The Ultimate Guide to Declutter Your Home: Transform Chaos into an Organised Life Aesthetic
- Studio Jeandré
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
In today's fast-paced world, our homes can quickly become repositories for clutter, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The journey to an organised life aesthetic isn't just about tidiness—it's about creating a serene, intentional space that supports your well-being. Whether you're seeking declutter help for a single room or your entire house, this comprehensive guide provides a practical decluttering list, proven organising tips, and inspiration to achieve that satisfying before and after declutter transformation.
Why Declutter? The Foundation of True Home Organisation
Decluttering is the essential first step in any effective household organisation system. It’s the process of removing the excess—the items that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy—to make room for what truly matters. This act of curation is the core philosophy behind methods like Marie Kondo organising, which emphasises keeping only those possessions that "spark joy." The benefits extend far beyond a tidy shelf: a decluttered space reduces anxiety, saves time, increases productivity, and forms the foundation for all subsequent organisation ideas for home.
Your Room-by-Room Decluttering List
Tackling your entire home at once can be daunting. Instead, break it down with this targeted decluttering list. Focus on one area per session to maintain momentum and see tangible progress.
1. The Entryway: First Impressions Matter
Start with the space you see first. A cluttered entryway sets a chaotic tone for your entire home.
Decluttering Tips: Remove shoes not in regular use. Sort through mail and keys immediately. Install simple hooks for bags and coats.
Home Organisation Tips: Use a console table with drawers to corollary small items like dog leashes and sunglasses. A tray for everyday items prevents scatter.
2. The Kitchen: Clearing Countertop Chaos
The heart of the home deserves to be functional and kitchen counterops clear.
Decluttering Tips: Empty one cupboard at a time. Discard expired food, duplicate utensils, and gadgets you haven't used in a year. Be ruthless with mismatched containers.
Organising Hacks: Use drawer dividers for utensils. Install shelf risers in cabinets. Group items by function (baking, coffee, spices).
3. The Living Room: Creating a Calm Oasis
This shared space should invite relaxation, not distraction.
Decluttering Tips: Gather all remotes into one basket. Recycle old magazines. Sort through DVDs, books, and video games. Tuck away excessive throw blankets and pillows.
Organisation Ideas for Home: Implement hidden storage in your living room like ottomans with lids or stylish baskets under the coffee table for blankets and toys. Use built in shelving as an opportunity to display aesthetic books and home decor.
4. The Bedroom: Cultivate a Sanctuary for Rest
Your bedroom should be a peaceful retreat, free from the mental load of clutter.
Decluttering Tips: Start with the nightstand, removing everything but a lamp, a book, and perhaps a glass of water. Then, tackle under the bed.
Home Organising Focus: Make your bed every morning—this single act instantly creates a sense of home organisation.
5. The Bathroom: Streamline Your Routine
Prevent the "product graveyard" of half-used bottles and expired medications in your bathroom.
Decluttering Tips: Empty the medicine cabinet and vanity. Toss anything expired, empty, or that you simply don't like. Consolidate duplicate products.
Organising Hacks: Use clear, stackable bins in cabinets to group categories: first aid, hair care, dental. A shower caddy limits bottle proliferation.
Mastering Closet Organisation Ideas
The closet is often the most emotionally challenging space to declutter. Follow this streamlined approach:
The Complete Empty: Take everything out. This reset is powerful for a true before and after declutter moment.
The KonMari Category Sort: Inspired by Marie Kondo organising, handle every item. Ask, "Does this spark joy?" or "Have I worn this in the last year?"
The Practical Edit: Be honest about fit, condition, and lifestyle. Thank items for their service and let them go.
The Organised Return: Group remaining items by category (all tops together), then by colour. This is a cornerstone of effective closet organisation ideas.
Launch a 30-Day Decluttering Challenge
For those who thrive on structure, a timed decluttering challenge can provide the necessary push. Here’s a simple framework:
Week 1 (The Easy Wins): Focus on junk drawers, paper piles, and surface clutter.
Week 2 (The Visible Spaces): Tackle living areas, kitchen counters, and visible shelves.
Week 3 (The Hidden Spaces): Dive into closets, cabinets, and under beds.
Week 4 (The Digital & Sentimental): Organise digital files and finally sort through those memory boxes.
Document your progress with photos! The before and after declutter comparison will be your most powerful motivator.
Advanced Organising Tips and Organising Hacks
Once you've decluttered, maintaining order is key.
Here are pro home organisation tips:
The One-In, One-Out Rule: For every new item that enters your home, commit to removing one. This prevents re-accumulation.
Give Everything a "Home": The most crucial of all organising tips. If an item doesn't have a designated spot, it will become clutter.
Containerise Smartly: Use uniform, labelled bins. This is a classic organising hack that makes systems intuitive for the whole household.
The 10-Minute Daily Tidy: Set a timer for 10 minutes each evening to quickly reset your main living spaces. This habit is transformative for household organisation.
How to Organise Your Home with the KonMari Method
Marie Kondo organising offers a philosophical approach to how to organise your home. The method isn't just about throwing things away; it's about consciously choosing what to keep. The core principles are:
Commit to Tidying Up: Go all in, rather than doing a little each day.
Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle: Visualise the calm, organised life aesthetic you want to create. This is your "why."
Finish Discarding First: Decluttering must always precede finding storage solutions.
Tidy by Category, Not Location: Gather all items of a single category (e.g., all clothes from every room) to make informed decisions.
Follow the Correct Order: Categories are tackled in this sequence: Clothes, Books, Papers, Komono (miscellany), Sentimental Items.
The final step in how to organise your home is maintenance. Home organisation is not a one-time project but an ongoing practice. Schedule seasonal "declutter refreshes" to reassess your possessions. Your needs and tastes will evolve, and your space should reflect that.
Embrace the process of creating systems that work for your life. The goal is not a picture-perfect, sterile home, but a functional, peaceful environment that feels authentically yours—the true embodiment of an organised life aesthetic. Start small, celebrate each cleared drawer, and enjoy the profound sense of calm and control that comes with a thoughtfully decluttered home.
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