How to Declutter Your Home (for Good) in 9 Actionable Steps

Look around you: how much of the stuff you see in your home do you actually use? Maybe you have complimentary branded pens strewn about or an infamous junk drawer that's getting harder and harder to close. If the clutter in your life is weighing you down, then you desperately need to declutter. After all, people who don't keep excess stuff around tend to be happier and more relaxed.

Don't worry, decluttering isn't as daunting as it sounds. You can learn how to declutter your home with the help of this article. Follow these 9 steps, read our bonus tips, and you'll be one step closer to feeling in total control of your home life.

1. Make goals before decluttering

What do you want to accomplish by decluttering? Setting goals early on will keep you focused and not overwhelmed. If you're looking to free up space you might declutter bulky furniture and replace it with double-duty pieces. But if you want to bring harmony to your home, then simplifying the aesthetics and cutting back on trinkets might be the way to go.

2. Start an inventory of what you use

Use a notebook (or the notes app) to keep track of which items you reach for in each room. Do this for several weeks or a month for an accurate portrait of what you should not get rid of. Everything else not on the list is fair game.

3. Do it room by room

Don't get overwhelmed, tackle one room at a time. This is a great opportunity to clear out each and every drawer, cabinet, and cubby. And a good time to maybe apply zero-waste home principles to keep things tidy (and earth-friendly!).

4. Follow the 5-box method

Keep 5 boxes (or bags) with you as you declutter your home:

• Things to keep in that room.
• Things to put away elsewhere.
• Things to sell.
• Things to donate.
• Things to discard.

Sort as you declutter and you'll spend less time cleaning your home.

5. Try the 10-10-10 challenge

If getting started is what's holding you back, here's a challenge for you. Each day, keep 10 things, sell or donate 10 things, and throw away 10 things. It might not seem like much, but at the end of a week you'll have dealt with 210 items, and that's significant progress!

6. Keep entertainment near you

You're bound to get bored, so fire up an upbeat playlist or listen to a podcast in the background to keep you going (even when you just want to give up).

7. Take breaks

Decluttering can be difficult for some people, especially when there are a lot of emotions attached to items. Take a step back, take care of yourself, and start again when you're energized.

8. Keep yourself accountable

On the same token, don't slack off. Keep a decluttering log to document how far you've come and try to hit a streak. Or set firm deadlines to finish decluttering each room. You could even enlist the help of friends who will periodically check your progress!

9. Get organized, for good

Finally, don't just shove what you're keeping in whatever cranny you find: that's how you end up with a junk drawer. Instead, assign specific places to each item. For example, coupons in a DIY folder and (full) batteries in another. Find an organizational system that works for your brain and stick to it!

How to decide what to keep when decluttering

For strictly utilitarian pieces, keep what works well (like functioning lightbulbs, for example) and discard what doesn't (expired cards and old receipts).

Items with sentimental value are much trickier! But here's a nifty test, popularized by Marie Kondo: ask yourself, does this item spark joy? Surrounding yourself with items that make you happy (or bring back good memories) will brighten your mood and make your home more welcoming.

Of course, this is all subjective. It's your home, find a triage system that makes sense for you.

What should you do with unwanted items?

You can get really creative with items you've purged from your home:

• Give them to friends who would want them.
• Sell at a local yard or garage sale.
• Sell on online marketplaces (websites and apps).
• Donate to local thrift stores or charitable organizations.
• Repurpose and use it somewhere else.

Bonus tips on how to declutter your home for good

If you still need more decluttering tips to get you started, we've got you covered:

• Carve out time for decluttering. You'll get the most out of your session if you dedicate time slots to it. Even just 15 minutes can go a long way when you pay full attention to what you're doing.
• Do it slowly. The most common problem people run into when decluttering is getting overwhelmed. Instead of pulling everything out of drawers and committing to decluttering an entire room in one day, split up the work. You'll be more thorough.
• Take note of what you purge. What patterns can you notice as you declutter? Have you been holding on to sentimental items that don't make you happy anymore? Or maybe you've accumulated too many clothes? Whatever the source of your clutter, that's what you'll need to work on to keep your home clutter-free in the future.
• Reflect on your consumption habits. What about the way you shop led you to collect so much stuff? Identify (and act on) the problem at the root to avoid having to declutter again. For example, that could mean unsubscribing from fashion newsletters and promotional emails to avoid temptation.
• Start shopping mindfully. Before buying something, ask yourself: do I need this? It's okay to buy things because you want to, but avoid impulse shopping. Leave items on your wish list for a month or so and then decide if you still want them. Limiting what you bring into your home keeps it neater, and keeps you from feeling stressed about possessions, too!

Put your own spin on minimalism and budget-friendly living

See, is decluttering really that intimidating? These tips will hopefully send you on your way to shedding unwanted stuff (and worries!). As you settle into a more minimalist home routine, remember: the best things in life often aren't things at all. And when you do need to acquire essentials, looking for deals and discounts is always a good idea. Browse our Coupon Book finder to see whether the booklet is delivered where you live. With dozens of bargains on all kinds of home staples, you won't want to miss it.