The chaos and clutter can feel absolutely suffocating. You walk into your home after a long day and instantly feel your stress levels skyrocket. There are piles of mail on the kitchen table, dirty laundry overflowing from the hamper, and so many unsorted boxes in the garage that you can’t even park your car. I know exactly how overwhelming it feels to walk into a disastrously messy home. But I’m here to tell you that it does not have to stay this way! With some determination and the right decluttering techniques, you can transform the mess and chaos into a calm, orderly home.
Don’t lose hope – your organized oasis is within reach! Let me walk you through exactly how to tackle the clutter step-by-step and room-by-room. Together we’ll get your home back in shape!
Disclosure: There may be some affiliate links in the post below which means I may receive commission for purchases made through links in this post. These are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.
First Things First: Be Kind to Yourself
I know it can feel incredibly daunting to look at the giant mess and not even know where to start.
Please remember, you did not get to this point overnight.
The clutter accumulated gradually over time. So be patient and kind with yourself as you get started back on the path to organization. Guilt and shame will only breed procrastination. You’ve got this!
Start Small: Pick One Area to Tackle
Trying to organize your whole house all at once will quickly lead to burnout. Instead, choose one small area – like a bathroom counter or kitchen table. Set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes. Commit to making as much progress as you can in that area within the allotted time. Celebrate whatever you accomplish! Then schedule another short organizing session. Bit by bit, you’ll start to see results.
Sort and Purge: Be Ruthless!
As you organize each area, sort items into “keep”, “toss”, “donate” and “relocate” piles.
Be totally ruthless about getting rid of stuff you no longer need or that doesn’t spark joy. Let go of the false guilt about wasted money or gifts you’ll never use. Donate unopened items to charity. Trash anything that is broken, expired or just plain useless clutter. Your home needs breathing room!
(I love Decluttering at the Speed of Light by Dana White and the author Peter Walsh for help in decluttering your space. Start with his It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff )
Make Homes for Your Things
Once you’ve pared down your belongings, give everything left a proper home.
Use drawer organizers, shelves, bins and baskets to contain the stuff you’re keeping. Here’s a post I wrote on how to choose the perfect products for your storage solutions: The Art of Organization: Declutter First, Then Choose the Perfect Products.
Apply labels (I love the Brother P-Touch Cube) so items can be returned to their designated spots. Know exactly where things live to avoid losing them in a junk drawer or pile.
Maintain: Don’t Let It Creep Back
Set up simple habits like having a quick daily tidy and weekly “reset” to stay on top of the mess. Deal with clutter in the moment before it accumulates again. Stick to your new organizing systems. It does get easier! Soon you’ll be maintaining your home with less effort and stress.
FREE Decluttering Checklist
To help you with the decluttering process, I’ve put together a FREE 2 page Decluttering Checklist you can DOWNLOAD and print out and have with you for helpful guidance.
Start Your Organizing Journey Today
Living in chaos is no way to live. You’ve got this! Start small, take it one area at a time, and be compassionate to yourself along the way. I believe in you! Let me know your organizing wins and tips in the comments. Now go tackle that clutter, friends!