Decluttering Tips That Actually Stick

Decluttering sounds simple, but when you’re knee-deep in old receipts, tangled cords, and sentimental Tupperware lids with no bottoms... it’s overwhelming. That’s why you need decluttering tips for your home that don’t just work but stick.

As an interior designer and home organizer, Ivy Solano says, “Decluttering isn’t about throwing everything out. It’s about creating space for what actually supports your life.”

So, let’s break it down with real-life hacks, clever systems, and a few mindset shifts that’ll help you reclaim your space and keep it that way.

Where to Begin? What Should I Remove First When Decluttering?

Start with the low-hanging fruit, like items that are obviously trash or haven’t been touched in years.

These are clutters that you don't need and are easy to toss. Expired food, broken chargers, and freebies you never use are your warm-up rounds for your first step in decluttering.

Once you gain momentum, move on to clothes you haven’t worn in a year, knick-knacks you no longer love, and those “just-in-case” items. 

The Famous Decluttering Rules or Systems That Work

1. The 20-20 rule for decluttering. What is it?

This is one of the decluttering systems that works.

Let it go if something can be replaced for under $20 and in under 20 minutes. This rule keeps you from hoarding things.

2. What is the rule of 5 decluttering?

Remove five things you no longer need each day. It’s consistent, doable, and makes a huge impact over time. Make this your daily decluttering routine.

3. What is the 10-10-10 rule for decluttering?

Pick 10 things to throw away, 10 to donate, and 10 to return to their proper place. It’s quick, energizing, and satisfying.

These bite-sized strategies make decluttering seem achievable. They also help build new habits, so you stay organized. This is a simple decluttering method you can adapt.

Room-by-Room Application

Kitchen

Purge expired spices, duplicate utensils, and unused gadgets. Install drawer organizers and use baskets to group similar items. Create a pantry declutter checklist to help you organize your kitchen. To step up your kitchen organization initiative, buy kitchen drawer sorters and utensil organizers.

Bedroom

Limit what goes on your nightstand. Store only essentials. Store seasonal clothing elsewhere. Use under-bed storage bins. Look on Pinterest for clothing declutter tips and bedroom storage hacks for ideas and inspiration. 

Bathroom

Old makeup, near-empty products, broken hair ties? Toss. Add wall-mounted racks or baskets under the sink. Research on vanity decluttering tips, bathroom bin systems, and small-space bath storage.

Living Room Organization

Corral remotes, coasters, and chargers in trays. Hide toys in storage ottomans. Limit decorative clutter. Look for toy storage ideas and tray styling hacks for your living room.

Decluttering Doesn’t Mean Sterile

Some fear that decluttering will leave their homes cold and lifeless. This is not true. The goal is intentionality. You keep only what adds value or beauty.

Style pro Lena Reyes advises: “Edit ruthlessly. Then layer textures, personal items, and thoughtful details back in.” 

This way, you'll have a personal, tidy, and curated living space.

Make It Stick with a Declutter Your Home Checklist

Creating a checklist keeps you on track. Break it into the kitchen, wardrobe, bathroom, paper clutter, and digital files. Use it as a reset every few months. To help you get started, you can download a digital decluttering checklist or a digital declutter guide online.

Mindset Shifts That Matter

Here are some home editing tips and decluttering psychology to help you declutter.

• Sentiment doesn’t equal storage: Take photos of keepsakes before letting go.
• “Just in case” is often “never” in disguise.
• Everything needs a home. If it doesn’t have a designated spot, it becomes clutter.
• Develop a minimalist mindset.

Storage That Works for You

Decluttering without a storage plan is like cleaning your desk but leaving the drawers messy. Use baskets, drawer inserts, vertical shelves, and over-the-door racks.

Use smart home organization solutions like clear bin labeling. If you have a tiny space, look up some small space storage solutions. 

Progress Over Perfection

Decluttering is a process. It's not a one-time event. These decluttering tips for home aren’t just about tidying. They’re about making space for calm, clarity, and actual joy.

Because clutter might love to creep in. But now? You’ve got rules, habits, and checklists to show it the door.