Have you ever stood in the middle of a cluttered room, felt your shoulders tense, and walked right back out again? Or opened a cluttered drawer or closet, felt overwhelmed, and immediately closed it? If you have, you're not alone. The cost of clutter is significant and the question that I get asked most often is "How do I get started organizing my home?”
There is good news! You don't need a free weekend, you don’t need to tackle your whole house, or even an entire room, and you don’t need a shopping cart full of new bins and containers. All you need is 20 minutes. This Guide shows you how to get started, where to start, and how to build from there.
Start small and build skills
We know that clutter costs time, money, health and wellbeing with research linking clutter to cognitive fatigue, higher stress levels and lower overall wellbeing. It's the minutes spent hunting for an important bill or a can opener, the duplicate items you bought because you couldn't find what you needed, the late fees, the visual noise - the list goes on.
So why does it feel so hard to start, knowing the costs of clutter? It is because decluttering is about decision making and evaluating. Every item asks you questions: Do I keep it? Do I need it? Will I wear it? Do I look good in it? Will my mom be upset that I gave it away? Where does it go? What happens if I get rid of it? A whole room can pose hundreds of these questions, and facing them all at once is overwhelming and exhausting.
When we learn any new skill it feels difficult at first. We practice, we fumble, and then we get better over time. And so starting your decluttering and organizing journey with one small space helps to build your skills, confidence and momentum.
Start with one small drawer or shelf
Your first space to get started decluttering and organizing should meet three criteria:
It's small. You can finish it in 20 minutes.
You use it every day. You'll feel the difference daily, which keeps you motivated.
It's low emotion. Dried-out pens and expired coupons are easy to let go of. Photos, clothing or keepsakes are not usually harder decisions to make, so save those for later.
Good places to start: the kitchen junk drawer, the entryway shelf, or your nightstand drawer.
Your first 20 minutes
Grab a bag for trash, a box for donations and a basket for things that belong elsewhere. Then set a timer and follow these four simple steps.
Step 1: Declutter. Empty the drawer or shelf completely and give it a quick wipe. Pick up each item and ask: Do I use this? Do I need it? Have I used it in the past year? Would I buy it again today? If the answer is “no”, it is clear donate, recycle or toss.
If an item should live in another room, drop it in the Belongs Elsewhere basket and put it away when your timer goes off - not before, so you don't get pulled off track.
Step 2: Categorize. Group what's left into like-with-like piles - pens together, batteries together, tape and scissors together. Here, it’s common to realize you have multiples of an item - if you discover you have four can openers, you can add a couple to the donation box.
Step 3: Organize. Put categorised items back in the drawer or on the shelf, keeping the items you use most at the front. Get the trash and donations out of the house today so that nothing creeps back in or creates clutter.
Depending on your organizing preferences and the space, you could use a few small containers or dividers to give everything a place and keep the space tidy. You don’t have to spend - small gift boxes, shoeboxes or jars can work well. If you want to invest in bins or containers, first declutter and categorize, then measure your space before heading to the store.
Step 4: Maintain. Your newly decluttered and organized space only holds up if it is maintained. It’s not a burden to maintain, but it is a small habit practiced over time. As you continue in your journey, consider adopting a 10 minute daily reset to tidy and put things back where they belong.
That's it! Open the drawer or look at the shelf that you just organized and celebrate what you just accomplished!
What comes next
Once you've finished a couple small spaces, you can continue to take small steps, building your confidence and decision making to tackle larger or more emotional spaces.
Continue with small spaces and surfaces in your kitchen, entryway or mudroom. Progress with medium spaces, like a linen closet and in larger spaces, like a kitchen, tackle one cabinet or section at a time.
Large rooms and emotional spaces can be difficult to declutter and organize on your own, or without experience, and so it’s best to pause before tackling your closet, keepsakes and photos.
When to get help
If the process of decluttering, decision-making, or thoughts of letting go of belongings causes you distress it is recommended to work with a professional organizer or talk with a mental health professional equipped to provide you with support.
Some people enjoy working with a supportive friend or family member who can provide constructive support and encouragement in decluttering and organizing home spaces. The steps and approach doesn’t change - start small, set a timer and follow the four steps.
Professional Organizers can help you achieve your goals faster, reduce the stress & overwhelm of decluttering, and build an organizing system that works for you and holds up in your daily life. If you’re looking for professional support, or if you’re working with a timeline like a move or downsizing - let's talk. Book a free 30-minute consultation.
