Decluttering Cure

If You Only Have 20 Minutes to Declutter, Here’s What to Do

published Sep 24, 2021
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Apartment Therapy’s Decluttering Cure is a free two-week decluttering program, guaranteed to leave you with a lighter, leaner home. Sign up here and get all 14 assignments delivered to your inbox.

If you’re overwhelmed by the messy state of your home, my best advice is to start small, and start with wherever it is that you spend the most time. For many people, that’s the living room.

We’re going to hit many rooms and many categories of clutter in this two-week decluttering challenge, but I want you to handle today’s mission with a specific frame of mind: Today, you’re practicing a quick routine that you can re-enact anytime you’re feeling like clutter is getting out of control.

All you need to do is take 20 minutes and clear up the place where you spend the most time…

Day 5: Declutter the living room for 20 minutes.

We did this a couple days ago in the kitchen, but here’s a recap of how a timed decluttering exercise works: Set a timer for 20 minutes and head to your living room, with laundry basket or something similar in hand.

While the clock is counting down, look for anything that’s trash, out of place, or just ready for a new home and gather it all up into your basket.

Where to Look:

  • on the coffee table
  • under and around the sofa
  • consoles and sofa tables
  • side tables
  • cubbies/drawers
  • bookcases
  • shelves
  • entertainment center
  • the floor

What to look for:

  1. Drinking glasses and mugs
  2. Broken or unused toys
  3. Books and magazines
  4. Paper clutter
  5. Old receipts
  6. Food and straw wrappers or other trash
  7. Instruction manuals
  8. CDs, DVDs, or vinyl records you don’t listen to or watch
  9. Video games
  10. Extra gaming accessories you don’t use
  11. Board games or puzzles
  12. Broken, outdated, or unused electronics
  13. Chargers and cords
  14. Shoes, handbags and accessories where they don’t belong
  15. Nail clippers, lotion, or other personal care items that don’t belong
  16. Blankets and throw pillows from other rooms
  17. In-progress work, hobbies or projects
  18. Art supplies, like markers or crayons
  19. Exercise equipment you’re not using
  20. Random objects and decor you don’t want to keep any more

When the timer stops, return everything to its proper home, or into trash, recycling, or your “sell” and “donate” boxes from day one. Then that’s it for today!

More Ways to Participate in the Decluttering Cure: