How to Declutter Your Home (Room by Room)

Last Updated November 4, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? It happens to the best of us. One day your home feels fine, and the next, you’re wondering how you ended up with so much stuff. The good news is you don’t have to declutter your whole house in one go. Breaking it down room by room makes the process less stressful and more effective.

Follow this simple walkthrough for every major area in your home. You’ll learn what to keep, what to toss, and how good organization—including smart storage space like a custom closet—can help you stay clutter-free long term.

Tips to Make Decluttering Easier

Before diving into each room, keep a few helpful guidelines in mind. These simple tips will speed up the decluttering process and help you make confident decisions.

Work in Small Sections

Start with one drawer. One shelf. One corner. It’s easier to build momentum when the task feels manageable.

Sort Everything Into a Few Categories

Use four basic piles: Keep, Donate, Toss, and Relocate (for items that belong in another room).

Try the 5-Second Rule

If you can’t remember the last time you used or wore something within five seconds, it’s probably safe to let it go.

Use the 12/12/12 Method

Find 12 things to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to return to their proper place. It’s a great way to make fast progress.

Let Go of Guilt

You do not have to keep sentimental items just because someone gave them to you. Keep what still feels meaningful—donate the rest.

Pay Attention to Patterns

If certain spaces always feel out of control, it might not be because you have too much stuff. It might be that your storage space isn’t working. That’s where custom closets or built-in organizing solutions can make a big difference.

Once you have your piles ready and your approach in place, you’re ready to move from room to room with a clear head.

Our Room-by-Room Guide to Decluttering Your Home

Start With the First Stop… the Entryway

The entryway or front hall tends to collect everything—shoes, coats, keys, mail, and backpacks. Because it’s the first stop when you walk in, it sets the tone for the rest of the home.

Start here:

Remove everything from hooks, walls, and shelves.
Sort items into what you use daily and what doesn’t belong here.
Move off-season items into storage or closets elsewhere.
Toss torn gloves, old flyers, or anything expired.

To keep this space organized, consider a mudroom setup. A custom mudroom with hooks, cabinets, and cubbies gives shoes and coats a clear home—and helps prevent stuff from spreading to the rest of the house.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most-used areas in the home, so it clutters quickly. If your kitchen counters are always covered in mail, appliances, or odds and ends, start by clearing everything off.

Tidy in small chunks:

Open the junk drawer and dump everything out.
Sort what’s useful and toss what’s broken or hasn’t been touched in months.
Go through cabinets and toss expired food or unused gadgets.
Group like items together—baking tools with baking tools, mugs with mugs.

Once you’ve trimmed down, make it easier to stay organized with drawer dividers and cabinet bins. The less you have, the easier it is to cook, clean, and enjoy your space.

The Living Room

This is where you hang out, unwind, and maybe even eat the occasional dinner on the couch—so it makes sense that clutter builds up here, too.

Try this:

Grab a laundry basket and collect anything that doesn’t belong—shoes, dishes, toys.
Clear flat surfaces like coffee tables and side tables.
Sort through books, throw blankets, and electronics.
Decide if you actually use everything or if there’s just too much stuff lying around.

Furniture with built-in storage—like ottomans or TV units with drawers—can be a great way to tuck things away without taking up extra room.

The Bedroom

Start with what you can see.

Clear off your nightstand, dresser, and any chairs. Throw away wrappers, old receipts, or anything you just haven’t dealt with yet. Return dishes, chargers, or books to their proper rooms. Make your bed.

A few clear surfaces make a big difference.

Then move to clothing.

Pick one type at a time—start with jeans, then shirts, then sweaters. Don’t try to take on the whole closet at once. Sorting by category makes decisions easier. Keep only what fits and what you actually wear.

You’ll end up with four piles:

Keep: The clothes you love and wear often
Donate: Anything in good condition you no longer need
Launder: What needs to be washed before going back
Repair: Items worth fixing, like sweaters with snags or pants with missing buttons

Hold onto a few sentimental items, but don’t let them take over the space. One small box can hold the important things—old love letters, your college sweatshirt—and the rest can move on.

If your closet still feels packed after decluttering, it might be the layout, not how much stuff you own. A custom closet can make better use of your storage space with drawers, shelves, and hanging areas that match how you live. When everything has a place, it’s easier to keep your room calm, not cluttered.

Start small. One category, one drawer. Soon, your bedroom will feel lighter—and more restful.

The Closet

OK, this one is tough. Because if you’re anything like most people, your closet is an overflowing storage unit for your clothes. They’re easy to fill and easy to ignore.

Here’s how to declutter your closet:

Pull out clothes by type—jeans, then sweaters, then shirts.
Use the five-second rule—can’t remember the last time you wore it? Donate it.
Create these basic piles: Keep, Donate, Repair, Laundry.
Don’t forget shoes, accessories, and out-of-season clothing.

A cluttered closet makes getting dressed harder than it needs to be. If you’re constantly rearranging piles or running out of room, it may be time for a storage upgrade.

After you get your closet, here’s a pro tip: look into hiring a custom closet company. They can create a custom closet that is designed to suit your space and needs—like adjustable shelves, drawers, shoe racks, and double-hang rods. Better storage keeps your wardrobe neat without needing to get rid of everything you own.

Kids’ Rooms

Toys, clothes, games, school projects… kids’ stuff adds up quickly. If their room feels chaotic, start with the basics.

Simple steps:

Sort clothing regularly—remove items that don’t fit.
Group toys by type and donate duplicates or broken pieces.
Set up bins or drawers with labels (pictures work well for younger kids).
Store sentimental items like handmade crafts in a separate box.

Getting your child involved can help them learn to let go of things and stay organized. Custom closet organizers at their height make it easier for kids to put things back where they belong.

The Home Office

Whether you work remotely or just manage bills here, your home office deserves clarity—not piles of scattered supplies.

Here’s what to do:

Clear your desk surface and empty all drawers.
Toss dried-up pens, old to-do lists, and outdated tech.
Keep only the essentials—paper, pens, chargers, folders.
Use small trays or drawer dividers to prevent clutter from creeping back.

Label file folders clearly, and scan or shred anything you’re keeping “just in case” but haven’t touched in years. A clean desk helps you focus and stay productive.

The Laundry Room

This room is easy to overlook, but if you’re constantly stepping on stray socks or don’t know where half your detergent is, it’s time.

Try a fast reset:

Remove anything unrelated to laundry.
Toss empty bottles, torn linens, and single socks.
Group supplies together—detergents, stain removers, wash bags.
Store everything in a way that’s easy to grab and go.

A custom laundry room setup can include built-in shelves, a folding station, and vertical storage space that makes this chore feel less like, well, a chore.

The Garage or Storage Room

The garage is often a catch-all. If it’s been a few years since you’ve seen the floor, go slow and stay focused.

Tackle by category:

Start with sports gear, then tools, then old bins.
Use the 12/12/12 rule: 12 items to toss, 12 to donate, 12 to return where they belong.
If you haven’t used it in five years, chances are you don’t need it.
Holding onto useful stuff? A garage sale can be a great way to clear space and pass things along.

Use shelves, pegboards, or hanging racks to store things off the floor. Clear labels help you find what you need without digging through everything.

Keep the Momentum Going

Decluttering your home won’t happen in a single afternoon. And that’s OK. Take it one room—or even one drawer—at a time. You’ll build habits that last, and your space will slowly become easier to live in.

If you’ve tried everything and still feel like you don’t have enough storage space, it may be your layout that’s letting you down. Custom closets, mudrooms, and built-in storage take into account how you live and what you actually need. That’s what turns temporary tidying into long-term organization.

You don’t need to aim for perfection. You just need to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 20/20/20 rule for decluttering?

This idea combines two common rules. The 20/20 part means if something can be replaced for under $20 in less than 20 minutes, it’s probably okay to let it go. The third “20” is sometimes added to remind you not to spend more than 20 minutes thinking about it. If you’re stuck, move on and come back later.

What are the 4 C’s of decluttering?

The 4 C’s stand for: Categorize, Cut, Contain, and Continue.

Categorize your items by type.
Cut what you don’t need or use.
Contain what you’re keeping using bins, shelves, or drawers.
Continue by maintaining your system over time.
It’s a simple way to organize the decluttering process and build habits that last.

How do I start decluttering my house?

Start small—one drawer, shelf, or corner. Work room by room. Use clear categories like Keep, Donate, Toss, and Relocate. Begin with low-effort areas like the junk drawer or hallway and build momentum. If a room keeps getting messy, it could be a sign you need better storage space—not just fewer items.

What is the 12-12-12 rule for decluttering?

The 12-12-12 rule helps you make quick progress. You find:

12 items to throw away
12 items to donate
12 items to return to their proper home
It’s a fast, structured way to clear clutter without overthinking it.