Decluttering

Decluttering these items gave her so much space.

I remember the relief I felt when my husband and I became homeowners — in part because we had so much more storage. And boy, did we proceed to use every last closet, corner, and cabinet. And just like that, we’ve spent nearly a decade in our home. I’m pretty sure that some of the things in the far corner of our coat closet have been there since we moved in. Decluttering is hard — especially when it comes to sentimental items.

When you’re done decluttering your home, you’re not only left with a much more organized space, but also a bunch of stuff that needs to go or find a new place to live. Whether that’s trash or items to donate, giveaway, or sell, here’s how you’re going to deal with everything you’ve just decluttered. Below, find out how to donate, sell, or give away decluttered items.

These tips work for every space.

There usually comes a point in the decluttering process when you can’t decide if you really want to get rid of or keep a certain item. If you’ve ever faced this dilemma, there’s a brilliant strategy that can help you make a decision.Enter: the “box and banish” method. Here’s how it works.The “box and banish” method is a decluttering strategy where you fill up an empty box with items you’re unsure about keeping or letting go.

Decluttering items with sentimental value is no easy feat. These possessions were once loved and can represent people, places, and experiences that mean a lot to us, so letting them go can often leave you feeling guilty. But letting go of an object doesn’t mean letting go of the person or memory attached to it, and if something no longer feels meaningful or worth keeping then it’s OK to consider parting with it.

It completely changed how my living room looks and feels.

Frequently decluttering your home is a great way to keep your place looking clean and organized. But it’s not a complete fix for future problems. For that, you’ll need to look at your current organizational systems and see how you can improve them to stop clutter before it starts. Here’s how to prevent clutter from taking over your home.For today’s assignment, we’ll be doing just one thing to help prevent clutter. (Future you will be so thankful!

The way you organize your bathroom can make a big difference in how well the space functions. That’s why regular decluttering is so important.Here’s how to give your bathroom a quick refresh with our go-to decluttering strategy.Today we’ll declutter the bathroom as efficiently as possible. Set aside some dedicated time (15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or whatever timeframe works for you!) to complete this task, and only work on the areas that apply to you.

As the place where you start and end your day, your bedroom should feel peaceful and tidy so you can rest and recharge with ease. But if it’s currently a mess, that can directly affect both of those things. That’s why it’s so important to declutter and organize your bedroom. Here’s how to declutter your bedroom, including where and what to look for.

When you think about the items cluttering your home, you might immediately think of the mail pile by the entryway, the “clothes chair” in your bedroom, or even hidden messes, like the ones behind drawers, cabinets, or closet doors. But there’s another type of clutter that’s just as important to address, even if it doesn’t feel as visible or physical as the rest.

Clutter can sneak up on you if you’re not regularly decluttering your home and implementing organizational systems that actually work for you. One minute you’ll be tossing just one shirt onto your dedicated “clothes chair,” and the next there’s an entire wardrobe sitting there. Clutter can be even harder to tame when it’s hiding in a spot you’re not checking often.

They serve as functional decor.

Paper clutter is often one of the hardest types of clutter to sift through because it’s a blend of practical items you hold onto “just in case” (like receipts, bills, and bank statements) and sentimental things that you might feel slightly guilty about getting rid of (such as birthday cards, photos, and ticket stubs). Plus, it’s often spread out in piles across your home (think: a junk drawer, the entryway, or a closet).

When it comes to closet organization, decluttering your clothes is essential. Whether it’s taking stock of items you no longer love, that don’t suit you, or that are beyond repair, it’s important to regularly declutter one of the main spots where you store your wardrobe. Here’s how to declutter your clothes like a pro organizer to give your closet the refresh it deserves.Before you start decluttering, think about why your closet gets so cluttered in the first place.

As one of the most-used spots in your home, the kitchen is prone to getting messy — from the cabinets to the drawers and everything in between. That’s why it’s so important to regularly tidy and declutter this busy spot to prevent clutter from taking over. The best way to get your kitchen organized is to declutter one spot at a time. Here’s how to do it.

Junk drawers are home to far more than just “junk.” Yes, the odd or random item can end up here, but most of the time they’re filled with necessary items, like pens, rubber bands, scissors, charging cords, or even receipts for something you intend to return. Because they’re a spot where miscellaneous things gather, junk drawers can often get super messy. Fortunately, a quick decluttering session can snap yours back into shape.

Decluttering can be mentally demanding, as it requires you to make a lot of decisions about items that may have meant a lot to you at one point or another. So before you can actually physically declutter anything, you have to make sure you’re emotionally prepared for it. To get ready for all the decluttering you plan to do, start by choosing a guiding principle and setting some ground rules. Here’s how.

When it comes to decluttering your home, there are a few steps you have to take before you can actually get rid of anything. The first one is extremely important and requires you to set up three boxes — that’s it! It sounds simple, but it’ll lay the groundwork for a truly productive decluttering session. It’s also the first task of Apartment Therapy’s Decluttering Cure, a completely free 14-day program that’ll help you declutter your home (sign up now!).

Here’s what my dad downsized after 30 years of living in his house.

I wish I'd known it sooner.

Her tips transformed the space.

It saves money, too.

It made the process so much easier.

When it comes to decluttering, what stops me — more often than not — from getting rid of items is not knowing where to start, feeling dread about saying goodbye to sentimental items, and tossing an item I may possibly still need. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.I’ve experienced all the above, but when I adopted the “Limbo Box” method for decluttering, it changed everything.Here’s how I approach the “limbo box” method for decluttering.

I wish I'd known about it sooner.

It was shockingly easy.

I asked a pro organizer who works with empty-nesters.

They're brilliant.

Decluttering your home is an ongoing process — sometimes it’s quick and easy, other times, it’s hard and emotional. Regardless of how big or small the project, it’s best to take things one step at a time. By breaking it down into manageable stages, something that once felt impossible suddenly feels completely achievable.Ready to get started?

I feel so much lighter.

Consider this your permission to declutter.

Everything is so much more functional.

Consider this your permission to let go of the clutter.

It’s unrecognizable.

So simple, yet so effective.

I sent it a photo, and here's what it said.

It was so easy.

I'm going to try it everywhere now.

After helping my mom pare down, here’s what I learned.

Her tips were game-changing.

I can’t believe how easy it was.

It’s going to save my routine.

I can finally see the floor!

It’s had such a huge effect on my style, spending, and organization.

Now I want one in every room.

I'm going to use it everywhere now.

It was so much easier than it normally is.

It makes it so much less stressful.

You’d never guess this decorative item was acting as storage.

I couldn’t believe it.

I got rid of so many things!

It was so satisfying.

I should've done this sooner!

It was incredibly easy.

It doesn't have to be so overwhelming.

So you can relax during spring without constantly reaching for tissues.

It made tackling clutter so easy!