{"id":73138,"date":"2023-04-27T10:35:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T17:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?page_id=73138"},"modified":"2023-12-04T13:35:10","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T21:35:10","slug":"decluttering-checklist-to-curb-the-clutter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/decluttering-checklist-to-curb-the-clutter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Room-By-Room Decluttering Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creating a decluttering checklist is an excellent way to begin organizing your home and simplifying your life. Along with helping you take stock of your belongings, lists can help you stay on track and prioritize the areas that need attention. However, following your checklist can be difficult with so many distractions in everyday life. Luckily, we can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you live in a <\/span>Wilmington, NC, apartment<\/span><\/a> or a <\/span>Brentwood, CA, home<\/span><\/a>, read on for Redfin\u2019s ultimate decluttering checklist, plus expert-backed tips to help you clear the clutter once and for all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Decluttering checklist basics<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Keep your expectations in check<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your first step is not getting ahead of yourself and having appropriate expectations of your space. \u201cIf your home is 1,500 square feet, don\u2019t expect it to hold the stuff of a 12,000 square foot home,\u201d advises Ryan Eiesland, owner of <\/span>Home Sort<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNot all items you purchase are meant to last more than 20 years, so it\u2019s ok to use an item for a season and then let it go.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Establish a decluttering checklist<\/span><\/h3>\n

A decluttering checklist is a valuable tool for organizing and tidying your space. \u201cBy noting the time required for each task, you can manage your schedule effectively and increase efficiency,\u201d says Jamie Steele, owner of <\/span>Tidy Your Time<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAs you gain experience, your ability to estimate task durations will improve, allowing you to create a practical plan for a clutter-free environment.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Set an intention before starting your organization project<\/span><\/h3>\n

Without a solid plan for getting started, organizing projects can create more chaos instead of helping. To help, <\/span>Star Hansen<\/span><\/a>, a Certified Professional Organizer, suggests setting a clear intention by asking yourself three simple questions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. What do you want to do in this space?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. How do you want this space to feel?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. How do you want this space to look?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cOnce you answer these questions, you have the necessary clarity to help you with every hard decision,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Another option is to learn how much time tasks will require. \u201cBy noting the time each task requires, you can manage your schedule effectively and increase your efficiency,\u201d says Jamie Steele, owner of <\/span>Tidy Your Time<\/span><\/a>. \u201cOver time, your ability to estimate task durations will improve, allowing you to create more detailed and practical decluttering plans.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

    4. Sort items into three categories<\/span><\/h3>\n

    To start a decluttering project, work from room to room and form three piles: donate, keep, and store. \u201cYou can also involve your kids in the organizing process and teach them how to declutter,\u201d suggests Audrey Kuether, founder of <\/span>Oh So Lovely<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Marta Parfan, owner of <\/span>Well Arranged Home<\/span><\/a>, recommends focusing on one group of items at a time, such as jeans, shirts, or jackets. \u201cBy focusing on a single category, you\u2019ll be able to compare similar items and make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to let go of,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The team at <\/span>Organizing Genies<\/span><\/a> also believes organizing and categorizing is key. \u201cCollecting and grouping related items helps you see how many items you have and which categories they belong to,\u201d they say. \u201cPhysically separating items from each other helps make the process easier and allows you to get rid of more unnecessary items.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Lastly, Brennan Reid, owner of <\/span>Aristotle Organizing<\/span><\/a>, agrees that categorization is key. \u201cCategorization is especially useful if you\u2019re organizing a drawer, cabinet, or pantry,\u201d he says. \u201cTake everything out and sort through your items, categorizing them so you can see what you use and what you can get rid of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    5. Wear gloves to create an emotional barrier<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Touching your items can trigger emotional responses, making it harder to let them go. \u201cWearing gloves creates a barrier to help limit those emotional responses, making it easier to let go,\u201d notes Cassie Thompson, owner of <\/span>Serene Spaces<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAdditionally, the longer you touch your items, the more value you associate with them.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Decluttering checklist for the entryway\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    1. Prioritize action items<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Action items like Amazon returns, clothing alterations, and home projects are usually the first things to clutter a home. \u201cTo organize them, give them a labeled bin and take care of them if the bin starts to overflow,\u201d says Angela Joyce, owner of <\/span>Unveil By Design<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThis way, you can gain accountability without letting items overflow your home.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Control your paper<\/span><\/h3>\n

    If stacks of paper are still threatening to take over your home, use these tips from Eliza Cross, owner of <\/span>Happy Simple Living<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n