Don’t think it’s possible to have a clutter free home? Think again! Learn the eight essential habits you need to develop in order to banish household clutter for good.
Spring is just around the corner. As the temperature rises, I’m betting your decluttering energy is on the rise as well. So let’s hone in on some habits that you can adopt from people who have a clutter free home.
You know who I’m talking about – that friend, neighbor, or relative who never seems to struggle with clutter. Call them what you want – Decluttering Super Stars or Decluttering Ninjas – clutter is not a THING for them.
How do they do it?
What keeps the piles of stuff from accumulating in their house?
How do they keep their countertops so clear?
It’s simple.
They’ve adopted a set of core habits that keeps household clutter at bay. Once you become privy to this list of magical habits, you can experience the joy of living in a clutter free home too.
8 Essential Habits for a Clutter Free Home
1. Don’t let clutter enter your home
Decluttering Super Stars stop clutter at the source. They take active steps to reduce the amount of clutter coming into their home at all times.
These active steps include actions such as :
- shopping with intention (no impulse shopping)
- declining “freebies”
- routinely unsubscribing from mailing lists
- signing up for paperless billing.
Related: How to Reduce Household Paper Clutter
2. Have a donation station to store decluttered items
By establishing designated holding areas (what I call a donation station) throughout their home, Decluttering Super Stars make it easy for themselves and their family members to declutter unwanted items throughout the week/month/year.
This represents a fundamental shift in thinking. Instead of treating the act of decluttering as an infrequent event, it becomes an activity that is incorporated into a regular household routine.
In addition, having a few donation stations throughout your home removes the decision-making obstacle of where to put something you ultimately want to get rid of.
3. Don’t let decluttered items stick around
Once they have made the decision to part with an item, Decluttering Super Stars take the necessary steps to move those items out of their home to their final destination (e.g., donation center) as soon as possible.
You won’t find them hauling bags of clutter around in their trunk for months on end.
4. Process household papers regularly
Decluttering Super Stars know that paper has the potential to be a HUGE source of household clutter and they don’t let it pile up.
They process their mail and those pesky school papers on a daily basis.
5. Adopt a nightly clean sweep routine
At the end of the day, Decluttering Super Stars spend a few minutes decluttering the main living areas of their home. Their nightly clean sweep routine includes basic tasks such as:
- folding up throw blankets
- putting all dishes in the dishwasher
- clearing countertops
- putting items that have accumulated on the stairs away.
They understand the importance of setting the stage for the following day.
6. Digitize memorabilia when possible
Memorabilia can be a huge source of clutter. Decluttering Super Stars find ways to treasure the memory of a special person, place or event without having to collect physical objects.
They opt to archive their kids’ artwork online via digital photos instead of keeping bins full of the original art work. They choose to digitize their family photos and videos instead of storing family memories via a massive collection of outdated media.
When they want to remember something, they simply take a digital photo of it.
7. Be thoughtful about items you choose to keep
If your goal is a clutter free home, you need to cultivate a habit of self-questioning when it comes to the stuff you are cohabitating with. Decluttering Super Stars ask themselves a lot of questions. They use what I call purging prompts on a continuous basis in order to decide what to keep in their home and what to toss.
Purging prompts are questions like:
- Do I love this or use it regularly?
- Did I even know that I owned this?
- Am I really going to fix this in the near future?
- Does this fit me? When is the last time I wore it?
- Do I have more than one of these?
- Can I get a copy of this document online?
- Could someone else benefit from this more than I could?
- If I were to see this item in a store TODAY, would I purchase it?
8. Adopt a Valuable Real Estate mindset
Decluttering Super Stars adopt the mindset that items must prove themselves worthy of taking up valuable real estate in their home. For example, they understand that only small appliances that are used daily should earn a permanent home on their kitchen countertop.
They understand that their home is a to be used primarily as a living space, and NOT a storage space.
Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It will take time to strengthen your decluttering muscle. If you work on adopting these habits, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of a clutter free home — less stress and greater peace.
Need decluttering tips for specific spaces in your home? Check out this comprehensive room-by-room decluttering guide!
What is your most valuable tip for keeping your home clutter-free?
More Decluttering Tips
- How to Start Decluttering
- Resources for Selling Decluttered Items
- The Declutter Tool Kit
- No Brainer Decluttering Lists by Space
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Sabrina Quairoli says
Paper Paper Paper, I found that several of my clients struggle with paper decluttering. I totally agree; paper needs to be dealt with right when it enters the home. Having a nearby shredder/recycling bin helps immensely. Thanks for sharing your great advice.
Natalie Gallagher says
I agree wholeheartedly Sabrina!
Janet Barclay says
I’m ALMOST a Superstar, but I find it hard to part with memorabilia even after I’ve taken a photo of it.
Natalie Gallagher says
Such a common Challenge Janet!