Top Decluttering Tips: Transform Your Space and Your Life

Okay, let’s cut to the chase. Top Decluttering Tips aren’t just for minimalists in sleek white spaces on Instagram. It’s for everyone who’s ever had their spare room double as a storage unit, where shoes, books, and random IKEA furniture parts go to die. Trust me, I’ve been there, too—actually, I am there. My office currently looks like a thrift store threw up.

But here’s the kicker: Top Decluttering Tips isn’t just about cleaning up. It can seriously change how you feel—mentally, emotionally, all of it. When you clear out physical space, you can actually breathe a little easier. I know, that sounds dramatic, but try working in a space that looks like a bomb went off and tell me you don’t feel the same. Yeah, I thought so.

So, whether you’re looking to declutter a single drawer (because that one junk drawer is your nemesis) or you’re tackling your entire house, these Top Decluttering Tips will help. Trust me—I’m practically an expert at cleaning up my mess… well, after I make it.

The Mental Clutter

Let’s start with the mind-bending part: clutter isn’t just about your stuff. It’s about how your stuff messes with your head. I know, I know. We all get it—the kitchen counter piled with random mail, or that pile of laundry you promise you’ll fold later, only to trip over it three days later. That constant visual noise? Yeah, your brain’s processing all that. That’s why you feel like you’re drowning. It’s not just the stuff. It’s how your mind tries to keep track of all the messes you haven’t dealt with.

I used to think I could ignore it—like a little pile of junk was no big deal. But I quickly realized that clutter makes you feel like your life’s a series of unfinished projects. Don’t believe me? Try working in a room full of random things you never use. My friend Tammy once tried writing a novel in a room where she had three different board games open at once. She never finished the novel. Just saying.

Have a Plan, or Prepare for Chaos

Fast forward past three failed attempts to declutter everything in one go, and you’ll probably find yourself feeling like you’ve only made things worse. Been there. I once spent an entire Saturday trying to “organize” my garage—only to end up with even more boxes of random stuff. I was like, “Cool. This is exactly what I needed. More stuff.” My goal to clean up ended up looking like a scene from a hoarder’s nightmare.

Here’s the deal: planning is key. Big surprise, right? You can’t just dive into a full declutter without some thought. Start with a plan. I recommend picking one room. Yes, just one. I know the whole house needs help, but tackling one room at a time is less overwhelming. Plus, when you finish one room? Oh, sweet satisfaction. It’s like eating an entire pizza and realizing you’ve only eaten the crust. Wait, no—bad analogy. But you get it.

Set a timer if you need to. Don’t go full-on hoarder mode where you pull out everything at once, because that’s how things get out of hand. Trust me on this. I learned this after digging through my attic for “treasures” only to find my old high school yearbook. Apparently, I haven’t changed much since I wore flannel shirts with a lot of hair gel.

The “One In, One Out” Rule: Yes, It Works

Alright, let’s talk about the “one in, one out” rule. I first read about it in a blog, then immediately tried to convince my husband that we had to get rid of a kitchen gadget every time we bought a new one. Yeah, he wasn’t as excited as I was. But eventually, we made a deal. For every new item we bought, we’d donate one thing.

And guess what? It worked! Our kitchen’s way less crowded with random stuff we never use (I’m looking at you, fondue set I got as a wedding gift). Instead of letting things pile up, we keep a mental note that for every purchase, there’s a trade-off.

This method keeps me from going overboard. Honestly, I’m kind of a sucker for cute coffee mugs, so I’m extra picky now about which ones I’ll actually use. If I can’t imagine myself drinking coffee from it while binge-watching The Office for the 17th time? Bye-bye mug. (RIP, ceramic bear mug.)

Make Decisions Quickly (Don’t Overthink It)

This is the hardest part—decision fatigue. I’ll admit it: I’m a chronic overthinker. Do I keep that broken blender that “might” get fixed? Probably not. But I spend like 10 minutes trying to make a decision about it. Ridiculous.

When you’re Top Decluttering Tips, speed is your friend. Ask yourself: “When was the last time I used this?” and “Is this still useful?” If your answer is something like “Uhhh, I think I used this in 2012,” then it’s probably time to let it go. I learned the hard way after keeping a pair of ripped sneakers “just in case” for two years. Spoiler alert: I never wore them again.

Quick decisions are key. Don’t let yourself get bogged down in “what if” scenarios. You’ll have more mental energy for important things—like figuring out how to use that new espresso machine you bought on a whim (I’m looking at you, Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave).

The Four-Box Method: Organizing Like a Pro

This method? Pure genius. It’s like a cheat code for Top Decluttering Tips. Label four boxes: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Trash. Go through each room (or drawer, or pile of random things you refuse to look at) and toss things into one of these four categories.

It’s funny how easy it is to get rid of stuff once you’re staring at it with a “donate” or “trash” label attached. I used to not be able to get rid of a single thing, convinced that I’d need it later. But then I started using this system, and suddenly, I was holding onto way fewer things than I thought. My friend Melanie once sold a whole bunch of kitchenware on Craigslist. It was literally just her collection of salad spinners. But guess what? She made enough money to buy a nice wine rack, and now we can all pretend to be fancy at her place.

Oh, and don’t forget about the “Sell” box. You might be surprised at what’s valuable. I almost threw out an old vintage camera that turned out to be worth a decent chunk of change. Honestly, it was collecting dust anyway, but now I’m thinking of launching my own “vintage tech” side hustle. Or not. We’ll see.

Streamlining Your Wardrobe: Less Is More

So, my wardrobe is… let’s just say it’s “eclectic.” A nice way of saying I have way too many graphic tees and not nearly enough functional jackets. But I’m working on it. The closet purge? Always painful. But it’s needed. If I had a dollar for every item of clothing I haven’t worn in the last year, I could afford to buy a whole new wardrobe. (Note: I haven’t actually bought anything new recently because I’ve been busy donating 50% of my wardrobe. Go me.)

Here’s the trick: if you haven’t worn it in 6 months? Toss it. You don’t need that leather jacket that hasn’t fit since 2007. And that dress you wore to a wedding once in 2015? Just let it go, babe. A new wardrobe, one with fewer choices, can make life so much easier.

And if all else fails, just get some cozy joggers. The pandemic really made me realize how much better sweatpants are than formal wear. I will fight you on this.

Maintain, Maintain, Maintain

Okay, okay. So you’ve done all the hard work. The piles are gone. The boxes are sorted. But listen, this is where most people screw up. They just let everything pile up again. I get it. You’re busy. I’m busy. But spend 10 minutes a day picking up stray socks or dropping things back into their designated homes. (That’s a trick, y’all. Get those home spots!)

Here’s a tip: leave yourself a mental checklist every evening—things to put away, things to organize, etc. Make it quick and painless. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Wrapping It Up (Or Not)

So, yeah. Top Decluttering Tips isn’t about some Pinterest-perfect lifestyle. It’s about feeling better, more in control of your space. You’ll start with one box, and before you know it, you’ll be eyeing that old chair in the corner thinking, “Does this bring me joy?” If the answer’s no, it’s gone. Simple.

Anyway, that’s my whole spiel on Top Decluttering Tips. Maybe next time I’ll tackle my garage. Or maybe I’ll just order pizza.