Inside: Create a more functional and efficient living environment with these decluttering ideas for each area of your home.
Decluttering and organizing your living space can bring a sense of calm and efficiency to your daily life.
Addressing common clutter culprits in each area of your home can create a more functional and enjoyable living environment.
Let’s explore practical steps for tackling these clutter hotspots and reclaiming your space.
Table of contents
Expired Pantry Goods
Take everything out of your pantry and check each item’s label, discarding anything past its expiration date. Clean the shelves for a fresh start. Note any staples you need to restock during your next grocery run.
Sort as you go, grouping similar items together. This will save you time when hunting for that can of beans or bag of sugar. Look for items you rarely use and either plan a recipe to use them soon or consider donating them.
Keep a small basket or container handy for items you need to finish soon, like those crackers you’ve been avoiding. This way, they’re front and center, reminding you to enjoy them before they go stale or get forgotten again.
Keep a grocery list handy to jot down anything you need to replenish.
- Group similar items together—cans in one sector, baking ingredients in another—to create order. This way, you’ll easily spot what you need next time you cook.
- For obscure items like exotic spices, either plan to use them soon or donate them to someone who will. There is no sense in letting ingredients languish.
- Consider using small baskets or containers for soon-to-expire items. Keep them front and center as a visual reminder to use them up.
After a job well done, take a moment to appreciate your revitalized, organized pantry. With everything in order, you’re all set for whatever culinary escapade beckons next!
Once you’ve completed the task, you’ll have a pantry ready for your next culinary adventure, and you’ll be able to quickly find what you need. This sense of accomplishment will empower you to tackle other areas of your home.
Broken Christmas Ornaments
Broken Christmas ornaments often accumulate when unboxing holiday decorations. If you have shattered treasures, evaluate whether they can be repaired with glue. If not, consider creating a new tradition by transforming the fragments into a unique keepsake.
As you sort through your collection, refresh your holiday décor by removing broken items and rediscovering cherished ornaments. This will make setting up and taking down your decorations a breeze.
Look forward to putting up your carefully chosen, joy-bringing decorations and admiring your beautiful, well-organized Christmas tree.
Old Makeup
Expired makeup is a silent clutter culprit. Most types become past their prime after about 6 months, with mascara particularly prone to bacterial growth. When exposed to air, brushes, and fingers, makeup becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause breakouts or infections.
Sift through your makeup drawer and discard any products you can’t remember when you bought them. You deserve to have a fresh, hygienic makeup stash.
As you sort, consider what items you use regularly and what you could do without. A streamlined makeup bag filled with products you love is better than an overflowing one.
This purge is an opportunity, not a chore. By clearing out the old, you make room for new trends and products you’re excited to try. Embrace the chance to update your look and revitalize your space.
Clean or replace your makeup brushes, too. A good brush can make all the difference.
Once finished, admire your uncluttered and hygienic makeup collection. It will make your morning routine more efficient and enjoyable. Treat yourself to some pampering time—you’ve earned it after a thorough purge.
Books You Don’t Read
Identify books you bought on a whim but never opened or those self-help books you thought you’d devour but remained untouched. Consider donating these to local charity sales or used bookshops, allowing someone else to enjoy them.
Focus on which books hold a special place in your heart—the ones that spark joy just by being there. These volumes belong front and center.
Rethink your book-buying habits and embrace the beauty of your local library. Not only will it free up space in your home, but it will also cut down on spending and reduce waste.
As you declutter, arrange the keepers in a visually pleasing and functional way, organized by:
- Genre
- Author
- Even color
A well-organized shelf can be a personal library and a unique decor element.
Surround your reading nook with cozy pieces to make your reading experience inviting and delightful. Once you’re done, reward yourself with some quiet time diving into one of your beloved books.
You’ve created a streamlined, personalized space that celebrates your love for reading without the clutter.
Accumulated Emails
Start by setting a timer for 15 minutes. Focus on getting rid of obvious junk mail and unread promotional emails you’ve been meaning to read but likely won’t. Be ruthless and let them go.
Tackle emails that need your attention but have been sitting idle. Open, read, and respond to any necessary ones. It’s satisfying to hit that “send” button and move something off your to-do list.
Sort everything else into labeled folders like “Work,” “Personal,” or specific projects you’re working on. This declutters your primary inbox and makes finding particular emails later a breeze.
Embrace the delete button! If a message doesn’t serve a future purpose, eliminate it. Don’t hang on to emails you know you’ll never need again.
Maintaining order should become a weekly ritual. Spend a few minutes sorting, deleting, and responding to emails. An organized inbox is achievable with consistent effort, and it’s a responsibility that you owe to yourself and your productivity.
Once you’re done, celebrate your hard work. The path to Inbox Zero is paved with small, focused steps, and the peace of knowing your email chaos is under control is worth it.
Expired Medicine
Expired medicine is the unsung hero of clutter. Pull everything out of your medicine cabinet and assess each item—check the expiration dates. If they’re past their prime, it’s time for them to go.
Not only can expired medications lose their efficacy, but they can also become harmful if used.
Before you toss anything, it’s crucial to dispose of your medications properly. Check if your local pharmacy or police department offers a medication take-back program. If not, follow the FDA’s guidelines for safe disposal, like mixing them with unpalatable substances or flushing certain harmful medications.
As you’re cleaning out your medicine cabinet, take this opportunity to organize what’s left. Place similar items together and clearly label everything, especially if you or someone in your household has specific medical needs.
Step back and admire your newly clear and organized medicine cabinet. Not only have you created more space, but you’ve also taken a significant step towards ensuring the health and safety of your household.
A well-managed medicine cabinet symbolizes your commitment to a healthier, more organized life. Enjoy the peace of knowing you’ve got your health and home in excellent order!
Outgrown Toys and Games
First, lay out all the toys and games in one area. This will give you a clear picture of what you’re working with. This is the moment when you’ll rediscover toys you didn’t even know existed, bringing back fond memories and a sense of nostalgia.
Now, take a good look at each item. Ask yourself: does this toy still bring joy to your little one? If it’s been ignored for months (or years), it’s probably time to let it go.
Set up three categories: donate, pass along to family or friends, and toss.
Donating toys and games that are still in good condition but no longer cherished is a wonderful option. Think local daycares, shelters, or community centers—they’re always in need of new additions to their toy boxes. Knowing these toys will bring joy to another child can make the parting process easier.
Consider the kiddos who would benefit most when passing toys along to family or friends. It’s all about creating new smiles and memories, one toy at a time.
And then we have the loved-too-hard toys. If these items hold a chunk of your heart, select one or two as keepsakes. You could create a memory corner to celebrate these snippets of childhood without letting them overrun the entire playroom.
After you’ve sorted, organize what remains. Transparent bins work wonders for keeping categories separate. Label each bin to make clean-up easier and keep everything in its proper place.
Once you’re done, step back and enjoy the fresh, clutter-free playroom. Celebrate this achievement with your child. You’ve not only managed to declutter but also paved the way for more meaningful and focused playtime.
Excess Wrapping Paper
Credit: IKEA
Begin by gathering all your gift-wrapping supplies. Place them out in the open where you can see everything—yes, even those rolls lurking behind the boiler or tucked in your home office’s corner. This way, you’ll get a true sense of how much wrapping paper you’ve accumulated over the years.
Next, start by sorting through the rolls. Separate the ones still in good condition from those torn, crumpled, or half-used. Recycle any damaged rolls that aren’t up to par. As for those endless scraps, you swear you’ll use them someday, recycle them if they’ve been sitting untouched for more than a year.
Now, consider the number of events and holidays you actually use wrapping paper for each year. Keeping three to five rolls for various occasions should be more than enough, especially if you have versatile designs that suit multiple events. Opt for simpler, more adaptable designs.
If you have excess rolls still in good condition, consider donating them. Many charity organizations and local shelters offer gift-wrapping services during the holiday season and could use your donations. Schools and daycares also often welcome additional wrapping paper for craft projects.
Once you’ve sorted and minimized your collection, organize what remains. Purchase a dedicated wrapping paper storage container or DIY a solution using a tall basket or a repurposed trash can. Keeping the rolls standing upright ensures they don’t get crushed and are easy to access. Don’t forget to store your tape, ribbons, and gift tags here, too.
After finishing, step back and admire your tidy and organized wrapping paper collection. You’ve not only created more space, but you’ve also made future gift-wrapping sessions more enjoyable and efficient.
For a convenient and efficient wrapping paper storage solution, consider the Storage Case for Wrapping Paper, organizer, available online.
Papers in your Junk Drawer
Start by emptying the entire drawer. Spread everything out on a transparent surface to give you a complete picture of what you’re dealing with. Once it’s empty, give the drawer a good wipe-down.
Now, sort through the items. Toss out anything expired or useless, like old coupons or crumpled receipts. Recycle old batteries properly.
With the apparent clutter out of the way, group similar items together. Use drawer dividers to create compartments for each type of item. Chargers can go in one section and paper clips in another. Giving everything its own “home” within your junk drawer makes you more likely to keep it organized.
Consider adding small, labeled containers for tiny items like thumbtacks or spare keys.
Once everything has a place, step back and admire your handiwork. There’s satisfaction in knowing you’ll find what you need without rummaging through a mess. Decluttering may seem small, but it impacts your day-to-day life.
And hey, why not reward yourself for a job well done? A clutter-free junk drawer is something to celebrate. Here’s to a life with one less cluttered corner and more peace of mind.
Socks without Mates
First, dump out that basket of single socks. Spread them out where you can see every pattern and color. Start by matching any apparent pairs.
Ask yourself for the socks left standing alone: how long has each sock been without its mate? If it’s been more than a laundry cycle or two, chances are its partner is gone.
Now, consider repurposing the singletons in decent condition as cleaning rags or for DIY projects like sock puppets or sachets. Toss them out guilt-free for worn-out socks, knowing you’re reclaiming valuable drawer space.
Once you’ve cleared out the single socks, appreciate the newfound order in your laundry routine. This will make putting away laundry quicker and easier and remove a small source of frustration.
And while at it, why not treat yourself to a fresh pack of socks? There’s something satisfying about a drawer filled with matching socks ready for action. Here’s to fewer sock mysteries and more tidy drawers!
Broken Pens
Start by gathering all your writing utensils from various locations. Lay them out on a clean surface, ready for inspection.
Grab a piece of scrap paper and start testing each one. Toss out the pens that have completely dried out or stopped working. Consider whether pens that work but require intense scribbling or shaking are worth the effort.
Once you’ve weeded out the non-functional ones, stock what remains. You might find an abundance of a particular type you rarely use. Consider donating the extras.
Now that you have a solid collection of reliable writing utensils, organize them. Invest in a pen holder or repurpose a stylish container. If you have a home office, a drawer organizer can keep everything tidy and accessible.
For those who enjoy organization, consider categorizing by type—pens here, pencils there, markers in another section. These small steps make a big difference in maintaining order.
Give yourself a moment to enjoy the results. Knowing that every pen you pick up will work without a hitch can bring joy and efficiency to your day. Celebrate this small yet impactful victory with a calm, clutter-free workspace.
Here’s to fewer frustrations, a better-organized home, and the delight of embracing a clutter-free lifestyle, one functional pen at a time.
Unused CDs and DVDs
Those late-night movie marathons with stacks of DVDs and carefully curated mix CDs for road trips hold such nostalgia. But in today’s digital era, those discs are more like souvenirs than practical entertainment. Isn’t it time to part ways with your old CDs and DVDs?
Gather your collection from bookshelves, drawers, and even under your bed. Place them all together to see how many you’ve accumulated. It’s okay to feel sentimental—some soundtracks and films define moments in your life.
Separate the truly meaningful from the rest. Keep a few special mix CDs, but be realistic about the rest. Nowadays, most movies can probably be found streaming.
Consider donating those you decide to let go. Public libraries, schools, and community centers often welcome donations. You’ll feel good knowing these once-beloved items will find new life and bring joy to someone else.
Explore selling CDs and DVDs of value—like limited editions or signed copies—online. There are niche markets for vintage media.
With the keepers and donations sorted, it’s time to tackle storage. Invest in a sleek CD/DVD binder for your cherished items. Store this binder where you can easily access it when nostalgia strikes.
By clearing out these old discs, you open up space for new hobbies and interests. Maybe that corner becomes a cozy reading nook or a spot for art supplies.
Reward yourself with a little treat—maybe a new streaming subscription or album download. Here’s to celebrating a streamlined, clutter-free lifestyle. You deserve it!
Clothes that No Longer Fit
It’s time to transform your wardrobe into a streamlined, joyful haven by addressing clothes that no longer fit or are out of style. Just imagine the ease of selecting an outfit when everything fits perfectly and suits your current taste.
Start by removing all your clothes and laying them on a clean surface. Try on anything you’re unsure about, and be honest with yourself. Does it fit comfortably? Do you feel good wearing it? If not, it’s time to let it go.
Ask yourself for pieces simply out of style: will I ever wear this again? Styles evolve, and it’s okay to part ways with things that no longer resonate with you.
Consider where your discarded clothes could find new homes. High-quality items might work through consignment or online platforms, but most could be donated to charities or shelters, where they’ll be appreciated.
While you’re at it, organize your newly streamlined wardrobe by category—pants, blouses, dresses, and so on. This will make outfit planning a breeze.
For those aspirational pieces you’re keeping because they’ll fit “one day,” give yourself a reality check. Keep them only if you genuinely believe you’ll wear them within six months.
Step back and admire your decluttered, organized closet. Every time you open those closet doors, you’ll be greeted by a collection that suits your style well.
Here’s to a clutter-free, stylish wardrobe that looks good to dive into daily. Enjoy the peace that comes with an organized closet. You’ve earned it!
Stained Tablecloths
Tablecloths can transform a meal from ordinary to memorable. Yet, over time, they can collect stains that no amount of washing can fully erase. It’s time to give your collection a closer look.
Begin by pulling out all your tablecloths and laying them out to assess each piece. Take note of which ones see frequent use—they’re likely the most stained.
Ask yourself: Does it still bring joy to your table? If a favorite tablecloth is now beyond salvaging, it might be time to part ways. Consider donating those you can’t save—some organizations can repurpose fabrics.
Tablecloths in good shape but unused for over a year and without sentimental value should be donated. Someone else could use them.
Do you need a new tablecloth to replace the ones you’re discarding? This could be the perfect opportunity to refresh your dining aesthetic with a versatile, high-quality piece.
While you’re at it, a matching set of cloth napkins could tie everything together—elegant yet eco-friendly.
Once you’ve sorted and replenished your collection, organize by stacking tablecloths neatly.
Adding a fresh scent sachet can keep linens smelling pleasant.
Imagine the joy of setting a beautifully curated table using tablecloths you love. Enjoy your efforts, knowing every piece has earned its place.
In conclusion, decluttering and organizing every area of your home can significantly improve its functionality and create a more enjoyable living space. By tackling common clutter culprits with practical steps, you can transform your home into a more organized and stress-free environment.
For more practical tips on decluttering and organizing your home, check out these additional resources: Practical Storage Solutions to Maximize Your Kitchen Space, How to Declutter Your Home in a Weekend Challenge, and Decluttering Made Easy: 10 Steps to a Cleaner Home
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