A tidy home brings a sense of calm. It\u2019s easier to find your belongings, rooms often look more spacious, and cleaning your home goes a lot faster. Yet in our work, we see that for many people, tidying up isn\u2019t nearly as easy as it sounds.<\/p>\n\n
Every day, my team and I visit homes where a lot of stuff has accumulated over the years. This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the home is extremely cluttered. It often starts with a closet that keeps getting fuller, an attic where everything is stored temporarily, or a shed where things just sit because no one knows exactly what to do with them.<\/p>\n\n
The most important decluttering tip I can give you\u2014don\u2019t try to declutter everything at once. Break it down into small steps, work step by step, and decide in advance what you\u2019re going to do with your belongings. These 15 practical decluttering tips will help you get off to a good start.<\/p>\n\n
Decluttering a home isn\u2019t just about moving things to a different spot. You have to make choices all the time. Do you want to keep, sell, donate, give away, or throw something away?<\/p>\n\n
It\u2019s precisely those decisions that make decluttering such a tiring process. And let\u2019s be honest\u2014who really enjoys decluttering? We secretly do! Some items hold memories, others were once expensive, and with still others, you think they might come in handy later. As a result, a lot of stuff stays around much longer than it actually needs to.<\/p>\n\n
When clearing out homes, we\u2019ve found that organization makes the biggest difference. As soon as items are sorted by category, it becomes much clearer what\u2019s important and what can be discarded without any trouble.<\/p>\n\n
The most common mistake is that people try to declutter their entire home in a single weekend. They empty multiple cabinets, pile boxes everywhere, and then lose track of everything. As a result, half of the items end up staying put.<\/p>\n\n
So start with a well-organized area, for example:<\/p>\n\n
But be sure to finish this area completely before moving on. A finished job is more motivating than five areas that are only half-cleaned.<\/p>\n\n
Set a specific goal for yourself. Do you just want to create more closet space, redecorate a room, or ultimately declutter the entire house?<\/p>\n\n
A clear goal helps you make decisions. For example, if you want to make room for a workspace, you don\u2019t need to empty the entire house. You just need to figure out which items can stay in that specific room.<\/p>\n\n
When clearing out homes or spaces, we always use clear categories. You can use the same approach at home.<\/p>\n\n
Divide items into three groups:<\/p>\n\n
Do you have large items you want to get rid of and would like some help with that? Then check out our waste pickup service<\/a>. We\u2019d be happy to lend you a hand. <\/p>\n\n Do you find yourself hesitating often? If so, set aside a lockable box. Put everything you can’t decide on right away into this box.<\/p>\n\n Write the date on it and review the contents again after about three months. Have you missed anything or taken anything out of the box in the meantime? If not, there\u2019s a good chance you can get rid of these items without any trouble.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t create a new \u201cmaybe\u201d box for every room. Otherwise, you\u2019ll end up with a collection of items you still haven\u2019t decided what to do with.<\/p>\n\n Have you used, worn, or looked at something in the past year? If not, ask yourself how likely it is that you\u2019ll do so in the coming year.<\/p>\n\n Of course, there are exceptions. Think of seasonal items, important documents, tools, or items with special sentimental value. But for clothing, kitchenware, home decor, and old hobby supplies, this rule usually works well.<\/p>\n\n A question I often ask myself during a decluttering session is: \u201cDid you even remember you had this?\u201d If the answer is \u201cno,\u201d that usually says it all. In that case, I\u2019d choose to get rid of it. That way, your home becomes more organized.<\/p>\n\n Do you want to see quick results? Then start with large items that take up a lot of space, such as old furniture, empty boxes, broken appliances, or an unused cabinet.<\/p>\n\n When a large item is removed, a room immediately looks more spacious. That\u2019s more motivating than spending an hour sorting through a box full of small items where you can barely tell anything has changed.<\/p>\n\n Do you have a heavy cabinet that\u2019s no longer in use? We can pick up an old cabinet<\/a> and, if necessary, disassemble it before hauling it away.<\/p>\n\n A closet is usually a good place to start. The space is clearly defined, and you\u2019ll see results quickly. Still, many people hold onto clothes because they were once expensive, might fit again someday, or could still come in handy.<\/p>\n\n The following closet-cleaning tips will make it easier to decide what to keep.<\/p>\n\n Empty the closet completely and lay all your clothes out on the bed. Only when everything is laid out together will you see just how much you actually have.<\/p>\n\n Clean out the closet right away before putting the clothes back. That way, you can combine tidying up with a quick cleaning and start with a completely fresh closet.<\/p>\n\n Don’t just put all your clothes back haphazardly; sort them by type first:<\/p>\n\n When all similar items of clothing are laid out together, duplicates stand out more easily. You might have five pairs of black pants that are practically identical, but in reality, you only wear two of them.<\/p>\n\n Not sure exactly which clothes you actually wear? Start by hanging all the hangers with the opening facing forward.<\/p>\n\n After you\u2019ve worn an item, hang it back up the usual way. After a few months, you\u2019ll see exactly which clothes have remained untouched in the closet. This method works especially well if you find it hard to part with clothes right away. Take clothes you no longer wear to a thrift store or sell them\u2014that way, you can make other people happy with them, too.<\/p>\n\n Winter coats, thick sweaters, and ski wear take up a lot of space. Store them in lockable bins or vacuum-sealed bags during the summer. Do the same with summer clothes in the winter. This will keep your closet more organized, and you\u2019ll only have to choose from clothes that are appropriate for the current season.<\/p>\n\n Before storing clothes, make sure everything is clean and completely dry. This will help prevent unpleasant odors and moisture problems.<\/p>\n\n Items for which there\u2019s no immediate place downstairs often end up in the attic. The problem is that temporary storage can easily turn into years of hoarding.<\/p>\n\n When clearing out entire homes<\/a>, we regularly find boxes in attics that haven\u2019t been opened since a move. Sometimes they\u2019ve been there for decades. With these attic cleanup tips, you can keep the space manageable. If you\u2019re looking for even more tips, be sure to read our blog: Attic Cleanout Step-by-Step Guide and Tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Cleaning out an attic isn\u2019t usually something you can do on the fly. Set aside a morning or afternoon and make sure you have plenty of boxes, trash bags, gloves, and labels ready in advance.<\/p>\n\n Don\u2019t start if you have to leave in an hour. When you\u2019re pressed for time, you often don\u2019t make real decisions, and the items end up back in the same place.<\/p>\n\n Use separate boxes for items such as:<\/p>\n\n Clearly label the outside of the box to indicate what’s inside. Avoid using a description like \u201cmiscellaneous.\u201d A box labeled that way usually ends up being ignored.<\/p>\n\n A good question to ask when in doubt is: Would I buy this item again today if I saw it in a store? Is the answer no? Then you\u2019re probably keeping it out of habit, a sense of guilt, or because it once cost you money. You won\u2019t get that money back by leaving the item in the attic for another ten years.<\/p>\n\n In addition to the closet and the attic, there are a few tips for decluttering your home that work in just about every room.<\/p>\n\n Items become clutter when they don\u2019t have a designated spot. Assign a specific spot in your home for keys, mail, chargers, shoes, toys, and other frequently used items. If you can\u2019t think of a logical place for something, ask yourself if it really needs to stay in your home.<\/p>\n\n You can use baskets or bins if needed, but don\u2019t let storage solutions become an excuse to keep more stuff. A cluttered closet won\u2019t become tidy just because you put everything into new bins.<\/p>\n\n You don’t have to organize a big cleanup day every week. Just ten minutes a day can be enough to keep things from piling up again.<\/p>\n\n If necessary, set a timer and tackle one small task each day. For example, clear the table, sort through the mail, or put items lying around back in their proper places. Also involve your family members\u2014whether you live with your partner, children, or a roommate. Keeping a house tidy only works when everyone takes responsibility for their own belongings.<\/p>\n\n After tidying up, you\u2019ll usually be left with various kinds of items. Don\u2019t automatically throw everything away; first, see what\u2019s still usable or valuable.<\/p>\n\n For example, you can:<\/p>\n\n During our work, we always check to see which items can be given a second life. We try to resell or donate usable household items. For larger clear-outs, the value of certain items can sometimes even be offset against the costs. You can read more about this on our page aboutclearing out a house in exchange for the household goods<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Broken items and trash must be disposed of properly. Be sure to follow local regulations regarding electronics, hazardous waste, mattresses, and bulky items, among other things.<\/p>\n\n A cluttered home does not automatically mean hoarding or severe filth. However, the amount of belongings can become so overwhelming at a certain point that it\u2019s nearly impossible to start cleaning up on your own.<\/p>\n\n Pay particular attention to situations where:<\/p>\n\n In a situation like this, don\u2019t try to forcefully throw everything away in a single day. Especially when someone is very attached to their belongings, a calm and respectful approach is important. In our article on cleaning up a hoarder\u2019s home<\/a>, we explain in detail what you should and shouldn\u2019t do in such a situation.<\/p>\n\n Is there trash, mold, pests, or severe contamination? If so, protective gear and a modified approach may be necessary. Be sure to read our information oncleaning a contaminated home<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n After a major cleanup, there\u2019s often a significant amount of items left over. Think of old cabinets, couches, mattresses, appliances, boxes, and other bulky waste.<\/p>\n\n Not everyone has a trailer, a large car, or enough help to take everything to the recycling center on their own. Large pieces of furniture sometimes need to be disassembled first, and heavy items can be difficult to move down stairs or through narrow passageways.<\/p>\n\n4. Use a “I’m not sure” box<\/h3>\n\n
5. Apply the twelve-month rule<\/h3>\n\n
6. Start by putting away large items<\/h3>\n\n
Tips for Organizing Your Closet<\/h2>\n\n
7. Take all the clothes out of the closet<\/h3>\n\n
8. Sort clothes by category<\/h3>\n\n
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9. Turn your clothes hangers around<\/h3>\n\n
10. Store seasonal clothing separately<\/h3>\n\n
Attic tidying tips<\/h2>\n\n
11. Allow plenty of time<\/h3>\n\n
12. Pack boxes by category<\/h3>\n\n
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13. Ask yourself: Would I buy this again?<\/h3>\n\n
Tips for Tidying Up Every Room in Your Home<\/h2>\n\n
14. Assign a specific place for every item<\/h3>\n\n
15. Tidy up for about ten minutes every day<\/h3>\n\n
What do you do with leftover items?<\/h2>\n\n
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When clearing out the house yourself is no longer feasible<\/h2>\n\n
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Big clean-up? Have your items picked up<\/h2>\n\n