Where to Start Decluttering

If you’re unsure where to start decluttering, what you might need is a quick win shortcut to jumpstart your progress. Taking that first step is key to figuring out how to declutter, and knowing the right approach on how to declutter can help to keep your motivation high.

Let’s face it—decluttering and easy don’t usually go hand in hand, and for good reason. Decluttering can be tough. It’s not something most of us look forward to, but it’s something we know we need to do. It’s about more than just cleaning up your home; it’s about improving your health, happiness, and overall well-being. And often, the hardest part is simply deciding where to start.

The Negative Effects of Clutter

Before we dive into where to start decluttering, let’s take a moment to understand why it matters. Clutter can have negative effects on both our physical and mental health.

From causing stress and anxiety to even impacting our relationships and productivity, clutter is more than just a messy inconvenience.

Psychology Today says that clutter causes stress, anxiety, and frustration. With so much negativity surrounding clutter, why do so many of us find it difficult to remove it?

It’s not so much the removal of the clutter that paralyzes us as much as the difficulty of knowing where to start in the first place.

The problem is in the amount of stuff that we have. I am not talking about the boxes in your attic or the bags in your closet.

I am talking about the array of randomness sitting out right now on your kitchen counters.

Too Much Stuff!

Did you know the average home holds over 300,000 items? That’s a staggering amount of stuff! No surprise then that 1 in 4 Americans struggles with clutter.

I used to be one of them.

My dresser was so crammed with clothes, I had “overflow piles” teetering on top, ready to collapse at any moment. And my sink? Overflowing with dishes—so much so that I’d stuff the extras in the oven.

That worked fine until my kids turned it on without checking. (Well, at least until my kids almost burnt my house down by turning on that oven without emptying it out first…but that is a story for another time.) My logic back then? If it was off the counters or table, it was fine.

Except, it wasn’t.

Deep down, I knew I had a problem. I owned more than I had space for, and it was overwhelming. The real challenge was figuring out where to start, how to make time, and what to focus on without giving up in frustration five minutes later.

What Is Clutter?

Before we get started, let’s define clutter. Simply put, clutter is anything that doesn’t have a home.

Your goal is to give everything a proper place, and part ways with the rest. It’s as straightforward as that! Whether the “home” is in your house or someone else’s, finding a spot for everything is the key to making clutter disappear.

Struggling to keep your home clutter-free? These Easy Decluttering Tips will help you stay ahead of the mess without spending hours cleaning.

Where to Start Decluttering

The first step in decluttering is figuring out which spaces stress you out the most. Is it your overflowing closet? That mountain of papers on your desk? Or maybe those chaotic kitchen cabinets?

Once you’ve identified your trouble spots, create a plan to tackle them one at a time. Start where the stress is highest and work your way down.

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Step #1.  Find the Trash

Start by grabbing two bags—one for trash and one for recyclables—and tackle your space.

Quickly sort through and pull out anything that needs to be tossed or recycled. Don’t overthink it; keep it simple and stress-free.

This step isn’t just for decluttering; it’s a great habit to adopt whenever you are cleaning up. I like to call it the “Trash Walk.” It’s as easy as grabbing a bag and walking through your home looking for things to toss.

It’s also a perfect chore for kids—they can help out and see results instantly. Simple, quick, and highly effective.

Step #2: Gather Items to Put Away

Start by collecting anything that belongs in another room like dishes, towels, clothes, papers, or toys. A laundry basket works perfectly for this step. It’s spacious enough to hold items of various sizes and easy to carry.

Once your basket is full, move through your home, returning each item to its place. This one step is a simple, efficient way to greatly reduce the mess without feeling overwhelmed.

Cooking feels easier when your pantry is organized. Learn How to Declutter a Kitchen Pantry today.

Step #3: Create Homes for What You’re Keeping

Identify items you know for sure you want to keep—like that can of paint for the bedroom. While it may not yet have a specific place, it’s not clutter. Decide on a home for it, whether that’s the garage, a closet, or the room itself, and put it there now.

Be sure you are doing this only for items you’re absolutely keeping. The goal isn’t to relocate clutter; it’s to organize with intention. If it’s a definite “keep,” give it a home and move on!

Step #4.  Donate or Give away?

Is there a difference between donating an item and giving it away? Yes, there is, and a pretty big one.

Donate means giving your things to a charity or other organization. Someone that could use those items you no longer need. This is not someone you know personally, and it is an easy place to give your things when you have no emotional attachment to them. Overgrown clothing or books you have long since read.

Give away means allowing your things to have a second life with someone you know personally that could use them, such as a family member, neighbor, or friend.

A quilt you made years ago might be perfect for your son that is heading off to college, or your child’s baby clothes may be a welcomed gift for your friend’s daughter that just had their first baby.

By giving things second life with loved ones, it makes it easier to remove what we no longer need yet we may still love.

Step #5: Repeat

Keep going through the steps above until your space feels just right. Take it one section at a time, and don’t rush the process. Each round of decluttering gets you closer to a more organized, peaceful space.

Remember, this isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.

Celebrate the small wins along the way, like finding the floor of your closet again or clearing off your kitchen counter. These victories add up, and before you know it, your hard work will pay off.

If the process starts to feel overwhelming, take a break and come back to it when you’re ready. You’re in control of this transformation, and every little effort makes a big difference.

Bonus Tips for Decluttering

If you are like me, then keeping things neat and organized may be something you are always working on. Use these bonus tips to keep on top of the stuff lying out in your home.

Declutter as You Go

This method is by far the simplest and most stress-free way to declutter—and for good reason. By clearing things out little by little as you go about your day, you’ll eliminate clutter without feeling overwhelmed.

How It Works

Every home has its clutter hot spots—kitchen cabinets, bedroom closets, dresser drawers—you name it. These are areas that tend to accumulate more than they can hold. The good news? When you spot something you don’t need, it’s super easy to remove it on the spot.

To make this process work smoothly, keep a few donation bags or boxes handy around your home. At first, you may need more containers, as you’ll likely find lots to clear out.

Try placing a box on a closet floor or hanging a bag on a doorknob for easy access. Over time, as the clutter decreases, you won’t need as many.

If you’re dealing with a large amount of clutter, consider having donation containers in several spots. The key is to make the process fast and simple—don’t save piles for later. When you find something to part with, drop it in a bag or box, and it’s ready for donating.

I like to call this “decluttering in real-time.” It’s a game-changer! This practical approach helped me clean out my home without regrets or stress. And the best part? You’ll build a habit that keeps your space neat and manageable long term.

The Maybe box

If you are struggling with getting items out of your home, use this old but simple tip.

How it works is you have a box clearly labeled “MAYBE.” As you find things you might not want, but you are not 100% sure, toss them into this box.

Once it is filled, shut it up and put a date on the outside for three months. When 3 months is up, if you have not opened that box to grab what is inside, you know you can remove it from your home without second-guessing it.

Remember, don’t open the maybe box, just take it to the donation center and be done with it.

The $10 Rule

The $10 rule is a simple, guilt-free approach to help you declutter when you’re feeling stuck. It’s a great tool for letting go of items without second-guessing yourself.

Some people worry that donating clutter is a waste of money, but here’s the truth—the money was already spent when you bought the item. Holding onto it doesn’t bring that money back.

If your fear is needing the item in the future and spending money to replace it, that’s where the $10 rule comes in.

How It Works

If an item you are stuck on can be replaced for $10 or less, you can confidently donate it without worry. The freedom of living in a clutter-free home is far more valuable than the slim chance of needing to spend $10 later.

If $10 feels too low for your comfort, adjust the number to $15 or even $20. The amount you choose should align with your comfort level and budget.

This rule is a game-changer because it replaces fear with action. Remind yourself that the goal is progress, not perfection.

By working with your personal “clutter personality,” you’ll find it much easier to create a space that feels lighter and more enjoyable to live in!

Get Clutter Out of Your Home

One of the best tips for successful decluttering is to get rid of clutter right away. Don’t just leave your donation bags or boxes sitting in the corner—they need to go, for good.

Remember, the goal is to declutter, not relocate. Each time you fill a bag or box, seal it up and put it straight into the trunk of your car.

Then, whenever you head out to run errands, drop things off at your nearest donation center. Replace the emptied container with a new one, ready to fill.

This small habit ensures clutter stays gone and doesn’t sneak back into your home. You’ll love the extra space and less mess underfoot! Keep it up—you’re making real progress.

No more overwhelm and stress and no more clutter taking over your home and life. Keep it on your daily to-do list and always in the back of your mind, and you will never EVER have to deal with a cluttered, messy home again.

Do you have any tips on where to start decluttering or how to help folks start decluttering without the overwhelm? If so, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

More Decluttering Help:

• How to Declutter When You Are Messy
• 6 Genius Ideas for a Clutter-Free Home
• How to Declutter Paper Piles in Your Home