
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Whether it’s an overflowing garage, a chaotic home office, or a storage room packed with forgotten items, decluttering your home can feel like a daunting task. But clearing out your space doesn’t have to be stressful. With a structured approach, you can refresh your home, maximize space, and even find new uses for old items.
This guide takes you through three essential steps: clearing out the space, organizing with upcycling in mind, and implementing a sorting system to maintain a clutter-free home. By following these practical steps, you’ll create a more functional, enjoyable living space while making the most of what you already have.
Step 1: Decluttering Your Home by Clearing Out the Space
The first step is decluttering and starting with a clean slate. Renting a dumpster might seem extreme, but it’s a practical option if your chosen room has become a catch-all for unused items. Click to estimate your dumpster size so you can ensure that it is right for your needs. Once you’ve got your dumpster, sort everything into three piles: keep, donate, and toss.
- Keep – Items that serve a purpose or have sentimental value.
- Donate – Things in good condition you no longer need but can benefit someone else.
- Toss – Broken, outdated, or non-usable items that are just taking up space.
Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method is a great approach to help with this process. She recommends decluttering by category rather than location (e.g., clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous, sentimental items) and keeping only items that spark joy. Hold each item and ask yourself: Does this bring me happiness or serve a clear purpose? If not, it may be time to let it go.
Instead of sending everything to the landfill, think about eco-friendly disposal options:
- Donate to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores.
- Host a yard sale or use online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace to sell items.
- Repurpose old furniture or broken items into DIY projects.
- Recycle electronics, textiles, and other specialty items through designated recycling centers.
Step 2: Decluttering Your Home with Upcycling in Mind
Before rushing to buy new storage solutions, consider repurposing items you already own. Upcycling old furniture or containers can create practical, stylish storage while reducing waste.
- Pegboard Tool Organizer – Install a pegboard on your garage or workshop wall to neatly organize tools and supplies. By adding hooks and shelves, you can customize the storage to fit various items, keeping them visible and accessible.
- Repurposed Filing Cabinet – Transform an old filing cabinet into a garage storage unit or a rolling tool cart. With some paint and added casters, it becomes a mobile solution for organizing tools, gardening supplies, or craft materials.
- Hanging Mason Jars – Attach mason jar lids to the underside of shelves or cabinets to create hanging storage for small items like spices, nails, or craft supplies. This not only utilizes underused space but also keeps essentials within easy reach.
Step 3: Implementing a Sorting System to Maintain Decluttering
Once you’ve decided what stays, categorize items to keep your home clutter-free moving forward. Use bins, baskets, or labeled containers to keep everything in its place. Consider a one-in, one-out rule: when you bring in a new item, remove an old one to maintain balance. Marie Kondo also encourages storing items vertically rather than stacking them to make everything more visible and accessible.
Step 4: Maintain a Clutter-Free Home
Decluttering is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Develop daily and weekly habits to keep clutter from creeping back:
- Daily: Tidy up surfaces, put things back where they belong, and avoid letting mail or miscellaneous items pile up.
- Weekly: Dedicate time to organizing one area of your home, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.
- Seasonally: Do a bigger purge, getting rid of anything that hasn’t been used in the last 6-12 months.
Step 5: Create an Organized Workspace
If your decluttering project includes a home office, setting up a productive workspace is key. Check out these tips for an organized workspace to create a functional and inspiring environment.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By tackling one step at a time and making intentional choices about what stays and what goes, you can create a home that feels lighter, more organized, and more enjoyable to live in. Whether you’re clearing out a single room or tackling the entire house, these steps—combined with the KonMari Method—will help you start fresh without the stress.