11 Ways to Keep Your Home Clutter-Free, According to Professional Organizers

Set Clear Goals

Decluttering can be a big job, so set yourself up for success from the start. “Before you begin decluttering, visualize what you want to achieve and why the goal is important,” suggests Jan Arkwright, a professional organizer. Having a clear understanding of why you want to get organized will help you stay focused when you have to make tough decisions along the way.

Focus On High-Traffic Areas

It’s impossible to declutter every square inch of your house in a single sitting, so concentrate on the spaces that see the most action. You’ll instantly feel the difference. For example, founder of Luxury Pro Organizer Carol Applebaum recommends organizing your kitchen first (to help streamline meal prep) or focusing on your home office to enhance productivity.

One In, One Out

The “One In, One Out” rule can be incredibly helpful for keeping clutter at bay. “Before bringing any new item into your home, identify something similar to remove,” says Cara Palmer, a home organization expert. Sticking to this rule helps prevent items from accumulating in your home, especially things like clothes, books, and kitchen items like mugs and water bottles.

Start Small and Easy

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, set small and attainable home organization goals. Organizing one small space at a time makes the job of decluttering feel more manageable, and it can also help you build confidence before tackling harder, bigger projects down the line. “Choose an area that is ‘emotionally neutral’ and not filled with items that you would have a hard time letting go of,” Arkwright recommends.

Take Inventory

There are probably countless items in your home that you don’t need or you’ll never use, and setting aside time to evaluate what you have is key to decluttering. Go through your kitchen cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, and medicine cabinet to check expiration dates. If you have items in your garage or utility room that you haven’t used in several years, donate or discard them.

Closets are another area of the home that tend to accumulate items you’ll never wear. "Assess clothing for fit and condition," says Applebaum. "Ask yourself if they are comfortable and if they boost confidence." Anything that doesn’t check those boxes has to go.

Try the Two-Minute Rule

One of the best ways to declutter is to prevent clutter from piling up in the first place. The two-minute rule is an easy way to put that concept into practice. “If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately instead of putting it off,” instructs Palmer. Try doing this for simple tasks, like hanging up clothes, filing papers, or putting clean dishes away.

Create a "Maybe" Box

It’s easy to get stuck deciding to keep or donate certain items, so creating a "maybe" box can help you continue making progress. “For items you’re still on the fence about, place them in a box labeled with a date,” says Arkwright. “If you don’t retrieve any items from the box within six months, donate or discard them.” Having a "maybe" box allows you to take your time detaching emotionally, relieving the pressure of having to make a quick decision.

Group Like Items Together

Designate storage spaces for similar items, such as kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, or tools. When you can see the entirety of what you have, it makes it easier to decide what to hold on to and what to give or throw away, explains Applebaum. As a bonus, grouping like items together also helps save time finding items you need.

Digitize Sentimental Items

Sentimental items can be among the hardest items to discard or donate along your decluttering journey. “Learning to separate the memory from the item is a starting place,” says Arkwright. She recommends digitizing emotionally charged items to help preserve the memory while allowing yourself to let go of the physical object. For example, take scans or photographs of children’s artwork or mementos like ticket stubs and Playbills. You can also allocate a space for sentimental items you’d like to keep. Once it's full, decide what you’ll keep and what must go.

Use What You Have

When you embark on a major decluttering project it can be tempting to head to the store to stock up on new organizing tools—but try to resist reaching for your car keys right away. “Before purchasing new organizing supplies, look for bins, baskets, or containers you already own,” says Applebaum. If you can utilize items you already own, like decorative boxes, dishes, and jars, you can save money while maximizing your space at the same time.

Declutter By Category

It makes sense to want to organize your home one room at a time, but sometimes it’s easier to organize by category. For example, if you want to organize your office supplies and stationery, you’ll first want to collect them from every drawer, closet, or desk where you have them stored and then begin organizing—as opposed to just tackling your home office itself. “This method helps you see the true volume of what you own and make better decisions about what to keep,” says Palmer.