As a self-proclaimed minimalist, it’s hard to believe that I still have things left in my home to declutter. But, I do!
Between starting and ending hobbies, my needs changing, and the occasional purchase, I find myself needing to declutter regularly in order to keep my space clutter-free and organized.
Last week, I did a major home declutter and got rid of 17 items! While letting go of 17 items may not seem like much, it made a pretty noticeable dent in my belongings considering I didn’t own that many things to begin with.
In this post, I’ll not only reveal the 17 items I let go of during my recent declutter, but also share 10 decluttering tips to keep in mind next time you declutter your home.
10 Decluttering Tips to Keep In Mind
As you declutter your home, here are 10 decluttering tips to keep in mind.
1. One Room at a Time
Declutter one room at a time and start with the least overwhelming room first. Usually this is the room with the least amount of stuff in it.
2. Start Small
After you’ve established which room you’d like to declutter first, you’ll need to decide where you want to start. Begin with a small area like a drawer or shelf to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
3. Clear it Out
If possible, pull everything out of the area you plan to declutter. Let’s say you want to declutter your kitchen cabinets. You’ll want to empty those cabinets, clean them and then put things back as you consider each individual item. This can be a tedious process but it ensures that you aren’t holding onto things simply because it’s easier to just leave them where they are.
4. Make Three Piles
As you consider each item, sort it into one of three piles: keep, donate or throw away. Keep in mind that you can also create subcategories within your piles.
When I declutter, I like to have two sections within my ‘donate’ pile – items that my friends/family have expressed interest in wanting and items that I plan to take to the thrift store.
5. Declutter by Category
If decluttering room by room hasn’t worked for you in the past, I recommend decluttering by category instead.
Pick a category, like clothes, books, or kitchen gadgets. Then, gather everything from that category and go through each item and decide if it’s a keeper or time to say goodbye.
This method can help prevent clutter from migrating from one area to another but can be difficult to pull off if you own a ton of stuff.
6. 30-Day Rule
If you haven’t used or needed something in 30 days, consider letting it go. But, be mindful of seasonal items. Just because you haven’t used your skis all summer, doesn’t mean you won’t need them come winter time. This rule should only be applied to items that could be used year round.
7. Duplicates
If you’re anything like me, when you find something you like at the store, you just “have to” buy it in every color. And if you’re anything like me, you only use or wear the item in your favorite color.
As you declutter, let go of duplicates that don’t get used or serve a unique purpose.
8. Set Limits
Depending on how many items you have, setting limits on the amount of space a certain category of item can take up in your home may be helpful. For instance, if you currently have three kitchen cabinet shelves dedicated to food storage containers, limit yourself to just one shelf. Or, if you have two drawers full of bedding, try and fit everything into one.
9. Ask the Right Questions
Asking yourself the right questions is crucial when decluttering. Although Marie Kondo’s infamous question, “does this spark joy?” has become many people’s go-to mantra for decluttering, it often misses the mark. Think about it, that pink sequined jumpsuit might bring you a momentary burst of joy, but will it truly serve you in the long run? Probably not.
Instead, ask yourself the following questions:
- If I lost this item, would I want or need to replace it?
- Would I purchase this item today?
- Am I holding onto this item out of guilt or obligation?
- Can I borrow this item if needed?
- Does this item align with my current interests and goals?
These questions have guided me through many decluttering efforts. You’ll see how I put these questions to the test in the section where I show you the 17 items I decluttered.
10. Sentimental Items Box
For many, letting go of sentimental items is one of the hardest parts of decluttering. So, instead of telling yourself you need to get rid of all your sentimental items, allow yourself to keep just one small box for sentimental items. If something you really want to keep doesn’t fit in the box, you’ll need to make space by letting something go.
Remember, if you’re struggling to let go of an item you can always take a photo of it. That way you’ll have the memory of it without the physical clutter.
My 17 Item Home Declutter
Below are the 17 items I chose to let go of during my recent declutter! I’ll also discuss why I chose to get rid of these particular items.
1. Denim Jacket
I bought this denim jacket years ago at a thrift store and thought it was going to be my go to jacket. And it was… when I was living in Texas. Then about a year and a half ago I moved to Washington and haven’t really worn it since. I blame it on the weather.
In Washington, most of the year is pretty rainy so I find myself reaching for my rain jacket. And when it’s chilly out, but not rainy, I’ll either wear my winter coat or a sweater.
So, I figured that it was time to let this jacket go. Don’t get me wrong, I still love this jacket. But loving the look of something isn’t a good enough reason to hold onto it. The things we own should add value to our lives.
Ultimately, I asked myself the following question: if I lost this item, would I want or need to replace it? The answer was no.
Click here for 20 clothing items to declutter for a minimalist wardrobe!
2. Low-Rise Skinny Jeans
The next item I’m decluttering is a pair of low-rise skinny jeans.
You may find it surprising that I even own a pair of low-rise skinny jeans. I mean, let’s be real; skinny jeans have pretty much taken a backseat to those comfy, loose-fitted, high-waisted ones in everyone’s wardrobe these days. Unpopular opinion, but I actually love skinny jeans… just not low-rise skinny jeans. I realized that the low-rise just doesn’t make me feel comfortable or confident. So, I’ve decided it’s finally time to let these bad boys go.
3. Flannel Top
This flannel top is another item I got a lot of use out of in Texas but don’t really wear anymore.
In Texas, it was the perfect lightweight layer to throw on over a tank top and jeans in the summertime. But, the summer nights in Washington are much cooler than they were in Texas and I find myself needing more warmth than this flannel can offer me. So, I just don’t wear it as much as I’d like it to.
While decluttering, I asked myself, would I purchase this item today? The answer was no.
4. Cowboy Hat
My friend group loves hosting themed parties. But because I live minimally, I don’t like to buy items that I’ll only wear once – like costumes. So, for these parties, I’ll usually just borrow something to wear from a friend or buy something cheap at the thrift store and re-donate it after I’m done. This method is cheaper than buying something brand new, doesn’t create additional garment waste and I don’t mind spending $5 or so on a thrifted item because the money goes to a good cause.
Anyway, the last party was cowboy themed and I bought myself this cowboy hat with every intention of returning it to the thrift store afterwards. But, I didn’t… I held onto it because I thought it would be nice to own a wide brimmed hat for the summer. Unfortunately, this hat just feels a bit too costumey and I rarely wear it (unless I’m sunbathing in my backyard). So, letting go of it feels like a no-brainer.
5. Reusable Plastic Water Bottle
I bought this water bottle years ago when I started riding my bike a lot more. It’s narrow which makes it the perfect size to stick into a water bottle cage (which is a water bottle holder that attaches to a bicycle). It served me well, but I decided that it was time to let it go – partially because I have a metal water bottle I enjoy using more and also because I’ve been trying to stop drinking out of plastic water bottles.
6. Blue Light Glasses
I recently got some prescription glasses with blue light filtering lenses so I decided it was a good time to let go of my blue light glasses – they don’t serve a unique purpose anymore.
7. “Non-Stick” Skillet
It’s not super obvious from the photo but this “non-stick” skillet has been through the ringer. I put the word “non-stick” in quotations because it’s not really non-stick anymore. The non-stick properties have long worn out, so I’ve decided to retire this skillet once and for all.
8. Spice Grinder
My partner has owned this spice grinder for years – long before we ever started dating. We don’t use it much but he’s insisted on holding onto it… until now! During this declutter, he finally caved and let me get rid of it.
When decluttering, always ask for permission (not forgiveness) when getting rid of someone else’s belongings.
9. Food Storage Containers
I don’t know if it’s just me but lids from food storage containers seem to vanish like socks in a dryer. No matter how hard my partner and I try to keep from losing them, by the end of the year, there is always at least one container that is missing a lid.
I laid out all of my food storage lids and containers on our kitchen table, matched lids and containers, looked at the pieces we typically used, and was able to get rid of a few!
10. Ice Tray Lids
I bought ice trays online and didn’t realize that they came with lids. I’ve held onto the lids just in case I’d need them but a year has gone by since I bought them and I’m fairly certain I never will.
11. Plastic Spatula and Spoon
I recently read this article about non-toxic cooking utensils and guess what material didn’t make the list? Plastic. So, I decided to get rid of my plastic cooking utensils – which included this spatula and spoon.
12. Loose Leaf Tea Infuser
I went through a phase where I was drinking so much loose leaf tea. During that time, my friend gifted me this loose leaf tea infuser. Since then, I’ve since stopped drinking tea so I haven’t used the infuser much at all. But, between receiving it as a gift and thinking, ‘maybe I’ll start drinking loose leaf tea again one day’, I’ve held onto it.
During my declutter I asked myself, am I holding onto this item out of guilt or obligation? Since the answer was yes, I figured it was time to let it go.
13. Paint Tubes
Many organizing experts agree that you should keep the surfaces in your home cleared off and items stowed away. But, the issue with this advice is that even though a space looks organized, it may still be cluttered. When things are hidden away, you can often forget about them. It’s like that expression – out of sight out of mind. And guess what? That’s exactly what happened with my art supplies.
I keep all of my paints and paintbrushes in a designated crafts box. During my declutter I decided to open the box and see if I could get rid of any of my supplies, and sure enough, I could! I got rid of nearly half of my paints because they were crusty and old.
Although the box doesn’t look any different, and my art supplies still take up the same amount of space in my home, it feels good to know that the contents inside the box are decluttered.
Image on the left is before and the image of the right is after!
14. Skeleton Entry Way Mat
With no entryway in my house, my partner and I have had this ongoing battle with twigs and grass sneaking in from outside. To combat the mess, we bought this entryway mat, hoping it would trap some of the debris from our shoes. But unfortunately, it was a total fail. It doesn’t catch anything at all. So, as much as it pains me to say it (because this mat is super cute) I’m deciding to let it go.
15. Board Game
I get that Catan has a devoted following. But personally, it’s lost its charm for me. I’ve owned the game for ages, and it doesn’t bring me the joy it used to. I figure there’s probably someone out there who’d be over the moon to stumble upon it at a thrift store, so I’m choosing to donate it.
16. Kettlebell
Remember when the whole world shut down and we couldn’t go anywhere?
During quarantine I bought myself a kettlebell so that I could work out from home. I’ve held onto it since but haven’t used it since gyms reopened. So, I figured it was time to let it go.
17. Basketball
This basketball was another quarantine purchase. I lived right by a basketball court at the time and figured I’d start a new hobby (since there wasn’t much else to do). Let’s just say basketball isn’t my sport.
During my declutter I asked myself, does this item align with my current interests and goals? The answer was no, so I decided it was time to get rid of it.
What Do You Do With the Stuff You Declutter?
While tossing everything into the trash might be the simplest route to rid yourself of your unwanted stuff, it’s not the most responsible or eco-friendly option. After all, when getting rid of stuff is mindless, it’s easy to accumulate more all over again. By taking accountability for your belongings, you’re setting yourself up to be more mindful about the things you bring into your home in the future.
Once you’ve decluttered your items, you have a few options:
- Clothing
- Donate gently-used clothing to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores.
- Sell higher-end items online or at consignment shops.
- Host a clothing swap party.
- Repurpose old clothing into cleaning rags or DIY projects.
- Electronics
- Recycle old electronics through authorized recycling centers to prevent harmful waste. Some stores also have electronics recycling programs.
- Books
- Donate books to libraries, schools, or community centers.
- Sell valuable books online or to secondhand bookstores.
- Trade books with friends or join book swap events.
- Create a mini-library in your neighborhood.
- Furniture
- Sell or donate furniture in good condition.
- If you’re crafty, consider upcycling or repainting your furniture to give it a fresh look. From there, try and sell it.
- Kitchen Items
- Donate usable kitchenware to shelters or secondhand stores.
- Properly dispose of broken or damaged items.
- Repurpose glass jars for storage.
- Toys
- Donate toys to children’s hospitals, daycare centers, or charities.
- Sell valuable toys online or at garage sales.
- Paper Documents
- Shred sensitive documents containing personal information.
- Recycle non-sensitive paper items like old magazines or newspapers.
- Decor Items
- Sell, donate or gift home decor items.
- Cosmetics/Toiletries
- Dispose of expired or unused cosmetics safely.
- Donate unopened toiletries to shelters or organizations that help those in need.
- Expired Medications
- Safely dispose of expired medications at designated drop-off points to prevent environmental contamination.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it – my 17 item home declutter! I hope that this post inspires you to take a look around your home and see if there’s anything you can let go of, whether it’s one item or 100 items. And if it did, let me know in the comments what you let go of and why.
Quinci Haller says
Love the idea of decluttering and simplifying life! It’s amazing how owning fewer possessions can lead to so many benefits, from less stress to more financial freedom.
One thing I found immensely helpful during my decluttering journey was renting a dumpster. It made the process so much smoother. Having a designated space to toss items I no longer needed, whether it was old furniture, clothes, or random knick-knacks, decided to let go much easier.