You Should Use “Outboxes” Every Time You Declutter (It’s the Smartest Trick!)
Apartment Therapy’s Decluttering Cure is a free two-week decluttering program that’ll help you achieve a tidier home. Sign up here and get all 14 assignments delivered to your inbox.
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 why you should set up three outboxes before decluttering.
Day 1: Set Up Your Three Outboxes for Decluttering
Outboxes are catchall spots that hold any items you end up decluttering, whether you plan to donate, sell, or reconsider them. They don’t have to be traditional cardboard boxes; in fact, you can (and should!) use what you have at home to store things in, like an unused storage cube, old shipping box, or even a garbage bag. Speaking of which, you should also consider having trash bags nearby for any trash or recycling.
Label each box accordingly: “DONATE,” for things that are in good shape and you want to donate or give away to friends and family; “MAYBES,” for things you are undecided about — whether you’re not sure you want to get rid of them or just need to find a new place for them (you can also set aside items to fix here too); and “SELL,” for things that are in good condition and sellable. (You can skip the last one if you don’t intend to sell anything.) Then, select a spot for your outboxes to stay during the decluttering process. It should be easily accessible, but out of the way, such as in the back of your closet (that’s where I keep mine!) or a corner of your room.
More Ways to Participate in the Decluttering Cure:
- Sign up for email updates.
- Visit the 2026 Decluttering Cure page and catch up on assignments.
- Download the Decluttering Cure calendar.
- Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall Decluttering Cure progress here!
- See all the winners from our 2026 Organization Awards to get your home organized.
The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.