15 Pro Decluttering Tips To Start Working On Today!

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Pro Decluttering Tips To Start Working On Today is a list I put together using the years of experience gained helping others declutter.

I've seen firsthand how transforming a cluttered space can lead to a more peaceful and productive life.

Start Small and Build Momentum Is A Pro Decluttering Tip!

Actionable Step:

• Begin with a single drawer or a small section of a room. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and the immediate progress will motivate you to keep going.
• The kitchen junk drawer is an easy warm-up exercise and a great way to start, especially if you are new to decluttering, and here is why.

You have picked a specific area to focus on. Small spaces are your friend and one drawer is small and therefore manageable.

The junk drawer is an easy win because there is little emotional attachment to the elastics, straws, flashlights, and bits of string that accumulate in the kitchen junk drawer, so it is easy to toss.

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Setting Goals

Actionable Step:

• Clear goal setting is key in any task, decluttering is no different.
• Define what "clutter", “decluttered”, and “organized” mean to you.
• Write down specific goals for each room or area, such as "reduce closet items by 50%" or "create a filing system for important documents."
• One of the best decluttering tips is to 'Set realistic clear goals'! This way you are setting yourself up for a win!

For me 'clutter' is anything that stands between me and my goals.

'Decluttered' means I have carefully and thoughtfully selected what items get to live with me.

And 'organized' means when I want something I can get it in a nano-second because I know exactly where it is.

Create a Decluttering Schedule Is A Pro Decluttering Tip!

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• Block out specific times in your calendar dedicated to decluttering. Treat these appointments as non-negotiable, just like any other important meeting.

Any non-negotiable things I have to do go in my digital calendar with loud alerts because it is much easier to follow through with my responsibilities.

The amount of free space you block off may be different amounts of time depending on if you are decluttering a laundry room, storage space, two piles of stuff, or an entire house. By the way, I do not recommend decluttering a whole house in one decluttering session.

Use the Three Bag Method

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Actionable Step:

• Label three bags as “Trash” “Donate,” “Sell,”
• The items you plan to keep need to go into a dedicated space as you declutter them. In other words - put the things away where they belong immediately.

You may want to donate some things and sell others, especially if you have valuable items. Selling stuff online is a very easy thing to do today.

This is how to stay organized. As you go through your items, place them in the appropriate bag or put them away immediately. This method helps you make quick decisions and stay organized.

Tackle Sentimental Items Last Is A Pro Decluttering Tip!

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Actionable Step:

• A great strategy is to save sentimental items for the end of your decluttering process. By then, you’ll have built up decision-making muscles, making it easier to part with things you no longer need.
• Many folks have a challenging time letting go of things they are emotionally attached to.

Apply the One-In, One-Out Rule

Actionable Step:

• For every new item you bring into your home, commit to getting rid of one existing item. This rule helps prevent new clutter from accumulating.

The one-in-one-out rule is a great rule to follow especially with more significant purchases such as a new laptop keyboard, telephone, or piece of clothing.

People continually ask me how they have so much clutter still after having decluttered several times. The answer is you keep bringing goods in and not discarding any items.

Another Pro Decluttering Tip is to Organize in Zones

Actionable Step:

• Divide each room into zones (e.g., kitchen: pantry, countertops, cabinets) and tackle one zone at a time. This focused approach makes the task more manageable.

For people with limited mobility issues- pick up one item, the item closest to you. Make a decision if you will keep this item or discard. If you plan to keep the object put it away. Most people can declutter one item.

Create a Donation Station

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Actionable Step:

• Keep one bag in an out-of-the-way location in your home, maybe a spare room if you have one, and as you go through your days finding things you no longer use, need, or want, place them in this bag. When the bag is full bring the goods to a donation center.

Help yourself to a list of where to donate your household goods, most for free! in the Free Resource Guide I put together. This list includes musical instruments, tread mills and other large cumbersome items.

Digitize Where Possible

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Actionable Step:

• Scan important documents, photos, and receipts, and store them digitally. This reduces physical clutter and makes it easier to find what you need.
• Consider Going Paperless. Almost everything we need can be accessed online.

Either digitize daily, weekly, or monthly. It is much easier to digitize things when you only have one or a few items.

Another Pro Decluttering Tip Is To Use Storage Solutions Wisely

Actionable Step:

• Invest in storage solutions like bins, baskets, and drawer dividers, but only 'after' you’ve decluttered. Make sure every item has a designated place, and avoid cramming things into storage just to get them out of sight.

There is no shortage of organizing solutions today. If you don't believe me do an Amazon.com search

Another Pro Decluttering Tip Is To Set a Timer!

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Actionable Step:

• Try the Pomodoro timer method! This method is based on short time limits and breaks. Whether you have a little bit of time or a long time many find great help using the Pomodoro method.
• I wrote about the Pomodoro method in How To Stop Procrastinating Decluttering Your Home

When you feel stuck or unmotivated, set a timer for 15-30 minutes and declutter as much as you can within that time. This technique helps overcome procrastination and breaks the task into bite-sized chunks.

Focus on High-Impact Areas First

Actionable Step:

Prioritize decluttering areas that will have the most immediate impact on your daily life, such as your kitchen, bedroom, or home office. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to continue.

Practice Maintenance Habits

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Actionable Step:

• Once you’ve decluttered, develop habits to keep your space organized. This could include a weekly tidy-up session or a monthly review of your belongings to ensure clutter doesn’t sneak back in. All a monthly review requires is a glance at your space

Example: You bought a new laptop 3 weeks ago and the broken old device is still sitting near the box the new laptop came in. Get rid of it now.

The number one reason people have to do more than one decluttering job is because they failed to set up a maintenance system. Keeping up with clutter is the key to staying clutter-free!

Limit “Just in Case” Items

Actionable Step:

• Be honest about how often you use “just in case” items. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s likely you won’t need it. Let go of these items to free up space.

Our spaces are filled with 'just in case' items. Let me tell you about the Pareto rule. Most of us use only 20% of our possessions 80% of the time.

Celebrate Your Progress

Actionable Step:

• Acknowledge and celebrate each milestone you reach. Whether it’s completing decluttering an entire room or clearing out a significant amount of clutter, or discarding a single item of clutter, reward yourself —just make sure it’s not with more stuff!

I usually reward myself during a busy day by grabbing my pups and going for a little stroll around the block! You may favor a bath or a tasty treat, whatever it is splurge! You did it!

Then get back to work and declutter another possession!

You are on an organizing and decluttering journey, not a sprint or a one-time event. A great way to stay clutter-free is to institute a maintenance plan sooner rather than later.

By following these expert tips and taking consistent, small steps, you have made a great start to achieving your decluttering goals and creating a more organized, stress-free environment. Incorporate a new decluttering habit into your daily routine!

Happy decluttering!

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Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

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