Room-by-Room Guide to Decluttering Your Home

Maxim Ross
July 3, 2024
Reading Time: 7 minutes

KEY POINTS
Simplify your home by tackling one space at a time, starting with high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen.
Clear surfaces, remove duplicates, and focus on keeping only items that add value or joy to each room.
Maintain a clutter-free home by implementing regular seasonal check-ins and following the “one-in, one-out” rule.

Introduction

Decluttering your entire home can feel overwhelming, but I’ve found that taking it one room at a time makes the process far more manageable—and enjoyable. When I started my decluttering journey, I’d try to tackle everything at once, and unsurprisingly, I’d burn out fast. Breaking it down by space not only helped me stay organized but also gave me visible progress at every step.

By focusing on one room at a time, you create a ripple effect of calm throughout your home. Whether it’s clearing the kitchen counters or simplifying your closet, each small victory adds up. This guide will walk you through each area of your home, offering practical tips and reflection points to help you declutter with purpose.

Let’s dive in and start creating a more peaceful, organized space—one room at a time.

Start with the Living Room

The living room is often the heart of the home, where family gathers, guests are entertained, and relaxation happens. But it can easily become cluttered with things that don’t belong—remote controls, books, toys, and even random mail.

Clear the Surfaces

When I started decluttering my living room, the first thing I focused on was the surfaces. Coffee tables, shelves, and side tables tend to accumulate the most clutter. I removed anything that didn’t serve a daily purpose, leaving behind just a lamp, a small plant, and a candle. The transformation was instant.

Reflective Question: What’s one item on your coffee table that doesn’t belong? Could you remove it right now?

Minimize Decorations

I love decor, but I realized too many trinkets and frames made the space feel heavy. I chose a few sentimental pieces to display and stored or donated the rest. The room immediately felt more spacious and calming.

For more on sentimental decluttering, check out A Simple Way to Let Go of Sentimental Clutter.

Declutter Electronics and Media

Old DVDs, tangled cords, and outdated electronics used to pile up in my entertainment center. Now, I keep only what I actually use—my TV, soundbar, and streaming devices. Everything else found a new home or was donated.

Reflective Question: Is there an old electronic device or stack of DVDs you no longer use?

Simplifying the Kitchen

Kitchens are prime spaces for clutter, from unused appliances to overflowing drawers of utensils. I found that streamlining my kitchen not only made it more functional but also made cooking feel less stressful.

Clear Countertops

I used to keep everything on the counters—coffee makers, blenders, and cutting boards. Now, I keep out only what I use daily. The result? A sleek, open workspace that feels refreshing to walk into every morning.

For daily habits that make a difference, check out 10-Minute Daily Decluttering Habits for a Tidy Home.

Reflective Question: What’s one item you can remove from your kitchen counters today?

Purge Duplicates

I once opened a drawer and counted five can openers. Why? I have no idea. I kept the best one and donated the rest. Reducing duplicates creates more space and simplifies your kitchen tools.

Reflective Question: Is there a kitchen gadget you have multiples of that you could donate?

Organize the Pantry

Pantries are clutter magnets. I found expired spices, forgotten snacks, and random jars I didn’t even remember buying. Now, I do a pantry check every few months and toss or donate anything that’s not getting used.

Reflective Question: Could you do a five-minute pantry sweep today and clear out expired or unused items?

Decluttering the Bedroom

The bedroom should be a sanctuary—a space to relax and recharge. But for a long time, my bedroom felt more like a storage unit than a peaceful retreat. Clothes piled on chairs, random books stacked by the bed, and drawers filled with items I didn’t even remember owning. Decluttering my bedroom not only improved the space but also my sleep and overall mood.

Clear the Nightstands

Nightstands are one of the most cluttered spots in my home. I used to keep chargers, water bottles, hand cream, and half-read books piled next to my bed. Now, I limit my nightstand to just three essentials—a lamp, a glass of water, and whatever book I’m currently reading.

The result is a peaceful, uncluttered bedside area that helps me wind down at night.

Reflective Question: What’s one item on your nightstand you could remove right now?

Limit Bedroom Decor

I enjoy a cozy atmosphere, but I realized that too many pillows, blankets, and wall art made the space feel busy. I simplified by keeping two pillows, one throw blanket, and a single framed photo. The room instantly felt more open and relaxing.

For more ideas on simple minimalism, read Simple Minimalism and How to Declutter Without Going Extreme.

Reflective Question: Is there one piece of decor that’s adding more clutter than value to your bedroom?

Declutter Under the Bed

The space under my bed was a black hole for storage—boxes of old papers, workout gear, and shoes I forgot I even had. I took an afternoon to pull everything out, sort it, and decide what to keep, donate, or toss.

Now, I use under-bed storage only for seasonal items, and I make sure to revisit it every few months to keep it in check.

Reflective Question: Is there anything under your bed that you could declutter today?

Simplifying the Closet

Purge Unworn Clothes

Closet decluttering felt overwhelming at first, but I started small—one section at a time. I used the “one-year rule”—if I hadn’t worn it in the past year, it went in the donate pile. I also looked at fit, comfort, and how often I actually reached for each item.

Now, my closet only holds clothes I love and wear regularly. It’s easier to choose outfits, and I feel less stressed when I open my closet.

I highly recommend 5 Questions to Simplify Decluttering Decisions if you struggle with letting go of clothes.

Reflective Question: Is there one item in your closet you haven’t worn in the past year that you could donate today?

Organize by Category

To keep my closet organized, I group clothes by category—pants, dresses, shirts, etc. This system makes it easier to see what I have and prevents me from buying duplicates.

I also invested in matching hangers, which created a streamlined, uniform look that makes my closet feel calm and cohesive.

Reflective Question: Could reorganizing by category simplify your closet and help you stay organized?

Seasonal Rotation

At the start of each season, I rotate my clothes. I pack away heavy winter clothes in the spring and bring out lighter items. This keeps my closet feeling fresh and helps me reassess what I truly need each season.

If you’re interested in maintaining this habit, try my 30-Day Decluttering Challenge for a Tidy Home.

Reflective Question: Could rotating your clothes seasonally help declutter your closet?

Simplifying the Bathroom

Clear Out Expired Products

When I first decluttered my bathroom, I was shocked by how many expired products I had—half-used lotions, expired medications, and old makeup. I spent an hour sorting through everything and tossed anything that was past its prime. This not only freed up space but also made it easier to find what I actually use.

Now, I do a bathroom purge every few months to keep things in check.

Reflective Question: Could you check your bathroom today for expired products and free up space?

Limit Toiletries to Essentials

I used to collect travel-size toiletries and sample products, thinking I’d use them someday. In reality, they sat untouched in my drawers. I kept only my daily essentials and donated the rest to shelters. This small change made my bathroom feel more open and less cluttered.

For daily habits that help prevent clutter, check out 10-Minute Daily Decluttering Habits for a Tidy Home.

Reflective Question: Are there unopened or unused toiletries you could donate today?

Organize the Shower and Sink Area

I used to keep multiple shampoo bottles, soaps, and razors in the shower. Now, I stick to one of each item and store extras in a cabinet. Limiting what’s visible helps my bathroom feel calmer and easier to clean.

Reflective Question: Could simplifying your shower products create a more relaxing space?

Decluttering the Home Office

Sort and File Paperwork

My desk used to be covered with papers—bills, mail, and notes I thought I might need someday. The clutter made it hard to focus. I created a simple filing system for important documents and went paperless for anything I could. Now, my desk is clear, and I feel more productive.

For tips on mental clarity through decluttering, check out Declutter Your Mind for Inner Peace and Focus.

Reflective Question: Is there a stack of papers on your desk you could sort through today?

Reduce Office Supplies

I had drawers filled with pens, notebooks, and office supplies I rarely used. I kept a handful of pens, one notebook, and basic supplies, donating the rest. The result was a more streamlined, functional workspace.

Reflective Question: Could reducing office supplies help simplify your home office?

Limit Decor for Focus

I used to have plants, framed quotes, and other decor around my desk. While I love a cozy workspace, too much decor became distracting. I simplified to one framed photo and a small plant. This shift created a more focused, calming office space.

Reflective Question: Is there one piece of decor you could remove from your desk area?

Tackling Storage Areas

Declutter by Category

Storage spaces—like garages, attics, and closets—can easily become dumping grounds. I decluttered by category, starting with holiday decorations, then moving to tools, and so on. Sorting by category kept me focused and allowed me to see how much I truly had.

I applied this same principle when working through my Room-by-Room Guide to Decluttering Your Home.

Reflective Question: Could decluttering by category simplify your storage areas?

Use Clear Bins and Labels

After decluttering, I stored everything in clear bins with labels. This simple step made it easier to find what I needed and prevented me from buying duplicates.

Reflective Question: Could organizing your storage with labeled bins reduce clutter long-term?

Let Go of “Just in Case” Items

I used to hold onto items thinking, “I might need this one day.” In reality, those items sat untouched for years. I learned to trust that if I hadn’t used something in a year, I probably didn’t need it. Letting go of “just in case” items created space and freed me from unnecessary clutter.

Reflective Question: Is there something in storage you’ve kept for years without using it? Could you donate it?

Conclusion

Decluttering your home room by room is more than just creating a tidy space—it’s about cultivating peace, clarity, and intention in your life. Each space you clear brings you closer to the calm, organized home you deserve.

Remember, this isn’t a race. Take it one room at a time, and celebrate each small victory along the way. By focusing on simplicity, creating systems, and revisiting your space regularly, you can maintain a clutter-free, peaceful environment for years to come.

If you’re ready to stay consistent, I recommend trying my 30-Day Decluttering Challenge for a Tidy Home to keep the momentum going.

You deserve a home that feels like a sanctuary. Start small, trust the process, and watch your home transform—one room at a time.

References

Blog Post References

External References

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