Did you know we use just 20% of our belongings 80% of the time? The rest? It's likely collecting dust and silently adding to our stress. Decluttering your home isn’t just about creating more space; it’s about creating a sanctuary—a place where you can breathe deeply and feel at ease.

Studies show that a tidy home can substantially reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to focus better, sleep more soundly, and even make healthier choices. Think of decluttering not as a chore but as self-care for your space and your mind. Let’s transform your home into a haven of calm, one drawer at a time.

Why Decluttering Transforms Your Mindset 

Your environment and your mindset are deeply connected. Research reveals that people living in cluttered homes have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can take a toll on mental and physical well-being. Clutter doesn’t just fill your home; it fills your mind, making it harder to focus, process information, or simply relax.

Clutter also forces your brain to work overtime. Every item in your visual field competes for attention, leaving you feeling mentally drained. This cognitive overload can reduce your ability to make decisions, stay productive, and maintain emotional balance. Essentially, a cluttered home can feel like a cluttered life.

But here’s the good news: a tidy space can work wonders for your mental health.

People with clean homes report:
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced anxiety and stress levels
- Improved focus and productivity
- Healthier eating habits (yes, even your kitchen organization can impact your snack choices!)

Decluttering isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about creating an “easy-to-tidy” home that supports your lifestyle. Progress, not perfection, is the goal. Even small changes can make a big difference in how you feel every day.

Your Personalized Decluttering Strategy 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to decluttering. Your organizing style and preferences will guide your process. Let’s find a strategy that works for you.

Understanding Your Organizing Style

According to organization experts, there are four main styles:
- Ladybug: Prefers hidden storage and simple systems.
- Butterfly: Needs visual organization with everything in plain sight.
- Cricket: Thrives on detailed organization behind closed doors.
- Bee: Loves visible organization with labels and precise categorization.

Understanding your style helps you create sustainable systems tailored to your needs. Are you a Bee who loves labeled bins or a Ladybug who craves minimalist cabinets?

Knowing this makes all the difference.

For example, if you’re a Butterfly, storing everything in opaque bins might frustrate you because you can’t see what’s inside. Instead, clear containers or open shelving might be your best allies. On the other hand, Ladybugs might thrive with sleek cabinets and hidden compartments that keep clutter out of sight.

Setting SMART Goals 

Vague goals like “declutter the house” can feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on SMART goals:

Specific: Identify one area to tackle, like your closet or kitchen.
Measurable: Decide on clear outcomes, such as donating 10 items.
Achievable: Start small—maybe a single drawer rather than the entire room.
Relevant: Focus on areas that impact your daily life the most.
Time-bound: Set a deadline, like “finish the closet by Saturday.”

Breaking your goals into smaller tasks keeps you motivated and prevents burnout. For example, instead of “sort through the entire garage,” set a goal to organize one shelf at a time.

Designing Your Timeline

Avoid burnout by creating a realistic schedule. Here’s a suggested timeline:

Assessment Phase: Spend 1-2 days evaluating each room. Take note of the areas causing the most stress.

Planning Phase: Dedicate a day to prioritize areas and gather supplies, like bins, labels, and donation bags.

Action Phase: Schedule daily 15-30 minute decluttering sessions. Focus on one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Review Phase: Check your progress weekly and celebrate your wins, no matter how small.

Starting small—like decluttering a single drawer—builds confidence and momentum. Pick a time when you’re naturally more focused and energetic to make better decisions. Research shows that mornings or early afternoons are often the most productive times for organizing tasks.

Proven Decluttering Methods

Let’s explore a few effective techniques that simplify decision-making and help create lasting order.

The 90/90 Rule

Ask yourself two questions for each item:
Have I used this in the past 90 days?
Will I use it in the next 90 days?

If the answer to both is “no,” it’s time to let it go. This simple rule makes tough decisions easier, freeing up space for items that truly serve you.

For sentimental items, consider snapping a photo before letting go. This allows you to preserve the memory without holding onto physical clutter. Seasonal items, like holiday decorations, should be stored separately with clear labels to prevent confusion.

Zone-Based Organization 

Divide your home into functional zones—a strategy borrowed from professional organizers.

For example:
Daily-use items: Keep within arm’s reach.
Occasional-use items: Store in accessible but less prominent places.
Seasonal items: Tuck away in long-term storage.

This method not only makes it easier to find things but also simplifies the process of putting them back. When everything has a designated home, clutter has less chance to accumulate.

Digital Decluttering 

Don’t forget your virtual spaces! Tidy up your digital life with these tips:
- Create a consistent file naming system (e.g., “2025_Taxes”).
- Organize files by category or date.
- Delete duplicates and back up important documents.
- Set a regular schedule for digital maintenance.

A clutter-free desktop can feel just as rewarding as an organized drawer. Use tools like cloud storage to keep important files safe while freeing up space on your devices.

Clever Storage Solutions for Every Space 

Storage solutions can transform your home into a clutter-free haven. Here are a few ideas:

Vertical Storage

Maximize wall space with floating shelves, pegboards, or over-the-door organizers. Studies show that using vertical storage can increase your capacity by up to 40% without sacrificing floor space.

For example, install hooks for hanging bags or jackets, or use stackable shelves to make the most of narrow spaces. These solutions work particularly well in small apartments or homes with limited storage.

Hidden Storage

Opt for multi-functional furniture like beds with built-in drawers or ottomans with hidden compartments. Concealed storage not only clears clutter but also maintains a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Consider investing in pieces like coffee tables with lift-up tops or benches with storage beneath. These items are perfect for stashing away blankets, toys, or other frequently used items without sacrificing style.

Labeling Systems 

Proper labeling saves time and ensures everyone in the household knows where things go. Use chalkboard labels for flexible systems, color-coded labels for family members, or picture labels for kids’ items.

Clear labels are especially helpful in kitchens, where organizing pantry items can prevent overbuying or food waste. Transparent containers with labels make it easy to see what you have at a glance.

Building Sustainable Habits 

Decluttering is just the beginning. Maintaining an organized home requires simple, consistent habits:

Daily 10-Minute Declutter Routine

Morning: Clear counters, make the bed, and tidy up last night’s mess.
Evening: Return items to their homes and sort incoming mail.

These small daily actions prevent clutter from building up, making larger cleaning tasks less daunting.

Weekly Maintenance Schedule 

Monday: Kitchen organization
Tuesday: Bathroom refresh
Wednesday: Living room reset
Thursday: Bedroom tidy-up
Friday: Office decluttering

By assigning specific tasks to each day, you can stay on top of organization without feeling overwhelmed. Use weekends to catch up on any missed tasks or to tackle larger projects.

Preventing Clutter Buildup

Adopt a “one-in, one-out” rule: for every new item you bring in, remove one. This simple habit reduces accumulation over time and keeps your space feeling fresh.
To make this easier, keep a donation box in a central location. Once it’s full, drop it off at your local charity or thrift store. This system encourages regular decluttering and helps others in the process.

Celebrate Your Wins

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about creating a home that supports your lifestyle and well-being. Every labeled bin, organized drawer, and clear surface is a step toward a more peaceful, joyful space. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Your home should reflect the best version of you—organized, intentional, and calm.

Let’s get started on this journey to a clutter-free, happier home. Your future self will thank you!

Who are we at HomeStash?

Just a few words to close this article off. We’re committed to helping people. We’re not self improvement gurus, but we believe in clear space for a clear mind. Either you’re getting into decluttering, organizing or you’re a confirmed clean freak, we curate and design products to help you on this journey. We are committed to quality, and above all, committed to our community, feedback and improving ourselves too. If this resonates wih you, check out our catalogue and see if there’s anything you like! 🙂

With care, 
The HomeStash team