Feeling overwhelmed by clutter but short on time? You’re not alone. Tackling your entire home might seem impossible in just one day, but a few smart strategies can make a huge difference fast.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a marathon—it can be a sprint with the right game plan. Imagine waking up tomorrow to a noticeably tidier, calmer space, all because you followed some simple steps today.
Whether you live alone or with family, clutter can sneak up on anyone. But clearing it out quickly is often the first step toward a more peaceful, organized environment.
Ready to roll up your sleeves without feeling overwhelmed? These tips are designed to help you work efficiently and avoid burnout, so you can enjoy your fresh space sooner.
Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Even small wins count when decluttering your home in a single day.
Let’s dive into these practical, easy-to-follow tips that will help you reclaim your space and peace of mind, one step at a time.
1. Start with the Low-Hanging Fruit: Visible Surfaces and Common Areas
When you begin decluttering, starting with visible and high-traffic areas can create an immediate sense of accomplishment. Clearing countertops, coffee tables, and entryways doesn’t just improve aesthetics—it sets a positive tone for the rest of your day.
These spaces often accumulate random items that don’t belong, so tackling them first lets you quickly identify what needs to be relocated, donated, or tossed. Plus, seeing a neat surface motivates you to keep going.
1. Clear the kitchen counters – Remove any non-essential items from your kitchen counters to instantly open up the space. Put away appliances you rarely use and wipe down surfaces to give your kitchen a clean, fresh look.
2. Organize the coffee table – Sort through magazines, remotes, and miscellaneous items cluttering your coffee table. Keep only what you use regularly and stash the rest in drawers or baskets.
3. Tackle the entryway clutter – Shoes, mail, and bags can quickly pile up near your front door. Designate a spot for each, like a shoe rack and mail organizer, to keep this area tidy.
4. Clear out the dining table – Remove any non-dining items like papers or keys. A clear table invites meals and gatherings, making your home feel inviting.
5. Quickly sort through the living room surfaces – Coffee tables, side tables, and shelves can collect clutter fast. Gather loose items and decide what belongs elsewhere, what should be donated, and what should be discarded.
Starting with these visible surfaces gives you a fast win, setting the stage for tackling less obvious clutter spots next.
2. Streamline Your Closets and Clothing
Closets are notorious clutter hotspots. They’re often stuffed full, leading to frustration and wasted time looking for everyday items. Streamlining your wardrobe doesn’t just free space; it makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable.
By focusing on what you actually wear, you can create a simplified, functional closet that serves your lifestyle. Plus, donating clothes you no longer need benefits others and reduces your mental load.
6. Sort clothes into keep, donate, and discard piles – Quickly decide which clothes you wear regularly, which are in good shape to donate, and which are worn out and need to be tossed.
7. Use uniform hangers – Switching to matching hangers instantly tidies your closet visually and helps clothes hang more uniformly, making the space feel less chaotic.
8. Organize clothes by category or color – Grouping similar items together helps you find what you need faster and highlights excess duplicates you might want to part with.
9. Utilize vertical space with hanging organizers – These are great for shoes, accessories, or folded items, freeing up shelf or floor space in your closet.
10. Store off-season clothes elsewhere – Move out-of-season garments to bins under the bed or in storage to make your current wardrobe easier to manage.
Once your closet feels more manageable, you’ll notice how much easier your mornings become—and you’ll have free space for new favorites.
3. Declutter Paper and Digital Overload
Paper clutter is one of the most common and nagging messes in any home. Bills, junk mail, receipts, and kids’ artwork can quickly pile up. Tackling paper clutter not only clears physical space but also reduces mental stress.
Alongside physical documents, digital clutter like overflowing inboxes and disorganized files can add to the chaos. A quick digital sweep complements your physical decluttering for a full refresh.
11. Create a “to sort” inbox – Use a tray or box to collect all incoming papers and sort through them in batches to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
12. Shred or recycle old documents – Dispose of any papers that are outdated or no longer needed, ensuring sensitive information is shredded for security.
13. Set up a filing system – Use labeled folders or accordion files to store important papers, making future retrieval easy and efficient.
14. Unsubscribe from junk mail and email lists – Reducing incoming mail and emails prevents clutter from building up again.
15. Organize digital files and delete duplicates – Spend a moment deleting unnecessary files and organizing important documents into clearly named folders.
Clearing paper and digital clutter frees up mental space and makes your home and devices feel more manageable and inviting.
4. Focus on Functional Spaces: Kitchen and Bathroom
The kitchen and bathroom are essential functional spaces that can become cluttered with everyday items. These areas benefit greatly from targeted decluttering for improved usability and hygiene.
Clearing out expired products, redundant gadgets, and random items can instantly make these rooms feel more spacious and less stressful. A tidy kitchen and bathroom also promote better routines and efficiency.
16. Discard expired pantry items and spices – Quickly check for outdated food and throw it away to open up shelf space and avoid health risks.
17. Organize kitchen utensils and gadgets – Keep only the tools you use regularly and store them in designated drawers or containers for easy access.
18. Clear out bathroom cabinets and dispose of old products – Expired medications, empty bottles, and unused products should be tossed to refresh your space.
19. Use drawer dividers and baskets – These organizers help keep small items like makeup, toothbrushes, and cleaning supplies neat and easy to find.
20. Wipe down all surfaces thoroughly – Cleaning as you declutter refreshes the space and makes it feel instantly more inviting.
With these quick kitchen and bathroom boosts, you’ll enjoy daily routines that feel smoother and more pleasant.
5. Create Zones and Storage Solutions for Long-Term Maintenance
Decluttering is only part of the solution—setting up zones and storage systems helps keep clutter at bay. When everything has a home, it’s easier to maintain order and avoid future messes.
Think about how you use each room and create designated areas for different activities or items. Smart storage solutions also maximize your space, making your home feel larger and more welcoming.
21. Assign specific zones for activities – Whether it’s a reading nook, a homework station, or a craft corner, having a dedicated space keeps things contained and organized.
22. Use labeled bins and baskets – Clear labels help everyone in the household know where items belong, speeding up tidying and reducing misplaced things.
23. Install hooks and wall organizers – Vertical storage frees up floor and counter space, ideal for bags, keys, or kitchen tools.
24. Implement a “one in, one out” rule – To prevent clutter from creeping back, commit to removing an item whenever you bring something new home.
25. Create a daily 5-minute pickup routine – Spending just a few minutes each day maintaining your new order keeps clutter from piling up again.
With these systems in place, your decluttering day becomes the start of a lasting habit, making your home a calm, organized sanctuary.
Decluttering your home in one day is absolutely doable with a focused approach. By targeting visible surfaces, closets, paper, functional spaces, and storage zones, you can make a noticeable difference quickly.
Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection—every small step helps you reclaim your space and peace of mind. Start with these tips, and watch your home transform before your eyes.
Ready to enjoy a calmer, clutter-free home? Pick a section, grab a box, and get started—you’ll be amazed how much you can accomplish in just one day.
