11 Golden Rules of Decluttering

Simple Rules for Decluttering – Rules to Keep Your Home Tidy and Organized

Discover golden rules of decluttering to help you get your home under control and keep your house tidy and organized without feeling overwhelmed.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your home? Do you feel like you’re losing the battle against the mess?

Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people feel like they are drowning in a sea of clutter. But don’t give up yet. You can follow these simple decluttering rules to get your home under control and keep it that way.

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to decluttering your home. You might feel like you’re never going to get organized, or you don’t have enough time.

You may also feel like you are the only one struggling with this problem. These 11 rules for decluttering and organizing your home will help you get started and keep you on track. With a little effort, you can have your home under control in no time!

Related Decluttering Articles:

• How to Get Your Family on Board with Decluttering
• How to Declutter a Room in One Day Fast
• 11 Declutter Hacks to Make Decluttering Easier

11 Rules of Decluttering that Really Work

#1. Figure Out the Why

Most of us know how to declutter, so why do we get so stuck? It is because we haven’t considered why we want to do this. Knowing the why will help provide motivation. Think about why you want to declutter.

Maybe you’re tired of feeling stressed every time you look at the mess. Do you want to be able to find things more efficiently? Perhaps you just want your home to look nicer. Write them down!

The reasons will vary from person to person. Still, sticking to your decluttering goals will be easier once you know the why.

Here are more motivating reasons why you should declutter your home.

#2. Decluttering is Not a One-Time Event

One of the most essential rules of decluttering is that it’s not a one-time event. Just because you declutter your home once doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever.

You need to make a commitment to decluttering regularly. This could mean setting aside some time each week, or even each day, to declutter. It is much easier than letting things build up over time.

#3. Start with One Room/Don’t Try to Do it All at Once

Don’t try to declutter your entire house all at once. If you try to declutter your entire home in one day, you will quickly become overwhelmed. This is not a race, so pace yourself and don’t try to do it all at once.

Start small, with just one room or one area of your home. It’s too overwhelming! Start small, with just one room. Once you have decluttered that room and gotten it under control, move on to the next one.

You will be surprised at how much better you feel once you have decluttered even one room in your home.

#4. Break it Down into Small Tasks/Take Small Baby Steps

Break down your decluttering projects into small tasks. When you’re embarking on the daunting task of paring down your belongings, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize: a simpler, more clutter-free life. One way to gain momentum and keep your motivation high is to start small and simple.

Rather than trying to declutter a whole room all at once, break it down into small, manageable tasks.

You might begin by decluttering kitchen countertops or a single drawer in your kitchen. Once you’ve accomplished that, you’ll feel great and be ready to tackle another area.

Remember, the goal is not to do it all at once but to make progress little by little until your entire home is decluttered. So, take it one step at a time, and soon you’ll be on your way to living a life with less stuff!

#5. Set Aside Time Each Day

Making time to declutter daily is a great way to keep your home organized and tidy. Even if you can only spare 15 minutes, that’s enough time to make a big difference.

If possible, try to declutter a little bit each day instead of doing it all at once. This will help you stay on top of the mess, and it won’t feel so overwhelming. So schedule some time each day to declutter, even if it’s just a few minutes. You’ll be glad you did!

#6. Stop Bringing Stuff Home

Before you even declutter your home, you must stop bringing stuff home. This is one of the most essential rules for decluttering. It doesn’t matter how well you organize your things if you’re constantly bringing more stuff into your home.

The best way to stop bringing stuff home is to be mindful about your purchases. Here are some helpful strategies.

• Go shopping with a shopping list and stick to it.
• If you are tempted to buy a bigger item, wait 24 hours before purchasing.
• Go for a walk in nature and avoid the mall unless necessary.
• If you need something, try shopping from your house first. Do you have something you could repurpose instead of buying something new?
• Make a rule that two things must go for everything you bring into the house.

No matter what you do, there is no point in making an effort to declutter your home if you’re just going to bring more stuff into it. So make a commitment to stop bringing stuff home today!

#7. Get Rid of Unnecessary Duplicates

Do you really need ten coffee mugs? How about three pairs of scissors? Is it necessary to have four black t-shirts? If you can’t answer yes to these questions, then it’s time to let go of the duplicates.

Once you find them, get rid of them! Whether it’s an extra set of dishes, a second hammer, or a spare pair of steak knives, chances are good that you can get by with one less set.

You may not even realize how many duplicates you have until you start going through your things. And you can even declutter and make money by selling some of the duplicate items.

#8. Don’t Let Guilt Hold You Back

If you’re like most people, your home is full of stuff you don’t really need or want. That includes clothes you never wear, unwanted gifts, expensive things you bought on impulse, and anything else that takes up space.

But getting rid of all that clutter can be challenging, especially if you feel guilty about getting rid of things.

It’s important to remember that holding onto things you don’t need or want doesn’t do anyone any favors. Don’t let guilt stand in the way of a decluttered home! If you’re not using it or enjoying it, it’s time to let it go!

#9. Digitize Your Mememrobilia

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. It can lead us to hold onto clutter that we don’t need. But a practical compromise is digitizing prized or sentimental possessions we don’t want to display.

Digitize things like certificates of merit or kid’s artwork into your computer. You can even take a photo of three-dimensional items like trophies or prom dresses and add them to your digital collection.

This way, you can keep your memories without cluttering up your home. Organizing these digital keepsakes into folders as you go, will keep them accessible.

#10. Get Rid of Anything You Haven’t Used in the Past Year

This decluttering rule is pretty self-explanatory. If you haven’t used something in the past year, chances are good that you won’t use it in the future. So get rid of it! This includes clothes, books, kitchen appliances, and anything else that’s just taking up space in your home.

The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to find the things you need and keep your home clean. So don’t be afraid to let go of things you no longer need. It’s liberating!

#11. Things Can be Replaced

Have you ever held onto something in case you need it someday? If so, you’re not alone. Many people hang onto things “just in case,” and as a result, their homes become cluttered and unmanageable.

In most cases, things can be replaced. So don’t let items take up space in your home unnecessarily. Let them go and replace them with things you’ll use and enjoy! The next time you’re tempted to hold onto something “just in case,” ask yourself if it’s essential.

“Just in case = never” Courtney Carver.

Final Thoughts on Decluttering Rules

Now that you know the rules for decluttering and organizing, it’s time to start! These tips will help you get your home under control in no time. But remember, we are all unique individuals and do things differently. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to decluttering and organizing your home.

Keep in mind that what works for someone else might not work for you. The key to decluttering is to start, figure out what works for you and do that.

Are there other rules of decluttering that have worked for you? Share your comments below!