6 simple steps to declutter, organize and simplify your home!
Do you feel stressed because your home is disorganized? These 6 steps will bring peace back to your home as you learn how to declutter, organize and simplify your home.
Declutter, organize and simplify sounds like a daunting task to take on. And while it is a big job, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or be an all or nothing project.
You can take small steps and still have an organized, decluttered and simplified home.
Today I’m sharing 6 simple steps to declutter, organize and simplify your home, and it doesn’t require a certification in organization to do it.
These tips are great for the first time organizer or for someone who has been working on decluttering for awhile.
While I would love to jump right in to the steps on how to declutter, organize and simplify your home, I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t take a step back and explain why it matters.
Is clutter bad?
Yes. It actually is.
“A study conducted by Princeton University Neuroscience researchers found that a cluttered home environment impedes your ability to focus. When we have a hard time focusing, our mental faculties get worn down and frustration ensues, causing stress.” stated Organized Interiors
Does this describe your Homelife at all?
It 100% described MINE 7 years ago!
Shortly after I had my 2nd child I was feeling very frustrated by my home environment. And as a stay-at-home-mom who spent majority of her time at home, it felt overwhelming!
I decided it was time to make a change.
According to Danielle Roeske, Psy.D., vice president of residential services at Newport Healthcare, “Our outer worlds invariably affect our inner worlds and vice versa”.
It was time my inward and outward spaces matched each other and I wanted both of them to feel peace, calm and clean.
So space by space, room by room, drawer by drawer, closet by closet I purged, decluttered, organized and simplified my home.
With each space cleaner, clearer, I felt liberated, lighter and WAY less stressed!
To start organizing, do this first:
Declutter (first) + Organize (second) = Simplified Home
Things to remember:
This is a journey, don’t over do it! Use that excitement to motivate you to start but if you try to do too much at once you can burn out.
You will always declutter first. You will waste your time and money if you try to organize first prior to decluttering. The goal is to purge out items you do not need first.
Remove the items immediately out of your home, especially if they are kids toys! Out of sight, out of mind. The longer they stay in your home, the more likely you will never get rid of them and you will start to add them back in to your house.
1. Start small & Make Decluttering A Habit
Pick ONE space that is causing you the most frustration first. Many times we get super excited and want our entire house organized all in the same day. This is a process and it will take time.
Maybe it’s the drawer in your kitchen you store all of your spatulas, serving spoons, etc. that you want to start with first.
Or maybe start with the kids room so they can start being a part of this journey and help with the cleaning process.
Once their toys are organized and labeled it will be easier for them to be more consistent in cleaning and putting away their stuff.
Related Post: Genius Toy Closet Organization Ideas for Busy Moms
Don’t try to take on all of the drawers or the entire closet at once, that can be very overwhelming and take more time than you have in that moment. Just pick one drawer, or maybe two if they have similar items.
Have an on-going declutter container / box
The more regularly and consistently you declutter and purge the items that come in to your home, the easier it will be to maintain your home and keep it organized long term.
In your evening routine, as you are picking up after the day, if you see something you no longer need, immediately throw it away or put it in the decluttering box.
Make decluttering a daily habit by spending 10 minutes each day purging no longer needed items in your home.
2. Take everything out
Take everything out of the area you want to organize. Lay everything on the ground in the middle of a room or a table, so you can see it all.
3. Remove the Clutter
A lot of people want to immediately start organizing their stuff, but first, you need to declutter / purge (sell, donate, or trash).
What do you declutter?
Anything that hasn’t been used in the last year, is expired, or you just don’t want anymore.
Yes, that includes items given to you. Don’t let guilt or someone else’s feelings keep you from feeling free yourself. Let it go.
It is easier to organize and maintain an organized home when you have less stuff.
Having too much stuff will keep you from having your home feel and look clean, organized and a productive space to live and function in. Do the hard work by getting rid of some stuff and living with less.
4. Buy Storage Containers
This is an investment, but worth every penny. You don’t have to buy fancy containers from the Container Store, Dollar Store containers, Walmart.com, Amazon.com. and Target.com all work great too.
I have re-used and changed up my baskets, containers, Jars, boxes & bins a million times, so once you make the investment you’ll get years of use. Shop your own home first as you probably already have several that could work.
Some storage and organization containers I use in my home
Expandable Utensil Organizer for the kitchen drawers
Additional drawer organization:
Expandable utensil drawer organizer
Lazy Susan for Pantry, Refrigerator and bathrooms
Drawer Organizer Trays for inside drawers for Kitchen misc drawer, bathrooms drawers & laundry room
Large baskets for blankets, laundry and kids toys
Small baskets for linen closets, medicine, electrical cords, pantry snacks
Plastic Kitchen and Pantry Organization Canisters
Organize and condense games with these thin storage containers
There are so many options out there for your home. But first make sure your storage options are the right size and functional!
Measure First
Each home has different size cabinets, drawer and closets, so I highly recommend measuring the space ahead of time to buy the right size container, basket or bin. You will avoid frustration and returning.
Make sure the storage container is functional
Pretty things are always fun, but you won’t stick to the process and system if the container isn’t functional.
Remind yourself of the end goal: an organized home that you can maintain long term. Think through what you buy and make sure it will work with your life style and personality.
Make sure it works for you
What works for someone else may not work for you. It may take a few times to get it right. Maybe after a week the drawer or closet needs to be changed up a little. That’s ok! Have if work for your lifestyle and personality.
5. Organize
Now is the fun part! You should have less stuff now that you just got rid of a bunch. You also now have the correct containers (either purchased or found around your house).
It’s time to put your stuff in the containers.
Organizing tips:
- Place neatly & fold if able to
- Don’t overfill or stuff the container
- You should be able to see every item put in
- Space is good
- Use more then one container if needed
6. Label
Label containers, especially kids drawers, dressers, toy containers and bins. Even if you feel it is obvious, it will help others who are cleaning or putting things away for you.
Great Job! You just decluttered and organized a space that was taking joy and peace away from you!
See how to declutter, organize and simplify in action
Both of my bathroom drawers were a mess so I recently organized them both. See how I followed the above 6 simple steps to take my messy drawer to a beautiful organized space in minutes.
I used a lazy susan turntable to organize this drawer in my master bathroom sink. Lazy Susan’s are perfect if you have items you want to see and grab quickly.
Using a lazy Susan has become my go-to organizational item lately, and I was recently named an expert in an ApartmentGuide article. Check out the featured article: How to Declutter Your Home Fast: Tips From Our Experts
I love lazy Susans and have them throughout my house.In my pantry, refrigerator, medicine cabinet, linen cabinet and in my vanity sink of my master bathroom.
Maintain
Now that you have spent time decluttering and organizing, encourage other family members to keep to the organization.
Circle back from time to time to make sure your newly organized area is staying organized.
Throughout the year go back through areas and quickly tidy up the space, but it is always so much fast now that you’ve done the hard work.
As new stuff comes in, old stuff must go out. If you buy a new pair of pants, considering donating a pair you aren’t going to wear now since you have the new pair.
Areas that will need continual declutter, organize and simplify
- Clothes
- Paperwork
- Kids toys
- Medicine cabinets
- Kids art & school projects
I’m Stuck!
If you get overwhelmed or stuck, ask for help. There is no shame in asking someone who either enjoys organizing or is good at it to come over and help you out.
Consider hiring a professional to come in and do it for you. I honestly feel having a home that is decluttered and organized is worth the investment.
What’s next after I declutter organize and simplify?
REPEAT these steps over and over again as you make your way through every room, closet, drawer, console table, and dresser of your home.
Have PATIENCE as this doesn’t happen over night, but it can get addicting. Once I started and I felt the freedom and rejuvenating feeling, I wanted to do every square foot of my house. And that’s exactly what I ended up doing, IN TIME, as it definitely took awhile.
I just recently organized my car, refrigerator and Freezer. So this is a journey for me too, and I’ve been at this for a long time.
GET CREATIVE with your time and how you can squeeze in organization. While kids are napping tackle the kitchen miscellaneous drawer that has been haunting you for years. In the evening after the kids are in bed try to organize a closet or console table.
SET LIMITS with the stuff coming in to your home to eliminate future poor habits setting back in. For example, I have a drawer with re-usable bags. Often this drawers fills up. When new bags come in my home I don’t start a new drawer for re-usable bags, I purge the ones I have and keep the limit of just one drawer for re-usable bags.
Mental Health Benefits Of Having A Home that is decluttered, organized and simplified
According to Forbes Health, decluttering your space could make you healthier and happier and here’s how.
- Sense of order and control
Clutter is linked to procrastination and feeling overwhelmed. When you have a home that is clean and organized it helps us manage some of the inner feelings and become more in control.
2. Familiarity and consistency
Familiarity and consistency provides a feeling of stability, which all humans crave for their lives. This does not mean everything needs to be color coded, just things are consistent in rhythm.
3. Released endorphins
Cleaning and organizing releases endorphins which is a great stress reducer and pain reliever.
4. Improved focus
Too much stuff distracts the brain’s processing capacity, so removing the clutter allows the brain to focus more.
5. Regulated emotions
Cleaning requires us to slow down which is a great calming affect for anyone who is stressed.
According to the Mayoclinic, extra stuff isn’t just messy. It could be holding you back from living your best life. It’s not just in your head: Extra stuff is stressful”
You deserve more! You deserve to love and feel at peace in your home! It should not be causing you extra stress.
Decluttering is self care.
How to truly bring peace to your home
You deserve to have a clean, organized home that is SERVING you, not TAKING from you. Do you believe that?
Allie Casazza says “Clutter is a self worth issue”. Allie is great at breaking down clutter and helping moms bring peace back to their homes.
Do you believe you deserve a clean organized home?
First step in having a clean home is to get clear expectations on what you want from your home.
Right now, envision your dream home. Write the details down if it helps.
What does it look like, feel like, and sound like?
Clutter is a bunch of un-made decisions.
Messes are things we are using that have a place / a home, that haven’t been put back yet, and are easy to clean up. But clutter takes up space both physically and mentally. So let’s start making decisions today!
What you expect will be your reality.
If you expect and tell yourself that “this is mom life, it’s messy, what can I expect”. Then your home will be messy.
If you tell yourself that “my kids are just crazy and don’t listen to me when I tell them to pick up their stuff, so how am I supposed to keep this house clean.”
Then your home will be messy and your kids will continue to leave their stuff every where and will work against you not with you on maintaining a clean home.
We need to change our expectations to make any significant movement in this area. Making declutter, organize and simplify a priority does that!
Declutter, Organize and Simplify Will Take Time And Effort By YOU, So What Are The BENEFITS?
There are many benefits to having an organized home, and they will motivate us to keep going.
1. Extra stuff is stressful
2. Decluttering, organizing and simplifying your home saves YOU time on cleaning and putting things away.
3. Clutter is a self worth issue and YOU deserve better!
4. You will feel more patient, less distracted and a lighter more free mom
5. Your kids will finally be able to start helping with the cleaning process because everything will have a designated “home”, which is easier for them to know where things go.
Doesn’t that sound amazing! Decluttering and organizing is life giving!
Recap Of Declutter, Organize and Simplify
Start with one space at a time. Declutter first (biggest step in the process!). Then organize. Repeat!
Remember that little things can make a huge impact. Even the smaller drawer organized can feel like such a huge accomplishment.
I hope you found these steps easy and very doable! This is a journey and may take several months to feel real progress, but each drawer, cabinet, closet or room decluttered and organized is one step closer to the end goal!
Declutter, Organize and simplify! You Did It!
Celebrate your success! Small changes make huge differences over time.
Where are you going to start first? I would love to hear, please leave a comment as I would love to be your cheerleader and encourage you in your journey to organization.
You are now on your way to organizing your home, but have you mastered how to keep it clean? You probably are in need of some good cleaning hacks.
Or maybe you’ve always been wanting to hire a professional cleaner but feel guilty or think you can’t afford one. Here are 10 reasons why moms should not feel guilty hiring a house cleaner and 6 things you can do today to afford one.
Looking for more organizing hacks? Don’t forget to check out…
- 6 Easy Car Organization Hacks – The Ultimate Guide
- Quick Busy Mom Cleaning Hacks That Will Transform Your Home
- 87 BEST Mom Hacks and Tips
Want other amazing mom routines to help you stay on top of mom life?
Check out 9 Must do’s in a morning routine for busy mom’s
I would love to hear from you, leave a comment, and share your favorite organization tips below.
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