How to Declutter Your Home Fast: Tips From Our Experts

We’ve all been there — living in a cluttered, disorganized space, promising ourselves to organize it but finding it a daunting and never-ending task. It’s time to put an end to the cycle of clutter and chaos, for real this time. By breaking down organization tips by room, we’ll show you how to declutter your home fast to regain control over your living space. From practical tips on sorting and organizing to expert advice on letting go of sentimental items, we’ve got you covered on your journey to a cleaner home.

Benefits of decluttering

Decluttering your home goes beyond just tidying up; it brings along a plethora of benefits that can significantly improve your physical and mental well-being. Delynda Middleton, owner of DeeMiddleton.com breaks down the benefits of decluttering into three points. “Less stuff equals less to clean and keep organized, ” Middleton simply points out. She goes on to explain, “If you have minimal belongings, you’ll care for them differently than if you had plenty at your disposal. This results in more appreciation for what you have.”

Lastly, there are proven benefits of decluttering with mental clarity. More specifically, if a person is overwhelmed by objects not related to a particular task, it is harder to focus and complete projects efficiently. Middleton explains, “You get to do more of the things you love done if you aren’t constantly working to clean and care for a large number of possessions.”

Additionally, decluttering is known to have great benefits when it comes to decreasing stress levels and anxiety. “Decluttering your home is essential to create a physically and mentally soothing environment,” productivity life coach with The Productivity Flow, Emily Guerra, explains.

“A cluttered space can lead to feelings of overwhelm, stress, and anxiety, hindering focus and productivity. By organizing and decluttering, you gain a sense of control, reduce distractions, and promote clarity of mind, enabling you to tackle tasks with greater ease and efficiency,” Guerra notes. “Additionally, a tidy space fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, boosting overall well-being and positivity.” Decluttering is an essential step toward improving your overall quality of life.

How to declutter your home fast, room by room

Where should you even start when you need to get your home decluttered quickly? Here’s where we think you’ll see the biggest impact in less time, step by step.

Bedroom

When starting the decluttering process of your bedroom, make sure to make your bed first. This helps the space look a little cleaner, encouraging you to keep treading on. Eva, founder of Green with Less, suggests evaluating bedroom furniture next. “Furniture is bulky and takes up a lot of space, so reassess whether you really need that bulky dresser, that vanity you rarely use, or that messy “clothing chair,” Eva illustrates. “Remember that the more furniture pieces you have, the more you risk accumulating clutter, whether that’s inside or on top of them. The bedroom should be a calm, peaceful haven where you can escape, so try to keep it as clutter-free as possible.”

Then return items that belong in other rooms to their rightful places, recommends Kathy McEwan, professional organizer. “Then focus on one small area, such as a drawer, or a specific category within the bedroom. Remember to let go of anything you no longer use or don’t really need and organize what you’re keeping.”

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• Nightstands and cabinet surfaces: Flossie, founder of Super Mom Hacks, recommends starting with nightstand surfaces. “I like to begin with a maximum-impact small area, like my dresser surface or bedside table,” Flossie explains. “Even just 5 minutes spent putting away all the random things that don’t live there can create a sense of accomplishment. Once you get a tiny area tidied, work hard to keep it that way as inspiration to take on one more small project every time you’ve got a few spare minutes.” By tidying up and putting away the small items that collect on this surface, you’re ensuring yourself a small win to inspire tackling larger areas.

• Under the bed: Mandy Martin, with Larkspur & Poppy notes intention is important, even for the smallest of spaces. “Remember to make every inch of your room work for you, but approach it with intention. Instead of using the space under your bed as a catch-all, view it as an opportunity for thoughtful use of otherwise wasted space by selecting space-maximizing, easily identifiable containers.” Martin explains. “This strategy not only organizes your room but also simplifies the task of locating items.”
• Dresser drawers and closet: Kandice Kelso, founder of A Cotton Kandi Life, leans into containers when keeping small spaces, like a dresser or closet organized. “I cannot emphasize this enough when raising small kids, the ease of teaching them to simply contain their mess,” Kelso explains. “We utilize a few key pieces, but my favorite is a “bunk box” which is where we toss clothing that can be worn again and again. The not dirty not clean clothes. This keeps those big sweatshirts and winter layers off the floor and out of the laundry a little bit longer.”

A good practice to keep in place to ensure a tidy bedroom, post-decluttering, is a method suggested by Nadine, founder of NadineHattingh.com. “Establish a daily tidying routine and follow the ‘one in, one out’ rule along with setting an overall decluttering goal for your bedroom.”

Another practice, from intentional living coach Sarah Horgan, is changing the way you view tidying up. “Making your bedroom a calm and clutter-free environment is a form of self-care, little visual changes have a big impact. Even just tackling a drawer a day and making the quick and easy decisions will allow you to lighten up. Once you start and feel the benefit, you’ll keep going!”

With these tools and tricks in mind, you’ve ensured yourself a clean space that you can easily keep tidy.

Bathroom

Decluttering your bathroom is a rewarding and refreshing process. It’s a good idea to start by picking up any clothes from the floor so you can really tackle organizing the cabinets and drawers. Andrea Vowels, founder of My Blessed Home, suggests tackling your bathroom space by space.

“I like to start with under the sinks first then move to each drawer. I empty everything out and then start with a clean slate,” Vowels explains. “I get rid of anything I have not used or will use then start organizing with new organizers. We then recommend setting aside two areas for the other bathroom spots to be cleaned; one for garbage and one for items being kept.”

• Countertops and sink area: Remove all items from the countertops and sink area that don’t belong. It’s ideal, for decluttering purposes, to keep this area clear and organize items within cabinets or shelving. Stylist and blogger, Autum Love, shares her hacks for keeping your countertops and sink area tidy. “I always say start with what’s practical. Think about what you grab daily versus what you only use now and then. Place them in a spot that isn’t too cluttered but is also functional. It also helps keep things you really need within easy reach and keeps the clutter at bay, especially with how easy it is to end up with a bunch of products over time (thanks, sales, and gifts). My advice, is to make a ‘gonna use soon’ pile. That way, those goodies won’t end up forgotten in the back of the cabinet.”
• Under-the-sink cabinet, drawers, and medicine cabinet storage areas: Odds are, there are quite a bit of products and containers to dispose of in these areas. Ang Disney, founder of Disneys in the Desert, reminds us to not discount the power of piles to rid of items. “For decluttering a bathroom drawer space, I make two piles first; things I keep and things I toss. This is a great hack because you can see what you use and what you don’t (and what may have expired!).”Amy Motroni with Genius Mom Hacks then shares how to organize the keep pile. “One of my favorite ways to declutter and organize your bathroom is to use a lazy Susan turntable, ” Motroni shares. “First go through and throw away any products you haven’t used in a while or have expired dates on them. Then place the lazy Susan in the drawer, and add back in the products you use daily and regularly.” Montroni goes on to explain, “The lazy Susan helps keep all your products organized, easy to see, and quick to grab, thanks to the ability to spin the tray around. If you’re looking for a smaller tool for organizing, invest in small storage solutions, recommended by A Minimal Home blog. “Think bins or shelves to maximize vertical space and keep categories of items organized. Decluttering your bathroom not only keeps everything tidy, making morning routines smoother, but it also saves you money in the long run by preventing you from buying duplicates of items you already have.”
• Shower/ bathtub: Remove any empty items from the shower or bathtub area and take note of any necessary refills you may need. Make sure to ask yourself if you need the products before purchasing replacements to keep products minimal in this area. Consider using shower caddies or wall-mounted organizers to keep the products tidy and easily accessible.

Living room

Depending on the size of your home or apartment, your living room may bleed into other areas. Consider any walkways or middle areas between your living room and other areas in this section, especially since there’s typically more space in the living room for more storage when cleaning up these undefined areas.

• Floor: Start by removing any items that don’t belong in the living room and return them to their proper places in other rooms. Once you have a clearer view, you can evaluate the space. Merissa Alink, founder of Little House Living, recommends clearing any unnecessary furniture from the floor. “Do you have too many pieces of furniture in the room, making it appear more cluttered than it really is? Go through the small furniture first (plant stands, end tables, etc) and decide what is truly helpful and what is a tripping hazard or a junk collector,” Alink states. “Then turn your attention to the big furniture. Does this room have more furniture than it needs, or is it just the right amount for the space and its use?”Especially for a family, keeping the floor tidy throughout the week is a challenge. Karen Trefzger from Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff offers up an important reminder to maintain cleanliness. “You’ve probably heard it before – ‘a place for everything.’ One important decluttering goal is for everything you own to have a place to belong. But more important for staying clutter-free is that you put things back in their places when you’ve finished using them.  Want to keep your living room ready for living?  Don’t just put your game controllers, books, or hobby supplies down — put them away.”
• Coffee table: Clear off any items that are not essential or decorative. Invest in a decorative tray to place on your coffee table to hold various items like remote controls, magazines, candles, and other miscellaneous items that otherwise look cluttered on your coffee table. This is a piece of furniture that could also replaced with functional furniture for longer-lasting cleanliness. Sophia, with The Organized Family, explains why this could be a space-saving hack. “Especially if the space is limited, use multifunctional furniture — to keep your living room clutter-free, like a 2:1 crate-coffee table, for your furry family members.” She goes on to recommend that even with a functional coffee table, “everything should have an exact place so boxes and small storage containers can be helpful.”
• Entertainment center: These centers are necessary but often become cluttered quickly with numerous cables and remotes. To avoid this, remove outdated electronics, cables, and accessories that you no longer use. Purchase a cord cover or holder to keep these cords hidden and untangled for a more polished appearance. Then neatly arrange video games and other media items and consider donating or selling any DVDs or games you no longer enjoy or use. Jennifer, with In Its Proper Place, recommends storing frequently used items in easy-to-find places. “Utilize drawers or even a small basket for remotes, that way you keep bookshelves or mantles on storage cabinets and the entertainment centers clean,” Jennifer suggests. “Add pictures, decor, and candles with intention, remembering the goal is to keep the space clean.”
• Other decor items: Bookshelves and other wall shelving can accumulate random items over time. Donate or sell any books you no longer read or need and clear out random decor that serves no purpose to the aesthetic of the room. Another idea to reduce overall living room clutter, suggested by Nikki Lo with HipandHome.com, is functional furniture. “Think furniture with built-in storage like an ottoman whose top can be removed to put stuff inside, or cabinet units with shelves and drawers,” Lo recommends.”Functional furniture acts as more than just an aesthetic addition to your space but serves as a place for you to keep and organize belongings so they’re not scattered across your living room floor or other surfaces,” Lo adds.

Kitchen

It’s a great idea to start decluttering this room by cleaning out the fridge and pantry of any expired or stale food. Donate any canned items and non-perishables to local food pantries.

• Countertops: As they are the most visible and used spaces in the kitchen, remove all items that don’t belong on the counters, like paperwork, keys, or other non-kitchen items. Put away small appliances that you rarely use, leaving only the essentials. Donna Mortellaro, with The Upward Blip, recommends cleaning as you go to maintain pristine, neat countertops. “Sputters, splashes, and spillage are inevitable, no matter how careful you are with dishwashing and preparing or cooking food,” Mortellaro explains. “So, I always make sure to do a quick wipe-down using a natural disinfectant after each task and put away every item I use in drawers or cupboards or where they belong to keep my kitchen clutter-free.”For those looking to blend beauty with functionality, Tracy at Find Your Dazzle LLC, had the perfect tip. “I knew having a beautiful aesthetic was important but I couldn’t sacrifice function. I use decorative coffee canisters, pretty chopping boards, and under-the-cabinet wine glass holders to stay organized and reduce clutter on my countertops,” Tracy exclaims. “Having the things you use the most displayed on your countertop in a decorative way is an easy way to combine fashion and function!”
• Cabinets and drawers: Often, when decluttering cabinets and drawers, we find items we forgot we even had. Desiree, with Simple Charm Living, recommends evaluating everything in the cabinets and drawers first. “Take out everything from the cabinets and drawers and group like items together on a workstation, like a table,” Desiree explains. “If you have duplicates or more of the same item, declutter by keeping the one you like and donate the other(s). If there are items that can have multiple uses, keep the one that has better usage.”This is another great instance of using containers and tools to organize drawers and cabinets by sorting their contents into categories. Joanie, founder of Simple Living Mama, suggests investing in such space-saving gadgets. “Investing in organizational items such as lazy Susans to store spices, tiered shelves to store vinegar and oils, and bins to store and organize snacks and baking supplies will motivate you to keep your cabinets clean and orderly,” Joanie discloses. “You’ll also find you’ll want to keep them organized because it’s so much easier to find what you need!”
• Refrigerator: “The best way to get organized and keep organized is to set limits and label all areas, whether it is the refrigerator or anything else,” Siraya Gloudemans, founder of Stay at Home Zookeeper states. “Setting limits such as a container, drawer, or shelf and if the items don’t fit, you need to narrow it down. Label all areas because it defines the space and makes you think twice about putting something outside the label in that area. Limits and labels are a huge factor in an organized and decluttered kitchen, especially the fridge”
• Junk drawer: Melisa Meral, Creator of Pro Organizer Bootcamp, recommends starting with a small area, like the notorious junk drawer. “Decluttering can be challenging for anyone, but there are specific strategies that might be particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD,” Meral states. “Instead of trying to declutter the entire kitchen at once, start small with a spice rack or junk drawer.” While it’s fine to keep this drawer for miscellaneous items, it’s important to dispose of actual junk and only keep essential items.

Interior decorator and professional organizer, Laura Cruz, shares her overall tip for keeping a clutter-free kitchen. “Try to keep as little on the counter as possible and “close” the kitchen each night by taking five minutes to put dishes away and wipe down counters,” Cruz shares. “Waking up to a clean kitchen is the best way to start the day.”

Face clutter head-on

Conquering the cycle of clutter and chaos in our living spaces is not an impossible task. Meagan Clark, founder of Her Time Therapy, shared her expertise as a clinical director and psychotherapist. “By learning to organize and optimize our surroundings, we can alleviate everyday stressors that contribute to feeling burned out and overwhelmed by an often unequal division of labor in our homes,” Clark reveals. “As you consider your next rental property, prioritize spaces that minimize clutter and have enough storage space where all your items have a spot.”

With the urgency to start now, armed with practical tips from organizing and decluttering experts, we can bid farewell to unnecessary items and embrace a clutter-free lifestyle. Begin this transformative journey today and experience the liberating power of decluttering in your dream apartment!