How to Declutter Your Home for a Fresh Start in the New Year

Inside: A complete guide to what to clean out in your house with a free room-by-room decluttering checklist. Start your New Year in a fresh, organized home!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. I only recommend products that I love or would purchase for myself. See my full disclosure here.

The start of the new year is the perfect time to refresh our homes to create a more organized, stress-free space to live our best lives in during the next twelve months. Why? Because in January:

• There are no major holidays taking up our time.
• The people and hectic pace in December have left the house messier than ever.
• The holiday decorations are gone so we can now see what we really have.
• We don’t want to leave the house when the weather is miserably cold, so why not spend our hunkering-down time making our haven a little better?

But depending on your situation of “stuff”, it can feel like an overwhelming project that you can find a million reasons to put off (because there’s always a new show on Netflix). I know a clean home with less clutter helps me think clearer, puts me in a better mood, and is just is better for my mental health overall.

Whether your goal is to declutter every room from top to bottom or simply start the year with a clean slate in a single area that’s driving you crazy, I have some tips to help get you going, along with specifics of what to declutter and address by room. I’ve even made an organized checklist to keep you on task and motivated!

1. Set Your Intentions for the Year.

Before diving into the decluttering process, the first step is to think about what you want your home to feel like in the coming year. Where would your efforts give you the most satisfaction every time you see it? Is it clutter-free counters? Is it making a particular space more functional? Is it Pinterest-worthy perfectly lined-up canned goods amongst labeled bins? Or maybe simply a few less clothes in the closet so you’re not shoving them in so hard you knock something else off the hanger every single time? Decide what your goals are first, and keep them in mind as you prioritize the areas of your house.

2. Ruthless Rules for Decluttering.

There’s no way around it—the best way to have an organized home is to get rid of stuff. You may already know the following method of decluttering, but it works! It’s the way a lot of professional organizers sort, and I used it in my downsizing move where I had to lay hands on every single thing I owned and make quick decisions whether it stayed or went.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine Which Category Each Item Goes In.

When deciding whether to keep, donate, or trash an item during decluttering, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I use this regularly or have I in the past year?
2. Does it bring me joy or add value to my life?
3. Do I already own more than one or something similar?
4. Have I been holding onto this just in case?
5. Is this item worth the storage space it takes up?
6. Does it match my current style or needs?
7. Does this hold special meaning to me, or am I keeping it out of guilt?
8. Could a photo be just as good as storing the actual item?
9. Is this item in good working condition?
10. Would I buy this again today?
11. Do I need to keep this for legal or financial reasons?
12. Can I find this information somewhere else if needed?
13. Is this still safe to use or consume?
14. When was the last time I thought about this item?
15. Would this item be more useful to someone else?
16. Am I keeping this only because of its monetary value or what I spent on it?

My Top Decluttering Tips.

• Don’t spend much time thinking on each individual item. Don’t get bogged down with emotional attachment or how much an item costs. Keep it robotic and business-like or you’ll never get finished.
• Ask yourself if pictures of the items would be just as good as storing the item itself. This was especially helpful for me in getting rid of sentimental items, kid’s costumes and uniforms, baby clothes, art projects, and toys.
• Pretend you’re a first-time guest in your home to see clutter and worn-out items with fresh eyes.
• It’s okay to make a pile of clothes you need to try on or repair only if you shedule a time to do it within the week. Otherwise, just get rid of them because you’ll never pull them out to wear.
• Have boxes and trash bags ready for each of the four category piles before you start.
• Be realistic if you plan to sell items. If you won’t make enough money to make it worth the time, or know you won’t actually get around to doing it, donate it. The thought of giving items away as doing something nice for someone else helped me let things go.
• Find a place to donate and schedule a pickup, or load your donation in the back of your car as soon as you finish so that you’ll have to make the time to take it.
• Start with an area that can be done quickly—once you experience the satisfaction, it will keep you motivated to keep going. It may actually be hard to stop!
• Make a schedule with specific times for decluttering—i.e. clean the pantry from 1:00-2:00, clean the kitchen cabinets and drawers from 2:00-3:00, and so on.
• Put on some music and you might actually find yourself enjoying this dreaded task!

SH&H Tip: Our local charity organization had tons of plastic storage bins that they just throw away, mostly without lids. They were happy to let me take what I wanted, so I used them to sort and bring more donations each time during my major moving clean out.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Decluttering By Room.

Trying to declutter your entire house at once can be A LOT. Even unloading a single closet or pantry can make it feel like a bomb went off in the house. Break it down by room or area starting with the spaces that impact your daily routine the most, and get that finished before moving to the next.

The Living Room/Family Room.

• Decor – Remove broken, worn, out of style, and excess items that make the living space feel cluttered, like too many vases, tchotchkes, or picture frames.
• Coffee table, end table, and sofa table tops – Clear off all unnecessary items like old mail, books, or trinkets. Only leave intentional decor items and everyday items and necessities like the remote or a coaster. Group smaller items on a tray.
• Living Room Floor – Remove anything from the floor that doesn’t belong there or serve a purpose.
• Display shelves or built-ins – Remove excess items and leave a little negative space.
• Furniture – Fix, repurpose, or remove broken or unnecessary pieces.
• Throw blankets – Keep only a few of the best and store them in a basket or cabinet. Donate or toss worn-out ones.
• Decorative pillows – Donate or discard frayed, flat, or faded ones.
• Coasters – Replace old or mismatched coasters with a pretty matching set.
• Magazines, catalogs, and newspapers – Trash or recycle outdated issues that are piling up.
• Books – Donate books you no longer need that aren’t decor.
• Photo frames – Refresh the frames with updated pictures or remove frames if you have too many.
• Wall art – Replace or remove art that no longer suits your style.
• Rugs – Assess and replace rugs that are stained, torn, or no longer fit the space.

Need help choosing the right area rug? See the post “Area Rug Rules: Easy Guide to the Perfect Size and Placement (+Printable)“.

• Board games or puzzles – Keep family favorites and donate the rest.
• Electronics – Donate or recycle old, unused, or broken remotes, cables, game systems, DVD or VHS players, and other devices.
• DVDs or CDs – If you can listen or watch on a service, donate unwanted discs.
• Remote controls – Get rid of non-functioning or obsolete remotes.
• Cords and chargers – Untangle, label, and store necessary cords; discard or donate extras. Bundle and disguise visible cords.
• Baskets or bins – Declutter what’s inside and keep only those that serve a purpose for storage.

The Kitchen.

• Kitchen counters – Clear off and keep only the most used small appliances and a few intentional decor items. Make a dedicated drop zone for mail, keys, purses, etc. somewhere else in the house.
• Kitchen floor – Remove anything from the floor that doesn’t belong there or serve a purpose.
• Pantry items – Check pantry food tossing any past the expiration date and donating things you won’t use.
• Condiments – Go through the fridge and toss anything expired, bottles that are all but empty, and things that won’t get used.
• Freezer food – Go through the freezer and toss anything too old or freezer-burned.
• Spices – Toss duplicate spices or ones you haven’t used in a few years.
• Tupperware – Get rid of lids without containers or containers without lids, and ones that are stained or worn.
• Kitchen gadgets and small appliances – Get rid of items that are broken or rarely used.
• Baking pans, cookware, and serving pieces– Keep only the ones you regularly use or have used in the past year.
• Water bottles, plastic cups, coffee cups, and travel mugs – Keep only the ones you use regularly (these seem to multiply every year).
• Dishes and glasses – Replace damaged plates, bowls, or cups with chips or cracks. Donate excess dishes you don’t need.

Looking for great everyday white dishes? See why I chose mine in the post “4 Reasons Why These Are the Best White Everyday Dishes“.

• Utensils and cooking tools – Keep only the necessary number of spatulas, whisks, etc. and donate duplicates.
• Dish towels and potholders – Discard worn or stained ones.
• Junk drawer – Take a picture of takeout menus, toss old batteries and random odds and ends; neaten it with an organizer.
• Grocery bags – Declutter torn or excess bags taking up space.
• Cookbooks – Keep only the ones you frequently reference or love.
• Fridge magnets and papers – Remove outdated calendars, notes, and excessive clutter. Even better if you can remove everything and hang a command center on a wall.

The Bedrooms and Bedroom Closets.

• Decorative items – Simplify by keeping only intentional or meaningful decor.
• Bedding – Donate extra blankets or bedding you don’t use. Assess and discard worn sheets, blankets, and pillows.
• Nightstand and dresser tops – Remove old books, paper clutter, or random items piled up. Neaten charging cords. Leave only a lamp, decorative item, and necessities like a phone charging stand on night stands.
• Bedroom Floor – Get everything up off the floor that doesn’t belong there and put it away.
• Items stored under the bed – Clear out forgotten or unnecessary items hiding beneath.
• Hanging clothes and dresser clothing – Donate items that don’t fit, or you haven’t worn in a year.

Want some dream closet inspiration? See the post “Dreamy Walk-In Closet Organization and Decorating Ideas“.

• Shoes and accessories – Keep only the ones you regularly use and/or love, or will use for special purposes.
• Socks – Toss those with holes, stains, or missing mates.
• Underwear – Toss undies that are worn out or that you never wear.
• Hangers – Remove broken or excess hangers. Even better, replace all the hangers with uniform, functional hangers, Keep empty hangers in only one or two places on the rods.
• Seasonal clothing – Go through stored out-of-season items and donate pieces you didn’t wear last year.
• Jewelry – Discard broken costume jewelry and donate pieces you never wear.
• Shoeboxes, tote bags, and shopping bags – Recycle empty, excess, or worn ones that no longer serve a purpose.

The Bathrooms.

• Medications – Safely dispose of old prescriptions and expired over-the-counter drugs.
• Makeup, skincare products, and perfume – Toss old, expired, or dried-out cosmetics. Donate forgotten products, samples, or things you don’t like and will never use.
• Hair products – Get rid of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products you no longer use.
• First aid supplies – Replace expired bandages, ointments, or other first aid items. Get rid of ones no longer needed.
• Miscellaneous healthcare, grooming tools, and bathroom products – Get rid of duplicates and things that never get used or aren’t needed anymore. Don’t save more travel-size products than you can use.
• Bathroom counters – Only keep what’s vitally necessary on the counter and very few intentional decor items.

See what professional home stagers leave on the counters in the post “99 Home Staging Tips and Tricks from the Pros“.

• Towels – Assess towels and repurpose or get rid of worn or stained ones.
• Hair tools – Discard damaged hairdryers, straighteners, or curling irons and donate ones you no longer use.
• Extra toothbrushes – Toss or repurpose worn-out unused toothbrushes.
• Partially used soaps and bottles – Combine or discard products that are nearly empty that you’ve never gone back to use.
• Shower caddies and storage – Remove rusted or ineffective organizers.
• Bath mats – Assess and replace mats that are worn or no longer fit the bathroom’s style.

The Home Office.

• Paperwork – Shred old bills, receipts, and documents you no longer need. File what you’re keeping, consolidate and get rid of unneeded sticky notes and to-do lists, and sort mail.
• The desktop and other furniture surfaces – Simplify by keeping only meaningful or functional decor and don’t let stacks up papers pile up.
• Office floor – Remove any items that don’t belong on the floor or don’t serve a purpose.
• Pens and markers – Test and toss any writing tools that no longer work.
• Office supplies and equipment – Donate extra supplies you won’t use, duplicates, or no longer need.
• Technology – Recycle old printers, computers, phones, or gadgets that are outdated, broken, or just collecting dust.
• Extra cords and chargers – Label and keep only the ones you use regularly. Neaten visible cords.
• Calendars or planners – Discard those from previous years after copying what you need into this year’s.
• Notebooks, journals, and binders – Keep only the ones you actively use or ones you still need to reference.
• Office furniture – Assess and get rid of worn, damaged, or excess furniture.
• Books – Donate outdated or unnecessary books.
• Organizers – Replace worn-out trays or file holders or get rid of unneeded ones..
• Bulletin boards – Declutter old memos, notes, or reminders that are no longer relevant.

The Laundry Room.

• Countertops and floors– Remove items that don’t belong in the laundry room, on the counter, or on the floor. Make a dedicated space to keep laundry baskets.
• Laundry products – Recycle containers of laundry detergent, fabric softener, and stain removers that are almost empty that you never go back to use, or ones no longer needed.
• Laundry baskets – Assess and get rid of unnecessary baskets and replace damaged ones.
• Lost and found from the laundry – Toss socks that have lost their mate. Put miscellaneous items like buttons and coins where they go or get rid of them.
• Cleaning products – Get rid of cleaning products that are almost empty that you never go back to use or ones no longer needed.

See my favorite cleaning tools in the post “Over 30 Cleaning Tools That Make Life Easier“.

• Rags and cleaning cloths – Toss ones that are too worn or no longer usable.
• Laundry tools – Get rid of duplicate tools or ones you don’t use, like lint rollers or fabric shavers.
• Cleaning tools – Get rid of duplicate tools or ones you don’t use, like special mops or dusters.
• Ironing board or iron – Get rid of broken irons and ironing boards and duplicates.

The Entryway or Mudroom.

• Coats, jackets, and shoes – Put away ones not currently being used regularly or out of season.
• Umbrellas – Discard or donate worn out, broken, or excess umbrellas.
• Decor – Remove excess or dated decor items to simplify. Add functional trays and hooks to keep things tidy.
• Drop zone – If this is the area where you drop your keys, purse, and mail when you walk in the door, add a tray to neaten mail, and a place to hang purses and keys.

The Linen Closet.

• Comforters, bedding sets, towels, sheets, and blankets – Donate excess linens that you never use, or get rid of ones that are worn.

The Kids’ Areas and Playrooms.

• Toys – Get rid of broken toys or those no longer played with.
• School projects or crafts – Purge what you can and ask yourself if a photo would be just as good as storing the actual item.
• Books – Donate the ones they’ve outgrown and aren’t special to them.
• Sports equipment – Discard worn out or broken equipment and donate what they’ve outgrown.
• School supplies and craft supplies – Consolidate and donate excess supplies. Trash dried up paints and markers and paper scraps.

The Pet Supplies.

• Toys – Throw away damaged and excess used toys.
• Food and treats – Get rid of expired items or ones the pet didn’t like.
• Collars, leashes, and pet beds – Get rid of old pet supplies—chances are you will never use them again.
• Grooming tools or supplies – Declutter things like brushes and shampoos that you don’t use.
• Medications – Dispose of any expired medications.

The Hobby or Craft Areas.

• Supplies – Discard scraps and dried up supplies. Donate excess specialty supplies for crafts you’re no longer going to do or have finished.
• Unfinished or abandoned projects – I know it hurts, but just get rid of them.
• Tools – Get rid of broken and worn tools. Donate duplicates and ones you don’t need.

The Garage, Attic, and Basement.

• Tools – Toss tools that are beyond repair. Donate duplicates or ones you never use.
• Paint cans – Properly dispose of old paint you’ll never use.
• Sports equipment – Donate gear you no longer use and discard broken items.
• Empty boxes – Recycle or repurpose unused cardboard boxes.
• Seasonal decor – Donate or toss decorations you haven’t used in years.
• Nails, screws, and hardware – Sort and discard unusable ones.
• Car supplies – Properly dispose of supplies like expired oil, filters, or cleaners.
• Outgrown baby and kid items – Donate toys and clothes no longer needed.
• Furniture pieces – Rehome or donate furniture you’ll never restore or use.
• Keepsakes – Keep a few meaningful mementos, but declutter the rest.
• Excess storage bins – Stack empty storage bins inside each other to save room, or give away empty bins (or fill them with your donations).
• Pest-damaged items – Safely dispose of anything that has been chewed, moth-eaten, or infested.

Miscellaneous Things to Declutter Around the House.

• Candles – Discard nearly burned-down candles or ones you no longer like.
• Fitness equipment and workout gear – Donate or sell equipment you don’t use.
• Freebie items – Let go of promotional items or giveaways you don’t use.
• Instruction manuals – Recycle old instruction manuals. Most can now be found online when you need them.
• Gifts you don’t use or like – Although we feel guilty, these just take up space. Donate, regift, or make a box of items you can “shop” when you need a last minute gift.
• Suitcases and travel gear – Store travel gear inside suitcases to save room. Donate excess suitcases, travel accessories, and packing cubes.

4. Adopt Daily Habits to Maintain a Decluttered Home.

A tidy clutter-free home isn’t a one-time project—it’s about consistent effort on a regular basis. Incorporate these habits into your routine so that household clutter doesn’t creep up on you and erase your hard work:

• Spend a little time each evening tidying up—you can get a lot done in 15 minutes.
• Sort and deal with mail daily to avoid paper clutter.
• Return items to their proper place at the end of the day.
• Make getting things back in their place part of your house cleaning routine.
• Have family members each put away their own things in the proper place every night.
• Keep a trash bag in your closet to tuck donations into all year long as you decide clothing doesn’t work for you anymore.

Start Fresh with a Printable Checklist.

To make the process of decluttering your home easier, I’ve made a checklist by room to guide you. This complete guide lists all of the items to go through from the post for your entire home.

You can download the printable checklist from the subscribers-only library down in the footer menu. (The password is at the bottom of every email you get from me.)

If you’re not already a member of the SH&H family, I’d love to have you join me! You’ll not only get email updates, but you’ll have exclusive unlimited access to all the bonus materials in my free subscriber-only library, like this:

That new show on Netflix isn’t gonna make your life better this year, but being surrounded by less stuff and less stress in a serene space will.

You got this,

Before you go:

As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.

Pin it to remember it!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please pin and share this on Pinterest: