Decluttering your home can be one of the most refreshing and rewarding projects that you decide to take on this year. Whether you’re looking to create a more peaceful environment, prepare for a move, or you just want to gain control over your space again, the right decluttering strategy makes all the difference. Here are some top decluttering tips to help you transform your home.
Start small
One of the biggest obstacles to decluttering is feeling too overwhelmed. Instead of tackling your entire house at once, you can start with a smaller area, like a single drawer, closet, or bathroom cabinet. Finishing just one manageable task builds that momentum, making it easier for you to move on to bigger projects. Give yourself a timer for 15-30 minutes if you’re short on time or motivation.
Sort things into clear categories
Before you begin to declutter, put items into categories like keep, donate, toss, or store. Items that you use regularly should stay while the duplicates or things you no longer require can be donated. Broken or unusable items should be discarded.
For seasonal belongings or sentimental items that you don’t want in your day-to-day space, consider placing them in a secure storage unit. This gives you time to free up room at home without having to make permanent decisions about certain things that you want to hold onto. This is an especially helpful solution if you’re looking to store holiday decor, sports gear, or family heirlooms.
Use the “one in, one out” rule
One of the simplest ways to keep clutter under control is to follow the “one in, one out” rule. Every time you bring something new into your home, whether it’s a mug from the supermarket, a cosy new cushion, or a jacket you couldn’t resist, make sure you let go of a similar item you no longer use or love.
This keeps your belongings in balance and prevents those sneaky build-ups that happen without you realising. It also makes you think more carefully about what you buy in the first place, because you’ll know that adding something new means saying goodbye to something else.
Start using the one year rule
If you’re on the fence about whether you should keep something, ask yourself whether you’ve used this in the last year. If your answer is no, then the chances are the item doesn’t hold significant sentimental value and that means it could be time to part ways. This rule will help to eliminate unnecessary clutter and keep only what serves a purpose in your current life.
Make a “maybe box”
If you often find yourself torn between keeping or letting go of certain items, a “maybe box” can be a real game-changer. The idea is simple: gather up the things you’re unsure about, place them in a box and then store it somewhere out of sight, like under the bed, in a cupboard, or in the loft. By taking them out of your everyday space, you immediately reduce the visual clutter without the stress of making a final decision on the spot. For bulky items, like clothes, you can save storage space by using vacuum-packed bags to compress the items.
If, after six months (or even a year), you haven’t thought about or needed anything inside, that’s usually a clear sign that you don’t truly need those items in your life. Knowing they’ve been out of sight and out of mind for so long makes it easier to donate, sell, or recycle them with confidence, freeing up your space for things you genuinely use and love.
Keep sentimental items in check
Sentimental clutter can be the hardest to deal with because it’s not just “stuff” – it’s memories, moments, and feelings tied up in physical things. And while it’s completely okay to keep the pieces that genuinely matter to you, holding onto everything can make it harder to truly appreciate the treasures. Instead of keeping every card, every childhood drawing, or every holiday souvenir, try to choose the most meaningful ones – the things that instantly spark a memory or make you smile. A single ticket stub from a concert you’ll never forget carries far more weight than a shoebox full of random paper scraps you don’t even remember.
If letting go feels impossible, take a photo before parting with the item. A digital memory still allows you to revisit the moment, without it taking up space in your home. Some people even create memory boxes or photo books filled with these images, which is a lovely way to honour your past without drowning in possessions.
Maximize your storage space
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things, it’s also about organizing the things that you keep. Use baskets, draw dividers and shelving to ensure that everything has its place. Label your bins and containers so that you always know where to find what you need. Don’t forget to make use of under bed storage, vertical wall space and hidden storage furniture. The more efficient your storage systems the easier it will be to maintain a clutter free environment.
Make it a habit. Decluttering is not a one time event, but it’s an ongoing process. Building decluttering into your regular routine by doing a quick sweep of your home every week or month helps you to prevent clutter from creeping back in and keeps your space feeling fresh and organised.
