it’s time to set up storage solutions for what’s 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. Don’t 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:

• How to Declutter a Messy Garage
• How to Organize your Garage

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, it’s 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.

• Organizing Hacks for the Kitchen
• How to Organize a Family Room
• How to Organize a Bedroom Step-by-Step