17 Insanely Simple Decluttering Habits for a Clutter-Free Home

Transforming your space into a clutter-free zone is not only about a one-time cleanup, it’s about building daily habits that keep your home looking clean and simple. Without any further do, let’s dive into 17 habits that will keep your home clutter-free.

17 Decluttering Habits for a clutter-free home

1. Designate Specific Locales for Items

Make sure all your stuff has a place to call home. Your keys, bags, and even your mail should have their own spot. If you can’t find a spot for something, maybe it’s time to think if you really need it. Like, do you really need five different chargers lying around? Decluttering starts with organization. When everything has a place, you reduce the chance of things just laying around. It also makes finding stuff way easier. You won’t be late because you couldn’t find your keys. It’s all about making your daily life simpler and smoother.

2. Identify and Address Clutter-free Zones

Every house has got those spots where clutter just loves to chill. Could be your kitchen counter, could be your entryway. Find those spots and tackle them head-on. These are the places where things tend to pile up without you even noticing. One day it’s clean, and the next, you can’t even see the surface. Take a minute each day to clear these spots. It’ll keep your home looking tidy and save you from those massive clean-up days. And, isn’t it nicer to live in a space that’s clutter-free.

3. Establish Robust Paperwork Management Systems

Get yourself a filing system that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out. Keep it simple and functional. No more piles of mail and random notes everywhere. You don’t need a fancy system. Just a few folders or even a box where you can sort stuff out. Bills in one place, important documents in another. It’ll save you so much time and stress. And next time you need to find that one letter, you’ll know exactly where it is.

4. Implement the ‘Single Touch’ Principle for Documents

Try to only touch stuff once. Pick it up, decide what you’re going to do with it, and it’s done. No more moving the same pile of clothes from your bed to your chair and back again. Think about how much time you waste just shifting stuff around. Touch it once, and you’re done. If it’s trash, throw it away. If it needs to go to another room, take it there. Don’t just leave it for future you to deal with. Future you has better things to do, and this is the best thing about minimalism, living a simpler life to have to time to enjoy the things that really matter.

5. Maintain a Permanent Donation Station

Keep a donation box handy and chuck stuff in there on the regular. Just make sure you actually donate the stuff and don’t let the box become its own type of clutter. It’s about keeping the flow of stuff in check. Things come in, and things go out. When you’re done with something, or if you just haven’t used it in a while, toss it in the donation box. It will continually clear up space in your home and help someone else out. And there is no better feeling than the happiness you get when you help other.

6. Promptly Stow Away Outerwear and Laundry

When you get home, put your coat and shoes away right then and there. Don’t let them just hang out on the floor or on the nearest chair. Same goes for your bags and any other gear you’ve got. Give them a designated spot, whether it’s a hook, a shelf, or a closet. It keeps your entryway clear and makes it easier to find your stuff the next time you head out. No one wants to come home to a pile of coats and shoes. Keep it clear and tidy, keep it easy.

7. Maintain Clutter-Free Flat Surfaces

Don’t dump your stuff when you walk in the door. I get it, you’re tired, but a clutter-free space is worth that extra minute. Instead of just throwing your stuff down, take a moment to put it away. Hang up your coat, put your shoes in the closet, and toss your mail in its designated spot. It’ll make a world of difference. Your entryway will stay clear, and you won’t have to deal with a pile of stuff later on.

8. Digital Decluttering Practices

Don’t forget about your digital space. Emails, files, and apps can pile up just like physical clutter. Set aside some time each week to clear out your inbox, organize your files, and delete any apps you’re not using. Your computer and phone will run smoother, and you’ll be able to find stuff easier. It’s nice to have a clean digital space just like your clean physical space. It’s like decluttering your mind. Make sure you don’t sleep on the e-clutter. At this point I highly recommend that you read the book ‘Digital Minimalism‘ by Cal Newport for further awesome information.

9. Keep the Kitchen Clean

Your kitchen should be a place where you can cook up some delicious meals, not a cluttered mess. After you’re done cooking or eating, take a few minutes to clean up. Wipe down surfaces, put away ingredients, and wash those dishes. Don’t let stuff pile up on top of each other.

Regarding the dishes, shall we deep dive a bit into it? You may want to make dish cleaning a non-negotiable part of your evening routine. Right after dinner, start right away cleaning all the dishes. You can make it a family affair, get everyone involved, this could be a fun time to spend with your family, and it will keep your kitchen spotless, and will create a clean slate for the next day.

A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen that makes cooking way more enjoyable, no one wants to cook in a messy space. And maybe this will give you the mood to cook more and eat healthy.

10. The ‘One In, One Out’ Rule

When something new comes into your home, make sure something old heads out. It’s a simple way to keep the clutter in check and make sure you’re not just accumulating stuff. For example, you got a new shirt, now you find an old one to donate, and so on, balance here is the key, It makes you think twice about what you’re bringing into your home. Do you really need it, or is it just going to add to the clutter, The ‘one in, one out’ rule keeps your space tidy and your possessions under control.

11. The 10-Minute Tidy Up

Set aside 10 minutes each day to just tidy up. You’d be surprised what you can get done in such a short amount of time. Pick up any stray items, wipe down surfaces, and just give your space a little love. It’s a quick way to keep the clutter at bay and make sure your home is always guest-ready. Plus, it’s a great way to reset your space and clear your mind. So, set a timer and get to tidying. Just 10 minutes a day can make a world of difference in keeping your space clutter-free.

12. Embrace the Empty Space

Empty space is your minimalist loyal friend, not something you need to fill up. Not every shelf needs to be packed, and not every wall needs a decoration. Let your home breathe. Give it some space. It’ll make your place feel bigger, more open, and, easier to live in. Your home doesn’t need to be a storage unit. It should be a place you enjoy living in.

13. Adopt a ‘Never Walk Empty-Handed’ Policy

Did you ever find yourself walking from one room to another with just your phone in hand? I know it is a silly question, but what I mean is that it is maybe time to switch it up and make it a rule: never walk through your home empty-handed. There’s always something that needs to go back to its proper place. If you are heading upstairs, you may want to grab that book from the coffee table, going to the kitchen? Take those empty glasses with you. Efficiency my friends. This habit keeps you home clutter free, and it’s also a mini workout, isn’t it?

14. Develop a Systematic Clothing Organization Routine

Sounds complicated right? no, it is easy, just get ready to give your closet a serious upgrade. Set specific days to sort through your clothes. Out with the old, in with the new. Make it a habit to fold, hang, or donate items right away. If you got a sweater or any clothing item you haven’t touched in months, it’s time to say goodbye. Our brain loves to trick us, it tries to convince us that we still need that item, while we really don’t. If you haven’t used it in months, you are most likely not going to use it, and there is a lot of people in need of it in the world. Create zones in your closet for different clothing types. Keep those daily wear items front and center, and stash seasonal stuff out of the way. Stick to this routine, and watch your wardrobe transform into a clutter-free haven of style and order!

This habit encourages a regular and systematic approach to managing your wardrobe, ensuring that everything is kept in its right place and that you regularly assess and declutter your clothing items.

15. The Habit of Daily Bed Making

By making your bed every morning, you are creating a positive start to your day. Toss the sheets, fluff the pillows, and straighten the comforter. It takes just a couple of minutes, but the impact is huge. A made bed sets a productive tone for the rest of your day, and there’s nothing like the feeling of peeling back the covers of a well-made bed when night falls.

This habit is about making sure that your living space starts and ends the day in order, creating a routine that promotes organization and a sense of well-being. Making your bed daily is a small task with big rewards, helping to maintain a neat, welcoming bedroom and instilling a sense of accomplishment right from the start of the day.

16. Invest in the Real Deal, Quality Over Quantity

let’s have a discussion about investing in quality items. We’ve all been in situations where we fall in the marketing trap and we buy something just because it’s cheaper, only to have it break or wear out in no time. We’re not only talking about furniture or appliances, this applies to everything, from your kitchen gadgets to your wardrobe. You want to make sure every item in your house has a purpose and is worth the space it occupies. Think of it like creating a VIP section in your home for your belongings, you’re only allowing the best of the best to stay. And while it might seem like a bit of an investment upfront, the longevity of these quality items will save you money in the long run. And there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that you’ve curated your living space with items that are not only functional but also made to last and will love for a long period. Take a look around, assess what you have, and make the decision to choose quality over quantity.

17. Creating Systems and Habits

You maybe have been thinking a lot about how you can keep your spaces more organized, and I’m telling you, it all boils down to routines and habits. You know, finding a system that really clicks for you. It could be setting aside some time every week to clear out the stuff you don’t need, or maybe just taking a few minutes each day to tidy up. The trick is really just to stay consistent with it. When you’ve got a clean, clutter-free space, it just makes everything else feel smoother.

Conclusion

Alright, this was our discussion today about decluttering habits. When we talk about the world of decluttering, we are not talking about tidying up only, it’s about setting up solid decluttering routines and practices. This is not just about spring cleaning, it’s a whole overhaul for your space. We’re talking simplifying habits and organizational habits that’ll change your life.

Starting with the decluttering process, it’s not a sprint, my friend, it’s a marathon. We’re going through a decluttering journey together, navigating through the clutter and chaos, finding our way to a cleaner, more organized space. It is about throwing things away and also it’s a thought-out, strategic process. We’ve got the simplifying process, organizational process, and the cleaning process all rolled into one.

When you look around, you see your sanctuary, decluttering your home becomes a mission, a quest of sorts. It’s about cleaning your house, organizing your space, and really diving into home decluttering. This is house simplifying at its simplest ways. We’re creating space and clarity, making room for the good vibes only.

We chatted about how we can create decluttering habits that stick. This is where the magic happens. We’re establishing decluttering routines, building decluttering practices, and developing those simplifying habits that’ll last a lifetime. We are trying here to formulating organizational habits that become second nature and initiating cleaning habits that don’t feel like a drag.

One more thing, Shopping habits, our purchasing habits, buying tendencies, and overall consumer behavior play a big role in how cluttered our spaces get. It’s time to take a serious look at our shopping routines and really consider if our retail habits are serving us or just adding to the chaos. The key point here is in transforming your behavior from the inside out. Otherwise shifting your habits in a way that aligns with your decluttering goals.

If you’re feeling ambitious and ready to take the journey of decluttering your entire home, this is going to be your ultimate goal. Imagine yourself cleaning your whole house, organizing your entire space from top to bottom. This is full house simplifying and entire space clearing at its finest.

When it comes to putting things away, storing items properly, and generally keeping your area tidy, you can’t do this daily without building habits.

If you want to learn more about 39 Easy Habits That Will Literally Change Your Life, check out my article, and thank you for your support! see you in another journey of minimalist life.