When I first started to declutter my home, I refused to call myself a minimalist.
In the world of professional organizing, “minimalism” can feel like a dirty word. You see, I was afraid of the stereotype—the cold, empty rooms and the idea that I’d walk into a client’s home and force them to get rid of everything they love.
That has never been my heart. And it never will be.
As I set out to declutter my home in 2021, my goal wasn’t to create emptiness. My goal was to create space for what truly matters. For my husband and me, that meant making room for people.
Indeed, we love to host.
Our walls have echoed with the laughter of two baby showers, cookouts with over 40 people spilling into the yard, church small groups, family game nights, and holiday dinners.
In truth, my home didn’t become truly “open” until I started shedding what didn’t belong.
Why You Should Declutter Your Home Today
At this time, I started with the easy stuff—expired spices and old pasta.
Then, I went deeper. In this case, I started looking at furniture that was just taking up space and clothes with tags still on them that didn’t fit my body or my current life.
Nothing was safe. Everything was evaluated through a new lens: Does this support who I am becoming?
That’s when I realized I was holding onto a version of myself that no longer existed.
Until now, I was keeping movie tickets from my teenage years, goal weight jeans that made me feel bad every time I saw them, and a mountain of just in case items that were stealing my peace.
So, when you decide to declutter your home, you aren’t just cleaning.
You are also evaluating your life through the lens of who you are becoming. Your future self is ready for change and will look back on this moment as life giving.
The Mindset Shift Needed to Declutter Your Home
Through this experience, I realized I was holding onto a version of myself that no longer existed. My stuff wasn’t the enemy. The enemy was the mindset keeping me stuck.
Furthermore, It was the guilt of “but someone gave this to me,” the fear of “what if I need this next year,” and the financial trap of “I spent money on this, so I have to keep it.”
To be honest, if you want to declutter your home effectively, you have to become the gatekeeper.
That means saying no to freebies you don’t need and letting go of the guilt associated with what things cost. To get there, you have to strengthen your decluttering muscle.
You also don’t have to become a minimalist today or if ever, but you can start right now with my simple home decluttering list.
The 2026 Master List: 101 Items to Help You Declutter Your Home
In 2026, the home is more than just a place to sleep—it’s a sanctuary, a workspace, and a reflection of our mental clarity. Minimalist living isn’t about owning nothing. In fact, it’s about ensuring that everything you own has a purpose or brings you genuine peace.
If you’re feeling weighed down by stuff, here is your ultimate checklist to a lighter, more intentional home.
Kitchen
The modern kitchen should facilitate health and connection, not harbor gadgets you used once in 2022.
- Duplicate utensils (Do you really need four spatulas?)
- Expired spices (If it has no scent, it has no flavor)
- Mismatched Tupperware without lids
- Promotional coffee mugs that don’t fit your aesthetic
- Specialty gadgets (The avocado slicer/egg poacher you never use)
- Chipped plates or glassware
- Old cookbooks with recipes you can find online
- Excessive magnets on the fridge (cluttering your visual field)
- Old cleaning sponges
- Takeout menus (everything is digital now)
The Digital & Tech Zone
Digital clutter is the “invisible weight” of the modern era.
- Tangled cords for devices you no longer own
- Old remote controls
- CDs or DVDs (if you’ve moved to streaming)
- Manuals for appliances (available as PDFs online)
- Worn-out phone cases
- Dead batteries (properly recycle these!)
- Old software discs
- Unused apps on your smart home hub
- Broken headphones
- Duplicate charging bricks
Your Closet
A mindful closet means getting dressed is an act of ease, not a chore.
- Clothes that don’t fit your current body
- The “Just in Case” outfit you haven’t worn in two years
- Single socks
- Stretched-out swimwear
- Wire hangers from the dry cleaners
- Shoes you refuse to repair
- Excessive loungewear (keep only the best sets)
- Free t-shirts from events
- Jewelry that turns your skin green
- Worn-out belts
The Bathroom & Self-Care
Your morning routine should feel like a spa, not a pharmacy.
- Expired skincare
- Sample packets you’ll never use
- Dried-up nail polish
- Old makeup brushes
- Perfumes that no longer suit you
- Frayed towels
- Hotel toiletries taking up space
- Empty bottles sitting in the shower
- Unused hair styling tools
- Expired medication
The Living & Work Space
In 2026, the boundaries between work and life are thin; keep them clean.
- Dried flowers or dead plants
- Magazines older than three months
- Old receipts (digitize the ones you need)
- Dried-up pens
- Reference books you never reference
- Extra throw pillows that end up on the floor
- Old planners/calendars
- Instructional pamphlets
- Business cards (add them to LinkedIn and toss)
- Vases you don’t love
The Garage & Utility Hub
Your garage should be a functional workshop for your 2026 hobbies, not a graveyard for things you’re afraid to throw away.
- Dried-out paint cans
- Rust-covered hand tools
- Old sports gear
- Leftover renovation scraps
- Cardboard box stashes (Keep three for returns; flatten the rest)
- Outgrown bicycles that haven’t been ridden in two seasons
- Tangled garden hoses that leak
- Broken holiday decor
- Empty chemical bottles
- Non-grounded extension cords
The Entryway & Mudroom
When you walk through the doors of your home, you should immediately be able to take a deep breath.
- The “spare” umbrella pile
- Mismatched shoes that don’t have a partner
- Outdated sunscreen
- Reusable bags that don’t fit over your shoulder
- Old pet leashes with frayed material or loss of tension
- Winter gear in summer (Only keep items for the current season)
- Excessive keychains that create bulk
- Sun-damaged sunglasses that you can’t see out of
- Dried-out flower arrangements that collect dust
- Dead batteries for remote entry
The Laundry Room
A streamlined laundry room turns a repetitive chore into a quick, efficient ritual.
- Lonesome socks (If the partner hasn’t appeared in three washes, it’s gone)
- Expired laundry pods
- Empty detergent jugs that can be rinsed and recycled
- Old lint rollers that don’t collect lint anymore
- Excessive hangers (Keep a set number and recycle the extras)
- Rags that are “too gross” to use (If you wouldn’t touch your counter with it, toss it)
- Drying racks you never unfold
- Mystery sewing kit scraps you never use
- Stained ironing board covers (Replace with a fresh one or ditch the board if you steam)
- Bulk cleaning supplies you don’t like (If the scent gives you a headache, don’t force yourself to finish it)
The Guest Bedroom
A guest room should be a sanctuary for visitors, not a “stowaway” zone for items that don’t have a home.
- Flat or yellowed pillows (If they don’t bounce back, they aren’t hospitable)
- Old “guest” towels you wouldn’t use yourself
- Worn-out sheet sets with pilling or thinning fabric
- Empty hangers from other rooms (Keep only what a guest would actually need for a weekend)
- Outdated magazines on the nightstand (Provide a charging cable instead)
- Instructional manuals for the house (Digitize these for your guests)
- Promotional toiletries from your own past travels
- Excessive decorative pillows (If they have to be moved to the floor to sleep, there are too many)
- Discarded furniture (The “wobbly chair” that you moved here just to get it out of the way)
- Old trophies or childhood mementos (These belong in deep storage, not a guest’s closet)
Kids’ & Grandkids’ Stuff
Streamlining your child’s environment encourages deeper focus and more imaginative play.
- Toys with missing pieces especially puzzles
- Outgrown clothing that can be passed on or donated
- Dried-out markers or play-dough (If it doesn’t create, it’s clutter)
- Happy Meal toys
- Stained or ripped plushies (Keep only the truly beloved “forever” friends)
- Broken crayons (Unless you plan to melt them down today, let them go)
- Games they’ve aged out of
- Old papers and artwork from school
- Scratched or unplayable DVDs
- Excessive “party favor” junk
The 101st Item to Declutter Your Home
The one thing that keeps the other 100 items in your house.
- The Maybe Box or Pile: The box or drawer where you put things “to decide on later.” The secret to a 2026 home is deciding now. If it’s in the maybe box, it’s already unwanted. Empty it today.
Final Thoughts: Decluttering Your Home in 2026
In conclusion, when you declutter your home, you are making a choice to value your time and peace over “stuff.”
You are telling your space that it belongs to you and not the other way around.
Pick one room today. Use this list.
And remember: You’re strengthening that decluttering muscle one item at a time!
Beyond the Obvious Clutter
If you’ve been nodding your head along the way but you keep saying, “I don’t have time to declutter”, then listen up…
You’ve heard the phrase, “If it’s not on the calendar, then it doesn’t happen” which is why I made The Daily Declutter Habit Tracker. This is especially designed for busy people who only have 5 minutes a day to spare.
As a professional organizer, I know it can be overwhelming with knowing where to start when decluttering your home. I’ve basically taken the guess work out for you and broken down each step.
This means no more rabbit trails and decluttering distractions! Ready to lighten your mental load? Visit my website to learn more.
It’s time to bin your space!
Bonnie Hintenach
Professional Organizer for Homes & Classrooms
