The Ultimate Room-by-Room Checklist for Decluttering and Organizing Your Home

Today, I’m sharing my room-by-room checklist for decluttering and organizing your home. I don’t know about you, but there are times when my life feels downright overwhelming, and the to-do list seems endless. When clutter starts to pile up and my home feels messy and disorganized, it becomes challenging for me to maintain focus.

This has a tendency to create a domino effect and impact even more areas of my life. Maybe meal planning has taken a backseat, leading us to rely on fast food or frozen pizzas. When a couple of areas in my life are out of balance, I really really feel it!

Have You Gone Clutter-Blind?

There is also the very real situation of being clutter-blind. This happens when you stop noticing things that don’t belong simply because you’re so used to seeing them. I’m going to share a real life situation with you and I really hope you’re not the judgmental type! I had a beloved pet’s ashes in a pretty wooden box in my entryway for several years. I got so used to seeing it there that I no longer thought of it as something that didn’t belong. It wasn’t until a friend asked about it on her way out, that I had a face palm moment and I thought, why is that still in the entryway. Furthermore, why haven’t I dealt with those ashes, as I intended a long time ago?!

I’m not gonna lie Friends, it was a semi-horrifying reminder that even when you try to stay on top of things, something like this can happen. You might think, hey, no big deal, just one little box right? In the interest of being very honest here, I should mention that my beloved pet was a horse…. and the pretty wooden box was roughly the size of a two-drawer file cabinet. Yes, you read that right: a two-drawer file cabinet. Pretend like there is a face palm emoji inserted right here!

The reason I can help you deal with your clutter and lack of organization is because I’ve been there. Obviously, occasionally, I still find myself there!

There is hope, however! I’m here to share my room-by-room checklist for decluttering and organizing, and how I overcame the overwhelm.

Decluttering and organizing not only creates a more pleasant living space but also significantly boosts mental clarity and reduces stress. A tidy environment can enhance your mood, increase productivity, and promote a sense of control, making it easier to tackle daily challenges. Let’s explore some effective strategies to regain that sense of order and peace!

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Decluttering: A Room-by-Room Checklist for a Fresh Start

Are you feeling overwhelmed by clutter and chaos in your home? A room-by-room checklist for decluttering can be your best ally in the journey to pare down and organize your space. By breaking down the process into manageable steps, you can tackle each area of your home with a clear purpose. This method not only simplifies the task at hand but also allows you to see progress as you complete each room.

Imagine walking into a space where everything has its place, and you serenade beautiful birds over to land on your elegantly outstretched hand. Okay, so maybe not the bird thing, but think about how nice it would be to have everything decluttered and efficiently organized. With a structured checklist for decluttering and organizing, you can focus on one room at a time, making the decluttering process less daunting. Each completed task brings you closer to a more serene home, enhancing your overall well-being. Let’s dive into the details of how to do a room-by-room decluttering and transform your home into a sanctuary of order and peace.

1. Entryway

Checklist for Decluttering Your Entryway

• Clear the Floor: Remove shoes, bags, and any other items from the floor. Create a designated spot for shoes to prevent them from looking messy.
• Sort Through Coats and Jackets: Evaluate the coats, jackets, and bags hanging in your entryway. Keep only what you regularly use and donate or store the rest.
• Empty Out Storage Bins: If you have bins or baskets in your entryway, empty them out and assess their contents. Discard or donate items that are no longer needed.
• Check for Mail and Paper Clutter: Go through any mail or paperwork that has accumulated. Recycle or shred what you don’t need, and create a designated spot for important documents and papers.
• Evaluate Decorative Items: Remove any decorative items that don’t serve a purpose or that you no longer love. Be mindful of those items that have crept in that you might have become clutter-blind to. Keep only those that enhance the space.
• Purge Miscellaneous Items: Identify items that have made their way into the entryway but don’t belong there, such as toys, sports equipment, or kitchen items.

Checklist for Organizing Your Entryway

• Install Hooks or Pegs: Use wall-mounted hooks or pegs for coats, bags, and hats to keep them off the floor and easily accessible.
• Use a Shoe Rack or Mat: A shoe rack or a designated mat can help to keep shoes organized and prevent dirt from entering your home.
• Create a Mail Station: Designate a specific spot for incoming mail and important documents, such as a small basket or wall-mounted organizer.
• Incorporate Baskets or Bins: Use decorative baskets or bins to store items like scarves, gloves, and umbrellas, keeping them organized and within reach.
• Add a Entryway Table or Bench: If space allows, consider adding a small table or bench with drawers to store keys, sunglasses, and other small items. If you tend to clutter up surfaces, ditch the table idea, or you may end up with another cluttered surface. Know thyself! And plan accordingly.
• Utilize Vertical Space: Maximize vertical space with shelves for additional storage, creating an organized and inviting entryway.

2. Living Room:

Checklist for Decluttering Your Living Room

• Clear Surfaces: Remove all items from coffee tables, side tables, and shelves. Only return essential items to these surfaces.
• Sort Through Books and Magazines: Go through your books and magazines, keeping only those you love or plan to read. Donate or recycle the rest. Seriously people, get rid of the old magazines!
• Evaluate Decorative Items: Assess decorative pieces such as vases, candles, and art. Keep only those that you truly enjoy or that enhance the space.
• Check for Unused Electronics: Identify any outdated or unused electronics, such as old remotes, chargers, or gaming devices, and get rid of them.
• Purge Toys and Games: If you have children, sort through toys and games. Keep only those that are frequently used and donate or discard the rest.
• Remove Unwanted Furniture: Assess your furniture arrangement. If any pieces are no longer functional or necessary, consider removing or repurposing them. You might be tempted to skip this step thinking you need all of your furniture, but do you? Paring down furniture might make a world of difference in how your space looks and feels!

Checklist for Organizing Your Living Room

• Designate Storage Areas: Create specific spots for items like remote controls, magazines, and blankets to keep the space tidy.
• Use Baskets or Bins: Implement decorative baskets or bins for storing items like toys, blankets, or games, making it easy to keep things organized.
• Incorporate Shelving: Use shelves to display books, photos, and decorative items. This not only organizes but also adds character to the room.
• Create a Media Center: Organize electronics, DVDs, and video games in a dedicated media center or cabinet, keeping cords and devices tidy.
• Utilize Multi-Functional Furniture: Choose furniture with built-in storage options, such as ottomans or coffee tables with drawers, to maximize space.
• Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine: Set a schedule for regular tidying and organizing to prevent clutter from accumulating in the living room.

3. Kitchen

Checklist for Decluttering Your Kitchen

• Empty Cabinets and Drawers: Take everything out of cabinets and drawers to assess what you have. This allows you to see duplicates or items you no longer use. Definitely do one cabinet at a time to prevent making a huge mess!
• Sort Through Cookware and Utensils: Evaluate pots, pans, and utensils. Keep only those that you regularly use and throw away any that are damaged. Donate items that are rarely used.
• Purge Expired Food: Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for expired or spoiled food items. Dispose of anything that is no longer good.
• Evaluate Small Appliances: Assess small appliances like blenders, toasters, and mixers. Keep only those that you use frequently and consider donating or storing the rest.
• Declutter Countertops: Remove non-essential items from countertops to create a cleaner and more functional workspace. Only keep out what you use daily.
• Organize Miscellaneous Items: Identify any miscellaneous items that have made their way into the kitchen, such as mail or random gadgets, and remove them.

Checklist for Organizing Your Kitchen

• Designate Zones: Create specific zones for cooking, baking, and food storage to streamline your kitchen workflow. Group similar items together.
• Use Clear Containers: Store dry goods in clear, labeled containers to keep them fresh and easily accessible while maintaining a tidy appearance.
• Implement Drawer Organizers: Use drawer dividers or organizers to keep utensils, cutlery, and kitchen tools neatly arranged and easy to find.
• Maximize Vertical Space: Install shelves or use wall-mounted racks to store pots, pans, or spices, freeing up valuable counter and cabinet space.
• Create a Cleaning Station: Designate a spot for cleaning supplies, such as dish soap and sponges, to keep them handy yet out of sight.
• Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine: Set a schedule for regular decluttering and cleaning to keep your kitchen organized and functional over time.

4. Dining Room

Checklist for Decluttering Your Dining Room

• Remove Unused Items: Take everything off the dining table and surfaces. Remove items that don’t belong in the dining room, such as mail, toys, or miscellaneous clutter.
• Sort and Categorize: Group similar items together (e.g., dishes, utensils, table linens) to identify what you have and find it easily.
• Evaluate Tableware: Check your dishes, glasses, and utensils for duplicates or items you rarely use. Consider donating or discarding what you don’t need.
• Clear Out the Buffet or Sideboard: Empty these storage areas and assess their contents. Keep only what you use regularly and remove outdated or broken items.
• Check for Expired Items: If you store food items or beverages in the dining room, check for expiration dates and dispose of anything that’s no longer good.
• Purge Decorative Items: Evaluate any decorative pieces and keep only those that you truly love or that enhance the space.

Checklist for Organizing Your Dining Room

• Designate Storage Areas: Assign specific places for items like dining ware, serving dishes, and table linens to streamline access and maintain order.
• Use Baskets or Bins: Implement decorative baskets or bins to store smaller items like napkins, candles, or coasters, keeping them organized and easily accessible.
• Optimize Vertical Space: Utilize shelves or wall-mounted racks to store items off the table and counters, creating a more open and airy feel.
• Create a Centerpiece: If you like, arrange a simple centerpiece on the dining table that adds beauty without cluttering the space. I like fresh flowers or candles as my centerpiece. You can also rotate seasonal decorations for variety.
• Maintain a Clear Table: Keep the dining table mostly clear except for essential items to encourage eating together and enjoyment of the space.
• Establish a Cleaning Routine: Set a regular schedule for tidying up the dining room, ensuring that clutter doesn’t accumulate over time.

5. Bedrooms

Checklist for Decluttering Your Bedrooms

• Clear Surfaces: Remove all items from nightstands, dressers, and the top of the dresser. Only return essential items to these surfaces.
• Sort Through Clothing: Go through your wardrobe and drawers. Keep only the clothes you wear regularly and that fit well. Donate or discard anything you no longer love or wear.
• Evaluate Accessories: Assess accessories such as jewelry, belts, and scarves. Keep only those you frequently use and store or donate the rest.
• Purge Unused Items: Identify any items that don’t belong in the bedroom, such as workout gear or office supplies. Relocate them to their appropriate spaces.
• Check for Sentimental Clutter: Go through sentimental items like gifts or keepsakes. Decide what to keep and what can be stored or let go.
• Remove Excess Decor: Evaluate decorative items and artwork. Keep only those that bring you joy or enhance the space, reducing visual clutter.

Checklist for Organizing Your Bedrooms

• Designate Storage Areas: Create specific spots for items like shoes, accessories, and seasonal clothing to keep everything organized.
• Use Under-Bed Storage: Utilize under-bed storage bins for shoes, seasonal clothing, or extra linens to maximize space and keep the bedroom tidy.
• Implement Drawer Organizers: Use drawer dividers to keep items like socks, underwear, and accessories neatly arranged and easy to find.
• Create a Nightstand Station: Keep essential items like books, chargers, and glasses organized in your nightstand, ensuring easy access while keeping clutter at bay.
• Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine: Set a schedule for regular tidying and decluttering to keep your bedroom a peaceful and organized retreat.

7. Bathroom

Checklist for Decluttering Your Bathroom

• Clear Countertops: Remove all items from bathroom counters. Keep only daily essentials and store or discard the rest.
• Sort Through Toiletries: Go through your skincare, haircare, and hygiene products. Discard expired items and keep only what you regularly use.
• Evaluate Towels and Linens: Check your collection of towels and washcloths. Keep only what is in good condition and donate any extras. If you have towels that are not nice enough to donate, consider taking them to your local humane society where they will make good use of them.
• Purge Unused Medications: Dispose of expired or unused medications safely, following local guidelines for medication disposal.
• Check Beauty Products: Assess makeup and beauty products. Keep items you use frequently and discard anything that is old or rarely used.
• Remove Miscellaneous Items: Identify and remove items that don’t belong in the bathroom, such as cleaning supplies or items from other rooms.

Checklist for Organizing Your Bathroom

• Use Drawer Organizers: Implement drawer dividers to keep toiletries, makeup, and grooming tools neatly arranged and easy to access.
• Install Shelving: Use shelves to create additional storage for items like towels, toiletries, and decorative pieces, maximizing vertical space.
• Incorporate Baskets or Bins: Use decorative baskets or bins to store items like hair tools, skincare products, or extra toiletries, keeping them organized and out of sight. When contained, your things are easy to reach for, use and put away.
• Utilize Over-the-Door Organizers: Hang organizers on the back of the bathroom door for additional storage of items like towels or small toiletries.
• Create a Cleaning Caddy: Keep cleaning supplies in a portable caddy for easy access. Ensure they are stored away from personal care items. I have a small cleaning caddy in each of my bathrooms so I can quickly clean the bathroom everyday. It only takes about five minutes if you do it every day.
• Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine: Set a schedule for regular decluttering and cleaning to keep your bathroom organized and fresh.

Embrace the Journey to a Clutter-Free and Organized Home

As you embark on your decluttering journey, remember to tackle one room at a time for a more manageable and less overwhelming approach. Focusing on individual spaces allows you to see tangible progress and keeps motivation high. The long-term benefits of maintaining an organized home are profound! A tidy home not only enhances your mental focus and reduces stress but also fosters a sense of peace and well-being in your daily life.

I would love to hear from you! Share your organizing tips or experiences in the comments below. Your insights could inspire others on their journey to a clutter-free home. Together, let’s create a supportive community dedicated to embracing simplicity and order in our lives!