Unless you truly like to declutter, it’s typically a pretty overwhelming process for most. But when you have too much stuff, what can you do to actually declutter all the things? I am breaking down all my tips for how to declutter like a pro, room by room, with a FREE checklist you can use for every project!
Plus, I share all the steps I go through to declutter like a pro!
Declutter Like A Pro
When it comes to decluttering, you want to use a routine to remove unwanted things. My free declutter like a pro checklist is the perfect option for you to use while decluttering any area.
Start by downloading the checklist.
Then use this checklist while you declutter each area of your home.
Start Where You Sleep
Closets, drawers, and toys.. oh my! There is a lot to tackle in bedrooms, which is why these tips are rather specific for each type of bedroom in your home!
I always recommend starting with your bedroom when decluttering. Because when your bedroom is clutter-free you get a better nights’ sleep which leads to more patience and more active decision-making abilities.
Start by removing all the things that do no belong in your bedroom, so you are only keeping the items that you need in your bedroom. Place the other items in the areas you plan to store them. But don’t worry about putting those things away. Focus on one area at a time.
Then put all the items you want to keep in spots in your bedroom you know you can keep tidy.
These posts go more into depth on specific processes I use for decluttering bedrooms:
Effective Ways For Minimalist Living In A Master Bedroom
How To Organize A Primary Bedroom Like A Pro
Serene Slumbers: Bedroom Organization Solutions
Organizing By Room Workbook
If you feel out of control and overwhelmed by all the things, if you’re tired of living with clutter and ready to reclaim your space, this workbook is for you.
Learn how I helped hundreds of my clients stop dreading their homes and start loving them again by using the Room-By-Room strategy to organize your entire house.
The Organizing By Room Workbook walks you through the process of clutter and overwhelm to reclaiming your space!
Move To Closets And Declutter Like A Pro
After your bedroom is decluttered, move to your closets and dresser drawers. Clothing is easy to declutter because you can visually see if something fits you or if it doesn’t.
Start by taking all your clothing out. Either all the dresser drawer clothing or entire closet or parts of closet. Find a way that won’t overwhelm you.
Then put back the clothing pieces you wear frequently. These are easy to pick out of the pile because you know what you wear every day.
The remaining items are what you have to decide to keep or sell/donate.
If you are unsure, try on the piece of clothing. I recommend making outfits so you know how to wear the clothing if it does go back in your closet.
These posts go more in depth with how to declutter and organize clothing:
20 Ways Of Organizing Clothing In Closets
A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating A Minimalist Closet
The Most Effective Way To Get A Color Coordinated Closet
How To Organize Your Closet Without Spending Anything
Can You Really Organize A Closet Without Buying Anything?
The Closet Clean-Out :: Step By Step Guide For Organizing Your Clothes
The Clothing Organizing eBook :: Organize Your Space eBook Series
A solid clothing set-up can save you countless hours each morning. On average, most people don’t wear over half of the items in their closets. Instead of letting things pile up, use the step-by-step guide to create a closet set-up that works for you!
The Clothing Organizing eBook is the tool you need to help guide you through effectively organizing your clothing.
Tackle The Kids’ Rooms
Kids’ bedrooms should be the next area you declutter. Focus on only keeping certain types of things in the bedroom. For us, we only keep Lego creations and dolls in the kids’ bedrooms.
Because of that, the toy clutter doesn’t pile up.
We also created effective ways to store their clothing that they can keep up with on their own.
I use a lot of drawers for their clothing. We declutter things that don’t fit by keeping a bag in the closet they can throw clothing into they no longer like or fit into. This way I don’t have to do a massive declutter of the clothing. They can do it themselves.
Get the kids involved in helping keep their rooms tidy. Let them take the wheel on some of their organizing ideas. If they are the ones who suggest it, they are more likely to keep up with keeping the space tidy!
I have more ways to create order in kids bedrooms below:
Girls Bedroom Decor + Organization
5 Easy Ways To Organize Small Kids’ Bedrooms
How To Set Up Bedroom Decor In A Boy’s Room That Will Last
6 Helpful Ways To Organize Bedroom Toys
My Best Tips for Storing Kids’ Books
How To Get Rid Of Kids Closet Clutter For Good
How To Get Your Kids To Put Away Their Laundry
The Heart Of The Home
The kitchen is the busiest place in the house for most families. Keeping things organized here can help with quick meal prep!
Make sure you keep all cooking supplies located in areas where they are frequently used. Keep as little on the counter as you can. And give everything a home!
To declutter quickly, remove everything from each drawer and cabinet. If that is too overwhelming, then remove items from drawers and cabinets that you find cluttered. Put back items you use frequently. The remaining items can either be stored somewhere else or can be donated/sold.
I have a helpful post on how to declutter quickly with the extensive process + video you can read or watch!
I love using Post-It notes to write down what types of things should go in each drawer and cabinet. So make sure you label them while you are putting things back. It will help you declutter unwanted things quicker because you can see types of items that should be stored in certain places.
For more kitchen organization tips, check out these posts:
How To Organize Your Kitchen Without Spending Anything
My Top 12 Favorite Kitchen Drawer Organizers
How to Organize Your Kitchen Like a Pro
4 Bite-Size Tips To Organize Kitchen Utensils In Under 10 Minutes
How To Declutter Under Kitchen Sink
Can’t Forget About The Fridge And Freezer
In addition to the kitchen is the fridge and freezer! These areas of your home should be decluttered frequently.
I like to do a declutter after every grocery store run. I will do a quick scan of items in the fridge and freezer. Then I will remove things that are old, expired, or moldy. As I put items back into the fridge and freezer, I will tidy up the space so it is organized for the week!
These blog posts can help you with more in depth organizing hacks:
Fridge Organization Ideas Anyone Can Use
How To Organize A Beverage Fridge
6 Steps For Fridge Organization With Kids
Fridge And Freezer Organizing Must-Haves
Pantry Organization Tips To Declutter Like A Pro
Being able to find everything in your pantry can actually help keep your food costs down! Not only are you saving money because you aren’t buy excess, but you are more likely to use up everything you have and creating less waste!
To organize a pantry, you have to remove everything. There is no easy way around this one. So take everything out.
Then label each shelf with a specific type of food category, like you would find at the grocery store. Then put the food back on the shelf of each category.
Sometimes you have to group categories together because of space. So make sure you take time to group like items together, along with checking expiration dates!
As you put the items back, make sure you create a plan for what to do when you get new things.
I have more tips on how to keep the pantry organized below:
10 Step Process For Creating Pantry Organization That Will Last
Recreate Better Homes And Gardens Pantry
How To Organize Small Pantry Cabinets
Make Your Own Pantry Labels Tutorial
Pantry Organizing eBook :: Organize Your Space eBook Series
Is your pantry a disaster? Wasting food because it is getting lost in your pantry? Looking to tidy up your pantry but not sure where to start?
The Pantry Organizing eBook walks you through setting up your pantry like a pro!
Creating order in a pantry takes some thought. Which is where the ebook comes in. It stops you overthinking while organizing.
The Pantry Organizing eBook comes with guides, inventory lists, checklists, and tutorials. Plus you get printable labels to add to every bin and basket in your pantry!
Shared Spaces Need Decluttering Too
Shared spaces are those areas that everyone uses. They can be the living room, family room, sun room, or basement.
So keeping these spaces organized is an important task since everyone uses them.
Start the declutter process by removing anything that doesn’t belong. Then take action to make the space feel cozy. Hang up pictures. Swap out decor pieces. Replace items that you no longer enjoy.
Put in the effort with these spaces so they feel more like home. Since everyone uses these spaces, you want to ensure that they are welcoming to the entire family.
I have some easy tips to keeping the shared spaces organized the entire family can follow:
Modern Farmhouse Living Room Reveal
6 Creative Ways To Organize Toys In The Living Room
How To Quickly Declutter Your Living Room
Organizing Toys In Main Living Room
How To Organize Workout Equipment In Your Basement
Tidying Up Bathrooms
Bathroom organization can be tricky, depending on how much you need to store in your space.
I would suggest deciding on what the purpose of the bathroom is. Some bathrooms serve as your place to get ready in the morning. Others are just for using the washroom.
So store items that must be stored in the bathroom for that purpose. The remaining items can be stored elsewhere. Unless you have ample room to store extra items.
With smaller bathrooms, you will have to go through and declutter more frequently. This way you are sure to have space for new items that come into the bathroom.
I also suggest keeping linen closets tidy. You can store overflow items in your linen closet, along with extra supplies that don’t fit in your bathrooms.
These posts have more in depth bathroom decluttering tips:
Best Trick For Always Having Bathroom Products On Hand
10 Insanely Easy Bathroom Storage Ideas
5 Secrets To Bathroom Under Sink Storage
How To Organize Beauty Products In Bathroom
Organize A Bathroom With Little To No Drawers
How To Organize Your Kids’ Bathroom Vanity Like A Pro
10 Of The Best Budget-Friendly Bathroom Ideas
How to Organize Your Linen Closet Like a Pro
7 Effective Tricks The Pros Use When Organizing Linen Closets
How To Declutter Like A Pro With Toy Clutter
The most important thing to remember when it comes to limiting toy clutter, is to constantly sift through toys and get rid of the ones your kids don’t play with anymore. Even if it’s one or two at a time. It really does add up quickly!
Start by taking note of what the kids actually play with. Then remove the items they don’t
Have the kids get involved in the process. Dump out a bin and have the kids put back their favorites. Collect the remaining items. Store them in a safe place, away from the kids. Set a reminder on your phone for 1 month from that day. When the reminder goes off, you can feel confident to declutter the items that were stored in the safe place.
And if a kiddo asks for a toy that is in the safe place? You can secretly go pull it out, knowing that they do love that toy.
More toy decluttering tips are below:
Too Many Toys? How You Can Declutter Easily
How Much Is Too Much When It Comes To Toys?
The Best Way To Organize Toys In Small Spaces
Organizing Toys So They Can Go Back Where They Belong
Ways To Organize Toys like a Professional
Ultimate Guide To Tackling Toy Clutter
Top 10 Best Lego Storage Ideas
Easy Ways of Organizing Stuffed Animals
American Girl Doll Storage Ideas
Easiest Way For Organizing Art Supplies
Playroom Organizing eBook :: Organize Your Space eBook Series
Discover the secrets of decluttering and organizing kids’ playrooms with our Playroom Organizing eBook.
Learn from an expert who uses the same techniques to keep her own playroom tidy.
Get ready to transform your home and your children’s play experience!
Garage Declutter
Garage spaces are used for so many purposes. I have organizing friends who have clients that use their garage as another room of their house. While I have others that have turned their garage into workout spaces or building workshops.
Here in the Midwest, we like to park our cars in the garage during the winter months.
So to keep the garage organized, you want to give everything a specific spot. Use different organizations products to keep things off the ground. And keep things in air-tight bins.
Collect all the items in the middle of the garage. Then sort the items into categories.
Once in categories, it will be easy to store based on how you grouped the items.
Use shelving, bins, and hooks to get as much off the garage floor as possible. This will help from clutter being piled up.
For more tips to declutter your garage, these posts below will guide you through:
How To Get Rid Of Garage Clutter Forever
Garage Toy Storage Ideas Kids Can Do
Garage Design and Organization Plans
10 Garage Storage Ideas That Will Make Your Garage Organized
The Best Garage Bike Storage Tips From A Professional
Practical Garage Tool Storage Ideas
How To Effectively Create Garden Tool Storage With Lowe’s
Organizing The Garage With Easy Storage Solutions
Office Spaces
Do you have an office space in your home? We have two…one for me and the kids and one for my husband.
So keeping the office organized is critical for us using the space as best we can.
Start by decluttering everything that does not belong in the office.
Then group your items together based on how you use them. Store items you need daily closest to your workspace. Items you don’t need frequently, like tape and staple refills can be stored in another drawer or cabinet in your office.
If you don’t have space for papers, try using a desktop filing box or going paperless.
Make sure you clear off your computer desktop too. Digital clutter can pile up, making it difficult to find what we need on our computers.
For more specific decluttering tips for office spaces, these blog posts go into detail:
How To Create An Office In Small Space
Organizing Office Desks Like A Professional
Helpful Office Organization Tips
14 Easy Ways To Instantly Organize Paper Clutter
7 Ways To Reduce Paper Clutter
Foolproof Plan To Dealing With Paper Clutter
10 Paper Organizing Hacks You Need To Know
Organize Computer Files By Eliminating Digital Clutter
How To Organize Pictures On Your Computer
Paper Organizing eBook :: Organize Your Space eBook Series
Paper piling up? Want to go digital but not sure how? Struggling with where to start with paper?
Then you need the paper organizing ebook that the pros use to help clients stop the paper overwhelm for good!
This ebook will walk you through the process to end paper piles for good.
Leftover Items + How To Declutter Like A Pro
Now I am sure you have leftover items after you did a giant declutter. So what do you do with those items?
You have to decide if those items are worth saving. Some may be sentimental items. Some may be junk.
You have to go through each item to decide if it is worth saving. Remember, money was already spent on those items. So saving them isn’t bringing you the money back.
These blog posts below can help you decide what to do with your leftover things and how to donate, sell, or store them:
After You Declutter, What Do You Do With The Leftover Stuff?
Workbook For Decluttering Sentimental Items
Best Solutions For Removing The Sentimental Value On Other People’s Items
Best Solutions For Parting With Sentimental Items
Simple Ideas For What To Put In A Memory Box
Sentimental Storage Box Tutorial
Organizing Sentimental Items eBook :: Organize Your Space eBook Series
Sentimental items are those special items you have in your home. But they might not always be special to you.
Maybe they are special to someone else in your family. Maybe you are holding onto items you know you should part with. Maybe you have too many special items.
So how can you part with items that you don’t find useful? The Organizing Sentimental Items eBook is your resource.
Declutter Like A Pro
When it comes to tackling clutter, learning how to declutter like a pro is going to help keep you focused.
Use the free checklist to guide you through the process.
Start at a room and declutter that one space. Then move to another room.
By focusing on one room at a time, you are sure to remove unwanted clutter and create a clutter-free home of your dreams.
This is a great resource! It can be overwhelming to get started, but so worth it once done!
Hi I am a disabled old gal, who moved into a beautiful place and got some rooms figured out a little then disaster struck, my hubby had both knees replaced and I broke my foot and have had 2 surgeries and have been on no weight bearing for over a year. How do i get this house into a home? Any idea?
Oh no!! Ok I would suggest hiring some help. There are lots of organizers who can help because it sounds like you need someone to actually do the organizing so you can maintain/live!
Thank you for the great tips about how to declutter your home. My sister wants to have her home organized. I think she should get a storage unit for all the things that won’t fit in her home.
I would strongly discourage her from getting a storage unit!! They just collect clutter but now you are paying for it!! Just get rid of the things that don’t fit in her home and she will be so much happier!!
Do you have any tips on the basement ? Where everything gets stored and half the time forgotten and when you have an extra fridge down there too ?