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Quick Decluttering Projects for Your Home

Quick Decluttering Projects for Your Home

QUICK DECLUTTERING PROJECTS FOR YOUR HOME

Tackling your clutter doesn’t have to take long. If you’re busy and don’t have much time to spare, check out this post for some easy, quick decluttering projects for your home.

HOW TO DECLUTTER QUICKLY

Decluttering your entire home can sound way out of reach if you’re busy, don’t have much time or you’re tired, overwhelmed or lacking in motivation to declutter! It’s even more of a challenge if you’ve always got the kids with you, you don’t know where to start, or you’re the only one in your family who’s wanting to give it a go.

Don’t worry though as I have a solution! In this article I’m going to share some quick decluttering projects to help you clear clutter fast!

TIPS TO HELP YOU DECLUTTER QUICKLY

Before we look at some quick decluttering projects, I’d like to share some tips on how to declutter quickly so you can make the most of whatever time and energy you have!

1. Forget perfection

Decluttering quickly isn’t about decluttering perfectly. You don’t have to declutter everything all in one go. If you’re not sure about something, leave it for now and move on. You could put it in a ‘just in case’ box to see how you live without it for a couple of weeks or a month. If you don’t miss the items in there, then maybe you can donate them.

Decluttering quickly is about making quick decisions on what to keep and what to get rid of. Decluttering is also a bit like peeling the layers off an onion. Declutter an area or item once, sit with your efforts for a bit and go back to peeling back another layer of the onion (or the clutter) in a second sweep. Every time you declutter, you’ll find it that little bit easier.

Forget perfection, just do the best you can. Read this article on decluttering progress not perfection.

2. Prepare before decluttering

Being prepared before you even start decluttering is key to making decluttering easier and less stressful, even more so when you’re decluttering quickly.

Get in the decluttering mindset, know why you’re wanting to declutter and what you’re trying to achieve, know what questions you’re going to ask yourself, and make sure you’ve got all your decluttering supplies to hand before you start.

Here are some questions to think about:

  • Why do you want to declutter? What do you want a clutter-free space to look and feel like?
  • What items do you want to keep or get rid of? What questions will you ask – do you use the item, do you like it, does it add value, do you appreciate it, would you buy it again if you didn’t have it now?
  • Are you feeling positive, motivated and ready for action? This is a great mindset for successful decluttering. If you’re tired, feeling emotional or lacking in energy, maybe leave it for today!

Read more about 11 simple things to do before you start decluttering.

3. Start with a small decluttering project

Decluttering projects don’t have to be big. Small ones count too. If you’re pushed for time, energy or motivation, choose a small and quick decluttering project which you can achieve and feel good about. Don’t start something and leave it half-finished as this won’t help your motivation levels. After all, we all need motivation to declutter.

Break big projects down into small ones and remember that even one less item in your kitchen, bathroom, purse etc is one less piece of clutter to look after.

At the end of this article, I’ve listed some other resources specifically about decluttering quickly and easily.

The following quick decluttering projects are easy and chosen for small windows of your time. You can always build on them as and when you have time.

Quick home decluttering projects

QUICK DECLUTTERING PROJECTS FOR YOUR HOME

Here are some quick decluttering projects for your home. Try them out when you have a few minutes to spare.

1. The children’s shoes – Throw out old, worn out shoes that don’t fit or your child never wears. Find proper storage for the ones you want to keep.

2. Your jewellery – Sort through your jewellery. Keep the items you love, donate/sell/throw away the rest. Give it all a clean and put it back neat and organised.

3. Your computer desktop – Remove unwanted icons, empty the recycle bin, put on a personalised background picture. Read more about how to declutter digital clutter.

4. Your phone – Get rid of apps you don’t use and re-organise them so that the ones you use regularly are on your home screen. Put on a background picture that inspires you and brings you happiness.

5. Fill a bin bag with clothes – Go through your clothes. Take out any that you know are damaged, don’t fit or you don’t ever wear. Throw away what isn’t good enough to donate. Read more about how to declutter clothes.

6. The kitchen work surface – Remove all the items, clean it thoroughly and only put back what you absolutely must have there. Find a new home/donate/throw away everything else. Read more about how to declutter kitchen counters.

7. Your bedside table – The surface and drawers shouldn’t be a dumping ground for random stuff. Only have what you need for the night and first thing in the morning. For example, a light, an alarm clock/your phone, a book, notepad and pen. Get rid of the rest as it will distract you from a calming bedtime and good night’s sleep. Read more about how to declutter your bedroom.

8. Follow a checklist – Try my free declutter checklist with 100 things to get rid of right now. We’ll find 10 items in 10 places around your home for you to get rid of quickly and easily. There’s a free printable you can use to tick off and keep track of your progress! Read more about the declutter checklist.

9. Your children’s books – Either with or without your kids, sort through the books. Donate the ones you don’t read anymore and throw away the tattered ones. Keep the rest in a nice bookcase or on a shelf.

childrens' books

10. Your cook books – Do you use them or are they there to just look pretty or for the occasional reference? Think how and when you use each cookbook. Make sure that you only keep the ones you turn to regularly.

11. Your makeup – Tip all of your makeup out on the bed. Throw away anything that you haven’t used in, say, the last 3 months. Treat yourself to some new products if your budget allows to replace the old ones you love. If you love nail varnish, keep a set number of bottles and if you come across a new colour you absolutely must have, then adopt a one in/one out policy. Organise all make up, clean brushes/pencils etc so that they’re tidy and neat and you can find what you’re looking for at the drop of a hat.

12. A drawer of your choice – Pick any drawer around the house and empty it completely. Sort into piles and throw away/donate anything that you don’t want to keep. Ask yourself whether you’re likely to ever use that item. Chances are that if you haven’t used it in the last 6-12 months then you’d probably forgotten it was there anyway. Only put back what should be kept in that drawer. Make sure it’s neat, organised and re-home what’s left over.

13. Grab a laundry hamper and take it round the house – Pick up anything that doesn’t belong in that room and return it to its proper home.

14. Pictures and cushions – Go around the home and straighten pictures and fluff up cushions to make your home neat and tidy.

15. Throw out broken toys – Keep an eye out for any broken toys and those with missing parts or pieces and get rid of them. Explain to your children what you’re doing if you feel it’s appropriate and they’ll understand. Read more about how to declutter toys.

16. Your underwear – Throw out anything that’s misshapen, has holes or doesn’t fit or (in the case of socks) has a missing pair. Make a note of any replacements you need to buy. Return everything to the drawer(s) so it’s neat, organised and you can find things quickly and easily in the morning.

17. Bathroom products – Take a look in your bathroom and all the cupboards in it. Throw out empty bottles and anything that you don’t use and aren’t likely to use in the future. Make a note of any replacements you need to buy and also things you won’t need to buy for a while (because you’ve already got 3!). Don’t stockpile things, just buy a new one when you get close to finishing the old one. Read more about how to declutter your bathroom.

18. Household towels – Sort through all your bath towels, hand towels etc. Throw out any that are threadbare or have holes. Work out how many of each type you need to keep (make sure you keep on top of the laundry and you’ll need fewer towels) for your family. Throw/donate the rest.

19. Bed linen – As for towels above. Store them with the duvet covers and sheets inside the relevant pillow case and you’ll save yourself time trying to match up the complete sets when you come to change the beds!

20. Fridge – Go through the food in your fridge. Throw out anything that’s past its best, the empty cartons and food you’ll never eat. Add any replacements to your shopping list. Give the inside a thorough clean whilst it’s empty. Declutter the fridge door if it’s full of To Do lists, notes and random photos and paperwork.

21. Freezer – As for the fridge above.

22. Under sink cupboard – This can be a catch-all for cleaning products, carrier bags and all manner of things we don’t know where else to put. Pull everything out. Get rid of any empties or stuff you’re never likely to use. Organise what you’re keeping into some containers and keep it neat and tidy from now on!

23. Medicine cabinet – Get rid of anything that’s out of date or empty. Re-stock it next time you’re at the shops.

24. Kitchen appliances – Do you have any kitchen gadgets that you never use but are taking up space in the cupboards? Decide whether you want to keep them because you’re definitely going to use them or donate/throw them away.

Quick home decluttering projects

25. Mugs and glasses – How many of each item do you have vs how many do you actually NEED? Get rid of the excess and free up some space in your cupboards!

26. Art supplies and half-finished projects – Go through pens, pencils, paperwork, stickers, glue etc. Make sure everything’s in working order, the glue’s not gone dry and the pencils are sharpened. Decide which art projects you and the kids are likely to finish and which would remain half-finished for ever more – get rid of these ones!

27. Your finances – Go through your bank statements and cancel any subscriptions to things you no longer use, e.g. gym memberships, magazine subscriptions and so on. For any outgoings that you have, make a list of these to see if you can switch to cheaper providers for utilities etc and save yourself some money! Read more about how to simplify your finances.

28. Christmas decorations – Go through your Christmas decorations. Throw away lights that don’t work, anything that’s damaged and broken. Keep your favourites and donate what’s left.

29. Car – Put the rubbish in a bag, deal with the random stuff that’s left over like kids’ toys, the odd glove and anything lurking under the seats. Make sure you’ve got spare change, baby wipes, a blanket, notepad and pen so you’ve got them handy if you need them.

30. School bags – If your kids are anything like mine then the school bags get filled with all sorts of ‘stuff’. From important letters to bits of twig and half-eaten apples, they really do collect the clutter. Go through them and feel the weight drop off!

RESOURCES ON DECLUTTERING QUICKLY

Here are some resources to help you declutter quickly and easily.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

How do you feel about decluttering, especially if you don’t have time? Is it stressful, frustrating or overwhelming? What tips do you have to declutter when you’re pushed for time? Let us know in the comments!

GET YOUR FREE DECLUTTER CHECKLIST

Sometimes it’s helpful to be able to follow a checklist which you can tick off as you go. If you like lists, pop your details in the box below to receive a free printable declutter checklist of 100 things to get rid of right now!

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I’m Antonia and on this blog I share practical inspiration to simplify your home, time and life. Follow me on InstagramFacebook and Pinterest! You can also subscribe to Balance Through Simplicity and receive regular simplicity tips straight to your inbox for free. Make sure you never miss an article plus you’ll get a copy of my free Declutter Starter Kit as a welcome gift!