Interested in some new decluttering ideas to help tidy up your home? These are 9 tried and true decluttering ideas to help you create a peaceful home!
No matter how small your house is, there is always room for some new decluttering ideas. As a homemaker and pack rat myself, I have used these 9, foolproof decluttering ideas to help keep my home tidy.
These decluttering ideas will show you how when it comes to decluttering, it is not only about the spaces that show. You will see there are many areas of a home to declutter, and how it does not have to be an ominous task! Some of these tips focus on a certain area in your home, as others are concepts to help you let go of unused items.
After reading this post, these areas of your home will become a clutter-free haven, and you will become a decluttering machine!
This post is all about foolproof decluttering ideas that should be known to all homemakers.
Foolproof Decluttering Ideas
Areas & Items to Declutter
1. Organize Your Pantry
If you’re anything like me, you like to stock up on dry goods, “just in case.” This results in my pantries getting cluttered and disorganized, which gets in the way of my daily life! I can never find things, I’m spending money on products I already have, and I’m opening multiples of certain things. Decluttering your pantry will lead to a more organized space that will serve you better. Making sure not to waste food is important in this step; don’t throw away good food simply because you have a lot of it. Instead, organize it in a way that works for you so you can put it to good use! In my pantry, I always shove random items in there that don’t seem to have a home elsewhere. Making a home elsewhere for these items is a great way to free up space in your pantry.
When I declutter my pantry, I pull everything out, shelf by shelf. I make a “keep” pile, a “move” pile, and a “garbage” pile. That way, each item has a place, and this system can help reorganize the products, on top of decluttering them. I also like to specify shelves for certain categories, such as “pasta,” “baking,” “cooking,” “household,” and “misc/small kitchen appliances.” This helps to not only organize and declutter my pantry, but it KEEPS it that way!
2. Tidy Up Your Fridge & Freezer
I know- this sounds funny, since only food items should be in your fridge! Even still, things like boxes, cartons, and produce bags can pile up and make a cluttered space for your food. Many food items come packaged up in bags and boxes, making your fridge appear to be more cluttered than it actually is. I have found that clearing these items out makes your fridge appear more organized, and feels less cluttered. This makes it easier to find what you need, and makes space for new food.
3. Simplify Cooking Utensils & Gadgets
As someone who makes dinner from scratch every evening, I have come to know exactly what I need in the kitchen, and exactly what I don’t. When I got my first apartment, I had ALL the utensils & gadgets. I had multiples of each, and my drawers were impossible to close. Through the years, I have learned what works for me in my kitchen, and have pared down as much as possible. I now only have one of each tool, which minimizes clutter and dishes! It is also a time-saver when trying to find a specific tool. Having a minimal kitchen does not mean you lack what you need, rather it means you can more easily cook without unnecessary clutter getting in your way!
4. Minimize Your Water Bottles
Seriously, why do we all have SO MANY water bottles? We can only use one at a time! Once I decluttered my drinkware, so much kitchen storage was freed up, and I now only have what I use. In my household, my husband and I have one water bottle each (they aren’t trendy or “in-style,” but they work!), and we share 5 tumblers total. This serves us just fine, and we do not buy more unless one breaks. Use what you have, and buy only what you need. This will save you LOADS of space in your kitchen cabinets!
5. Declutter Bathroom Cabinets
For some reason, my bathroom cabinets serve as my catch all, and accumulate things they shouldn’t! Sorting through these cabinets on a monthly basis will not only keep it clean and fresh, but will avoid clutter from taking over. Once a month, I clear out my bathroom cabinets, and declutter their contents. This also serves as a good opportunity to take stock of cleaning supplies and other bathroom essentials. Regularly decluttering your bathroom cabinets will avoid gunk buildup, and will leave you with a clean space to store useful items in!
6. Pare Down Blankets
I know, I know… who can resist a good blanket?? Blankets add a cozy touch to our homes, but having too many can steal some of the magic. Having blankets on every soft surface, on a blanket ladder, and in baskets can create the illusion of clutter, rather than “cozy”. Keeping one or two blankets out at once is plenty, and extras can be stored in closets. Too many extras are not useful, as we tend to gravitate toward the same three anyway! Deciding which blankets really have a purpose in your home will simplify your choices, and will remove clutter from your living and storage spaces.
Decluttering Perspectives
7. Get Rid Of The Old
Have you ever bought something new with the intent of getting rid of the old one, and just ever do? ME TOO! Pots, pans, plates, decor items, the list could go on! Human nature makes us want to keep things we feel may be useful in the future, but hanging onto that old dented sheet pan won’t do anyone good…ever! Let it go, and create clutter-free zones to house newer and more useful items. Cycling out old items to make room for the new is no new concept, but doing it really does make a difference in your home. A lot of people store away the old “just in case,” but end up decluttering it years later once it has dust collecting on it. Do your future self a favor and declutter it now!
8. Get Rid of Things That No Longer Have a Place in Your Life
We all change throughout our lives, and go through different phases, interests, and needs. Making sure to stay current with your items is such an important thing, and is a great way to always best serve your current self. Two years ago, I was a full time Grad student in college, and had bins of school supplies. At the time, it was useful to me and served a purpose in that time of my life. Flash forward two years, I am graduated, and am a homemaker. These school supplies were no longer useful to me in this new time of my life, and were just taking up space in my closet. Instead of hanging onto them, I handed them down to my cousin who was off to college. Not only did it declutter my space, but it helped someone who can put them to good use!
9. Things Are Just Things
In the past 5 years, my husband and I have moved 5 times. As you can imagine, things get misplaced or ruined in this process, despite our best efforts! In these years, I have learned that things truly are just things. Most items can be replaced or can be done without. Making sure we were bringing only the things we needed with each move was a great way to declutter our belongings, and showed me that it’s not about what we have, but who we have. With this being said, we of course have items we bring along for memorabilia, including wedding gifts and other sentimental items. Having room for the things that matter most to us is my priority, and decluttering each time we move has provided us with a space that houses only our best and most useful items.
Putting these decluttering ideas to good use will allow your home to become more tailored to your needs, and will create a peaceful environment that is not full of clutter!