The pursuit of a clutter-free home isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about mental clarity, reduced stress, and reclaiming space that was dominated by unnecessary excess. A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that individuals who described their homes as “cluttered” were more likely to feel fatigued and depressed than those who described their homes as “restful.” While the clutter in your house may not be on the level it is on the show “Hoarders,” it still can contribute to an unproductive, unsafe, and unhealthy environment. The benefits of decluttering your living space are more than visual—they are emotionally, psychologically, and mentally liberating!
Still, the idea of decluttering an entire home can feel overwhelming. Rather than tackling the whole house in a day, the least stressful and most effective approach is to go room by room. This way, you can create systems that make sense for how each space is used. Below are our recommendations on project execution, employing thought and intent with expert-backed insights and practical strategies.
The Living Room: Reset the Heart of the Home
The living room is often the main social center of the home, but it can also be a magnet for clutter. Remote controls, magazines, blankets, and miscellaneous items can easily tend to pile up if you are not careful. Begin decluttering this room by reassessing what belongs in the space and what needs to be removed. Remove anything that does not serve a purpose, contribute to your comfort, or decor.
Furniture with hidden storage can be a game-changer. Ottomans that open to reveal compartments or side tables with drawers help keep table surfaces clear. Berkus once said, Your home should reflect your personality, family, heritage, history, and your hobbies and activities. Your home is your story; use the living room to display some elements about you! Personalize it!
Contain visual clutter by grouping similar items. Use trays for remotes and coasters, baskets for throws, and slim bookshelves for vertically storing books and decor. Once you’ve reset your living room, adopt a weekly ritual to return things to their designated places.
The Kitchen: Simplify the Most Used Space
Kitchens accumulate clutter at a rapid pace, from unopened mail to rogue appliances. It is also a popular place to commune so people leave everything there! The best place to start is with the countertops. Clear everything off and only return the items you use daily. This might be your coffee maker, toaster, and perhaps a bowl of fresh fruit.
Drawer organizers and shelf risers can help transform chaotic cabinets into tidy, navigable spaces. The same goes for the pantry. Group foods by category—grains, snacks, baking ingredients—and label containers for easy restocking. According to a report from the National Association of Professional Organizers, organized kitchens can reduce food waste and save money over time. If you know exactly where the food is and can see it clearly, you are less likely to purchase extra when it is not needed.
If you find yourself constantly cleaning around unused gadgets, consider donating or storing them elsewhere. I heard some of you say “Ouch!” Another option would be to sell them. Start by keeping an “exit box” for items you are planning to get rid of, and make regular donations or sell as part of your routine. If you notice this is a routine, then it is time to address another issue – retail therapy!
The Bedroom: Restore Peace and Personal Space
The bedroom should be a haven and safe space, but it can often become a hiding spot for clutter. Begin with the surfaces: nightstands, dressers, and then move to the floor. Remove items that do not belong and relocate them to their proper areas in the house.
Closet organization is often the crux of bedroom clutter issues. As one who has a small closet, I empathize with you! However, there are ways to keep the bedroom clutter-free…even if you have limited space. Embrace a seasonal wardrobe approach, rotating clothing and donating items you haven’t worn in a year. If that seems to short of a timeframe, extend a few years. Consider adopting the “one in, one out” rule—a method endorsed by organizing expert Marie Kondo. For every new item you bring in, something else goes out.
Under-the-bed storage can also be helpful for rarely used items like extra linens or winter clothing. I use it for shoes – they are in containers under my bed. Just be careful not to let it become a “stuff it and forget it” zone. Make it a goal to clear the bedroom floor each evening before you retire. It’s a simple act that can drastically improve your sense of order, just like making your bed daily can mentally set you on the right track for accomplishing your daily tasks at home and at work.
The Bathroom: Minimize for Maximum Function
Despite being one of the smallest rooms, bathrooms tend to overflow with products. Begin by purging expired or rarely used items. Skincare and medications have shelf lives, and holding on to clutter here can be more than just unsightly—it can be unsafe.
Use drawer dividers or stackable bins to sort items by category. Store extras like toilet paper, backup toiletries, or cleaning supplies in labeled bins under the sink or in a linen closet. Install shelves or wall-mounted caddies if you lack cabinet space.
The goal is to make your daily routines as seamless as possible. Keep only the products you use regularly within reach. Everything else can be stored out of sight. A clutter-free bathroom not only looks better, it helps your day start with clarity.
The Home Office: Taming the Paper Tiger
Home offices often double as dumping grounds for paperwork, cables, and forgotten supplies. Start with a ruthless paper purge. Digitize what you can and shred what you no longer need. Invest in a simple filing system—even a small one—to categorize documents: bills, warranties, receipts, and personal records.
Cord management is another issue. Use clips or cable boxes to bundle wires together and keep them off the floor. Minimize desktop items to only what’s essential: your computer, a notebook, a pen holder, and perhaps one personal object that makes you smile.
Many experts recommend the “clean sweep” method at the end of each workday—take two minutes to reset your desk. Not only does this keep clutter at bay, but it also mentally closes out the workday, which is essential when your office is just steps from your living room.
The Spare Room: Turning Potential Into Purpose
Spare rooms often become a dumping ground for all things without a home—out-of-season clothing, forgotten workout gear, gift wrap, and old electronics. To reclaim this space, start by envisioning its potential. Could it become a prayer room, a guest bedroom, a home gym, a hobby space, or a reading nook?
Once you’ve decided on a purpose, sort everything in the room into four piles: keep, donate, relocate, or toss. Be honest about what you really need. Items that are broken, obsolete, or duplicates of something else should go.
Install versatile storage solutions that support the room’s new function. Use vertical storage to free up floor space and consider closed storage to reduce visual clutter. If it’s becoming a multipurpose room, use labeled bins or furniture that serves dual purposes, like a daybed with drawers underneath.
A spare room with a defined purpose not only increases your home’s functionality but can also serve as a peaceful, productive retreat from the rest of the household bustle.
The Recreational Room: Organizing for Fun and Function
The recreational or family room is a place meant for relaxation and play, but its multipurpose nature often leads to clutter. Board games, video game consoles, sports equipment, and crafts all vie for space. Creating structure is essential to maintaining a peaceful environment that still encourages creativity and connection.
Start by sorting items into clear categories—games, electronics, crafts, sports—and assign each category a dedicated space. Use cubbies or a shelving system with labeled bins for easy access. A media console with storage can help hide cords, DVDs, and gaming accessories.
If children use the room, make sure storage is accessible to them. Low bins and open shelves empower kids to put things away on their own, making cleanup part of the fun. Consider a “one toy in, one toy out” policy to prevent overcrowding.
Design the room to encourage flow. Keep active areas like play zones or workout corners open and free of hazards. Use a basket system to do a quick reset at the end of each day—just 10 minutes can make a significant difference in how welcoming the space feels.
Kids’ Spaces: Cultivating Order Early On
Children’s rooms are often seen as chaos zones, but they can also be some of the most transformational spaces to organize. Kids benefit from visual order and clearly labeled systems. Start by rotating toys—store some out of sight and swap them every few weeks to keep the space fresh and prevent overwhelm.
Use open bins, low shelves, and picture labels to make tidying up intuitive. Create designated areas for books, art supplies, and building sets. This not only reduces clutter but also fosters responsibility and independence.
Get children involved in the process. Let them choose what to keep or donate, and celebrate when they follow the new system. Organization becomes a family value, not a parental imposition.
Kids’ rooms can also benefit from flexible furniture: bunk beds with drawers, desks that grow with them, or foldable tables for art projects. By combining practicality with creativity, you can build a space that evolves with their needs.
TLDR: Key Takeaways for a Clutter-Free Home
- Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed
- Use furniture with built-in storage to reduce visual clutter
- Adopt a seasonal and “one in, one out” approach to wardrobe management
- Label bins and organizers to maintain order long term
- Create reset rituals to restore order daily or weekly
- Digitize and file paperwork to reduce office chaos
- Reclaim forgotten spaces like spare and recreational rooms
A clutter-free home is not about perfection. It is about functionality, peace of mind, and being able to function without unnecessary friction. By addressing each space with purpose and a clear plan, you’re not just organizing—you’re creating a home that supports who you are and how you live.
You may not get it perfect the first time, and that’s okay. The point is to begin. Each item removed is a decision made in favor of clarity and comfort. And once the work is done, the result isn’t just a prettier home—it’s a better life lived within it.