7 ways to keep clutter out of your home

A spotless home not only lowers stress and calms your mind: it improves concentration, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

However, maintaining order isn’t always simple – managing clutter can be challenging!

New items start showing up, old bits refuse to budge, and before you know it, chaos reigns.

But no need to panic: with a few smart actions, you can get everything in its place and turn your home into a serene haven.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you buy something after clicking on a link, I’ll earn a few pennies to help me keep creating posts like this, at no extra cost to you!

1. Adopt the one-in, one-out rule

The one-in, one-out concept is an effective trick for maintaining a streamlined environment.

Bring in a shiny new mug, a weird but wonderful bit of art, or yet another ‘essential’ shirt? Well, it’s time to pack away something else, preferably a dusty old item you’ve been pretending holds sentimental value.

This not only helps you organise your belongings but also encourages you to be more mindful of what you keep.

It prompts you to reconsider impulsive purchases of gadgets you may use only once before discarding them like an unwanted houseplant.

Should a donation box or corner be set aside, items are more likely to leave your space quickly and find a second home elsewhere.

2. Create a daily decluttering routine

A daily 10- to 15-minute clean-up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your home clean. Focus on the entrance hall, where mail and trainers pile up, or the lounge table, which attracts random items.

Let the process be lively. You can play some upbeat music or set a timer challenge to see how quickly you can restore order.

Involving the whole household adds an element of friendly competition that keeps things entertaining and ensures everyone pitches in.

You can also create a checklist for those trouble spots like the kitchen counter, desks, or side tables, ticking tasks off as you breeze through them.

Tracking small achievements fuels your motivation because you’ll witness genuine progress over time.

Overall, cleaning every day keeps your environment organised and makes you feel accomplished when you take a moment to appreciate how orderly it is.

3. Utilise storage solutions effectively

Sensible storage options are indispensable if you want a home that looks polished and functions like a dream.

Think about employing bins, baskets, and even sleek shelving units that corral potential mess, making it far easier to stay on top of daily maintenance.

Baskets can be both stylish and practical, especially if you choose designs that complement your space and hold frequently used items, such as blankets or children’s toys.

Wall-mounted shelves are fantastic for displaying treasured ornaments or framed photos, freeing up precious floor space and giving your decor a dash of flair.

Labels are like the quiet champions of a tidy space, aren’t they?

When everyone knows what goes where, the odds of a jumbled coffee table diminish significantly, so go ahead and pop a cheeky label on that jar or storage box.

Point out that one excellent way to take advantage of vertical space is to arrange high shelving or stacked storage areas.

Utilising beds or settees with in-built drawers is perfect for storing items that are rarely used, including garments not in season or festive ornaments that’s used annually.

Moreover, choose versatile furniture which complements your taste, such as footstools with hidden compartments or coffee tables equipped with shelves.

4. Declutter by category, not location

A well-known decluttering approach recommends sorting items by category rather than by place, and many find it to be a highly favorable method.

Begin by rounding up every item of clothing from your wardrobes, drawers, and even that mysterious chair you keep piling garments on.

Seeing all your outfits together can be an eye-opener. You’ll realise you’ve been hoarding the same style of jumper in five different shades of grey.

Hanging onto objects that ‘spark joy’ is the name of the game, so pass along anything that has lost its charm or simply doesn’t resonate with you anymore.

Then repeat the routine with books or kitchen gadgets, making sure you genuinely need or cherish each piece before it stakes a permanent claim in your household.

Scheduling a free afternoon is often a good call, as you can mull over each item’s worth without feeling rushed.

By the end of this sorting spree, what’s left should be a collection of belongings that genuinely enhance your life. You’ll feel as light as a feather when you walk into a room and see only the things you actually use and adore.

5. Involve the whole family

Encourage everyone under your roof to appreciate the perks of an uncluttered abode, from having more room for impromptu dance-offs to easily locating lost chargers before they vanish into the ether.

This unified understanding can spur enthusiasm for group clean-up sessions and shared responsibilities.

Implement a ‘Family Blitz’ day once a week, assigning each person a specific zone—perhaps the living area, the kid’s toy corner, or the dining table known for collecting stray letters.

Offering small incentives or turning the session into a race can liven things up and keep participants on task.

Another clever idea is to treat the group to a game night or a well-deserved pizza if certain organisational milestones are met. This approach elevates chores from a dreaded necessity to a fun-filled affair that binds everyone together.

With each member feeling a dash of accountability, you’ll likely notice a decline in random mess materialising in every nook and cranny.

It’s like all hands on deck—sailing towards a pristine paradise without the usual tantrums and grumbles.

6. Set clear boundaries for each space

Deciding the primary function of each room is a nifty way to keep possessions from meandering all over.

Perhaps proclaim the dining area as strictly for eating and social gatherings, while the lounge becomes your cherished cocoon for reading or TV marathons.

Make sure to discuss these designations with the family, ensuring everyone understands the game plan.

Sticky notes or quirky signs can work wonders as gentle reminders to pop those rogue items back in their rightful spots.

In larger areas, consider partitioning them into zones—a cosy reading nook, a workstation, or a play area for the little ones—so that each activity has a definite home.

Remembering these boundaries every few months helps prevent creeping disorder.

This is like ‘nipping things in the bud,’ allowing you to keep your home running smoothly without frustration.

7. Make use of digital tools

With smartphones and tablets glued to our hands, why not harness their power to organise your day-to-day life?

Apps such as Sortly or Home Inventory can be used to catalogue items, so you never have to question if you own a particular pan or gadget.

In the meanwhile, smart calendars, like those provided by Apple or Google, can serve as a reminder when it’s time to hoover, dust or clear out the refrigerator of leftovers from the previous week.

Enabling these alerts allows you to break seemingly insurmountable jobs into smaller, more manageable ones.

Also, creating a virtual wishlist can prevent impulsive purchases and disorder. If you often shop spontaneously, this simple habit gives you time to reconsider before adding new items to your space.

You can avoid regrets and squandered money by adding items to the list and giving yourself a cooling-off period.

If all else fails and you’re as busy as a Londoner during peak hour, hiring a professional cleaner could be just the ticket.

Conclusion

Having a well-organised home isn’t impossible. It just requires a little thought and constant, proactive action.

Implementing these suggestions, such as the one-in, one-out approach or digital reminders, creates a welcoming living atmosphere instead of a cluttered one.

You will soon become accustomed to keeping a calm environment, and your house will seem significantly more spacious.

This is a collaborative post.