Did you know that the best way to tackle the clutter in your home is one room at a time? And did you know that the steps for decluttering your home are the same no matter which room (or closet, drawer, glove box, or anything) you’re decluttering? Here’s how to declutter any space in your home in just seven easy steps.
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It’s true. The best way to declutter is to do it one room at a time.
It’s also 100% true that the seven steps for decluttering are the same no matter what room or space you’re working on.
I call this your Decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S. strategy, using the acronym S.U.C.C.E.S.S to help remind me of the seven steps – and I’m going to teach it to you too.
How to Declutter Anything – In 7 Steps
Your Decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Strategy
Start Smart
The first S in your decluttering S.U.C.C.E.S.S strategy is for Start Smart.
Begin decluttering in a space that will give you the quickest wins with easy decisions and minimal sentimentality.
Ideally, decluttering starting places include areas like the bathroom, pantry, or coat closet where items are generally straightforward to assess, and sentimental attachments are next to nothing.
By starting where you can achieve a quick win, you build yourself up for more success rather than becoming discouraged by any perceived failures.
So, look around your home, maybe even do a walkthrough. In each room, jot down which spaces need decluttering the most, and then choose one to start with that is fairly easy to tackle based on the criteria of a quick win and starting smart.
Unload Your Space
The U in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Unload Your Space.
You want to completely empty the space you’re decluttering. This could be a room, a closet, or a drawer.
If you think you’re going to get overwhelmed easily, start small. Next, remove everything from the area so you can see the entire space and begin with a clean slate.
Things will seem worse when you’ve got all those things in a big pile, but don’t give up. Keep moving.
Categorize Your Things
The first C in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Categorize Your Things.
Once the space is empty, sort through the items you’ve removed and group them together, like with like.
For example, if you’re decluttering a closet or a wardrobe, gather all the tops – t-shirts, tank tops, etc. – in one pile. Put all the bottoms like shorts and pants in another, or even separate those out by category. Put your shoes in another pile.
This step helps you see how much you have of each type of item and makes it easier to identify duplicates or items you don’t need anymore.
Choose What to Keep
The second C in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Choose What to Keep.
Decluttering is not about lack or scarcity, but about creating a space for what matters most in your life.
Ask yourself questions like:
When was the last time I used this?
Do I have space for it?
Do I have more than one of this item?
These questions will help you decide what you should keep.
Eliminate What You Don’t Need
The E in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Eliminate What You Don’t Need.
Choose what to let go of.
Letting go of items that no longer serve you can be challenging, but it’s necessary. Otherwise, you’re just moving your mess around from one place to another, not making your home more clutter-free. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need and value.
Sell, Donate or Trash
The second S in S.U.C.C.E.S.S is for Sell, Donate, or Trash.
This is where you actually donate or toss the items that you’re parting with.
There are so many places that will take your used items like thrift stores, shelters, and sometimes even churches. Stores like H&M accept clothing, not even necessarily clothing you bought from them, but they take it to be recycled into other clothes. Do a search online for your area and choose your favorite place to donate to.
Don’t let those bags or boxes full of your discarded things sit around in your entryway or your trunk for days. Go and sell, donate, or trash them.
Savor the Peace
The final S in the S.U.C.C.E.S.S strategy for decluttering is Savor the Peace.
Take some time to savor your newly decluttered space, even if it’s just one closet or one drawer. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
Got questions about freeing up space in your home? Read the FAQs About Decluttering Your Home.
Summary
Decluttering is best done one room or space or drawer at a time. And the seven steps for decluttering every space are the same, and they follow the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. acronym:
Start Smart. Begin with a space that is easy to declutter and will give you a quick win.
Unload Your Space. Completely clear out the room or closet or drawer you’re decluttering. Start small if you feel like you’ll get overwhelmed.
Categorize Your Things. Sort like-with-like so you know what you’ve got.
Choose what to keep. Decide what you need or want to keep and what you have space for.
Eliminate What You Don’t Need. Decide what you can part with.
Sell, Donate, or Trash. Actually donate or toss the things that you’re getting rid of. Don’t let them take up your space any longer.
Savor the Peace. Breathe in your newly decluttered space, even if it’s just a drawer. Take a little time to truly enjoy and hold on to that feeling for the next time you need to tackle decluttering.
Start, unload, categorize, eliminate, sell, savor. Remember those 7 words that go with the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. acronym and you’ll be on your way to a clutter-free home you love!
If you want more room-specific details on decluttering your home read How to Declutter Your Home Room-by-Room.
How will you apply these tips to your home this week? How is your decluttering going? Let me know in the comments!