Decluttering tips, tricks, and methods

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

Are you ready for my biggest and best decluttering tips, tricks, and methods?

What Not to Do When Deciding to Declutter

Most of us aren’t experts when it comes to decluttering and organizing our homes. Unfortunately, it’s common to get about halfway through the job, only to discover we’ve gone about things without a plan. Perhaps it’s taking longer than you thought, and you end up with things strewn about the room because you simply don’t get back to it. That’s just one common example of why so many of us avoid this stressful process. However, knowing what not to do when deciding to declutter can help to ensure you don’t end in frustration.

Don’t Overdo It

As already mentioned, it’s unwise to get overzealous. Thinking you will sort through an entire houseful of possessions in one day is unrealistic. Doing this may even cause you enough frustration to give up entirely. Avoid burnout by setting aside a smaller time frame to complete one area.

Don’t Organize Before Purging

First you need to purge your home of all the things that are taking up space. Pretty containers are a waste of money because it’s impossible to understand your storage needs until you assess your items after purging.

Don’t Do Only Half the Job

A common mistake is setting aside items for donating or gifting to be delivered another day. In reality, all of these things simply leave your decluttering project looking unfinished. Take the extra effort to remove all unwanted items from your home immediately.

Don’t Reward Yourself with More Stuff

No matter how much you may be tempted, never go out and reward yourself by buying a new item. This mistake continues the cycle that led to your clutter in the first place. An exception may be a new piece of storage furniture to replace one you just gave away, as this move doesn’t add clutter.

Make note of these decluttering tips, tricks, and methods, and you’ll be on your way to an organized, comfortable space. Reward yourself with a nice cup of tea or coffee while enjoying your beautiful surroundings.

How to Handle Decluttering Overwhelm

The philosophy of minimalism is being embraced by people everywhere. It’s appealing to consider simplifying your life by getting rid of unnecessary possessions and concentrating on experiences that bring fulfillment. Except, for many, the actual process of lessening their load can be daunting. Let’s make things more manageable and take a look at some specific ideas for how to handle decluttering overwhelms.

Know Your Why

In the field of multi-level marketing, the phrase, “Know your why,” is used as a motivator to remind associates of the reasons they went into business for themselves. This same concept is essential for keeping you on-task when the decluttering process becomes difficult. Understanding your reasons for wanting to live a minimalist lifestyle is crucial to success.

Set Aside Time

The first step to getting a handle on your feelings about decluttering is to understand that nothing needs to be accomplished overnight. Set aside a general amount of time for the project, knowing that your timeline can be extended if necessary. Having a time frame provides structure, but allowing wiggle room takes away the pressure.

Make a Plan

Having a plan is essential to the smooth completion of any goal you hope to accomplish. It only makes sense that mapping out your steps to decluttering would also be beneficial. Write down things like the order you wish to tackle your clutter, how many rooms or areas you would like to complete each week, the manner in which you want to sell valuable items and where you will donate the rest. This proactive step can go a long way toward making it all seem more manageable.

Visualize Your Ideal Space

One more thing to do before actually getting down to the business of decluttering is to form an idea in your head of how you’d like your finished space to look. It may even help to jot down some drawings and notes. Doing so will help you decide what to keep and what to discard because you will have a better idea of whether a particular item will complement your vision.

It’s true that the hardest part is often actually getting started. Now that you know some concrete decluttering tips, tricks, and methods to manage the overwhelm of decluttering. Hopefully you’re feeling energized to begin!

Decluttering Methods of Minimalist Masters

If you’re feeling boxed in by the amount of clutter in your home, you’ve likely come to the realization that it’s time to make a change. You’ve probably thought about what life could be like if you reclaimed your space, making it clean and organized. However, decluttering requires getting rid of stuff, and parting with possessions can be one of the most emotionally overwhelming experiences for some people. Fortunately, there are tons of creative ways to make the process easier. Top professional organizers have developed systems for breaking the process down and making it seem more bearable. Keep reading to learn the decluttering tips, tricks, and methods of minimalist masters.

KonMari Method

Let’s start with one you’ve probably heard of due to its sweeping popularity (No pun intended). Author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo is considered by many to be a decluttering guru. With over four million books sold, it’s definitely worth considering her “magic.” Kondo’s method involves focusing on what to keep, rather than what to toss. The core principles involve categorizing your items, and then taking time to sort through each category with the mindful intention of keeping only the ones that bring you joy.

365 Less Things

Colleen Madsen of, 365 Less Things, has a brilliant approach to paring down possessions. She decided at the beginning of 2010 to make minimalism her resolution by giving away or selling one item each day for the entire year. Madsen documents both the physical results of the project and the psychological aspects on her blog.

Minimalist Game

If you want to take the daily give-away approach a step further, consider playing the Minimalist Game. The brainchild of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of the popular blog, The Minimalists, this method requires you to on the first day of the month and choose to get rid of the number of items that corresponds with each date. Giving away one thing on the first day is easy, but can you come up with 31 to part with at month’s end? Those who stick with it will have a home with 496 pieces of clutter. Making it a challenge with friends or family ups the stakes.

These are just three of the creative methods to help you begin the decluttering process. Other popular strategies include Oprah’s Closet Hanger Experiment, 5-Minute Decluttering Tips from Zen Habits, Project 333 or the Packing Party. Pick one that resonates with you and start making progress!

How to Declutter Any Space in Five Easy Steps

Decluttering your space can be a great way to destress and set yourself up for greater success. It can also be a great way to unwind at the end of your day and take back control as long as you take the right approach. Use the following five steps to help you declutter any space quickly and easily:

Create A Vision: Always start with a plan. Know what you want from the space and highlight any problem areas. Take measurements, if needed, and list any storage needs you might have.
Empty Your Space: Start with a blank canvas by clearing the area you want to declutter. If an entire room is overwhelming, start with a single area before moving to the next section.
Organize Your Items: To get started, grab a few boxes or bags. Then go through each item and sort them into the following categories:
- Throw Away
- Give Away/Donate
- Keep
- Optional: Set Aside (reevaluate in 6 months) – Use this one sparingly.
Put Things Back: It’s time to return items from your “Keep” pile to your space. This is also the time to “re-home” throw-away and donation items. Finally, store “later” items out of the way.
Reassess Your Space: Now it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your space from a fresh perspective. Take note of how the finished space makes you feel and if it functions as intended. Also keep an eye out for any items you can still toss, donate, or give away to make the space even more functional and/or aesthetically appealing.

Tip: Do a trial run of any activities you have planned for your newly organized space and make note of any challenges you encounter. Roadblocks can lead to frustration and procrastination, so it’s best to address them before they become an issue.

Final Notes

Once you’re happy with your results, repeat these decluttering tips, tricks, and methods for each space you need to declutter and organize. Before long, you’ll experience the many benefits of living and working in an area that is clean, organized, and free from clutter.

7 Ways to Declutter Your Bathroom

April 10, 2021March 13, 2023 Lori @ Touch of Organized4 Comments

I don’t know about you, but occasionally I turn around and my bathroom has gotten full again! Travel products from hotels, samples from online orders, and multiples of all kinds of things. I wonder if they are procreating in my cabinets! Before we get into the nitty-gritty about the bathroom area in particular, let’s talk about the basics of decluttering any space.

The three essential decluttering pillars

The three pillars of decluttering:

Stop buying what you don’t need.
Declutter before you organize.
Triage: daily, keep, re-home, trash.

1.In order to reduce the clutter in any area, the first priority is not adding to it. Yes, you can obviously replace the items that you have used up or that no longer work. But continuing to shop for anything (purses, kitchen gadgets, body lotions, video games, DVDs, etc.) will only add to the clutter of that space.

2.Declutter before you organize! If you run out and buy a whole stack of pretty baskets for all the goodies, and then end up getting rid of half of the goodies themselves, you are left with empty baskets. Also known as clutter! So it’s important to clean out before you attempt an organization system.

3.The decluttering/organizing triage system –> daily use, keep elsewhere, re-home, or trash. Your daily use items need to be in a priority location of the space. The items you need to keep but don’t use daily don’t need to live on countertops. Re-homing items can take on a variety of methods, such as gifting, donations, or even re-selling. And finally the trash pile – toss it! My environmental note of the day: Make sure to recycle the items that can be recycled.

Now on to the bathroom! I first want to mention a few amazing sites that I used as resources to create my personal tips — Make Space, Clean and Scentsible, The Spruce, and Clean Mama. Don’t forget to sign up for your free bathroom decluttering cheat sheet!

Sign up below and get your bathroom decluttering cheat sheet today!

General guidelines for expiration timelines!

Medicine Cabinet – First and foremost, toss anything that is old, separated, or expired. This includes medications, skincare, cosmetics, and fragrances. For an easy guide, take a look at the chart above if your products don’t have a stated expiration date.
Linen Closet – Take a look through your towels and sheets, and any extra supplies you have stored in this catch-all closet. Are there items you don’t need at all? Are there items that don’t belong in there at all? Are there worn-out items that could be better served with another purpose? Considering donating worn-out towels and sheets to your local animal shelter.
Cabinets and Drawers – Overflowing??? Give a long hard look to the makeup, skin care, hair care, nail care, and even appliances. If you have a hard time removing something, set aside a space somewhere. When you use an item or a product, place it in that space. After a week, you can easily see what products you use regularly. Once you have purged the items that don’t need to live at your fingertips for daily use, there are a variety of storage hacks for the remaining goodies. Silverware trays work great for makeup brushes or hair accessories; a spice rack mounted to the cabinet door could be perfect for fragrances; what about plastic tumblers for cotton balls and cotton swabs. I like keeping my cleaning supplies in a tub so that I can pull it out easily when it’s time to clean.
Countertops – I prefer a clean countertop myself. In the morning and evening, I line up the products I need to use, and then put them away one by one as I use it. Countertops should be for truly daily-use items. And make sure that even your décor items serve a functional purpose. A makeup bag can be pretty, but only if you use the contents daily! I have repurposed two of my Birchbox containers from a subscription service – they are pretty prints but have drawers (I use one for my daily contacts and one for little items that could otherwise get lost).
Shower and Bathtub – How many times do you bathe a day? In that case, do you really need 4 shower gels at once? I will admit I have two – one for regular showers, and a super-moisturizing one to shave with. But the remainder of the collection lives under the sink and I pull out a new one when I need it. If there are partial bottles floating around on the tub ledge, decide whether you will really use them up or go ahead and get rid of them.
Everything Else – Sometimes the everything else drives me batty! The items that don’t fit easily into one storage container of like items. Like the boxes of first aid supplies. Or the every-growing collection of travel sizes, trial sizes, and sample packets. Or the skincare products you only use periodically. A stackable drawer set could easily keep those items grouped and out of the way, especially if you get one that fits under the sink.
Unused Spaces! Did you know that there are unused spaces in your bathroom? Especially now that you have cleaned out so much of the clutter. Consider these amazing storage hacks for your space:
- Shoe hangers over the linen closet door for extra toothpaste, etc.
- Mount a magazine holder to the side of the cabinet for your hair dryer.
- Try suction cups – I use a great one on my mirror for my facial brush.
- Try adding shelving above the bathroom door for oversized items.

I hope all of this information has helped declutter and organize your bathroom so that it can be your spa at home! Self-care has become so important over the last twelve months, and having your own personal retreat space can be rejuvenating and calming. And who doesn’t want that!?!?

Where to start decluttering – 31 ways

January 10, 2021February 1, 2023 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

Do you struggle with the clutter and disorganization in your home? Do you even know where to start decluttering? Is it hard to find the time to clean it all up?
Are you ready to conquer your clutter for good this year?

I have 31 resources just for you, for under $30. It’s truly an amazing deal, whether you want to take a full inventory of your home, declutter your space and put cash in your pocket, or even create your own organization binder — this is the place for you!

Here’s how it works: My friends at Ultimate Bundles reached out to dozens of bloggers and authors who specialize in decluttering and organization, and got permission to offer some of their best resources at a 95% discount! Plus, they have a 30-Day Happiness Guarantee so you can try the bundle with no risk.
The Conquer Your Clutter Super Bundle is your chance to get 31 resources, that normally cost over $670.34, for only $29.97!

I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own.
This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Home Management, Personal Organization, Planners
9 eBooks, 9 ecourses, 7 planners, 6 printables

Overwhelmed with where to start decluttering?

Try this Starter Kit!

Did you know you have money in your cabinets?

Cash for Clutter

I love The Essential Decluttering Starter Kit printables. It has so much inside this one resource:

The Secret to Decluttering Success
Step-by-Step Decluttering Instructions
Planning Worksheets
Decluttering Schedules
The Secret to Decluttering Success
Step-by-Step Decluttering Instructions
Planning Worksheets
Decluttering Schedules

After you complete your decluttering goals, one of the great things you can do with the items you’re getting rid of is to sell them!

All of the how-tos about hosting a successful Yard Sale, including checklists and even signs to print
You can sell your items online and the handy tracker and calendar will help so much!
You can also sell on Facebook or on Craigslist

In addition to my favorite products above, I also want to mention a few other amazing products in this super bundle since you know I love my printables and my planners:

Declutter 365 Planner Labels – This terrific creator has given us daily decluttering and organization stickers as well as task-specific stickers. You can print and add these stickers into any planner that you currently use.
Cleaning Planner Pack – So many printable planner pages! Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seasonal, Spring, Declutter List, To-Do list, and even Chore Charts
Household Inventory Workbook – This extensive workbook has so much to offer, including suggested lists, a bunch of room by room checklists, and log pages. This is so helpful for your home or renter insurance.
Make It Easy Cleaning and Organizing Binder – There are so many checklists to choose from so you can customize your approach and pick and choose what works for you.

If you’re like me, you want to live in a clean, organized house. You wish you had the peace of mind that comes from tidying up. But when you look at the piles and think about actually decluttering, you start to feel overwhelmed. Make 2021 the year that you CONQUER YOUR CLUTTER!

Click on the timer to
get your bundle today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 20/20 rule for decluttering?

This rule states that if you can replace the item for under $20 and within 20 minutes, it can be safely decluttered. Although I would recommend only using this particular rule for items that you are on the fence about anyway.

What is the 90/90 rule for minimalism?

I actually like this rule better. It asks whether you’ve used the item within the last 90 days or will use it in the next 90 days. If it’s no to both, you can probably declutter it. Obviously this won’t really work for annual decorations such as a menorah or a Christmas tree.

What is the fastest way to declutter?

There are several theories about where to start. You can go room by room or category by category. You can start with the spaces you live in most of the time. Personally, I like to start with a good sweep of the whole house and gathering things that legitimately no longer work. I mean, what am I still doing with them? From there, I check hidden spaces next because chances are that the stuff at the back of the cabinets isn’t getting used at all.

10 Ways to Declutter Your Email

July 5, 2020May 16, 2023 Lori @ Touch of Organized5 Comments

Are you ready to declutter your emails? Is that bold number of unread emails taunting you in your sleep? Read the quick tips below and sign up to access the full tutorial!

For the full tutorial and your own mini e-book,
sign up for library access!

Now for the quick list! I know this is a quick version, but the mini eBook has a lot of helpful explanations and details and tips!

Ways to Declutter Emails – your personal inbox

We obviously have more flexibility with our personal emails than our work emails. These tips assume that you are using a service such as Yahoo or Gmail or Hotmail.

Unsubscribe to emails you just don’t find yourself ever opening. Take the time and click the link that should be at the bottom of every email. (This doesn’t work for that high school friend who forwards everything!)
Try using subfolders to keep things more organized. Not only does it keep your inbox cleaner, it also helps you locate something in the future.
Clean it out to avoid digital clutter. Delete the ones you don’t need. Just do it!
Be selective about who gets your email address. I used to sign up for a lot of newsletters, thinking “oh it’s just my email address, it doesn’t matter”. But when they start emailing you on a daily basis, it does start to matter. Sign up for what you are truly interested in and bypass the rest.
Don’t let checking emails take over your time. Personally, I’ve turned off my email notifications on my phone so that I don’t pop in every time something new comes in.

Ways to Declutter Emails – your work inbox

I get it. Many of the work emails we can’t avoid. But there are still some amazing ways to get them more organized, mostly so that you can locate what you need when you need it. Most of these tips are specifically related to Outlook.

Again, try using subfolders. This is especially important to keep your work communications organized.
Categories! Color code and organize by Category
Rules! Set up rules to sort emails automatically
Follow Up! Set reminders for yourself to follow up
Quick Steps! One-click little jobs like sorting emails or using an email template

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage too many emails?

Sometimes the incoming emails are just too many to manage all at once. I get it – if I go a day without checking one of my inboxes, I pop in and realize I have over 100 unread! It’s overwhelming enough you want to just give up and ignore it! But please don’t… I like to start by sorting by sender. If the email says “last chance” or “disappearing today” and they arrived several days ago — I just delete it without opening. I also have a good idea of whose emails I open every time (and whose I hardly ever open). The ones that I don’t tend to open, again I delete right away.

How do I organize my cluttered inbox?

Repeat after me and say it out loud — Folders are my friends. I try to only keep actionable items in my inbox and use it like a to-do list.

And deleting is a close second. Do you really need to keep everything? Probably not. Once you’ve deleted items you no longer need, sort the remaining into customized folders. Don’t sort until you’ve cleaned out.

How do I keep my inbox clean and decluttered?

Once you’ve spent all that time cleaning up the 1000s of emails in your inbox, you want to make sure it stays that way! Most email services (and Outlook for work) offer an automatic sorting feature. You can direct the service to deposit incoming emails into specific folders so that you can check them when you have time. If it’s actionable, move it back to your inbox until the task is complete. I also find that it helps to only keep the most recent email if the thread is getting too long.

You may also be interested in…

5 Ways Decluttering Can Maximize Your Resources

June 29, 2020March 9, 2023 Lori @ Touch of Organized6 Comments

I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own.
This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

I’ve created a handy workbook that will help you look at the ways you can declutter to maximize the resources you have, specifically time, paper, electronics, people, and space.

Sign up for the library password to get your copy today!

Time

Regarding your resource of time, I want to focus on three aspects for you to consider:
> Do you schedule downtime for yourself? If you aren’t practicing self-care, you will not be at your best for anyone else.
> What is your most productive time of day? Focus on getting your harder tasks done during that time frame.
> What are your biggest three time wasters? (Hint = consider the Electronics section below!)

Paper

> How can you reduce the paper you bring into your space? Figure out ways to not add to the piles!
> How can you efficiently store the paper you need to keep? Figure out what you actually do need and what’s the best way to store it.
> How can you reduce the paper that you create? Figure out if there is another way to save the information – PDF file, Excel spreadsheet, a subfolder in your Inbox. Imagine the environmental impact too!

Electronic

Cell phones, FitBits, laptops, smart TVs, desktops, tablets, and the list goes on. How much time to we spend staring at these electronic screens? Is your life such that you could build in some electronic-free time? Even just 30 minutes in an afternoon to take a walk and listen to the birds or color a picture with actual pen and paper. Just the sheer volume of emails in our Inbox can be enough to overwhelm us. Try unsubscribing to ones you never read and see what that little step can do to declutter one tiny area. (For more tips about managing your Inbox, sign up for your mini ebook and check out 10 Ways to Declutter Your Email)

People

This is a difficult area – “decluttering” people. It’s really not meant to sound harsh. People can be both a giving and a taking resource. But interpersonal interactions can sometimes demand time or emotional resources that we don’t have to give. It is important to make sure that these interactions add meaning and well-being to our lives without the unnecessary stress or strain or drama that depletes our resource bank. And we should also be aware of how we add meaning and well-being to others.

Space

In the workbook, the ‘space’ flowchart asks, do I really need to keep this item? But the bigger question might be, does it need to live in “daily space”? I have become increasingly focused on my “daily space”. The parts of my home that I look at all the time. That is the clutter that needs to be addressed first. Before looking at the hidden depths and unseen recesses, our daily space affects our daily well-being. In order to maximize our daily space areas, we should make sure that the items that occupy that space are the ones that need to live there.

Sign up below for the library password to get your copy today!