Think of decluttering as self-care for your home – because nothing says ‘I have my life together’ like a junk drawer that actually closes. Jokes aside, decluttering isn’t just about cleaning up; it’s about taking back control of your space and your sanity.
Let’s face it, life is messy enough without tripping over random bits around the house. Whether you’re gearing up for a move, tired of living in chaos or helping a loved one tackle their clutter conundrum, decluttering can bring instant calm, create more space for the good stuff and give your quality of life a major upgrade. Plus, who doesn’t love rediscovering that long-lost jumper or sexy summer dress under a pile of ‘maybe later’ clothes?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every possible decluttering scenario with tips and tricks to make the job easier, maybe even fun (seriously!). We’ve even thrown in a declutter-your-home checklist that’ll keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
Ready to turn chaos into calm and declutter the house? Let’s go!
Clear your space: the benefits of decluttering
Decluttering is like hitting the reset button for your brain and your space. Clearing out the clutter is more than just getting rid of stuff – think of it as spring cleaning for your soul. A clutter-free space helps improve mental health, giving you more headspace to think, relax and maybe even find the TV remote that’s been missing for three years!
Physically, less clutter means less time spent searching for things, cleaning and generally battling the chaos. And if you’re preparing for a move, decluttering can save you some serious cash – why pay to move things you no longer want or need? Fewer boxes = fewer dollars. Woohoo!
Need more tips to cut down on clutter before a move? Check out our article on how to declutter when moving house because the fewer things you pack, the less you have to unpack. Talk about future you winning!
Preparing for the decluttering process
Before you dive headfirst into decluttering madness, let’s talk strategy – because no one wants to start strong and run out of steam halfway through a cleanout. A plan also means you’re more likely to stay on track.
The key to success? Setting realistic goals. Don’t try to declutter your entire home in one day unless you’ve got superpowers (and if you do, call us!). Start small: maybe just one drawer, one cupboard or one room at a time. Momentum is your best friend here, so keep it going.
Now, for the fun part: gather your supplies. You’re going to need storage boxes, rubbish bags, labels – and probably chocolate and wine. TAXIBOX has loads of packing supplies, boxes, bags and tape (you’ll have to supply the chocolate and wine yourself).
Once you’re all stocked up, it’s time to make a decluttering plan. Prioritise rooms based on how much they need it (hint: start with the disaster zones), set a timeline and block out decluttering sessions. Think of it like a series of mini-battles – conquer one at a time and soon the whole house will be yours!
And don’t forget to keep a positive mindset throughout the process. As you tackle the tasks at hand, have a little fun. Get the family involved – turn it into a game, play some music or offer up prizes for whoever fills a rubbish bag first.
Step-by-step: ready, set, go
Okay, so by now you’re wondering about how to declutter the best way. When it comes to decluttering, nothing beats the trusty four-box method. It’s simple, effective and keeps you on track without falling into the ‘maybe I’ll keep it’ trap. Here’s how it works:
- Label four boxes accordingly.
- Keep: items you love, use regularly or that hold significant sentimental value.
- Donate: things in good condition that someone else could benefit from.
- Sell: objects worth a bit of cash, like working electronics, furniture or clothes in great condition.
- Discard: anything broken, worn out or just plain useless.
This method keeps things moving and helps you make quick decisions (no second-guessing allowed!). Start your cleaning small, with easy wins like junk drawers, your cluttered kitchen benchtop or bathroom cupboard. Building confidence with these quick victories makes tackling the bigger stuff much easier.
And speaking of bigger stuff, don’t hang on to things you haven’t used in six months unless they hold genuine sentimental value. Ruthless? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Tip: Try decluttering by category, not location. Tackle clothes, books or kitchen gadgets in one go for a more systematic approach. Prefer to do one room at a time? Check out our room-by-room decluttering guide.
Here’s another pro tip (wow, we’re just full of them!): To declutter clothes, think seasons, size and style. If it doesn’t fit, isn’t in season or hasn’t seen daylight in ages, it’s time to let it go.
How to declutter for different scenarios
Not all decluttering missions are created equal. Whether you’re prepping for a move, looking to create a zen-like living space, or helping a loved one declutter, your approach on how to declutter will need a few tweaks. Let’s break it down.
Moving house: Decluttering before a move is a lifesaver. Truly. Not only will you have less to pack, but you’ll also save on moving costs and avoid dragging clutter into your fresh, new space. You’ll feel better for it. Wherever you’re moving to, focus on letting go of items that don’t fit into your new home or life stage. Downsizing? Prioritise what you need. Upsizing? Don’t let the extra space tempt you into keeping everything – stick to what’s useful and loved.
Quality of life: Decluttering isn’t just for movers. A clutter-free home can do wonders for your daily routine, wellbeing and happiness. Regular decluttering keeps chaos at bay and turns your home into an organised, serene space you actually want to spend time in. Think of it as part of your regular home maintenance – like cleaning, but for your stuff.
Helping a loved one: Decluttering with family members, especially elderly loved ones, requires patience and empathy. This can be a sensitive process, particularly when sentimental items or potential hoarding tendencies are involved. Approach the task as a team, offering support and guidance while making sure your loved one is involved in the decision-making. Remember, it’s about helping them, not taking over. Break the process down into manageable chunks, focusing on one area at a time.
The ultimate declutter-your-home checklist
Ready to kick clutter to the curb but still not sure how to declutter your home? This handy checklist will take you from chaos to calm, guiding you through each room like a decluttering ninja.
Entryway
- Declutter shoes and place them in a designated space or shoe rack.
- Sort through coats, hats, umbrellas and outdoor gear. Donate or recycle what you don’t need.
- Organise keys and create a dedicated spot for them (no more missing car keys!).
- Sort and recycle old mail, and create a spot for important incoming items.
Living room
- Clear coffee tables, side tables, TV cabinets and other surfaces.
- Declutter books and magazines (remember those!?) – if you’re unlikely to read them again, they need to go!
- Organise entertainment units: manage cords and let go of those old DVDs and CDs.
- Keep only a few decorative items to create a more streamlined look.
Kitchen
- Clear kitchen benches of gadgets you don’t use daily.
- Organise the pantry: group similar items together and label containers.
- Discard expired food items from the pantry, fridge and freezer.
- Sort and declutter kitchen drawers, discarding duplicates, broken tools, menus and old instruction manuals.
Bedrooms
- Declutter and organise wardrobes: separate clothes by season, discard or donate unused items.
- Tidy up your bedside table – remove old books, empty glasses (gross) and random knick-knacks.
- Use storage boxes for under-bed storage to keep things organised and dust-free.
Bathrooms
- Remove expired or nearly empty products – hair gel from 2015? Gone!
- Organise toiletries using baskets or drawer organisers for easy access.
- Clear out and clean bathroom cabinets, grouping similar items together.
- Declutter bath and shower areas – keep only the essentials in the shower.
Storage spaces
- Sort through tools, holiday decorations and miscellaneous items.
- Organise seasonal items into labelled storage bins.
- Use shelves, hooks and pegboards to maximise vertical space.
- Discard or donate items that haven’t been used in years or are damaged.
Tip: Download this declutter checklist so you can easily tick off tasks during your clean-up. Keeping it handy will help you stay on track. Ticking off rooms is super satisfying!
From decluttering to maintaining: mastering the art
Decluttering isn’t a one-and-done job. Like most things, it requires a little upkeep to stay fabulous. Maintenance – the name of the game.
Make a habit of regularly decluttering your home, whether that’s monthly or seasonal. It’s much easier to stay on top of things when you’re not dealing with a mountain of stuff at once.
To keep clutter from creeping back in, try building simple daily habits. The ‘one in, one out’ rule is a game changer: for every new item you bring into the house, something else has to go. Eek. Challenging, yes. Worthwhile? Also yes. Keep a donation bin handy for things you no longer need and embrace the power of the five-minute tidy-up – a quick sweep at the end of the day to put everything back in its place.
A minimalist mindset can help, too. It’s not about owning less but about keeping only what truly adds value to your life. Focus on quality over quantity, and you’ll find your home feels lighter and more purposeful. And if you’re in a transition phase – like redecorating, renovating or moving – get yourself a TAXIBOX to temporarily store your stuff while you figure out what stays and what goes. Decluttering is a breeze when you’ve got extra space to work with!
Common decluttering challenges and how to overcome them
We get it – decluttering isn’t always as easy as it sounds. There are some serious roadblocks along the way, but don’t worry; we’ve got solutions to help you power through.
Feeling too much emotional attachment? It’s hard to let go of items that hold sentimental value, but you don’t have to keep everything. Try creating memory boxes for those cherished items, or take photos of things to keep the memories without keeping the clutter.
Suffering from decision fatigue? After a while, constantly deciding what to keep or toss can wear you out. Avoid burnout by setting limits – like working on one category (like clothes or books) at a time and taking regular breaks.
Living with the fear of regret: Worried you’ll regret letting something go? If you haven’t used it in six to 12 months or it doesn’t serve a purpose in your life, it’s probably safe to say goodbye. If you’re really unsure, pop it in a ‘maybe’ box and revisit it later. Just don’t ‘maybe’ everything! Seek support from friends, family, or even professional organisers if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, a second opinion can make all the difference.
Life after clutter
Decluttering your home is more than just tidying up – it’s a way to simplify your life, reduce stress and make space for what truly matters. Whether you’re moving, aiming to improve your living environment, or helping loved ones downsize, the benefits are clear: better mental health, more time and a home you love being in. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
With the right approach, the process becomes much more manageable. And if you need a bit more space to sort things out, remember TAXIBOX – like that faithful friend who always gives you a shoulder to cry on – is here to help.
Got stuff? Need space? Get TAXIBOX!
