How To Simplify Your Home and Clear the Clutter In 5 Steps

If you're looking for some inspiration and motivation to simplify your home, we’ve got you covered with these 5 simple steps to help you clear the clutter.

But letting go of unnecessary things in your life can be like a breath of fresh air. As you start to simplify, you’ll immediately feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a tidy home is the amount of physical space you’ll be able to take back. By getting rid of things you no longer need, think of all of the valuable real estate you can free up!

And you’ll also be able to find the things you do need a whole lot easier. Imagine counting up all the minutes spent looking for your lost car keys or your favorite pair of socks. That’s a lot of time back in your life!

And it’s no secret that clutter can be a huge source of stress and anxiety. It's like having a constant physical reminder of all the things that need to be organized and put away.

Sometimes, we have an emotional attachment to sentimental items because they remind us of the past. But by letting go, you're creating space for new experiences and opportunities.

It's like making room for your future self and all the amazing things that are yet to come.

Simplifying Your Home Means Different Things To Different People

A one-sized fits all approach is not going to work for everyone. So in this post, we’ve included 5 ways to help you start changing your mindset about how you think about the things in your home that can apply to almost anyone.

Think of them as philosophies you can adopt to help you to start being more intentional about the things you bring into your home and how you organize them.

Simplifying Is About Creating Systems

When trying to simplify, the focus shouldn’t only be about getting rid of things. It should be about creating more open space in your life for the things you really love and making the things you own work for you and your lifestyle.

Once you have a mental system for identifying what things add value to your life and what doesn’t, you’ll find it’s easy to get your home in order and keep it that way!

It's Not About Perfection, But About Progress

Decluttering your entire home can seem like a daunting task, but we promise that by making just a few adjustments to your daily routine, you can start transforming your living space into a haven that brings you joy and peace. Small changes will add up to a big impact and can completely change how you feel in your home.

There Are Many Benefits to Simplifying Your Home Beyond Less Stress 

• Less to clean and organize
• Better sleep
• Improved mood and mental health
• More money in your bank account
• More energy for the important things in life
• Live in a more sustainable way that is better for the environment

Slow and steady progress is the best way to make a lasting change. The key is consistency. So, let's get started!

1) Create Your Personal Guidelines For Identifying What's Worth Keeping

Questions To Ask Yourself

When initially going through your things, it can be really difficult to identify what you should part with and what is worth keeping. When considering whether to keep or get rid of an item, think about the energy that item brings to your life. Asking yourself these questions can help to solidify how you really feel about an object.

• Are you indifferent to it?
• Is it an annoyance? Is it always in your way?
• Does it bring back memories of a special person or time?
• Does it remind you of something negative in your life that you'd rather forget?
• Do you already have multiples of this thing when you really only need one?
• Could someone else love or use that item more than you?

It's important to be brutally honest with yourself during this process. Don't hold onto things out of guilt or obligation, and don't convince yourself that you'll use something someday if you know deep down that you won't.

Can It Be Replaced Easily, For Minimal Cost?

If you're ho-hum on an item and you can easily replace it for a reasonable amount of money (it will be different for everyone, but we use $20-$30 as a good guide), you're probably better off parting with it and determining if you can truly live without it. If you find that you really need it, you can always replace it pretty easily. 

Try to focus on keeping those things that are truly irreplaceable, that you use often, or know you will need, and things that bring you a sense of joy when you look at them. These are the things that are worth keeping and that will add value to your life.

Apply the 90/90 Rule

The Minimalists’ 90/90 rule also can be really helpful when deciding if something should stay or go. Have you used that item in the last 90 days? If you haven't, will you use it in the next 90? If not, then it's okay to let go. Maybe your rule isn't 90 days. It could be 120 days or six months.

Whatever your rule is, just remember to be honest with yourself and stick to it. By doing so, you'll be able to identify the things that are truly worth keeping and let go of the rest.

Use the "One In, One Out" Rule

Have you heard of the "one in, one out" rule? It's a simple concept that can be really helpful when trying to simplify your home. Basically, for every new item that you bring into your home, you commit to getting rid of one item that you no longer need or use. It's also a great way to start being more mindful about what you own and what you actually need.

The one-in, one-out rule is a good system, helping you to keep the number of items in your house in check. Here are some examples of how to implement the "one in, one out" rule in different areas of your home:

• Clothing: For every new piece of clothing you buy, donate, or sell, an old piece you no longer wear or need. This way, your wardrobe stays clutter-free, and you only keep the items that you really love and use.

• Kitchen: When you buy a new kitchen gadget or appliance, part with an old one that you don't use anymore. Maybe there is a friend or family member who can use it. Alternatively, if you are cooking something special that you don’t make on a regular basis, see if you can borrow the specialty appliances or supplies you need so you don't have to run out and buy something new. 

• Books: For every new book you buy, donate, or sell an old one that you've already read and don't plan on reading again. This is a great way to keep your bookshelf organized and prevent it from overflowing with books you'll no longer read. Taking advantage of borrowing from your local library is also a great way to keep up with your reading list without cluttering up your living room. 

• Kids' Toys: If you have kids, implementing the one-in, one-out rule for toys can be really helpful. For every new toy they receive, have them choose an old one to donate or give away. This will not only keep their toy collection manageable but can also teach them the value of giving to others.

2) Incorporate Your Decluttering Process Into Your Daily Routines

When you’re short on time and mental energy, cleaning up and getting rid of clutter can seem really overwhelming. You could set aside a whole weekend or spend a couple of months clearing out your home room-by-room, but honestly, most of us don’t have the luxury of that kind of time. And sometimes, trying to allocate large chunks of time to certain projects just means that you will continue to put it off and it will never get done. 

This is why we suggest looking for easy ways to start simplifying and making them a daily habit. 

As a first step, consciously look for little things you no longer use or need as you interact with them in different parts of your house. For example, when you're putting on your makeup in the morning, take a moment to see if there are any expired products you haven't touched in years that can be easily tossed. In the kitchen, look for utensils that have duplicates or appliances sitting on the kitchen counter that you never use. (We’re looking at you, pasta maker!) 

Set Up Designated Spaces For Items You Are Ready to Part With

Setting up designated spaces to store the items you're ready to part with will also help you make decluttering part of your daily routine. A designated place provides mental separation, encouraging you to take those unused items out of rotation so you're not tempted to put them back where they came from. 

Try setting up two bins in a couple of spots that are easy to access, like near your front door or your garage. One bin is for stuff that you can donate or give to friends and family, while the other will be for things that need to be tossed or recycled. When you have an easy, straightforward system and don't have to think too hard about what to do with each item, you'll be more likely to stick to your goal of creating a clutter-free home. 

Starting small with easier decisions will help you build momentum and confidence in your decision-making. As you start to see less clutter around your home, you'll be more motivated to keep going towards your simplified life. 

Suggested Reading: What To Do With Expired Makeup: 3 Effective Ways to Dispose of Old Makeup

3) Utilize Hidden Storage Spaces

Reducing Visual Clutter Reduces Stress

When you're surrounded by clutter, it's hard to feel at ease. If you aren’t conscious of it, clutter might be making you feel anxious and overwhelmed. Using creative storage spaces to get some of the unnecessary clutter out of the line of site is an easy way to create a more peaceful home. Open spaces, less stuff, and uncluttered surfaces give your mind a chance to rest and recharge so you can focus on the things you enjoy.

Take Advantage of Hidden Storage Spaces You May Have Never Considered

Tucking items away in underutilized areas like the back of doors or under the bed is the easiest way to keep your home looking clean and organized while still having easy access to the things you need.

Here are some unique storage solutions you may not have thought of:

• Back of Doors: If you're like us, you may have a slight shoe addiction that's taking up too much floor space. Instead, try hanging shoes on the back of your closet or bedroom door using a shoe organizer. You can also add hooks for hats, scarves, and bags.
• Under the Bed: If your closet is feeling a little tight for space, consider storing some of your lesser-used items under the bed. You can use this space to store out-of-season clothes, shoes, or extra bedding. Bed risers can also create even more space for larger storage containers.
• Behind the Couch: If your couch isn't against a wall, add a low bookshelf or storage ottoman behind it for hidden storage. Store books, games, or blankets to keep things cozy without the clutter.
• Inside Kitchen Cabinets: Adding hooks or a hanging organizer inside your cabinet doors is a great way to clear some clutter from your kitchen cupboards. You could store spices, cleaning supplies, or utensils on the inside of cabinet doors for easy access.

4) Make A Habit of Digitizing Your Paperwork

Paper clutter is one of the largest sources of stress in our home since it can make it hard to find important documents when you need them. Notices, bills, and junk mail magically pile up out of nowhere, and before you know it, you're buried in a literal mountain of paperwork.

A study by Brother International found that Americans waste almost 2.5 days each year just looking for lost papers. It's no wonder we get so anxious and frustrated when we can't find what we need. 

Creating a digital organizational system for your paperwork will provide major stress relief. A survey by Neat found that 87% of people felt a better sense of control in their lives after digitizing their documents. By scanning important papers and creating digital copies, you can get rid of physical clutter and access our documents quickly and easily when you need them. Plus, you’ll have a backup plan in case the original document is lost or damaged.

Start Small 

Organizing paperwork can be a total headache and easy to put off. Our advice: don't try to do it all at once. Starting with small, manageable daily tasks can help make the process less overwhelming. 

One easy place to start is with your mail. Try to go through your mail on a daily basis, or at the very least weekly, and immediately chuck any junk mail into the recycling bin. Make a note of any important dates or events in your phone calendar so you don't need to keep track of any extra papers. It may seem like a small step, but it's a great way to reduce paper clutter in your home. 

Set Up Automatic Bill Pay

Another pro tip is to pay bills as soon as you receive them. Better yet, opt out of paper invoices and set up automatic payments instead, so you won't have to worry about keeping track of paper bills.

Try to end the week without adding any more paperwork to your pile. This will help you develop good habits and prevent your stacks from getting out of control again.

Scan and Digitally Store Important Documents

When it comes to the more important documents and paperwork, taking a picture or scanning them can be really helpful for keeping them organized and easy to access.

There are tons of great apps out there that can do this for you, like AdobeScan, Apple Notes, CamScanner, TapScanner, and Clear Scan. Just remember to be careful with confidential information and save important documents on your computer or external hard drive instead of on a cloud server.

Create an intuitive set of digital files so you can keep your documents organized, whether it's recipes, medical bills, credit card invoices, etc. 

With A System In Place Start Tackling Your Backlog of Paperwork

Once you have a digital organizational system in place, then start diving into those bigger stacks of paper that have been piling up. Break the project down into smaller steps. Maybe you set aside some time each week to sort through a portion of your papers while watching your favorite TV show. This can make the task feel a lot more manageable and even enjoyable! 

The good news is that having a system will make organizing your documents a lot more efficient, and you'll be able to get through those stacks a lot faster. But take your time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Before you know it, you'll have cleared out those piles and be on your way to a more simplified home!

5) Find Proactive Ways To Avoid Bringing Excess Items Into Your Home 

What's life without hobbies and passions? We'd certainly never suggest giving up your favorite activities just to free up some empty space in your home.

However, it's common to store items like sports equipment and crafting supplies that go untouched, collecting dust in closets for years on end. Finding alternative ways to enjoy your hobbies can be an effective way to reduce some of the clutter in your home.

If you love snowboarding but only hit the slopes once a year or once every couple of years, consider renting your equipment instead of buying it. Not only will you save on equipment costs, but you'll also have access to newer equipment and the latest technology. Plus, you'll free up valuable storage space and reduce mental clutter by not having to worry about maintaining and storing bulky equipment year-round.

Similarly, if crafting is your passion, but you don't have a lot of spare time for it, reconsider stocking up on a lot of supplies that sit unused in the closet. Instead, sign up for a group painting class or visit a paint-your-own ceramics shop to fulfill your creative side. Not only will you have access to a wider range of supplies, but you'll also get to enjoy the social aspect of crafting with others.

This blog post was all about how to simplify your home.

Embracing minimalist principles to simplify your home doesn't have to be an overwhelming endeavor. By starting small, creating efficient systems, and incorporating decluttering into your regular routines, you can simplify your space in manageable steps.

The key takeaways include:

• Set personal guidelines to identify items worth keeping
• Apply rules like "one in, one out" to avoid accumulation
• Toss out unused items as part of your daily routine
• Use hidden storage to reduce visual clutter
• Digitize documents and reduce paper piles
• Find alternatives for hobbies to minimize excess supplies

The benefits of a simplified home are numerous - reduced stress, better organization, more savings, and more quality time for what matters most. Decluttering takes a bit of effort but pays off exponentially in peace of mind and life satisfaction.

We encourage you to take inventory of your home and make a plan to tackle the clutter, one manageable piece at a time. Start small but think big picture - envision how wonderful your home will feel.

We're cheering you on! Now, take a deep breath, put on your favorite playlist, and start clearing the chaos. You've got this!

Let us know your decluttering tips and victories in the comments! And don't forget to share if these back-to-basics principles resonated with you, too.

Like this post? Share with friends on Pinterest!