15 Simple Decluttering Tips for Beginners to Keep a Clean and Tidy Home
This post contains 15 simple decluttering tips for beginners to create a space we can enjoy no matter what the day brings. Remember, the process of decluttering your home, though it may seem daunting at first, is a journey toward a more peaceful and organized living space.
Decluttering is not about getting rid of things but about gaining freedom from the clutter. Each item you remove is a step towards a more organized and peaceful home, and that’s a significant accomplishment. The freedom you gain from decluttering is beneficial.
I embarked on my decluttering journey four years ago and continue conducting regular small decluttering sessions twice a year to maintain my house. I assure you that following these decluttering tips will lead you to success. Let’s begin!
Benefits of decluttering
Decluttering has many benefits; once you start enjoying those benefits, decluttering becomes easier. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Less time cleaning—You do less cleaning when you have fewer items. There is no need to move items around to clean around and under them and clean the actual item.
- Saves money—When you see the progress you have made when decluttering, you think twice before bringing an item in. Also, finding items is more accessible, preventing you from buying duplicates.
- More time doing what you enjoy- I now spend little time cleaning and picking up that my house is ready for company. Someone calls or texts me saying they want to come. My home is ready. Before, I would panic clean, stuff items in closets to hide them, and apologize for a messy home.
15 simple decluttering tips for beginners
- One area at a time
Start by decluttering one area at a time. This approach will keep you motivated as you see the difference in each area. I suggest beginning in the kitchen, as letting go of items there is often easier.
Once you’ve decluttered the kitchen, you can move on to the living room, restroom, etc. Remember, it’s all about taking it one step at a time. Focusing on one area can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and stay motivated.
You can read How to Declutter Your Kitchen and Keep it Clean and Tidy.
- Decide to keep or donate
When decluttering, try to decide if you are keeping an item or if it can be donated. Do not keep an item if you have not used it in more than six months, have duplicates, or do not enjoy it. If the item costs less than $20.00 and you can replace it if you need it later, donate it if you have not used it in months. Chances are, you will not need to replace it.
- Declutter challenge
If you want to make fast progress, try a declutter challenge. Try my 21-day declutter challenge and 30-day minimalist challenge by The Minimalist, Joshua Fields Millburn, and Ryan Nicodemus. On day one, you remove one item; on day two, you remove two items; on day three, you remove three items until you reach the 30th day. When you finish a 30-day minimalist challenge, you will have removed 500 items.
You can do this challenge every month to see significant progress, which is manageable. I did it for many months until I was where I wanted to be. I suggest you print out a calendar and put an X when you finish each day.
- Donate to nonprofit
It may be challenging to let go of items since you spent money on them, and it may be even more difficult if they were a gift. However, I donate to a nonprofit organization, and knowing that my gently used items will be given to someone in need makes it much easier to donate. I even schedule it for front-door pickup, and on certain days, they pick up my donations right from my front patio.
- Maybe box
Have a maybe box in case you can’t seem to donate an item yet. Put a date on it for 30 days, and in 30 days, take that box to the donation. If you did not need what was in your maybe box in those 30 days, you will not need it in the future.
- Take before and after pictures
When decluttering, taking before and after photos of an area can make you see the difference it makes in the area. We get so distracted with our daily lives that we go clutter blind and ignore our clutter.
So, when you start in an area, take a picture, declutter as much as possible, and then take another picture to see your progress. This has helped me see how I lived before and now. It will also help you bring items into your home only if needed.
- Do not give to family or friends
While decluttering, only give your family and friends items if you know they need or want the item. When you give them items, they might say yes to taking them since they are free, but you are giving them clutter. Again, if it is an item you know they need or will bring value, feel free to offer, but try to donate to avoid giving them clutter.
- Declutter your belongings
As much as you want to declutter your partner’s belongings, you should start with decluttering your own. When you are decluttering the closet, start with your belongings. Usually, after they see what you decluttered and how clean and tidy your side of the closet looks, they might want to declutter their belongings with some of your help. You lead by example; by the time you know it, they will be on board with you.
My husband was initially slightly hesitant, but now he even gives me that push when I am unsure about decluttering an item. If you have a baby or toddler, you can do it, and when they are at the age where they can decide, help them out to donate when they receive new toys or books.
- Do a no-buy or low-buy challenge
So, now that you have started decluttering, you want to avoid bringing items in to avoid having extensive decluttering sessions later in the future. Do a no-buy or low-buy challenge for a few months. Not only will doing this challenge keep you from adding clutter, but it will also save you money.
Read my 13 Easy Tips for a Low-Buy No-Buy Challenge.
- One in two out rule
If you decide to bring an item in, take two items out. You bought a new blouse, take two tops out. If you purchased a new decoration, take two out. Following the one-in, two-out rule will also help you declutter things faster. Remember, you are trying to declutter, so do not buy an item unless needed.
- Keep decluttering on top of your mind
I have been decluttering for almost five years and still declutter a few items quarterly. I keep a box in the garage, and I will put items in the box when I see something I haven’t used or won’t use. You can keep a box near a room where you can put clothes you no longer use or enjoy. So, as the day goes by, if you see something you know you can declutter, put it in a donation box, and take it to the donation center once full.
- Declutter seasonal
Decluttering during a new season or a holiday can help you keep your seasonal items minimal. For example, when you are getting ready to take your Fall stuff off, go ahead and go through it, decluttering what you did not enjoy and keeping only the items you love.
Before putting away your Summer decorations, go through those items before storing them. That way, you are decluttering two seasons or holidays at a time. I prefer to keep my home minimal, so I only briefly decluttered in this area.
- Keep your end goal in mind
Now that you have been decluttering, I know things come up, and you might take a few days off. That is okay, but continue your decluttering journey. If you need motivation, watch YouTube videos of people decluttering, and you get up and declutter with them. Picture how you want your home to look and keep that in mind.
- Get some help
Depending on how many items you have and if you still need more motivation, consider getting help. This can be a relative or a friend. You can offer to help them if they come and help you. This will help you get rid of more items and give you some motivation. If you have the budget, you can hire a professional organizer to help you start and leave you with some tips to continue on your own.
- Practice minimalism
Of course, this is one of my favorites. There is no right or wrong way of minimalism, or you need a certain amount of items to be a minimalist, so don’t let that keep you from being minimalist.
When I started decluttering, I was not a minimalist. Then, when I learned about minimalism and applied that to my life, I now enjoy all the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle.
Read my post Six Clear Signs it is Time to Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle
Final thoughts
This post provides decluttering tips for beginners. If you are already on a decluttering journey, these tips can also be helpful. I suggest reading The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker to help guide you.
Comment below and tell me when you plan to start your decluttering journey and end goal.