Are you ready to take action and get serious about eliminating clutter in your home? I am. If you read my secret to organization post recently, you know why this feels so important. Today I’ll share a clear, practical plan for tackling clutter in manageable steps. It doesn’t matter how much or how little clutter, time, or money you have, or whether you have toddlers or teens—this plan will work.
Since downsizing from a much larger house six years ago, I’ve been slowly transforming and streamlining our home so it can be a welcoming place for our family to recharge. It hasn’t happened overnight—life gets busy—but progress adds up.
If you’re a bit slow like me, don’t worry. Going slowly doesn’t mean you’re a hoarder; it just means you’re balancing other priorities. The good news is you can make steady daily progress. I can tell you for sure: slow and steady gets you there eventually. If I can do this, you can too.
Each small step has been rewarding. As I decluttered and rearranged room by room, I found new ways to make each space feel more useful and calm. The more you do, the more exciting it becomes to see how far you’ve come.
Last year I focused on organizing and beautifying each room. I considered what we needed and what we no longer used, then made changes to furniture placement, removed excess items, and simplified. Best of all, I got rid of so many things we didn’t need. I love having rooms filled only with things we use and love, and I’m much better at resisting new clutter now that I enjoy the feeling of a lighter home.
Although progress has been gradual, the results are worth it: my home feels lighter, fresher, and tidier. I didn’t finish everything I planned last year—I paused some projects for book deadlines—but I know what to tackle next. I’m giving myself grace for what didn’t get done, and I encourage you to do the same. Don’t be hard on yourself—just start now.
This year is a fresh start. I’m ready to continue clearing clutter, focusing on types of clutter room by room and going through every closet and drawer. Decluttering has changed how our home functions: the more you reduce, the less you want to bring in, and the easier it becomes to let go.
Kitchen Details
Would you like to join me in decluttering? Many readers told me they wanted motivation and a plan, so I’m inviting you to follow along. Below is the simple method I use: break clutter down into manageable categories and remove at least a bag of items from each area regularly. Donate what you can and toss what’s broken.
The approach is flexible. Some categories may take a month or more, others less. You can change the order, combine areas, or repeat a month if needed. The key is consistent progress rather than perfection.
HOW TO DECLUTTER:
My mantra for the year is: a bag a day keeps the clutter away.
1. Choose a clutter category you feel motivated to tackle first. You don’t have to follow the calendar rigidly—pick what works for you.
2. Each category suggests rooms or storage areas to focus on, but adapt the plan to your home.
3. For each area, fill at least one bag with items to donate or discard.
4. Keep going daily and monthly. Maintain the habit of removing a bag regularly, even if it’s small, so clutter doesn’t sneak back in.
5. Learn to say no to new clutter. As you see results, it becomes easier to refuse things that don’t fit your simplified home.
Decluttering tips:
1. Identify your clutter hot spots and tackle them with focused effort. Even a few minutes a day adds up.
2. Commit to consistency. Make it your goal to remove at least one bag from each category until there’s no similar clutter left. Don’t get bogged down organizing as you go—first prioritize removal, then organize if needed.
3. Keep only what you use or love. Be purposeful and focused on the end goal: a clutter-free home and the calm that comes with knowing where things are.
4. Let go of items you might need “just in case” unless they are truly valuable or meaningful. Holding onto things for unlikely future use keeps clutter in place.
5. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. The timeline depends on where you start, but you will see progress if you stay consistent.
This “Bag a Day” plan is about forming a lasting habit, not a short New Year’s fling. Find joy in a simpler, clutter-free home.
A bag a day keeps the clutter away!
So where should you begin? Here’s a year-long plan—choose what fits your life.
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 areas.
MARCH:
Beauty products, medicine cabinets, bathroom cabinets and drawers. Bathrooms.
APRIL:
Linens (towels, sheets, blankets) and cleaning supplies. Laundry room, linen closets, and under-sink storage.
MAY:
Pots, pans, dishes, small kitchen appliances, pantry items (spices, food, baking supplies). Kitchen and pantry.
JUNE:
Books, magazines, DVDs, electronics, games. Family rooms and media areas.
JULY:
Tools (yard tools, ladder, power tools, hardware), project materials and supplies. Garage and tool storage.
AUGUST:
Keepsakes (sentimental items, photos, albums) and kids’ artwork and mementos. Closets and shelves where memorabilia is stored.
SEPTEMBER:
Other family members’ clothing and children’s toys. Closets, bedrooms, playrooms, and school supplies.
OCTOBER:
Hobby supplies (sewing, crafts, gift wrap, gift cards). Craft closets and cabinets.
NOVEMBER:
Decorative items (seasonal decor, extra furniture, decor you don’t need). Storage areas like garages and basements.
DECEMBER:
Holiday decorations and entertaining supplies. Basements, cupboards, and storage rooms.
Happy decluttering! Come back and share how it’s going in the comments, or post updates on your blog so we can celebrate your progress.
