10 Effortless Ways to Declutter Your Home

A clutter-free home is a gift to yourself.  Decluttering removes stress, chaos, and visual weight, and adds peace, space to learn and grow, and time for true rest and relaxation.

But the work of decluttering can be such a burden!  It can be exhausting and time-consuming to clear out a cluttered home.

Fear not!  Say goodbye to hours (or days) of grueling exertion.  If you hate decluttering, don't have time for it, or started and got burned-out on the process, you'll love my passive methods that let you declutter with little to no effort.

10 easiest decluttering strategies

1.  Hanger trick (use for clothes and accessories)

Maybe you've heard of this one.  Simply turn all of your hangers backwards!  When you choose a garment to wear, turn its hanger to face the normal way.  At the end of a month or a season it's easy to see what you wore and what you didn't.  Now you can declutter everything that's still hanging backwards without any worry or decision-making.

2.  Upside-down method (use for kitchen items)

Simply turn your dishes and cooking implements upside-down.  Like the hanger trick, when you use a piece, wash and replace it right-side-up.  At the end of a month, you'll know exactly which plates and bowls, pots and pans, baking dishes, storage items, etc. you used, and you can feel confident about getting rid of anything that's still overturned.

3.  Use-it-or-lose-it box (use for bathroom items, tools, craft and office supplies)

When you're just not sure what you should keep, grab a big box and put everything into it.  Simply clear off your desk, counter, or cupboard!  When you need an item, get it out of the box, use it, and find a place for it to belong.  At the end of your on-hold period (a week, a month, etc.), donate or toss whatever is left in the box.

4.  One in, one out rule (for clothes, linens, dishes, décor, toys, etc.)

This method lets you control clutter and gradually curate higher-quality items, all with little effort.

The rule is simple:  When you bring something new into your house, something old must go.  It's most effective to remove something from the same category.  New jeans?  Toss or repurpose a faded, ragged pair.  New throw pillow?  Donate one you don't like as much.

This method also helps you control your shopping.  If you know you're going to have to get rid of something, you'll want to make sure you're buying an item that makes the swap worth it.  Otherwise, don't buy!

5.  Use it up rule (for pantry, bathroom, office)

Don't just accumulate more stuff.  Burn that candle, use the hand cream, prepare the rice.  Bring those extra pens to your office, send the greeting cards, put spare sunglasses in your beach bag (and stop buying extras).  Switch your mindset from "just in case" or "I might need it" to a habit of using up your resources before adding more.  This will clear clutter effortlessly.

6.  Open house (for clothes, toys, décor)

Invite your family and friends to visit and ask for things they like.  It's a little unorthodox, but can help you make decluttering progress without wondering what to do with your unwanted things.

Go a more traditional route by hosting a clothing swap party where everyone brings their quality, but unwanted, clothes to trade.  (Hint:  You don't need to take anything!)  This also works for toys, decorative items, small appliances, hobby supplies, and more.

7.  Regift (for books, décor, jewelry and accessories)

Instead of spending more money, clear clutter and give thoughtful presents at the same time.  This works especially well with items that hold their value and quality.  Jot a personal note on the flyleaf of an appropriate book, give a meaningful piece of jewelry, offer a lovely vase or a special serving dish.

8.  Swedish death cleaning method (for anything)

This is inspired by Margareta Magnusson's book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.*  It's the process of clearing out unnecessary belongings before others have to do it for you, and undertaking it sooner rather than later can jumpstart a refreshing, energetic way of life.  As you handle your belongings during routine cleaning, ask yourself, "Will anyone be glad I kept this/happy to find this after I'm gone?"  If the answer is no, declutter it.

Not only will you streamline your home and make your day-to-day life run more smoothly, you'll be removing the burden of your accumulated stuff from your loved ones.  As Magnusson says, "Make your loved ones' memories of you nice – instead of awful."

* Thank you for supporting my blog with your purchases.  If you buy through my links, I earn a small commission.

9.  Reverse decluttering method (for anything)

Instead of thinking about what you should get rid of, choose your favorite, most-used items.  You can even start your decluttering on paper by making a list of the items you would need and want to replace if your home burned to the ground.  Curate your ideal list, appreciate what you have, and confidently let go of everything else.

Related article:  How Reverse Decluttering Can Work Wonders for Your Home

10.  Use my checklist.

Grab my free list of 101 household items you can declutter RIGHT NOW!  No decision-making, no fretting, just follow the list and check off items as you go.  You're going to feel how much lighter and more spacious your house is, and it's going to be wonderful!  Simply subscribe here and receive my free printable, 101 Items to Declutter for a Simpler Home.*

* If you're already a subscriber, email me at karen@maximumgratitudeminimalstuff.com and I'll send you the link.

Get ready for decluttering success.  I know you can do it!