10 Decluttering Strategies for Tidying Up Your Home Room by Room

Rachel Makinson
by Rachel Makinson

Decluttering your home can be a transformative process, providing not only a more organized living space but also a clearer mind.


By tackling your home room by room, you can break down this often-overwhelming task into manageable steps. Below are ten proven decluttering strategies to help you tidy up each room effectively. 


Disclaimer: Simplify may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.


1. Start with a plan

Before diving into the actual decluttering process, it's essential to have a clear plan. Identify which rooms need the most attention and prioritize them. Create a checklist for each room to keep track of your progress and ensure that no area is overlooked.


Tip: Set realistic goals for each session. For example, focus on one room per day or one area within a room, such as the closet or a set of drawers.

Checklist - image via Canva

2. Declutter the kitchen: clear the counters

The kitchen is often the heart of the home but can quickly become cluttered with gadgets, appliances, and utensils. Start by clearing off the countertops, keeping only the essentials within reach. Donate or store away items you seldom use.


Recommended product:

The Simple Houseware Over the Cabinet Door Organizer Holder is a great product for keeping your kitchen tidy. This versatile organizer that helps keep cutting boards, lids, and baking sheets neatly tucked away, freeing up precious counter space.

Simple Houseware Over the Cabinet Door Organizer Holder

3. Tackle the living room: simplify your shelves

Books, decor, and miscellaneous items can make your living room feel chaotic.


Focus on simplifying your shelves by keeping only items that bring you joy or serve a purpose. Consider donating old magazines, books you’ve already read, and decor that no longer suits your style.


Recommended product:

We really love the SONGMICS Storage Ottoman. This stylish storage ottoman provides a dual purpose — offering a place to sit while giving you extra storage for blankets, magazines, or remote controls.

SONGMICS Storage Ottoman

4. Streamline the bathroom: minimize countertop clutter

The bathroom is another area that can quickly become cluttered, especially with toiletries and cosmetics.


Clear out expired products and those you no longer use. Invest in storage solutions that keep your essentials within reach but off the countertops.


Tip: Utilize drawer organizers or under-sink storage to keep everything in its place.

Organized bathroom drawers - image via Canva

5. Organize the bedroom: keep your closet in check

Closets are notorious for accumulating clutter. Start by sorting your clothes into categories: keep, donate, and discard.


Store seasonal items separately to keep your closet organized throughout the year. Use drawer organizers to maintain order among smaller items like socks and accessories.


Recommended product:

The AmazonBasics Foldable Storage Bins are perfect for organizing clothes, accessories, or even shoes in your closet, keeping everything neat and easily accessible.

AmazonBasics Foldable Storage Bins

6. Declutter the home office: clear your desk

A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind. Start by removing all items from your desk and only putting back what is necessary for daily use.


Use cable organizers to manage the chaos of cords, and invest in storage solutions for documents and office supplies.


Tip: Go paperless where possible to reduce the need for physical storage.


7. Simplify the dining room: clear the table

Dining rooms often become catch-all spaces for mail, books, and other items that don’t belong.


Clear the table and designate a specific place for these items elsewhere. Keep the dining room for its intended purpose — eating and gathering.


Tip: Use a decorative tray to hold items that must stay in the room, such as a centerpiece or napkin holder, to keep the space organized.

Cluttered dining table - image via Canva

8. Tidy the entryway: create a drop zone

The entryway is the first area you see when you enter your home, making it a prime spot for clutter.


Set up a drop zone with hooks for coats, a tray for keys, and a basket for shoes. This way, everything has a place, and the area stays tidy.


Tip: Regularly clear out unnecessary items that accumulate in the entryway to keep it clutter-free.


9. Declutter the garage: maximize vertical space

Garages often become storage spaces for items that don’t have a home elsewhere.


Start by decluttering and getting rid of anything broken or no longer needed. Use shelving and wall-mounted racks to maximize vertical space and keep the floor clear.


Tip: Store similar items together, such as gardening tools, sports equipment, and holiday decorations, to make finding things easier.

Organized garage - image via Canva

Recommended product:

For neatly storing tools in your garage, the Sttoraboks Garage Tool Storage Rack is a great choice.


Sttoraboks Garage Tool Storage Rack

10. Keep the kids’ rooms tidy

Children’s rooms can quickly become cluttered with toys, clothes, and books.


To manage this, try rotating toys—keep only a few out at a time and store the rest. Every few months, switch them out to keep things fresh without overwhelming the space.


Tip: Use labeled bins or baskets to teach kids to put their toys away after playtime.


Decluttering strategies 

Decluttering your home room by room can be a rewarding process that makes your living space more enjoyable and functional. By breaking down the task into smaller, manageable steps, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and make steady progress.


Incorporating a few smart storage solutions can further enhance your efforts, helping you maintain a clutter-free environment long-term.


Hopefully these simple decluttering strategies will help you! Comment your favorite tip down below. 


Next, check out this Weekly Cleaning Schedule for Busy People.

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