In today’s consumer-driven world, many homeowners find themselves drowning in possessions. The rise of fast fashion, “fast furniture,” and wasteful habits have led to overwhelming clutter in American homes.
Decluttering has many benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to making your home feel new. Follow our guide below (or check out our printable PDF) to declutter your home room by room, using our practical tips and strategies to simplify your living spaces.
The Impact of Clutter on American Homes
The statistics paint a clear picture of the clutter problem in the United States:
- 11.3 million tons of textile waste end up in U.S. landfills annually, according to the EPA. This is equivalent to every American throwing away 81.5 pounds of clothing each year.
- 12.1 million tons of furniture entered the waste stream in 2018, while furniture sales increased by over $4 billion between 2019 and 2021.
- Experts anticipate a significant influx of furniture sent to landfills following increased purchases of cheap furniture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These numbers highlight the urgent need for Americans to reassess their belongings and break the cycle of overconsumption.
Top Decluttering Tips: A Room-by-Room Approach
It helps to break a decluttering project into manageable chunks. Specific strategies and methods for each room make the process smoother and more effective. Here’s our room-by-room checklist to help you systematically declutter your living space.
The Bathroom
The bathroom often accumulates expired and unused products. Here’s how to declutter this space effectively:
- Discard expired, damaged, or empty products.
- Donate unopened, unused items.
- Clear countertops, keeping only daily essentials visible.
- Disinfect surfaces thoroughly.
- Categorize items and designate specific storage areas.
Label makeup products with opening dates, regularly assess bathroom routines, and maximize functionality by storing less frequently used items out of sight.
The Bedroom
Your bedroom should be a place of calm and relaxation. For a more peaceful environment, follow these decluttering steps:
- Remove trash and items from the floor.
- Wash bedding and change sheets.
- Clear surfaces and display only select items.
- Optimize under-bed storage.
- Organize nightstand drawers, prioritizing bedtime essentials.
- Frame and hang wall decorations.
We recommend tackling bedroom decluttering in stages, focusing on one area at a time. Use vertical storage solutions such as floating shelves and wall hooks to maximize space. Add a bench or trunk at the foot of the bed to store seasonal items or extra linens.
The Closet and Clothing
Clothing is often the largest source of clutter in homes. To streamline your wardrobe:
- Sort clothing into keep, donate, and discard piles.
- Remove non-clothing items from the closet.
- Organize dresser drawers by clothing type.
- Implement a clothing organization system (by color or type).
- Use clear storage bins for accessories and shoes.
Enlist a friend’s help when decluttering your closet for an objective perspective. Create a list of clothing items you actually need to avoid unnecessary future purchases.
Try the “hanger trick”: Turn all your hangers facing one direction, and after wearing each item, turn its hanger back the other way. After a few months, donate the clothes that you haven’t worn, as indicated by their hanger position.
The Kitchen
A well-organized kitchen makes meal times more enjoyable and efficient. Follow these steps to declutter:
- Empty drawers and cabinets, wiping down surfaces.
- Donate duplicate or unused items.
- Discard damaged containers and expired food.
- Separate cleaning supplies from food-related items.
- Organize tools for easy access to frequently used items.
Store pans and baking sheets vertically, and use a rolling cart for additional flexible storage space. Label jars and containers to avoid confusion and simplify meal preparation. Regularly assess pantry items to prevent over-purchasing, which can create clutter and lead to food waste.
The Living Room
The living room is the focal point of most homes and should showcase items you love without much extra clutter. Here’s how to get that balanced look:
- Clear floors and surfaces of unnecessary items.
- Display cherished items, such as family photographs or travel souvenirs, without overcrowding.
- Store less frequently used items in decorative bins or baskets.
- Designate specific areas for kids’ or pets’ belongings to keep them from spreading throughout the room.
Incorporate storage ottomans for extra throw pillows and blankets, and use a collection basket to temporarily hold items that belong elsewhere.
What to Keep, Donate, or Discard
Deciding what to keep can be challenging, especially when items hold sentimental value or seem potentially useful. We recommend focusing on items that serve a purpose or bring joy to streamline this process. When in doubt, ask yourself these key questions:
- Do I love this item?
- How often do I use it?
- Will I use it in the near future?
- Is it broken, and if so, will I really repair it?
- Does it serve who I am today?
Set items you’re unsure about aside in a box for a few months. If you don’t miss them during that time, it’s probably safe to donate or discard them.
Donating Items: What’s Acceptable and Where to Give
Donating items helps declutter your home and benefits others in your community. Many charitable organizations accept a range of items, but it’s important to know what you can and cannot donate.
Types of Acceptable Donations
Generally acceptable items include:
- Clothing and accessories
- Household items and small appliances
- Books and electronics
- Furniture in good condition
You can only donate certain items—such as eyeglasses, large appliances, and medical devices—at specialized centers. Always check with the specific organization for their donation guidelines.
Items You Shouldn’t Donate
Generally, you can’t donate the following:
- Car seats, due to safety concerns
- Bedding, pillows, and towels, due to concerns about bed bugs
- Mattresses, for similar reasons
- Hazardous or explosive materials
- Medications
- Magazines, damaged books, or outdated textbooks
Many big-box stores have care seat recycling programs, and some animal shelters will take bedding, pillows, and towels. Many of the other items can be recycled or disposed of at specific disposal sites. If you’re unsure, reach out to local organizations directly.
Charities That Offer Free Donation Pick-Up
Some organizations have made donating even easier by providing free pick-up services for larger or bulky items. Here are a few:
- Habitat for Humanity: Accepts appliances, furniture, and building materials to support affordable housing initiatives.
- Goodwill: Takes household items, clothing, and furniture to fund workforce development programs.
- Furniture Bank Network: Focuses on providing furniture to low-income households and families in transition.
- Out of the Closet: Accepts a wide range of items to support HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Selling Unwanted Items
If you want to make a little extra money, you have several options for selling unwanted items. Here are some ways to turn your clutter into cash.
Selling Online
Online platforms make selling accessible and convenient. Websites and apps such as Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark and ThredUp offer easy ways to sell various items, ranging from clothing to electronics. These platforms connect you with buyers locally or nationally.
Selling to Consignment Stores
Chains such as Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child pay cash for gently used clothing and accessories. These stores specialize in specific types of items, helping your sales reach interested buyers. You can usually get paid in cash or store credit.
Selling Through Yard Sales
Hosting a yard sale can be a fun way to engage with neighbors and sell items quickly. Group related items together and price them reasonably to attract more buyers.
Maintaining a Clutter-Free Home
Staying organized after decluttering is important to prevent mess from creeping back into your life. Here are our tips to keep clutter at bay.
Stay Organized
Create functional spaces where frequently used items are easily accessible. This ensures that everything you need has its own place and is within reach. Use labels to categorize items and maintain organization, especially in shared spaces such as kitchens.
Maintain Your Clutter-Free Space
Be mindful of new purchases. Practice the “one in, one out” rule: For every new item you bring home, consider parting with a similar item. Set aside weekly maintenance time to prevent clutter buildup. Dedicate regular intervals to assess, adjust, and keep clutter from accumulating again.
Involve the Family
Involve family members in decluttering. Make organizing a team effort to encourage everyone to respect and maintain the space. Make it fun for children. Turn cleaning into a game by setting a timer for a 10-minute tidy-up or rewarding kids for neatly organizing their own belongings.
Benefits of Decluttering and Donating
Decluttering and donating have several advantages beyond the immediate tidiness:
- Reduces your carbon footprint by extending the life cycle of gently used items and keeping them out of landfills.
- Provides tax deductions for charitable donations, which can help reduce your taxable income while supporting nonprofits.
- Helps families in need access affordable furniture and clothing.
- Increases your enjoyment of your belongings since you only keep the items that provide real value and joy.
- Reduces stress and anxiety. An organized environment is often a direct reflection of an organized mind.
