7 Rules of Decluttering: How to Start Decluttering Your Home the Right Way

Start Small Instead of Doing Everything at Once

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to declutter the entire house in one weekend. That approach often leads to frustration, exhaustion, and unfinished piles.

Instead, start with one small area, such as:

• A single junk drawer
• One bathroom cabinet
• A section of the garage
• A coat closet

You can spend just a bit of time each day, such as 10–15 minutes, decluttering a small area like a single drawer. Focusing on a bit at a time helps avoid burnout and keeps the process manageable. Small wins build momentum and make the process less overwhelming.

Beth Blacker even recommends setting a timer for just 20 minutes a day, focusing on one manageable space at a time. 

Use the “Keep, Donate, Toss” System

A simple sorting method is one of the most important rules of decluttering. As you go through items, place everything into one of three categories:

• Keep – Items you use regularly and truly need
• Donate – Items in good condition that someone else can use
• Toss – Broken, outdated, or unusable items

Another effective decluttering technique is the four box method, where you sort items into four labeled boxes: ‘keep’, ‘throw away’, ‘donate’, and ‘sell’. This helps streamline your decision making and organization.

You can also try the Three-Box Method, which uses boxes labeled “Trash/Recycle,” “Donate/Sell,” and “Put Away” to help you make quick decisions about each item. This prevents clutter from being moved around instead of removed.

Don’t Keep Items Out of Guilt

Many people hold onto things because of emotional attachment or guilt, such as:

• Gifts they never use
• Clothing that no longer fits
• Old hobby supplies
• Furniture they’ve “meant to fix” for years

One of the toughest but most freeing rules of decluttering is realizing:
If it no longer serves you, it’s okay to let it go.

Beth Blacker puts it simply:

“If everything is valuable, nothing’s valuable.”

That mindset can be especially helpful when you’re sorting sentimental clutter.

Declutter Before You Organize

It’s tempting to buy storage bins or shelving right away, but organization won’t solve the problem if you still have too much stuff.

Declutter first.

Once unnecessary items are gone, organizing what remains becomes much easier and more effective. When using storage solutions, make sure they are not filled to capacity, use them intentionally to avoid overcrowding after decluttering. Organizing by category, rather than by room, also helps you see how much of each type of item you own and prevents duplicate purchases.

Beth also warns homeowners not to get too caught up in trendy organizing solutions pushed online, since they can backfire and waste time and money.

Set a Timer to Avoid Burnout

Decluttering doesn’t need to take all day.

Try using a time-based method:

• 20 minutes per day
• One hour on weekends
• A quick “declutter sprint” after work

Setting a timer keeps the process manageable and helps prevent decision fatigue.

Consistency is more important than doing everything at once.  Once you set a decluttering schedule or routine, stick to it to maintain progress and prevent clutter from piling up.

Daily Resets involve spending 5–10 minutes each evening returning items to their designated homes, making it easier to keep your space organized.

Beth Blacker emphasizes that decluttering should be seen as a lifestyle change, not a one-time cleanup project.

Have a Disposal Plan Ready

One of the most overlooked rules of decluttering is planning what happens to everything you remove.

Trash bags may work for small cleanouts, but larger projects create much more waste, such as:

• Old furniture
• Broken appliances
• Renovation debris
• Yard cleanup materials
• Years of accumulated junk

Without a disposal plan, clutter can end up sitting in the driveway or garage, slowing your progress. It’s important to deal with unwanted items promptly after decluttering to keep your space organized. Having a plan to get rid of items quickly, whether by donating, recycling, or disposing, helps you maintain momentum and prevents clutter from piling up again. Setting up a concealed donation bin or area can also help keep your home tidy while you work through the decluttering process.

That’s why many homeowners choose a dumpster rental for larger decluttering projects.

Use the 20/20 Method for “Just in Case” Items

One of the most common reasons people struggle with decluttering is holding onto items “just in case” they might need them someday.

That’s where the 20/20 method comes in — one of the most practical rules of decluttering.

Ask yourself:

• Can I replace this item for under $20?

• Can I replace it in under 20 minutes?

If the answer is yes to both, it’s usually safe to let it go.

This rule helps you confidently part with items that are easy to replace but take up valuable space in your home. Instead of holding onto rarely used вещи, you create more room for the things you actually use and enjoy.