How to declutter your home
Declutter your home / Unsplash

How to declutter your home

Declutter your home and your mind with simple, practical steps. Create space, peace, and purpose in your life—one small area at a time.

Want to get organized? It starts with decluttering. To be organized means to be purposefully prepared, and the best preparation for organization is to first declutter: declutter your home, declutter your schedule, and declutter your mind.

Decluttering is more than clearing out closets or shuffling stuff around. It’s about creating space and simplifying. Let’s break down how to declutter your home—and your head—in a way that works for your real life.

The Containers: Prepare to declutter your home

Decluttering often makes things look worse before they get better. Sorting, deciding, and moving items around is messy. To make progress, set up these essential containers before you begin:

Inbox

An inbox is a temporary holding spot for things to process later. Whether it’s a bag for random car items, a magazine holder for mail, or a box for odds and ends from your living room, use an inbox to keep clutter manageable during the decluttering process.

Calendar

Your calendar is a container for your time. It’s where appointments, events, and plans go so you can manage them effectively. Keeping an accurate, accessible calendar is key to staying organized.

To-Do List

Your to-do list is a container for tasks and ideas. Whether you use an app, a notebook, or a scrap of paper, make sure you have one central place to gather your tasks. A clear to-do list keeps your head uncluttered and focused.

The Process: Steps to declutter your home

Decluttering begins with creating a blank slate. Whether you’re decluttering a drawer, a closet, or your mind, the process follows the same steps:

  1. Empty the space completely.
    Pull everything out. If you’re decluttering your head, write everything down on paper. Starting fresh gives clarity and prevents you from organizing unnecessary clutter.
  2. Put back only what belongs.
    Intentionally return items that truly belong in the space.
  3. Discard the rest.
    Toss what you can, and have a donation bag ready for items that still have life but no place in your home. Decluttering is about eliminating excess, not just rearranging it.

Decluttering is a process—it might take weeks to tackle one space. That’s okay. Each step forward brings more peace and clarity, even if the project isn’t completely finished.

The Upkeep: How to declutter your home continually

Decluttering isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing practice. Life brings constant change, especially with a growing family, so the demands on your time and space are always shifting.

To maintain order:

  • Regularly revisit each area of your home.
  • Accept that maintenance and periodic decluttering are part of stewarding your home well.
  • Embrace the process—you’ll get better at it with practice.

Declutter your home and create lasting peace

Decluttering is not just about tidying up; it’s a necessary strategy for managing the constant influx of life. As you make decluttering a habit, you’ll find more peace, purpose, and space—not only in your home but also in your head.

Start today. Choose one small space, set up your containers, and begin. The process might not be perfect, but progress is always worth it.

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START WITH A BRAIN DUMP

Declutter your head. Organize your attitude.

You don't have to be overwhelmed. Use my free brain dump guide to declutter your head, then stay tuned for baby step tips on managing your home and family life well.

Written by

Mystie Winckler

Mystie Winckler

Mystie, homeschooling mom of 5, shares the life lessons she's learned and the grace she's received from Christ. She is author of Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Done