It happens to even the most meticulous people. The mail goes unopened for several days, clothes pile up on a chair, knick-knacks and odds and ends never find a place (parents, you’ll understand…) and before you know it, the house is cluttered and you can’t think clearly anymore and you don’t even know why.
“A tidy space isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about creating a home that you and your family feel comfortable in,” explains Aaron Traub, owner of My Professional Organizer Dallas. “When your home is organized and clutter-free, that constant mental tension in the back of your mind telling you, ‘I have to get this done’ disappears. Additionally, an organized home can improve focus, encourage creativity, and just make it a more enjoyable place for everyone.”
Want to declutter but don’t know where to start? Check out our expert-approved decluttering checklist that breaks down everything you or your housekeeper needs to do, room by room.
“When your home is organized and tidy, the constant mental tension in the back of your mind telling you, ‘I have to get this done’ disappears.”
— Aaron Traub, owner of a professional home organization and decluttering company
Checklist for decluttering
Ready to declutter? Here’s a room-by-room decluttering checklist from Traub, Parravani and Mooney that you can use yourself or share with cleaners or housekeepers.
Checklist for cleaning up the kitchen
Kitchens are often cluttered, and in a room where space is at a premium, it’s best to start large, notes Traub.
“Start with unused pots, pans, utensils and expired foods or spices,” he says. “These items take up valuable space and are often forgotten.”
Here’s what else you can get rid of:
- Duplicates (think: mixing spoons, spatulas, can openers, salad tongs, aprons, meat thermometers, mashers.)
- Broken devices.
- Unused small appliances
- Foods you tried but didn’t like.
- Unused, fine tableware.
- Damaged plastic dishes.
- Food containers made of plastic or glass without suitable lids.
- Unused plates/trays, excess glassware, children’s plates.
- Stacks of unused newspapers, magazines and cookbooks.
Checklist for tidying up the living room
When it comes to the living room, think about visual clutter, Mooney advises. “Look around and remove all unnecessary items,” she advises.
You should also omit the following:
- Additional pillows.
- Outdated knick-knacks.
- Any excess furniture.
- Old newspapers and magazines.
- Any unnecessary decoration taking up space on coffee and side tables.
Checklist for tidying up the bedroom
Bedrooms are often full of clutter and also attract clutter. Here’s how to declutter bedrooms:
- Clear away or dispose of excess pillows.
- Clear away piles of clothes that are lying on the floor or chairs.
- Clear unread books, glasses, etc. from the bedside table.
- Place the jewelry in a jewelry bowl or box.
- Replace small laundry baskets with larger ones that can be carried to the laundry room.
- Avoid unnecessary or old-fashioned decoration.
- Go through your drawers and closets and donate clothes you no longer wear.
- Change your bedding according to the season and make sure to put away anything you don’t use.
Checklist for tidying up the bathroom
Do you always throw away products when you’ve used them up? I thought so. Here’s what you should dispose of in the bathroom:
- Expired cosmetics, skin care products and medications. (Only keep what you use!)
- Bottles of products you don’t use/like.
- Hairbands and hair accessories (put the ones you use in a container).
- Excess decoration, such as dead or dying plants and containers that look nice but are never used.
- Bulk packs of paper products/razors/jumbo bottles or 2-for-1 products. (“These should go in a closet or you only buy what fits in your space,” Mooney notes.)
- Razors and bath sponges that are past their best.
- Empty shampoo/conditioner bottles in the shower.
Checklist for clearing out your wardrobe
When it comes to closets, Traub says the focus should be on clothes and shoes. “Donate or throw away anything you no longer wear or that is beyond repair,” he advises. “If you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to give it away!”
Other things you should remove from your cabinets include:
- Bedding/linen that no longer fits or is damaged.
- Sports or fitness equipment that is no longer used.
- Loose Christmas decorations (“These should be stored with the others and labeled,” advises Mooney.)
- Too many hangers or unused storage containers.
- Unworn, outdated or damaged accessories, such as old belts, scarves, etc.
Mooney also notes that people should think twice before “buying excessive amounts of things that can easily be purchased for under $20. There is no need to hoard toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, soap, etc.,” she says.
Checklist for cleaning up the garage
Let’s be honest: A lot of things stay in the garage. “The garage should be functional,” notes Traub, “and not a repository for forgotten things.”
Here’s what you should let go of, say Traub, Parravani and Mooney:
- Rusty or broken tools (or anything that has been waiting for repair for years).
- Unused sports equipment.
- Old cleaning products.
- Accessories for cars you no longer have.
- Broken or damaged ladders.
- Empty boxes.
- stack of paper.
- Unused seasonal decor.
- Old gardening supplies, such as expired fertilizers.
- Old paints and chemicals.
Checklist for tidying up the office
The first thing you should do when cleaning up your office, according to Mooney, is to “say goodbye to the piles of paper that are clogging up your desk, countertops and drawers.”
“Sort through old receipts, bills and documents, shred what you no longer need and organize the rest,” she continues. “A tidy workspace means a clear mind, and starting from scratch is often the best approach to creating your cleanest workspace.”
Once the paperwork is cleared, go through the following:
- Excess or stagnant decor.
- Old electronics.
- Broken or worn furniture.
- Filing cabinets with insufficient capacity.
- Unused books.
- Dried out pens/pencils without erasers.
- Defective staplers, hole punches, etc.
Why is it important to create order?
If you’re not sure whether to start (who isn’t?), here are a few reasons to grab some trash bags and bite the bullet:
It makes daily life smoother. When your space is free of you-know-what piles, everything is easier. “How many times are you running late but can’t find your other shoe that happens to be buried in your closet?” notes Maria Mooney, nontoxic cleaning expert and marketing director at Truly Free Home. “Nobody has time for that.”
Cleaning is easier. It’s nearly impossible to clean when there’s clutter, Mooney adds. (And tidying up isn’t a built-in job for cleaning ladies, by the way.) “Cleaning a room is far less daunting when you get rid of all the clutter,” Mooney notes.
There is more time for the things you love. Decluttering is all about freeing up time for what matters most – especially for busy parents, Mooney notes. “When the clutter is under control, there’s more time for hobbies, reading or just enjoying a quiet cup of tea.”
Less stress. Research shows that clutter creates stress and anxiety. “Clutter is a visual reminder of something we haven’t done, so getting rid of clutter is like lifting a heavy weight off your shoulders,” explains Michelle Parravani, owner of Designing With Less in Atlanta. “Without clutter around you, you can think more clearly and free yourself from the shame that clutter creates.”
Plus, she adds, clutter can be especially stressful for parents and caregivers. “A tidy space can be grounding and calming, which is important for everyone,” she says. “But it’s vital when so much energy goes into caring for others.”
How to keep your home tidy
The best way to keep your home tidy is to do regular decluttering, which Parravani calls “micro-decluttering.”
“It’s less overwhelming than tackling everything at once,” she says. “You can make real progress by decluttering here and there, whether it’s every day, every week, or even just once a month.”
Further approaches and tips:
Clean up the clutter after each season. “For example, extra beach towels or outdoor toys tend to accumulate during the summer,” Mooney explains. “As you take a moment to organize these items, consider what you can donate or throw away to make room for what the next season will require. Store or donate excess beach towels at the end of the summer to make room for more winter blankets and coats.”
Start small. You don’t have to feel like you have to tackle your whole home at once, as that can be overwhelming. “Take on one room, one drawer or one closet at a time,” advises Traub. “The key is to build momentum with small wins and use that energy to tackle other areas of the house.”
One in, one out. Buy something? Get rid of something. Parravani calls this the “one in, one out” rule. It’s a way to be more mindful of what you bring into your home while also making sure “stuff” doesn’t take over.
Buy less. Better yet, buy less overall. This can be difficult with cranky and growing children (and relentless advertising and influence), but the goal of a tidy home can boost your willpower when you feel the urge to buy something you may not need.
The conclusion
To be truly effective, decluttering needs to be a lifestyle, not just a once-a-year chore. “If you make decluttering a habit, it can become routine and then stop feeling overwhelming or stressful,” says Scott. “The goal is ultimately to be in control of your stuff, not the other way around.”
