Simple Ways to Get Your Family Onboard With Decluttering

Decluttering is hard, I get it! It can be even more difficult when you’re trying to get the whole family onboard with decluttering. However, working together not only makes the process easier but also fosters a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. And everyone gets to share in the accomplishment of having a decluttered space to enjoy! Here are some simple tips for getting the whole family onboard with decluttering.

1. Gather Everyone Together

Start by casually bringing the family together in a comfortable space, like the living room or kitchen. Not a big deal —just a relaxed chat about the clutter in your home. Share your vision for a more organized space and encourage everyone to share how they would feel about that. This open dialogue fosters teamwork and helps to get your family onboard with decluttering. The goal is get everyone on the same side. Talk about the benefits you’ll all enjoy once the space is decluttered, to help get everyone get onboard.

What if You Encounter Resistance?

It’s not uncommon for loved ones to balk a little at decluttering. Even if you talk up all the benefits and great things a decluttered space will provide, you may have some members of your family that are resistant to the change. Here are some ideas if you encounter resistance:

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Start by acknowledging that decluttering can be an emotional process. Some family members may feel attached to their belongings or overwhelmed by the idea of letting go. Validate their feelings and let them know it’s okay to be hesitant. Acknowledging feelings though doesn’t mean abandoning this project. You can help family members process their feelings, but also stand firm that this is an important step in creating a home you can all enjoy.

Highlight the Benefits

Discuss the positive outcomes of decluttering, such as a more organized space, reduced stress, and a cleaner environment. Emphasize how a decluttered home can make it easier to find things and create a more enjoyable living space for everyone. If your family members have cleaning chores, it might also be helpful to point out how much faster it is to clean a decluttered space than a cluttered one. If hosting get togethers and socializing in your home is important to you, certainly count being able to more easily prepare for guests as a big benefit!

Involve Them in the Process

Allow resistant family members to have a say in the decluttering process. Ask for their input on which areas to tackle first, what items they feel strongly about keeping and how best to organize those things. Being involved in the planning can foster a sense of ownership and make them more willing to participate.

Start Small

Begin with a small, manageable area that feels less overwhelming. This could be a single drawer or a small shelf. Completing a small task can build confidence and demonstrate the benefits of decluttering, making family members more likely to engage in larger projects later. Don’t let this stop you from tackling larger decluttering projects on your own! However, to get the rest of the family involved, you may have to work on small projects to help them experience the benefits for themselves.

Use a Collaborative Approach

Frame decluttering as a family activity rather than a chore. Create a team atmosphere by working together, sharing tasks, and encouraging each other. You might even plan a fun reward for completing a decluttering session, such as a family movie night or a special treat.

Set a Time Limit

Sometimes, the thought of decluttering can feel endless and frankly, your family might just want to be doing something else with their time. I get that….you get that. If that’s the case, or if family members feel overwhelmed at the thought of decluttering a very cluttered space, set a timer. Set a specific time limit for each decluttering session, such as 30 minutes or an hour. This can help family members feel more comfortable participating, knowing they won’t be stuck in the process for too long.

Share Personal Stories

Share your own experiences with decluttering and how it has positively impacted your life. Personal stories can resonate with family members and help them see the value in the process.

How many of us can relate to receiving boxes of our childhood stuff from our parents and feeling totally overwhelmed with the nostalgic stuff inside? My own childhood boxes really didn’t have anything I wanted but all the memories did come flooding back! Some of those memories I hadn’t thought of in years so it became nearly impossible for me to just “get rid of” whatever was in the boxes…what if I forget those memories? It wasn’t my mom’s job to deal with my childhood memories but oh, how I wished I had received a few pictures of those things rather than the things themselves! So that’s just what I did! I photographed them and donated the collectibles and dumped the rest. I was free of the clutter but captured the memories I was afraid to lose.

Lead by Example

Demonstrate your commitment to decluttering by taking the initiative in your own spaces. When family members see you actively decluttering and enjoying the benefits, they may be inspired to join in and contribute.

Create a Memory Box For Each Family Member

A really great way to get your family onboard with decluttering is to create Memory Boxes. For family members who are particularly attached to certain items, suggest creating a “memory” box. Here is where they can store their most cherished belongings. This allows them to hold onto special items without cluttering the home, providing a compromise that respects their feelings. Let’s discuss more about Memory Boxes next!

2. Create Memory Boxes

To help each family member feel valued and ensure their special mementos have a designated home, create a memory box for everyone. Our Memory Boxes are plastic tubs that fit under the bed. I used my Cricut Joy to make vinyl labels with each person’s name. They look cute, are very functional and store easily. I don’t keep anything else under our bed except for the extra leaf to expand our dining table, so it’s the perfect spot for them!

Provide each person with a box that they can personalize however they would like. Explain that this box is for their cherished items—whether it’s drawings, letters, or small keepsakes—as long as it fits inside. This approach not only keeps sentimental items organized but also teaches children and spouses that their special belongings are important and deserve a dedicated space. Knowing that their mementos have a home can reduce the urge to keep items scattered throughout the house.

The size of the box dictates how much one person can keep and helps family members learn discernment. When it’s full, they have to go through it and see if everything they thought they wanted to keep is still keep-worthy. Sometimes this end up being a great lesson about how you treasure something today, but a year from now you may not even remember why you wanted to keep it in the first place.

3. Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks

When it comes to getting the whole family onboard with decluttering, assigning tasks that match each family member’s age and ability is crucial. Younger children can help with sorting toys, organizing books, or putting away their clothes. Older kids and teens can take on more complex areas, such as closets or shared spaces like the living room. By giving everyone specific roles, you empower them to take ownership of their contributions, hopefully making them feel valued and involved in the family effort. And bonus, any space a kid has helped to declutter might stay a little neater because they are now invested in it. We can hope anyway!!

4. Make it Fun

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore! Turn the process into a fun family activity by incorporating games or challenges. Set a timer and see how many items each person can declutter within a specific timeframe, or create a friendly competition to see who can organize a space the fastest. You could also play upbeat music to keep the energy high and create a lively atmosphere. By making decluttering enjoyable, you’ll foster a positive attitude toward the process and encourage everyone to participate wholeheartedly.

5. Create a Decluttering Plan

Having a clear plan is essential to successfully getting your family onboard with a decluttering session. Decide which areas of the house you’ll tackle and set a timeline for each task. Break the process down into manageable chunks—focus on one room or category at a time, such as clothing or toys. This structured approach prevents the process from feeling overwhelming and helps keep everyone on track. Use a calendar to mark decluttering days and celebrate milestones as you complete each area, reinforcing the sense of accomplishment.

6. Encourage Sentimental Reflection

It’s natural for family members to feel attached to certain items, making the decluttering process more challenging. Encourage everyone to reflect on their belongings and consider what truly holds value. Teach them to ask questions like, “Does this item bring me joy?” or “Have I used this in the last year?” This reflective process helps individuals make thoughtful decisions about what to keep, donate, or discard. By fostering this mindset, you’ll help family members understand the importance of letting go of items that no longer serve them. You’ll also be teaching them valuable skills for their own adult lives one day.

7. Establish Donation and Disposal Rules

Create a system for handling items that are no longer needed or wanted. Designate a specific box or area for donations. Involve the family in choosing which organizations to donate to, making it a more meaningful experience. For items that are damaged or unusable, establish a clear method for disposal. This approach teaches valuable lessons about generosity and responsibility while ensuring that everyone understands how to manage their decluttered items properly.

Having a Donations Box always at the ready helps make it easy to simply drop items in the box rather than set them aside, not knowing what to do with them. When something gets “sets aside,” it generally ends up as clutter! A designated donation box makes it so easy to keep unwanted items contained until you have a chance to drive it to a donation center. Consider keeping one in the hall closet, laundry room, mud room or even one in each family member’s closet.

8. Celebrate Your Progress

After a successful decluttering session, take the time to celebrate your accomplishments as a family. Whether it’s a small treat, a fun outing, or simply enjoying the newly organized space together, acknowledging your hard work reinforces the positive experience. Celebrating progress builds motivation for future decluttering efforts and encourages a positive attitude towards organization. By recognizing your achievements, you create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.

It is Possible to Declutter as a Family!

I know it’s not always going to be easy to get everyone on the same page just because you want to get your home under control BUT getting any kind of help from them is a start. Regularly use these strategies to continue to encourage your family to help in this important process.

Getting your family onboard with decluttering can be a rewarding experience that strengthens bonds and creates a more organized home. By gathering everyone together, creating memory boxes, assigning age-appropriate tasks, and making it fun, you can transform decluttering from an uninspired chore into an enjoyable family activity. With clear communication, a structured plan, and a spirit of teamwork, you’ll be well on your way to a clutter-free and harmonious living space. Ready to embark on this journey together? I would love to hear about your experiences decluttering with your family in the comments below.