Does walking into a messy room make you feel anxious or stressed, leaving you wondering for any decluttering tricks?
You’re not alone – clutter can have a significant effect on your mood. Research from UCLA even shows that mothers who describe their homes as cluttered have higher levels of stress hormones. The good news is you don’t have to do a massive cleanup to feel better. With a few simple decluttering tricks, you can instantly transform your home into a calm, organized haven.
The 5-Minute Rule: Tiny Tidies for Big Impact
One of the simplest tricks to declutter is by using the “5-minute rule.” If a task will take five minutes or less, handle it immediately. These tiny efforts stop messes from piling up. Think about it – hanging your coat in the closet instead of dropping it on a chair (30 seconds), rinsing a few dishes instead of letting them sit (3 minutes), or taking a few minutes before bed to clear your coffee table. Small actions like these can completely transform the look and feel of a room.
Another easy trick: set a timer for five minutes and do a quick speed-tidy of a trouble spot, like your kitchen counter or desk. In just a few minutes, you can sort mail into a basket, gather stray pens into a cup, and toss out any trash. Suddenly, your surfaces are clear and your space feels lighter. These quick wins not only make your home look more peaceful but also give you a little boost of accomplishment that can uplift your whole day.
Make Your Bed and Clear Key Surfaces
It might seem like a small thing, but making your bed each morning is a powerful decluttering hack. Since the bed is usually the biggest item in the bedroom, an unmade bed instantly makes the whole space feel messy – while a neatly made bed makes the entire room look cleaner and more put together. This simple one-minute habit can set a positive tone for your day and creates a calm, welcoming vibe for when you return at night.
Beyond the bed, focus on clearing key surfaces. Flat areas like countertops, tables, and dresser tops are magnets for random clutter – think keys, mail, gadgets, and papers. Spend just a few minutes clearing these spaces by tossing junk mail, filing important letters, and stashing everyday items like toiletries inside cabinets or bins. When your visible surfaces are clear, it creates a huge sense of calm. Our brains crave clean, open space, and by tackling these everyday “clutter hot spots,” your home will instantly feel more peaceful and organized.
Source – lifecoach.com
One-In-One-Out (and Other Simple Rules)
Want to keep clutter from creeping back in? Set a few simple rules for yourself. One of the most effective is the “one-in, one-out” rule: whenever you bring something new into your home – whether it’s clothes, gadgets, or toys – get rid of one item you no longer need. Donate, recycle, or toss something that’s just taking up space. This habit makes you more intentional about what you buy and keeps your closets and shelves from overflowing with unused stuff.
Another great habit is giving everything a designated home. When every item has a specific spot, it’s much easier to keep things tidy. Try placing a bowl or tray near the entryway for keys and sunglasses. Install a few hooks by the door for coats and backpacks instead of letting them pile up on chairs. If mail tends to take over your counters, set up a basket or drawer just for incoming papers. You don’t need a fancy organizing system – just consistent, easy-to-remember places where things belong. These small, everyday routines make a huge difference in preventing clutter from getting out of hand.
Source – lifecoach.com
Weekend Mini-Declutter Projects
Sometimes a quick 5-minute tidy just isn’t enough – especially when you’re dealing with seriously cluttered spots (looking at you, hall closet!). Instead of exhausting yourself with all-day cleaning marathons, try breaking it down into mini decluttering projects. Pick one small area each weekend to focus on. Maybe this Saturday you tackle the medicine cabinet, and next weekend, it’s the infamous junk drawer in the kitchen. Set a timer for an hour or two, and just work on that one space – deciding what to keep, toss, or donate, and organizing what’s left.
Keeping it small helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed, but still gives you that satisfying sense of progress. Even clearing out one drawer or organizing a single shelf can make your whole home feel lighter and less stressful. If you want to take it a step further, try a 30-day decluttering challenge: spend just 10 minutes a day working on a small area or getting rid of a few unneeded items. Each mini project adds up, and before you know it, your home feels calmer, cleaner, and way more organized.
Embrace Visual Calm and Enjoy the Benefits
After you finish a quick declutter – whether it’s clearing off the coffee table or simply making your bed – pause for a moment and soak in the difference. A clutter-free space instantly brings a feeling of ease and relaxation. It’s gentler on both your eyes and your mind, because you’re no longer subconsciously tracking dozens of scattered items. Studies even show that cluttered spaces force your brain to multitask and fight for attention, which can drain your focus and ramp up stressgoodmorningamerica.com. By creating visual calm, you’re giving your brain a much-needed break – and setting the stage for a more peaceful, focused day.
Source – goodmorningamerica.com
The goal isn’t perfection or a picture-perfect home, but rather creating a space that feels good to you. Use baskets or bins to corral items in a way that’s easy to maintain (toss the toys in a basket each evening, drop the mail in one tray).
By making these simple decluttering tricks a habit, you’ll maintain a home that looks and feels more serene. Remember, a little effort goes a long way – even a five-minute declutter can bring a surprising amount of peace and clarity to your home.
