10 Creative Ways to Declutter Your Home

Reducing clutter in your home sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, for many, it’s not. The idea of disposing of one’s possessions can more often lead to feelings of anxiety and defeat—but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Learning how to declutter your home can take some effort, but you can make it easier with these ten simple tips:

1. Keep it within 5 minutes. Starting with just 5 minutes of decluttering can help you build up momentum.
2. Try to get rid of one thing each day. You’ll end up removing at least 365 items in a single year.
3. Fill up a whole trash bag. Fill it up a bag as fast as you can and drive it up to your nearest thrift store.
4. Start with clothes you never wear. Clothes that you haven’t touched for several months are ideal candidates for disposable.
5. Make a checklist. A list will give you a visual guide of where you need to start.
6. Use the 12-12-12 rule. Decide on 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate to charity, and 12 to find a place for in your home.
7. Visualize your house as a first-time visitor. Jot down your first impressions and check how organized everything is.
8. Take before and after photos. Take a picture of one area of your home, clean off any items, and take another photo. You’ll be more motivated to clean up the rest of your house once you see the results.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask friends for help. Have them suggest items to throw away or donate.
10. Use the four-box method. Label four boxes as trash, give away, keep, and relocate. Go to each room and fill each box. Eventually, this will help you see which items are essential and know what to do with each one.