Are you ready to take action and get serious about eliminating clutter in your home? I am. If you saw my recent post about the secret to getting organized, today I’ll share a practical plan for tackling clutter so you can make steady, meaningful progress. This approach works no matter how much clutter you have, how busy your schedule is, or whether you have toddlers or teens.
After downsizing from a much larger house six years ago, I’ve been slowly transforming our home into a streamlined, welcoming place for our family to rest and recharge. It hasn’t been instant — life gets busy — but small consistent steps have added up to big change.
If you’re like me and move at a steady, measured pace, don’t worry. Slow progress is still progress. You don’t need to be perfect; just keep going. I’ve learned several techniques that helped me make steady improvements, and each small success made me more motivated to continue.
Slow and steady gets you there eventually. If I can do it, you can too. Each step toward a less cluttered home has been rewarding, and the more I clear out, the more inspiring the results become.
Last year I focused on organizing and beautifying each room. Room by room I assessed what we needed and what we didn’t, rearranged furniture, decluttered, and made changes so each space felt more like home.
My favorite result is getting rid of so much unnecessary stuff. Now each room contains mostly things we love and actually use, and I resist adding more because I love how light and calm the house feels.
The transformation has been gradual but worthwhile. My home feels fresher and tidier than before. I didn’t finish every project last year — book deadlines and life took precedence — but I know what’s next and I’m ready to move forward.
I give myself grace for what didn’t get done, and you should too. Don’t be hard on yourself about the past. Just start now.
This year is a fresh start. I’m ready to focus on the remaining clutter by tackling specific types of items and going through every closet and drawer. I’ve already seen how much better life is with less stuff — the more you declutter, the easier it becomes to let go.
Kitchen Details
Would you like to join me in decluttering your home? Many readers asked for motivation and a plan, so I’m inviting you along. Below is the method I’m using — simple, adaptable steps that help you remove excess one bag at a time.
Break clutter into manageable categories, fill one bag per area, then donate or discard it. Some categories might take a month or more to finish, others less. Customize the order and duration to suit your home. The goal is consistent progress.
HOW TO DECLUTTER:
My mantra: A bag a day keeps the clutter away.
1. Choose a clutter category that motivates you first. You don’t have to follow the monthly order—pick what works.
2. Each category suggests areas of the house to focus on. Adapt these suggestions to fit your home.
3. For each area, fill at least one bag with items to donate or throw away.
4. Continue daily and monthly. Keep removing excess until your home feels clutter-free. Even small bags help prevent clutter from creeping back in.
5. Say no to new clutter. As you see results, it gets easier to resist unnecessary purchases and incoming items.
Decluttering tips:
1. Identify your clutter hot spots and commit to focused effort each month. Even a few minutes a day adds up.
2. Consistency matters. Aim to remove at least one bag per category until that type of clutter is gone. Don’t get bogged down organizing as you go — focus on getting rid of items first.
3. Keep only what you use or love. Be decisive and keep the end goal in mind: a clutter-free home that brings peace and easy maintenance.
4. Let go of items you might need “just in case” unless they are truly precious. Holding onto nonessential things for hypothetical use usually creates more clutter than value.
5. Slow and steady wins the race. The timeline varies — a year or more — but steady progress leads to a lasting habit and a calmer home.
This “Bag a Day” plan isn’t a short-lived New Year’s project; it’s about forming a habit that keeps your home clear and enjoyable.
A bag a day keeps the clutter away!
So where should you begin decluttering? Here’s a year-long plan — choose what fits you.
TWELVE MONTHS OF DECLUTTERING A BAG A DAY CALENDAR:
JANUARY:
Clothes, bags, shoes, accessories (including seasonal items), dressers, closets, nightstands, master bedroom.
FEBRUARY:
Papers, files, calendars, office drawers, command centers, home office.
MARCH:
Beauty products, medicine cabinets, bathroom cabinets — bathroom areas.
APRIL:
Linens (towels, sheets, blankets) and cleaning supplies — laundry room, linen closets, under sinks.
MAY:
Pots, pans, dishes, kitchen electronics, pantry items (spices, food, baking supplies) — kitchen and pantry.
JUNE:
Books, magazines, DVDs, electronic devices, games — family rooms and media storage.
JULY:
Tools (yard tools, ladders, power tools, hardware), project materials — garage, tool bench, storage areas.
AUGUST:
Keepsakes (sentimental items, photos, albums) and kids’ drawings and mementos — closets, bookshelves, storage spots.
SEPTEMBER:
Other family members’ clothes and kids’ toys — closets, bedrooms, playrooms, school supplies.
OCTOBER:
Hobby supplies (sewing, crafts, gift wrap, gift cards) — craft cabinets and closets.
NOVEMBER:
Decorative and seasonal items, extra furniture or decor you don’t need — storage areas like the garage or basement.
DECEMBER:
Holiday decorations and entertaining supplies — basements, cupboards, garages.
Happy decluttering! Come back and share how it’s going in the comments, or post updates on your blog and share a link so others can follow your progress.
