Homeowners Club If you are one of the 15 million homeowners in the UK, the free to join online Homeowners Club is for you.
Related Articles
In today’s fast-paced world, our homes can easily become cluttered with items we don’t use, need, or even remember buying. Decluttering isn’t just about creating a tidier home—it’s about reclaiming your space, reducing stress, and making room for the things that truly matter. If you’re ready to simplify your surroundings, here are the best ways to effectively declutter your home.
1. Start Small and Stay Focused
Trying to declutter your entire house in one day is overwhelming and often counterproductive. Begin with one small area—like a single drawer, a closet, or your nightstand. Completing small tasks builds momentum and motivation. Set a timer for 15–30 minutes and commit to that short window daily.
2. Follow the Four-Box Method
Use four labeled boxes to help make decisions faster:
- Keep
- Donate
- Trash
- Relocate
As you go through each room, place items into these categories. This helps you stay organized and avoid simply moving clutter from one area to another.
3. Use the “One-Year Rule”
If you haven’t used an item in the past year, chances are you don’t need it. This rule applies especially well to clothes, kitchen gadgets, and miscellaneous household items. Be honest with yourself—sentimental value shouldn’t justify keeping everything.
4. Declutter by Category, Not Location
Instead of going room by room, try decluttering by category—clothes, books, papers, etc. This approach, popularized by Marie Kondo, allows you to see how much you really own of each type of item and encourages more intentional choices.
5. Digitize Where You Can
Paper clutter—from old bills to receipts—can add up quickly. Use a scanner or mobile app to digitize documents and store them securely online. Shred anything you don’t need to keep physically. This can also apply to photos, CDs, and DVDs.
6. Be Ruthless with Sentimental Items
Sentimental clutter is the hardest to tackle. Choose a few meaningful items to keep and consider taking photos of the rest. Create a “memory box” with limited space to help you keep only the most special keepsakes.
7. Practice the “One In, One Out” Rule
To maintain a clutter-free home, adopt a habit of letting go of one item for every new one you bring in. This prevents accumulation and encourages thoughtful purchasing.
8. Designate a Clutter-Free Zone
Create a sanctuary in your home—like a tidy corner or a clean desk—where no clutter is allowed. This space can serve as a visual reminder of how peaceful a decluttered area feels, inspiring you to spread that feeling throughout your home.
9. Get the Whole Household Involved
Decluttering shouldn’t fall on one person’s shoulders. Encourage all family members to participate and take ownership of their belongings. Make it fun by turning it into a challenge or setting rewards for completed tasks.
10. Repeat Regularly
Decluttering isn’t a one-time event. Life changes, and so do your needs. Schedule regular sessions—monthly, seasonally, or even annually—to keep your home aligned with your lifestyle.
Decluttering your home is a process, not a sprint. Be patient and forgiving with yourself along the way. Every item you let go of brings you one step closer to a more peaceful, functional, and intentional living space.
