Does your home feel like a never-ending mess? Piles of clothes, overflowing drawers, and countertops buried under clutter can make daily life stressful. The right decluttering strategy can transform chaos into calm—fast.
In this guide, we’ll cover a step-by-step plan to tackle every room, plus smart storage solutions like the best way to organize cleaning tools. Follow this method, and you’ll reclaim your space in just seven days.
Key Takeaways
- Work room-by-room to avoid overwhelm
- Sort items into keep, donate, or trash piles
- Use multi-purpose storage to maximize space
- Maintain daily to prevent re-cluttering
1. Day 1: Plan & Prep
Start with a decluttering roadmap. Assign each day to a specific zone (e.g., kitchen, bedroom). Gather supplies:
- Trash bags
- Labeled bins (Keep/Donate/Trash)
- Floor cleaner for post-purge cleaning
Set a timer for 2-hour blocks to stay focused. Remove sentimental items first—they slow progress.
2. Day 2: Tackle the Kitchen
Focus on high-traffic areas:
- Expired food: Discard anything past its date
- Single-use gadgets: Keep only what you use monthly
- Junk drawer: Sort into drawer dividers
Pro tip: Store rarely used appliances in high cabinets to free up counter space.
3. Day 3: Conquer Bedrooms
Follow the 80/20 rule—we only wear 20% of our clothes regularly. Sort by:
- Seasonality: Store off-season items under beds
- Condition: Donate unworn pieces in good shape
- Sentimental value: Limit keepsakes to one box
4. Day 4: Organize Bathrooms
Discard old products and streamline essentials:
| Category | Action |
|---|---|
| Expired makeup | Trash |
| Half-empty bottles | Combine or donate |
| Towel piles | Keep 2-3 per person |
Use vertical storage like over-door racks for small spaces.
5. Day 5: Clear Living Areas
Reduce visual clutter with these steps:
- Paper piles: Shred unnecessary documents
- Decor: Keep only items you love
- Toys: Rotate sets weekly to minimize mess
6. Day 6: Handle Storage Spaces
Attack basements, attics, and garages with the one-year rule: If unused for 12+ months, donate it. Label bins clearly for easy access.
7. Day 7: Maintain & Prevent Clutter
Adopt daily habits:
- 10-minute tidy before bed
- One-in, one-out rule for new purchases
- Weekly donation runs to avoid pileups
Decluttering Progress Tracker
| Day | Area | Time Spent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning | 1 hour |
| 2 | Kitchen | 3 hours |
| 3 | Bedrooms | 4 hours |
Decluttering doesn’t require perfection—just progress. By breaking tasks into manageable steps, you’ll create a home that feels spacious and serene. For more cleaning tips, explore Apartment Therapy’s guide or The Spruce’s strategies.