How to Fix a Cluttered Room
If you wish there was an easier way to turn a messy room into a neat one, then this article on how to fix a cluttered room is just what you need.
Get a little step-by-step help, just 5 of them to be exact, that will walk you through how to declutter a messy room and get closer to a neat and organized room you love to be in.
It happens to the best of us. One day you wake up, and suddenly your bedroom, living room, or home office looks like a total disaster zone. Not only does it look chaotic, but all that clutter can feel seriously overwhelming and stressful.
It’s easy to get frustrated when things pile up, but don’t worry—there’s hope. With a few quick and simple steps, you can take back control of your space and even regain some much-needed focus along the way.
Should you clean or declutter first?
When you’re diving into a new project, it’s easy to feel stuck on where to start. And let’s be real—cleaning before decluttering can be pretty tempting. But honestly? That’s not the best move, because clutter makes cleaning way more frustrating than it needs to be.
If your room’s a mess, always start by decluttering. Clearing out all the excess stuff lying around makes cleaning so much easier (and way less annoying). Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
How to Fix a Cluttered Room
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could just wave a magic wand and make all the clutter disappear? Imagine waking up to a neater and less chaotic home—sounds like a dream, right?
Okay, so I don’t have a magic wand to hand over, but I do have something almost as good: a faster, easier way to clear out the extra stuff and create a space you love. A room that’s not only neat and organized but also super easy to keep that way.
Step #1. Uncover the Declutter
Before you start working on the clutter, you first need to know how much you have to sort through.
More often than not, what we think is clutter is simple things lying out that needs to be put away. To deal with the surface stuff, I have a system that is easy, quick, and can make a big impact on your overall room.
Step 1: Remove the Trash – Grab a trash bag and do a quick sweep of the room. Toss anything that’s garbage—empty food wrappers, napkins, tissues, random papers, you name it. Once you’re done, take the bag straight to the trash can.
Step 2: Remove the Recyclables – Next, grab another bag and collect anything recyclable—bottles, soda cans, papers, etc. When you’re finished, drop it all off in your recycling bin.
Step 3: Put Things Away – Now, grab a laundry basket and gather up anything that doesn’t belong in the room. Look for dishes, toys, tools, papers, shoes, mail—basically anything that’s out of place. Once your basket is full, take a walk through your home and put everything back where it belongs.
Don’t overthink these steps—they’re designed to be simple so you can tackle the clutter without feeling overwhelmed. Use this process to score a quick win, and let that momentum carry you as you work through the rest of the mess.
Step #2. Sort What’s Left
By now, what’s left lying around should be just a fraction of what you started with. That’s the good news—it means sorting through it will be quicker and way less overwhelming. Just pick up one item at a time and decide where it belongs using the categories below:
- Donate – Items you want to give to a donation center to help others.
- Give Away – Things you think a friend or family member might love.
- Toss – Anything that’s broken, chipped, stained, torn, or just beyond saving.
- Put Away – Stuff that belongs in another room.
- Keep – The things you’re holding onto. These will get organized in Step #4.
Take it one item at a time, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the pile shrinks.
Step #3 Clean
Now that the extra stuff is gone—or at least sorted—it’s time to give your clutter-free space a quick clean. The best part? With the clutter out of the way, this should only take a few minutes!
Honestly, cleaning a clutter-free space is such a game-changer. What used to take minutes now takes seconds. Dusting, for example, is a breeze when there’s nothing in the way. Trust me, you’ll love how easy it is.
More Cleaning Resources:
Give a few of our quick cleaning guides a try and tackle the mess in other areas of your home.
Phueut Pressurized Handheld Multi-Surface Natural Steam Cleaner with 12 pcs Accessories, Multi-Purpose Steamer for Home Use, Steamer for Cleaning Floor, Upholstery, Grout and Car
Electric Spin Scrubber for Cleaning Bathroom: Cordless Power Shower Scrubber – Electric Cleaning Brush for Tile TubO-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop, Bucket Floor Cleaning System, Red, Gray, Standard
Step #4. Organize
By now, your room should be clean and clutter-free—a perfect blank canvas for organizing the things you’re keeping.
The key to organizing is making it as easy as possible to put things back where they belong, AKA: All the way away. The simpler it is, the more likely you’ll stick to it—and that means less surface clutter piling up. It’s a small habit, but it’s worth its weight in gold.
Organizing is all about giving each item a designated spot or home where it belongs. The easier you make it to put something away, the more likely you are to keep your space from getting messy again.
What are some easy-to-use organizers?
- Plastic Bins – Perfect for storing seasonal decorations, craft supplies, or kids’ toys.
- Baskets – Great for holding throw blankets, magazines, or even laundry.
- Collapsable Cubes – Ideal for organizing clothes, shoes, or small accessories in closets or shelves.
- Trays – Perfect for corralling items like keys, wallets, or remote controls on a coffee table or entryway.
- Storage Boxes – Perfect for keeping sentimental items, photos, or important documents safe and organized.
- Totes – Ideal for on-the-go storage, like carrying gym gear, picnic supplies, or kids’ toys to the park.
- Canvas Totes – Great for papers, batteries, or office supplies
What are some out-of-the-ordinary organizers?
Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you organize your belongings. Have a bit of fun and let your personality show.
- Trash Cans – Use a clean, decorative trash can to store wrapping paper rolls or umbrellas.
- Suitcases – Perfect for storing out-of-season clothes, extra bedding, or keepsakes you don’t need to access often.
- Wooden Crates – Great for storing books, records, or pantry items while adding a rustic touch.
- Fabric Covered Boxes – Great for organizing office supplies, craft materials, or small toys while adding a stylish touch.
- Laundry Baskets – Ideal for corralling sports equipment, stuffed animals, or even shoes in a mudroom or closet.
- Hampers – Use hampers to store extra blankets, pillows, or even as a catch-all for quick cleanups.
Step #5. Keep it That Way.
Want to keep your newly decluttered room looking neat and clutter-free? Make it a habit to declutter regularly. Keep an eye out for anything left lying around and deal with it before things start piling up.
By adding a little decluttering to your daily routine, you’ll keep your space looking tidy, organized, and so much easier to maintain.
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D/M Pro Tip: Want to wake up to a neater home? Try ending each day with a quick room reset! Spend just 5-10 minutes putting anything out of place back where it belongs. It’s a super simple habit that’ll help you start your day feeling organized and keep your space clutter-free.
By following these simple steps on how to fix a cluttered room, you can tackle the mess without getting overwhelmed.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you organize your belongings, start implementing a daily room reset, and be sure to put things away when you are finished using them. In no time, you will have transformed your cluttered room into a neat and tidy space you love.
More Cluttered Room Resources:
