I’ll be honest: decluttering your home is hard. It’s full of things from loved ones, good sales, and “just in case I need it one day” thoughts. But you can work through these barriers. That’s why I’m providing you with these tips to help you declutter your home for good and keep it that way.
How to Know When to Declutter Your Home
You pay monthly for the space you dwell so keeping your home below its clutter threshold is important. And how do you know what your clutter threshold is?
When you start feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or frustrated in your space, you’ve reached your clutter threshold. If you can’t sit down and breathe without seeing something you need to do, it’s time to declutter your home.
You have to be a gatekeeper to your home. Your home is a container.
12 Habits to Declutter Your Home and Keep It That Way
Over the years, I’ve found that by incorporating these routines into your life, you begin to form decluttering habits. These habits help you maintain an organized home without feeling like you’re adding more stuff to your space. These habits are my secret weapon against clutter, and they’re about to become yours too.
1. Implement the “One-in, One-out” method
The golden rule for a clutter-free home? One in, one out. A new sweater? Say goodbye to an old one. Fresh kicks? Time to release an old pair. Upgraded your kitchen gadget? Time to let the unused one go.
Keep your home’s “inventory” steady without adding more to your space.
2. The shopping cart “pause”
Ever get sucked into the black hole of online shopping? My go-to strategy for avoiding buyer’s remorse and bringing more clutter into your home is the cart “pause.”
If I really want something, I leave it in my cart for a few days. More often than not, that initial “gotta have it” feeling fades. Try it!
3. Shop smarter, not harder
Building mindful shopping habits takes practice, but it’s so worth it! Try this: before you even leave for the store, jot down exactly what you need and stick to that list like glue. It’s amazing how this simple act helps you buy only what you have space for and saves you money!
4. Daily declutter the mail
Imagine this: you grab the mail, and before stepping inside, you take a quick moment to sort. Junk mail goes straight to its final destination (recycle or shred!). No more paper piles taking over your counters. This simple habit is a game-changer for a clutter-free entryway.
5. Declutter before you enter your home
We all bring little bits of trash home with us. Make it a super quick habit: empty your hands and your car right as you get in.
No garage? Use a trash can before you even put down your bag. This tiny step drastically cuts down on those random piles of clutter that seem to appear out of nowhere.
6. “Use it up” Mindset
Additionally, before you even think about restocking your cleaning supplies, food, makeup, or toilet paper, take a good look at what you already have. Make it a rule to use it up first! This simple “use it up” mindset drastically reduces the amount of stuff you’re storing and is a serious win for your wallet!
7. Borrow, don’t buy (sometimes!)
Get creative and lean on your community. Need a special occasion outfit? A friend’s closet might hold the perfect place to start. Clothing rental services are also a brilliant way to avoid long-term clutter.
Make regular closet purges a habit – keep what you genuinely love and feel confident in, and release the rest. Remember, your clothes don’t define you; feeling good in them does!
8. Start practicing saying, “No thanks!”
We all love free stuff, right? But sometimes, “free” comes with a clutter cost. The next time someone tries to offload something on you, remember that your space is valuable. If they persist? Just blame your (amazing) professional organizer. 😉
9. Put that really good box to use!
That “really good box” you’re saving? It’s time for its true purpose: becoming a donation bin! Instead of letting it sit empty, fill it up and send it off to its next life.
Unlike a nice basket you’d hesitate to part with, a cardboard box is easy to let go of – you’ll likely have another one soon. So, embrace the recycle bin and free up that storage space! Decluttering never felt so good!
10. The mental game of decluttering
We’ve all got that “maybe someday” pile, right? But let’s be real: if it’s not serving you today, it’s likely just taking up valuable space.
And isn’t it funny how the second you finally let go of that “just in case” item, you suddenly imagine needing it? Don’t fall for it!
“Just in case” = just in clutter.
To dive deeper into the psychology behind this “just in case” mindset and get even more actionable tips, check out my latest blog post on the topic. You can read it here.
11. From hand to home
Whatever you’re holding that has a home, take it there right away. Don’t let it linger on flat surfaces – especially the kitchen counter, the ultimate clutter trap.
When you walk in after a long day, that urge to just set things down is strong, but push past it! Putting it away immediately saves you from the future headache of growing clutter piles.
12. Permission to pass it on!
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: gifted clutter. If you receive a gift you genuinely don’t like, won’t use, or have absolutely no idea where to put, hear this: you have permission to donate it.
It’s time to gently separate the guilt of letting it go from the act of holding onto something that doesn’t serve you. Focus on the intention behind the gift, and then let the item go.
Ready to Create a Decluttered Home?
“I wish I had time to declutter…”
Sound familiar? Trust me, I get it. Life is busy. But here’s the thing: if something truly matters to you, you find a way, right?
Therefore, making your space a priority is key if you’re serious about feeling less stressed and more in control.
The good news? I’m here to make it easier!
I’ve packed my blog, my guide, and even my connection calls with all the organizing tips, decluttering strategies, and container recommendations you need to get started.
My ultimate goal is to help you feel unstuck, less overwhelmed, and more productive in every area of your life. And it all starts with creating a decluttered and organized home – a space that supports you.
Ready to Bin Your Space and create a home you love? Let’s connect!
Learn about all my DIY guides at https://binyourspace.etsy.com/
Bonnie Hintenach | Bin Your Space
Professional Organizer for Homes & Classrooms
Maryland Professional Organizer
