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Decluttering

How to Create a Minimalist Bedroom (That’s Not Boring) in 10 Easy Steps

August 4 //  by Brooke

Minimalist bedroom.  It sounds so incredibly boring, definitely not inviting.  It sounds stark, cold, and plain. 

In fact, it sounds like my bedroom the day before we listed our last house for sale.  No pictures, minimal artwork, and pretty much no personality.  This does not have to be your definition of a minimalist bedroom!

You deserve a room that is special

I didn’t set out to create a minimalist bedroom.  

It happened by chance. I never gave my bedroom importance when decorating a home. Why? Because no one saw it.  

I figured it was silly to spend money on a room no one ever saw.  Boy, I was wrong.  

While it is more practical to start with other rooms, having a bedroom retreat that is peaceful and relaxing is a game changer for your minimalist home.

A minimalist bedroom becomes your special place at the end of a long day. It contains only your favorite things, and those few things add calm and relaxation to your life.

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This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

A step-by-step guide on how to create a minimalist bedroom that’s not boring

1. Declutter

First, declutter your bedroom.  

Get rid of any clutter that is taking away from a relaxing room.  Items that possibly can be removed from your room to create the perfect minimalist bedroom:

  • Toys
  • Exercise equipment
  • Collections
  • Book storage
  • Keepsakes
  • Seasonal items
  • Desk
  • Magazines
  • Paper

Now, I’ve had all of these items in my bedroom at some point in time.  Sometimes it was because I had not assigned a designated place for such items, it was clutter that needed to be handled, or I had nowhere else to store it in our home, like the desk. 

Get rid of what you can.

Related Post: A Step-By-Step Guide to Declutter Your Bedroom

2. Clear the floor space

Floor space falls in the “flat surface clutter rule”. 

If something is on the floor, and it is not a piece of furniture or a permanent piece of your room, it should be removed. 

Assess the amount of furniture in your bedroom. 

Do you need all the items there?

Is every item serving some sort of purpose?

If not, find it a new place in your home or get rid of it.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

3. Clean off the tops of your dresser, chest of drawers and nightstand

Any furniture top also falls in the “flat surface clutter rule”. 

Clear off anything that should not be there all the time.  If you are keeping something on top of a piece of furniture, make sure it serves a purpose. 

Items that remain can be a single picture frame, or a figurine your grandmother passed on to you, or some other decorative item you enjoy looking at every day. 

The key is to downsize the amount of stuff sitting on your furniture tops.  Even if you have zero decorating skills (me!!), you will look like you have some sense of style simply by having less.

Clear off your nightstand to create a minimalist bedroom!

4. Clean out the closet

Declutter your closet and create a capsule wardrobe.  

Your bedroom closet should not be your main storage solution if you want to create a minimalist bedroom. 

  • Start by taking out the clothes you never wear. 
  • Clear the floor space in your closet and create a shoe storage solution. 
  • If you can, make space for your dirty clothes hamper(s) in your closet. 

Doing all these things will help clear the floor space in your bedroom.

Related Post: 9 Ways Your Bedroom Setup Could Be Ruining Your Sleep

5. Hide things that can be hidden

Hiding things that can be hidden goes along with clearing the floor space and flat surfaces in your new minimalist bedroom. 

For example, I used to store much of my jewelry on top of the dresser. It looked cluttered and often made getting dressed in the mornings a struggle when trying to find the best coordinating pieces. 

After I decluttered my clothes from the dresser drawers, I had an extra drawer. 

I then purchased some pretty drawer organizers and placed my jewelry and other knick-knacks out of site.  This was probably my favorite organization fix in our minimalist bedroom! 

I created a similar drawer for my husband’s belongings.

6. Choose a color scheme for your minimalist bedroom

A minimalist bedroom does not have to be white or cream everywhere.  If you like color, embrace it!

If you love calming neutrals, embrace that as well. 

When selecting your color scheme, pick three or four colors that you love, and incorporate them into simple pieces throughout your room.   

You can even pick a fun paint color that is not some version of white!  

You can use your accent colors in your simple throw pillows or decorative items you decided to keep in the bedroom.

Related Post: Minimalism for Normal People

7. Choose your minimalist bedroom linens

Pick linens and a bedspread (or comforter) you LOVE!!  

Many decorators will tell you a minimalist bedroom requires neutral colors.  I disagree.  Pick out something timeless that will last you a while but that will also bring you joy every single day.

Two sets of sheets should be plenty.  You could even get by with one set if you wash during the day, but two sets of sheets are where I sit comfortably.  (I have a secret ninja five-year-old that still sneaks into my bed sometimes.  You just never know, so an extra set of sheets is always good to have on hand.)

Pick out no more than two to three throw pillows for your minimalist bedroom.  You don’t want a pile of pillows on the bed every day to deal with when you make and unmake the bed.

Two to three throw pillows give you a nice look without going overboard.  Besides, my husband is more likely to make the bed if he doesn’t have to fight a bunch of throw pillows!

8. Decide on your wall art

I don’t care what anyone says, there is no limit to the pieces of wall art you can have to create a minimalist bedroom. 

Keep what brings you joy, and try to keep it simple. 

For me, I really love to see photos of my sweet family on the wall.  So, I blew up a couple of my favorite photos and bought nice frames for them to hang in our bedroom.  They make me smile.

9. Put a plant or two in your minimalist bedroom

Greenery has a way of making a room feel inviting, fresh, and clean. 

If you can’t keep anything alive, look at getting a quality fake plant.  Just make sure it doesn’t look cluttered in its new home!

Plants look great in a minimalist bedroom.

10. Make the bed every morning

I admit I don’t make the bed every single day.  However, it is a habit that I have adopted, and I LOVE how it makes our bedroom look. 

It is incredibly inviting at the end of the day to go into a bedroom that looks put together and inviting. 

Try making your bed for a week after you declutter your bedroom.  You may be surprised if it is not a habit you are used to doing!

Here are some examples of my favorite minimalist bedrooms that are not boring!

How to create a minimalist bedroom that's not boring and white!
I love the yellow and orange in this minimalist bedroom!
How to create a minimalist bedroom that's not boring and white!
I love the birds on the comforter and the blue curtains in this minimalist bedroom.
How to create a minimalist bedroom that's not boring and white!
You gotta love the purple and fuzzy rug in this minimalist bedroom!

Related Posts:

The Benefits of Being a Minimalist Family

How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom with These Simple Steps

12 Things I No Longer Buy Since Becoming a Minimalist


Day 4: Happy Clutter-Free Home Series

This post is part of the Happy Clutter-Free Home series.  You can achieve a decluttered home once and for all.  You don’t have to settle for cleaning all day, stress, and general clutter overwhelm. 

Get back time and reclaim the joy in your home.

The previous post in the series: How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom With These Simple Steps

In the next post, we will conquer the kid stuff with How to Minimize and Declutter Your Kid’s Room and Kid’s Toy Storage Solutions.

Save to Pinterest for later!

How to Create a Minimalist Bedroom (That’s Not Boring) in 10 Easy StepsRead More

Category: Areas to Declutter, DeclutteringTag: Happy Clutter-Free Home

The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist to Get You Started: 100 Items to Easily Clear Out

August 1 //  by Brooke

Day 1: Happy Clutter-Free Home Series

When you first start to declutter your home, it often helps to have a decluttering checklist to help you go through different rooms in your home and know what items to touch next. 

Here is a decluttering checklist giving you 100 items you can get rid of today when you clear the clutter in your home.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

General rules for your decluttering checklist:

  • Get rid of any duplicates if you can survive with only one.
  • Find a place for everything.  Everything should have a designated place in your home.
  • If you want to keep it, use it or display it.
  • Don’t keep things for “just in case”.  You will find you are more resourceful than you give yourself credit.
  • Anything broken needs to be repaired immediately or thrown away.
  • Save your sentimental items for last.  You will be better at decluttering your home when you get to them.
  • Remember to track anything donated.  I like the It’s Deductible app.  Super easy to use.

Use this decluttering checklist to kickstart your journey into decluttering your home, especially if you don’t know how to declutter. 

This simple guide will give you the head start you need to see some real progress.  As you gain momentum, you will get faster, and things will get easier.

Related Post: The Best Strategies For Getting Rid of Your Stuff After Decluttering

Decluttering Checklist for Your Electronics

1. DVDs – If you haven’t watched a DVD in this last year, sell them in a lot on eBay or give them to friends.

2. VHS tapes – If you still have these, you should have found them a new home by the turn of the century, as they won’t make a comeback.

3. Cassette tapes – Same goes for cassette tapes as VHS tapes.  Time to just throw them away.  Maybe keep one or two only for nostalgia purposes.

4. CDs – CDs are losing their popularity as well.  If you haven’t listened to a CD in the past year, give it away, sell it, or donate it.

5. Video games – Apply the one year rule here too.  Either sell them or give them away.

6. Outdated computer software – Just throw it away.  No one wants it.

7. Old computers – Throw them away or recycle them at a local electronics recycling event.

8. Old video cameras – Time to let go of nostalgia and throw these bad boys away.  Remember to get your tape, disc or memory card out first! Then, convert them to something digital.

9. Clock radio – True confession, I still have a clock radio, but I use it every day so I have the option to not have my phone in my room.  However, if your clock radio is collecting dust somewhere, donate it now.

10. CD player – My kids still use a boombox CD player.  If you have one sitting in storage, give it to a little kid or donate it.

11. Random wires or cords – We have a “wires box”, and I hate it.  One day I will convince my (hoarding) husband to get rid of it.  Until then, I am trying to get into the practice of labeling all the wires so we know we no longer own said matching device.

12. Old cell phones – Recycle them or trash them.  Many retailers have old cell phone recycling boxes.

13. Old game consoles – Take these to a gaming store, give them to a kid, or donate them.

14. Empty CD cases – I don’t know why, but I had an entire Rubbermaid storage container full of empty CD cases.  They were all recycled.

15. Old digital cameras – Give them to your kid as a toy or throw them away, as the old cameras will never keep up with technology.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Decluttering Checklist for General Household Items

16. Books – Are you going to read it again? Why are you keeping it? If you reference it frequently, keep it.  A lot of folks hold on to non-fiction books they use regularly.  However, if it is a fiction book you never plan to read it again, donate it to your local library or gift it to a friend.

17. Cookbooks – When is the last time you used the cookbook? Do you have a friend or family member that would enjoy it? Could it be a Christmas gift or birthday gift?

18. Magazines – Keep no more than two months of magazines at a time.  If you haven’t read it in two months, chances are you will never read it.  Recycle them and move on.  If you are not reading them regularly, it may be time to cancel the subscription.  You can also consider going digital.

19. Empty frames – Put some pictures in them and hang them or pass them on.

20. Posters – You are no longer in high school….sorry.  If you really want to keep a poster, put it in a frame.  Ikea sells cheap poster frames.  Then display it!

21. Wall hanging pictures – We were stuck with many sentimental wall hangings from our parents’ homes.  We did not like them, and we felt guilty getting rid of them.  If you have no plans for the wall hangings, offer to give them back to your family or give them away.

22. Figurines – Figurines scream clutter.  If you are tired of clutter in your home, it is time to let go of your figurine collection.  Keep your favorite two or three and display them in a location that makes you smile. If you can’t bring yourself to let them go, invest in a display case so they are all together.

23. Pens – How many pens do you really need? If they are dried up, throw them away.  If you have more than you will ever use in a lifetime, donate them to a school.

24. Newspapers – Keep this week’s copy only, or subscribe for an online version and opt to only receive one paper copy per week (ie. the Sunday paper).

25. Vases – One large, medium and small vase should be more than enough.  I don’t even use mine, so I’m not sure why I had so many!

26. Old calendars – You will always have your memories.

27. Expired coupons – Create a system to go through them regularly.

28. Old paperwork – Shred it or file it if you really need it.

Easy clutter to get rid of today

Decluttering Checklist for Your Bathroom

29. Near empty sunscreen – We once had 15 bottles because we were too aggravated to use them, but we saved them not to be wasteful.  Either use them for real or let them go.

30. Travel size toiletries – These are great, and they are free.  Use them.  If you will never use them, donate them to a shelter or throw them away.  If you are throwing them away, stop bringing them home!

31. Make-up – Get rid of samples you will never use, anything outdated, and anything you don’t wear for whatever reason.

32. Curlers – Be honest with yourself. Do you use and love your curlers?   If so, by all means, keep them!

33. Hair products – I used to try out different hair products. I am a frizzy mess most of the time. (Thank you curls.) I would then feel guilty for not liking something and then keep it under my bathroom sink for years.  If you don’t like something and will not use it, give it to a friend or throw it away.

34. Old toothbrushes – One cleaning toothbrush is plenty.

35. Expired medication – Throw it out.  Some say you can use expired medication.  If that’s your thing, do it at your own risk.  I know I won’t do it, so I throw it out.  It also helps me be more mindful about buying medication in smaller quantities to get me through whatever symptoms I may have at some given time.

36. Dried up nail polish – You won’t ever use it.

37. Expired vitamins – Kind of like expired medicine.

38. Hair accessories – If you haven’t used them in the last year, get rid of them.

39. Old perfumes or colognes – Accept the financial loss or start using them.

Related Post: The Flat Surface Rule for Bathroom Counter Clutter

Get rid of any bathroom crap you have been holding on to for too long.

Decluttering Checklist for Your Linen Closet

40. Sheets with holes – We used to say we would use them when painting.  We didn’t.  Actually, I used an old sheet for painting once and swore I would never do it again after paint bled through to the carpet.

41. Old / Unused Comforters – Give these to a friend, a local homeless shelter or donate them, and let someone else get joy from your unused items.

42. Towels with holes – How many “cleaning towels” does one person REALLY need? Two? Three tops?

43. Washcloths with holes – Throw them away.  I hate using a cleaning washcloth with a hole in it.  It is way less effective for the task at hand.

44. Any linens you don’t like – It’s ok.  If you have a sufficient number of linens you like, stop holding on to the ones you skip over every time you open the linen closest.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Decluttering Checklist for Your Kitchen

45. Old take-out menus – Unless you pull them out and look at them often, get rid of them. If you use them, put them in a folder and then put the folder in a drawer.

46. Single-use condiments – If you must keep a few on hand, limit them to a ziplock bag rather than thrown in loosely into a drawer.

47. Expired items in the pantry – You are not going to eat them, so throw them away.

48. Pantry items you don’t like – Go ahead and donate them to the local food bank, check for expiration dates.

49. Coffee mugs – Go ahead and donate the ones you never use.

50. Kid-specific eatery – If you are kids are over the age of three, they can eat on a real plate, with a real fork, and drink out of a real glass.  If they are 3 or younger, they only need one or two sets total.

51. Empty or duplicate spices – Combine duplicates and throw out empty or expired spices.

52. Duplicate cooking utensils – You only need one spatula.

53. Kitchen gadgets you never use – If you aren’t even sure what it does, donate it.

54. Magnets you don’t use – Unclutter your fridge surface.

55. Plastic containers with no lid – Save yourself the misery of searching every time.

Related posts: Create a Minimalist Pantry

Decluttering Checklist for Your Storage and Coat Closets

56. Plastic bags – Nearly every grocery store and big box store recycles plastic bags.  Keep enough on hand (ten maybe) for your bathroom trashcans and invest in some reusable grocery bags.

57. Paper bags – I used to use these for recycling, but don’t just hold onto paper bags for “one day”.  Recycle them today.

58. Old or unused coats – There are a lot of folks out there who need your unused coats.  Find them a good home.

59. Prom dresses – Do you know there are a lot of girls out there who may not go to prom because their parents cannot afford to buy them a dress? Don’t hoard them in your closet for memory’s sake.  Take a photo, and then send them to a local charity that distributes them out for prom.  If you are unsure, you can probably call your local high school for donation ideas.  Besides, they will never fit the same anyway.

60. Extra buttons – They won’t ever get used if they haven’t been used already.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Decluttering Checklist for Your Closet

61. Shoes that hurt – I don’t know why we torture ourselves.  If you never wear a pair of shoes because they always give you a blister, no matter how many times you have tried to break them in, give them away.

62. Dresses that don’t fit – Stop making yourself feel miserable every time you try on a dress that used to look amazing on you.  Our mama bodies changed, and that’s ok.  Let some skinny little girl who has never pushed out a baby wear it.

63. Faded clothes – Unless you NEED these clothes, get rid of them.  You will enjoy the extra space in your decluttered closet.

64. Clothes that need repair – Be honest with yourself, will you actually fix the broken piece of clothing? If not, time to throw it away.

65. Clothing items that match nothing – I used to buy unique clothing.  Then I would never wear it because I never found the matching shirt or pair of pants to go with it.  Buy clothes that are versatile, and consider creating a capsule wardrobe.

66. Shoes that match nothing – Those leopard print, high heeled shoes were so cute when you bought them! Now you never wear them because they match nothing in your closet.  Give them to someone who can rock them every weekend!

67. Old shoes – Shoe cobblers are great if you actually use them.  If you have old shoes, drop them off at one of those shoe collection boxes (Whole Foods usually has them) or throw them away.  Recycling is always best, but I know that’s not always an option.

68. Mismatched gloves – Like socks, sometimes they just disappear.

69. Winter hats – If you never wear them, donate them.

70. Scarves – Get rid of scarves you never wear, whether fashion or winter scarves.

71. Swimwear – If it doesn’t fit or you never wear it or it is old, let it go.

72. Extra shoelaces – If you need some down the road, go get some that match your shoes at that time.

73. Unused purses – You can consign or sell the nice ones.  Pick one or two timeless ones and let the rest go.

Related posts: Declutter Your Closet and Create a Capsule Wardrobe 

Delcutter Your Closet | Capsule Wardrobe

Decluttering Checklist for Your Bedroom

74. Faded and worn T-shirts – Pull them out of the drawer you can barely close and make room for the clothes you still like to wear.  Even your lounging clothes deserve to not be faded and worn.

75. Mismatched socks – I swear our dryer really does eat socks.  This baffles me.  I finally created a loose sock storage solution.  Every month, I go through the bag and match any socks that ended up in there.  Eventually, you realize there is that one sock that never finds its match.  Throw it away.

76. Worn-out underwear – I’m terrified I’ll be in a terrible accident one day and wearing ugly underwear, so I just won’t do it.  Keep only the underwear you love, and let go of those hiding at the back of your drawer.

77. Worn-out pajamas – I don’t know why we feel compelled to turn all of our worn-out clothes into pajamas or loungewear.  Years ago, I decided I would LOVE all my pajamas.  They would not just be leftovers and worn out items.  I’ve never turned back.  If my house catches fire and I have to run outside, I will like the pajamas I am wearing!

78. Old costume jewelry – If you don’t wear it regularly, find it a new home or throw it away if broken.

Related post: Declutter Your Bedroom 

Decluttering Checklist for Your Craft Supplies

79. Extra fabric – I love to sew.  However, I managed to build up several bins of fabric that would never be used.  Ask your friends and family if they know a quilter or someone that would enjoy your excess scraps.  Keep only the fabric that you plan to use.  If sewing was just a passing hobby you were exploring, give it all away.

80. Craft supplies for old hobbies – Scrapbooking was my passing hobby. I enjoyed it for years, and I bought all the fun stuff that goes with it.  Admitting to myself that I would never sit down to enjoy the hobby again was disappointing, especially when considering the financial investment I made.  So, one year I packaged it all up and mailed it to my mom for her birthday.  She is a big scrapbooker and was thrilled.

81. Old patterns – Again, if you have no plans to use the patterns in the next year, find them a new home.

82. Dried up markers – I don’t think we keep these on purpose.  Throw them away.

83. Broken crayons – I don’t know why broken crayons bother me so much, but they do.  My kids refuse to use them.  Their hands are too clumsy to hold on.  Make a fun craft out of them.  There are some fun ideas on Pinterest!

84. Used up coloring books – Do a quarterly audit on coloring books.  Your kids will never tell you when they are used up.

85. Empty sticker sheets – My kids throw empty sticker sheets into the craft storage box.  I audit it regularly to see what kind of trash needs to be thrown away.

Decluttering Checklist for Your Laundry Room

86. Old lightbulbs – Lightbulbs that only fit your old house should be recycled or thrown away.

87. Plastic hangers from the store – Invest in hangers you like.  No one really likes the free hangers from the store.

88. Dry cleaner hangers – Dry cleaners will often take back their hangers on your return visit.  That way you are saving them money, and you are saving yourself from clutter.

89. Cleaning supplies – Throw out the ones you will never use or consolidate any duplicate bottles.

Decluttering Checklist for Your Purse

90. Receipts – Go through your purse weekly and throw out any receipts you do not need to keep.

91. Kid trash – Apparently mom’s purse is a trash can, and kids can sneak stuff in there without me ever knowing!

92. Expired cards – I don’t always throw these away.  Sometimes I put them in the play cash register.  My kids love it!

93. Loyalty cards in your wallet and on your keychain – If you don’t use them, throw them away.

Decluttering Checklist for Your Sentimental Items and Other Memorabilia

94. Old toys – Your kids don’t want to play with your old toys.  My husband had boxes full of old toys saved for his children.  My kids were thrilled the day they saw it and then guess what?  They told us they didn’t like those toys.  Apparently, they were old and missing pieces.  They were honest, and they have their own stuff.  No reason to add more to it.

95. Papers from school (all age levels) – For some reason, we had a box of preschool papers from thirty years ago.  We enjoyed looking at them, but we had no reason to save them.  For anything that we really wanted to save, we scanned or took a picture and then stored them on a cloud.

96. Blurry photos – Throw them out.

97. Duplicate photos – Throw them out or mail/ give them to those who may enjoy the second copy.

98. Certificates from childhood – I had an entire notebook my mom put together of certificates I earned throughout school.  I digitized some, and then I recycled the rest.  (Sorry mom.)

99. Trophies from childhood – Throwing my trophies away hurt for a second.  However, the space I created when I got rid of that storage bin was so worth it!

100. Old greeting cards – If you really want the memory, snap a picture and store it on a cloud.

Related post to get you motivated: 12 Reasons Why Living with Less Stuff Will Make You Happier

Related Post: Help With Sentimental Clutter

Start Decluttering Your Home, One Item at a Time!

This decluttering checklist can be used in a day, a long weekend or spread out over time.  It all depends on your current situation and your ability to let go of items you no longer need. 

Minimalism is a journey for sure, and it looks different for every family.

If you aren’t ready to handle an item yet, come back to it. This decluttering checklist should make things easier as you make your way through the different categories.

Don’t give up, and be persistent.  It will be worth the hard decisions when the clutter is gone!


This post is part of the Happy Clutter-Free Home series.  You can achieve a decluttered home once and for all.  You don’t have to settle for cleaning all day, stress, and general clutter overwhelm.  Being a mom is hard already.  Don’t let clutter make it feel impossible.  Get back time and reclaim the joy in your home.

Tomorrow we will be talking about my favorite habit that helped me achieve a cleaner home: The Flat Surface Clutter Rule.  

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Save this pin for later:

Declutter

The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist to Get You Started: 100 Items to Easily Clear OutRead More

Category: Areas to Declutter, DeclutteringTag: Happy Clutter-Free Home

Happy Clutter-Free Home Series: 7 Days of Challenges to a Clutter-Free Home

August 1 //  by Brooke

Does a clutter-free home sound like an unattainable dream?  Are you ready to conquer what seems like the impossible?! Then let’s get started!!!

Welcome to the Happy Clutter-Free Home Series!

In this mini-series, I will give you seven days of posts, each challenging you to tackle a different aspect of clutter in your home.

You may not obtain a clutter-free home in just 7 days, and that’s not a problem.  Don’t beat yourself up over it. 

This is a challenge to get you started. 

Once you gain momentum, this whole decluttering project of yours will become a breeze. 

You will love finding the peace and calm that is hidden under all the clutter in your home, and you will be working on getting back more of your time as well.

There will be less cleaning after decluttering your home, and less sorting through the mess.  Easier days are ahead mama!

Day 1: Decluttering Checklist: 100 Items You Can Get Rid of Today

First, I will give you a decluttering checklist.  Do not attempt to tackle all these items in one day. 

The list is made up of a lot of easy wins, things that should be easier to let go of when you are just starting out. 

So, go ahead and grab yourself a trash bag and a giveaway bag and get busy!

Related Post: 10 Newbie Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid

Here is a decluttering checklist to help you get started towards a clutter-free home Pinterest pin.

Day 2: The Flat-Surface Clutter Rule – How to Clear Clutter From Flat Surfaces in Your Home

On day 2, we will talk about the flat-surface clutter-fix rule.  This rule will change how you think about a room every time you leave it. 

Grab a laundry basket or empty box, and start clearing off those counters and tabletops, one room at a time!

Related Post: 15 Easy Steps to Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed

Use the flat surface clutter fix rule to stop counter clutter.

Day 3: How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom

On day 3, I will walk you through how to create a minimalist bathroom. 

The bathroom is the easiest room in the house to declutter, very few sentimental items in there!

It is also a small goal, which helps build your momentum for larger tasks.

Related Post: Help with Sentimental Items

Create a Minimalist Bathroom

Day 4: How to Create a Minimalist Bedroom

On day 4, we will tackle how to create a minimalist bedroom. 

Your bedroom should be your peaceful retreat from the craziness of motherhood. 

I never gave my bedroom a priority because it was the one place I could hide everything. 

It’s time to give yourself a place that isn’t chaotic! There is enough chaos in your life already.

Related Post: A Step-By-Step Guide to Declutter Your Bedroom

Create a minimalist bedroom.

Day 5: How to Manage Toy Clutter

On day 5, we will talk about managing the toy clutter and toy storage solutions. 

It is easy to start with the toy clutter, but I suggest starting with your stuff first.  When mama shows the house she is serious by getting rid of her stuff first, they know you mean business.

Related Post: Get Rid of Toys (With the Help of Your Kids!)

How to manage toy clutter and other toy storage solutions.

Day 6: Declutter Your Kitchen: Simple, Actionable Steps

On day 6, we will start working on the kitchen.  The kitchen is easy for some folks and a nightmare for others. 

Start with one drawer, then one cabinet, and then one section of counter space.  Break up the kitchen into workable parts.  You can do it!

Related Post: Create Your Very Own Minimalist Pantry

Declutter your kitchen. Obtain clutter-free kitchen counters.

Day 7: What to do With all the Stuff After Decluttering

Finally, on day 7 I will help you figure out the best ways to get rid of all the stuff you have set aside in your journey to a clutter-free home. 

We will talk about how to deal with trashing some items to selling other items.  I also have some good info on how to track your donations.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Stuff During a Shutdown

Use this guide on what to do with stuff after decluttering.

Welcome to Happy Clutter-Free Home!

Thank you for joining me on this journey!  

I would love it if you also signed up for our newsletter for ongoing tips, advice and joined us on Facebook as a community of mamas kicking clutter to the curb! 

By signing up for the Happy Simple Mom newsletter, you also get a Declutter Your Home Starter Kit for FREE as my gift to you.  It will help you tackle 3 core areas to a clutter-free home, giving you worksheets and checklists to make it possible.

You’ve got this!  Everything is difficult…before it is easy. Go get your clutter-free home!

Related Posts:

Are You or Your Partner Clutter Blind?

Why is Decluttering so Hard?

Declutter to Drastically Reduce Anxiety and Stress

Try Minimalism for Normal People

Happy Clutter-Free Home Series: 7 Days of Challenges to Achieve a Clutter-Free Home

Happy Clutter-Free Home Series: 7 Days of Challenges to a Clutter-Free HomeRead More

Category: Areas to Declutter, DeclutteringTag: Happy Clutter-Free Home

A Super Easy Step-By-Step System To Declutter Your Closet

June 10 //  by Brooke

Your step-by-step guide on how to declutter your closet fast!

Do you stand at your closet in the mornings and just stare? Or, are you like me and usually running late, so you are throwing out possible outfit ideas onto the bed, but nothing feels right?

If your morning routine needs a change and you are tired of the getting-dressed battle, check out this step-by-step guide on how to declutter your closet.

Stop organizing your closet and make a real change.  Get rid of the clutter.  Learn to love getting dressed in the mornings.

Set goals when you declutter your closet: 

There is always a reason we take on a decluttering challenge.  Usually, it is because we are sick and tired of sifting through the chaos.  The clutter is overwhelming. 

We are always seeking calm and peacefulness, and when our closets are a mess, it makes something as easy as getting dressed in the mornings a stressful experience.

If you need an extra boost to get started with decluttering, please join our FREE 5-Day Declutter My Home Challenge to get small, actionable steps that get you well on your way to a more clutter-free home!

Write down your goals.  Why do you want to declutter?

It sounds silly. I used to hate exercises like this. 

They reminded me of the stupid activities they forced me to do in the corporate world before I quit.  But, stick with me.

If you write down why you want to declutter your closet and maybe even declutter your home, you will be reminded of it when you are ready to give up. 

Let me tell you now, getting rid of clothes you spent tons of hard-earned money on is not easy.  However, trust me when I tell you it feels soooooo good when you finally accomplish the task at hand.

Benefits of decluttering your bedroom closet:

So many things will happen after you declutter your closet. 

You will have what resembles a capsule wardrobe.  You will love, love, love everything that is left in your closet. 

Getting dressed in the mornings will be a breeze, and packing a suitcase for a trip will take you a fraction of the time it did before getting rid of stuff.

Be ready to be honest with yourself.  Don’t cheat yourself when sifting through the mess.  If you need a break, take it, but always come back to your goal and the “why?”

How to Declutter Your Closet

The first step to declutter your closet

Are you ready for this?

Take it all out.

Wait, did I just say take it all out? Yep. 

You want a blank canvas. You want to know what a clean and open closet feels like.  Remember how spacious it looked when you moved into the house? Get that feeling back.

Take a quick break and remember your goals

Now, if you drink, you may want to go have a glass of wine now. 

This is where I choked up a bit.  I was upset because I was so embarrassed by the sheer number of clothes I owned and the mountain of a task ahead of me. 

I didn’t set enough time aside, but I was not going to quit until it was done.  A change was needed.

Remind yourself of your goal.  Look at what you wrote down. (If you didn’t write anything down, go back and do it.)  Say it out loud.  You can do this.

If you are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clothing items in your closet (now on your bed and probably overflowing to your floors), consider taking on a no shopping challenge.  I did one for a year once (it started out as only 30 days).  It was life-changing.

Sort the mess

Anytime you declutter a room, you need a sorting system for getting through it all.  It seems basic, but if you don’t have the set-up, things can get confusing. Create three different sorting areas.  You can use boxes, garbage bags or piles. You need:

  1. A sell/ give-away pile.
  2. A trash pile.
  3. A keep pile.

Notice, there is no “maybe pile”.  Some will tell you to create one. 

If you must, for those items you think should go but pains you to part with just yet, put them in a container and place them in your garage or a far away closet.  If you still don’t use an item in that container after a month or two, time to let it go.

Related post: You Decluttered Your Home: Now What Do You Do With the Stuff After Decluttering?

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Touch everything

You want to touch every item that goes back into your closet.  This will force you to be intentional and purposeful about what makes the cut. Ask yourself if you really love what you are holding.  Is it functional?  Does it make you happy?

If you don’t like it, find the item a home where it will be loved.  Don’t keep items you don’t love.  These are clothes you wear daily.  You deserve to feel good about the items you wear.

If you have stuff in your closet that doesn’t belong there, put it where it does go.  Give it a specific place, somewhere that makes sense in your home.

Related Post: 11 Decluttering Questions You Should Be Asking to Maximize Results

Create a capsule wardrobe

When you decide to declutter your closet, consider creating a capsule wardrobe. 

A capsule wardrobe will help you narrow down your clothes to just the ones you love.  It will make your mornings easier, you will save money, and your closet will look amazing!

How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe | Business Casual Capsule Wardrobe | Casual Capsule Wardrobe

Items that should go when you declutter your closet:

Clothes with tags

Any pieces with tags on them you have owned longer than a month should go.

You bought these items, but you still have not worn them.  It’s ok.  It is a sunk cost now.  Time to admit it was poor buy and time to let it go.

Clothes and shoes that don’t fit

Stop making yourself feel guilty for not fitting into an item of clothing that you had before you pushed out a child or from your college days.

It was so uplifting to look in my closet and not see the dress that made me feel like a frumpy mom.  I have good memories in that dress, I don’t want to hate it anymore.

Also, toss the shoes that make your feet miserable.  It’s senseless to wear shoes that give you blisters.  (OK, maybe keep the one pair of shoes that make you feel like a million bucks, but I count that as an item you love.  Beauty is painful after all!)

Clothes that make you feel guilty

You know that sweater you got for Christmas or for your birthday that you never really liked from the day you got it? It’s OK to let it go. I won’t tell. In fact, I support you, friend.

Guilt is a powerful emotion that can be a person’s worst enemy when trying to clear the clutter.

I will let you in on a little secret, most people will never know about the things you get rid of in your decluttering journey.

Related post: Why is decluttering so hard? Dealing with the emotions of decluttering

Unique clothing and unique shoe choices

Everyone needs a few unique pieces of clothing that make them happy when they wear them. However, even your unique pieces should be able to turn into at least three different outfits.

Take for example my purple pastel dress pants.

I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I never found anything to match them other than a white shirt. Even then, I hated wearing them because I was terrified of sitting on something dirty and it being obvious for the rest of the day.

Needless to say, they did not make the cut when I decided to declutter my closet and create a capsule wardrobe.

Items that have extended their wear life

You know that shirt that is super faded? Or the pair of jeans that are so ripped you cannot wear them in public? It is time to let them go too.  If you just want the memory, take a picture and save it to your photo cloud first.

Do not turn clothing items that are super worn out into pajamas or loungewear! You deserve actual pajamas, not clothes you don’t like anymore.

declutter your bedroom, declutter your closet, clutter free living

Duplicates

If you have duplicates of items, consider narrowing them down to just one. 

Get comfortable with the idea of one.  Apply it to all categories in your closet.  Find your favorite pair of black pants, your favorite white blouse, or your favorite handbag.  Think if you really need multiples.

What to do if it is all too much

If you run out of time, or if the task to declutter your closet is too much to take on in one day, that’s ok. Don’t give up.  Put the items you touched, decided you love, and want to keep on one side of the closet.  For the untouched items, put them on the other side.  Come back another day and start again.

Don’t let this overwhelm you.  In fact, this is a task that will eventually take the overwhelm away!  One day at a time.  That’s all you can do. 

Decluttering a house from years’ worth of buying and storing takes time.  You don’t have to do it all in a day.

Meanwhile, experiment with living with fewer clothes and fewer accessories. 

Only work out of the side of the closet with the clothes you already determined you love.  Do you really need the other half of the closet?

Related Post: How Minimalism Can Help When Feeling Overwhelmed as a Mom

After you declutter your closet

After you declutter your closet, go back and do it again in three months. Go ahead, set yourself an alarm or put it on your calendar.

I bet you need even less than what you saved the first round. 

Decluttering also gets easier with time.  Letting go of items we purchased is hard.  However, the more you practice, the easier it gets.

Related Posts:

How to Declutter Your Bedroom

Minimalism For Normal People

The Benefits of Being a Minimalist Family

Please share on Pinterest!

Clothes in a closet

Let us know if you decide to declutter your closet.  What worked? What one item did you have a hard time letting go of? Tell us in the comments. Good luck!

A Super Easy Step-By-Step System To Declutter Your ClosetRead More

Category: Areas to Declutter, Decluttering

Declutter Quickly With These 20 Insanely Easy Quick-Hit Areas

May 30 //  by Brooke

When you finally decide you have more than enough and are ready to declutter, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. 

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Eat the elephant one bite at a time”? Here are your little bites, so eventually, you will have conquered an immense task! 

You can declutter fast!

This is a quick start guide on how to declutter quickly certain areas of your home.  There is a good chance it will not solve all your clutter problems. 

However, there is a likelihood if you start here, you will find the inspiration you need to tackle bigger tasks.

If you need to start slowly, check out my post on how to ease into decluttering.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Sort your clutter

When going through the tasks, remember to create three piles for things you are getting rid of so you can declutter fast:

  1. Keep (and put in a designated place)
  2. Give Away
  3. Trash

Take note, there is no “maybe” pile. 

When holding an item, ask yourself if that item makes you happy and if it has a function. 

The function can be it is beautiful and you look at it every day.  If this is the case, then make sure it has a designated spot. 

You want your countertops and other spaces to be clutter-free, minus a few, functional items.  You want a clean space, which is why you are starting your decluttering journey!

Related post: What To Do With the Stuff After Decluttering

If you need an extra boost to get started with decluttering, please join our FREE 5-Day Declutter My Home Challenge to get small, actionable steps that get you well on your way to a more clutter-free home!

Declutter quickly with these tasks:

1 – One junk drawer

Don’t try to tackle all your drawers that need to be decluttered.  Pick one. 

Empty it out, and decide if you should keep the items, give them away or trash them. 

If you are keeping the items, make sure they are actually going to a designated spot.  Is the drawer their designated spot? Or do the items belong somewhere else?

Really old ketchup packets in there? Throw them away.  Will there be a day that you wish you had them, maybe.  Chances are, no.

I like to use a cheap, plastic silverware organizer ($0.97 at Ikea!) to organize my junk drawer items.  It works wonderfully!

Related Post: Turn Your Junk Drawer Into a “Useful Drawer”

Allow yourself one junk drawer in your kitchen organization project.

2 – Your shoes

Decluttering your entire closet can be a large task, so start small. 

Start with your shoes.  Look for shoes you have not worn in over a year.  Time to let those go. 

Maybe save one pair of timeless classics for special events, but you probably don’t need the sparkle silver pumps if you have not worn them even once in the past five years. If they are still in good shape, consider giving them to a friend.

For the nice dress shoes you know you will never wear, consider donating them to a charity that helps women prepare for interviews and find jobs. 

Look for classic, timeless shoes and get rid of the crazy ones that match only one outfit.

Related post: How to Declutter Your Closet

3 – Fashion scarves

Fashion scarves are adorable and can dress up any outfit.  They also double as a way to warm yourself in a cold office building. 

However, assess how many of these scarves you actually wear and how many you need. If there are any scarves you have not worn in the last year, time to let them go.

Related post: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

4 – Winter gloves and hats

We live where it is cold, and we have kids. 

It seems they received a new pair of gloves and a hat at every gift-giving occasion. I love cute stocking caps, but we did not need twenty of them…per child. 

I had my fair share of cute cotton gloves and hats too. 

Hats and gloves are greatly appreciated by local homeless shelters. 

Teach your children about minimalism and go together to give them to a local charity.

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

5 – DVD/CD area

We have a respectable collection of DVDs for our Friday night movie nights.

However, these movies get watched regularly.  I don’t understand how my children can watch the same movie six times over a three-month period, but at least they are getting watched!

If you are holding on to movies to watch “one day”, but you have not watched it in the past year, it is time to give it to someone else who will get joy from it. 

Sell them on Craigslist, eBay or give them away.  Someone else wants your clutter!

Related Post: 100 Items to Easily Declutter Today

6 – Clean out your medicine cabinet

We get sick, so we buy medicine to treat our symptoms.  For some reason, we forget to check the medicine cabinet first.

Go through your medicine cabinet and declutter fast by getting rid of anything that has expired. Please check for the proper way of disposal local to you.  (There are often recycling centers for medication in your town.)

Start buying medicine in smaller packs if it is not something you buy often.  This will help prevent waste later on.

7 – The sock drawer

The dryer really does eat our socks, I’m sure of it.  How else could I have twenty different versions of patterned kid socks with no match? 

For years, I saved the single socks.  I’m not sure why.  

Finally, one day, I had enough and threw them all away.  Once, only once, did I find the missing match after throwing the other one away.  Oh well! We had a clean sock drawer!

Donate the socks you do not like if they haven’t been worn.  Someone will enjoy them.

Related post: Declutter Your Socks Drawer

Folded socks in a drawer, an easy place to start decluttering

8 – Clean out your car

Clean out your car.  Go out with three bags. Use one for trash, one for items to put away and one for donations. 

Ask yourself how much stuff you actually need in the car.  The list should be short.

Make this a weekly habit once your car is clean.  Kids can destroy a vehicle in no time.  I get it.

9 – Pick one flat surface to clear

Don’t try to declutter the entire house at one time. 

Instead, pick one flat surface and clear it by using the flat surface clutter rule.  By picking a counter or other flat surface to declutter fast, you make the entire room feel cleaner!

If you keep any items on the surface, make sure they serve a purpose on a regular basis.

It could be a picture frame that makes you smile daily or a cute little coin plate your preschooler made you. 

However, if you don’t use the item or enjoy it daily, I would suggest moving it to a place out of sight or get rid of it completely.

Related Post: The Flat Surface Rule: Cure Kitchen Counter Clutter

10 – Your underwear drawer

Look in your underwear drawer, ALL THE WAY at the back and bottom.  Find those pieces you have not worn in a long time and toss them. 

You deserve to feel pretty every day underneath.  Don’t settle for ugly, old underwear. 

If you have bras you hate and never wear, time to get rid of them.  Give your drawer some empty space!

11 – Pajama drawer

Some people take clothes they no longer like and move them over to the pajama drawer. 

If you don’t like to wear these items in public, you probably don’t like to wear them to bed at night!

Get rid of the items you don’t like and don’t wear. 

You only need one drawer of pajamas. If you have more than one drawer, start cutting back and donate the excess clutter.

12 – Kids’ bath toys

Bath toys took over the kids’ bathroom, also known as the guest bathroom. 

It was embarrassing when guests used to come to our house.  I would have to quickly pull the items out before our guests could take a shower. 

We invested in a hanging shower net for bath toys.  It is awesome!!  Once the net was full, it was full. 

I let my kids help pick their favorite toys.  The rest was donated, given away or trashed.

13 – Bookshelf

Pick one bookshelf and declutter quickly to create some space.  I am a big believer in borrowing books.

If you want a book to hold, highlight and love, then keep it! However, if you have books you never plan on opening again, time to find them a new home. 

Give a book you love to a friend.  You can also donate to your local library.

Related post: How to Sort Through and Declutter Your Books

books on shelf

14 – Kid’s crayon or marker storage area

Don’t tackle the entire kids’ craft storage.  Go smaller. 

Find the storage areas for their crayons or markers.  Throw away any markers without lids or any that are dried up. 

For crayons, pick out the ones too small to actually use any longer. 

If you want to do a cute craft with trash crayons, Pinterest is full of ideas!

When I found a new home for 200 crayon nubs, it was liberating, and my children were happy to have one container of full-sized crayons.

Related Post: How to Organize a Craft Room

Declutter crayon storage area

15 – Nightstand

Clear off your nightstand. 

A clean nightstand helps provide peace and relaxation when you are going to bed. 

Keep only the essential items.  I have a lamp and a small alarm clock.  (I’m old school, I know. Phones do the same thing, but I like seeing the time on my clock.)

Related post: How to Declutter Your Bedroom

16 – Pet toys

Our fur babies tend to get as spoiled as our human babies.  The toys multiply and seem to be everywhere!

We finally invested in a toy basket for our puppy.  (He did eat half of it, but I refuse to replace it until we are out of this phase.)  All dog toys go into this basket. 

If they no longer all fit, we have to re-home or throw out the ones that have seen better days.

17 – Fridge condiments

If you want to declutter fast, taking on the entire fridge may be too big of a task. 

Start with the fridge door and your condiments. 

Quickly look at the expiration dates.  If they have passed, trash the item.

If you bought something for one recipe and will never use it again, throw it away (or make the recipe again).  

Be honest with yourself.  If you end up keeping condiments but still have an abundance, start incorporating them into more recipes.  Hello, orange marmalade.

Related post: Organize Your Kitchen Pantry for the Last Time

18 – Clean out your purse

My purse seems to grow paper, trash, and random crap. 

If you ever read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she will tell you to empty your purse daily.  I don’t have time for such crazy talk. 

I do try to empty my purse out weekly.  With two little ones in tow, things just seem to show up in there, like granola bar wrappers.  Mama is not a trash can. You can do it!

Related Posts: Lessons learned from Marie Kondo

19 – Makeup storage area

Makeup can multiply quickly, if you are not careful.

Try to pick timeless items and stay away from impulse purchases that will only be worn a couple of times. 

Makeup can also go bad over time.  Go through your makeup storage area and throw out any items that are expired and/or old.

Related posts: How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom with These Simple Steps

20 Areas to Declutter Quickly | Minimalism | Minimalist Home | Mom Hacks #minimalism #minimalist home #declutter #declutter my home #declutter my life

20 – Items on the front of your fridge

I love displaying the artwork of my sweet little artists. 

However, sometimes it takes over the entire outside of our fridge.  Add in other random stuff we thought important enough to hang on to, and the fridge looks like the top of my work desk some days.

I once cleaned off the fridge from all items.  My husband came home from a trip and commented the kitchen looked exceptionally clean but he could not tell me why.  I pointed out the spotless fridge, and he was amazed at the difference. 

I still like the occasional art piece on the fridge, but I am a little more diligent now in keeping it clear.

If you clean off your fridge doors, the entire room will feel cleaner!

Related post: Declutter Your Kitchen: Simple, Actionable Steps

Take small bites and declutter quickly!

Give yourself grace throughout this process.  Tackling clutter that took you a lifetime to attain will take you a while to get through. 

You will not become a clutter-free home overnight.  However, you can start enjoying tidbits of minimalism and what a simple life can feel like.  Reduce your clutter and reduce your stress.

Declutter quick win areas like shoes, accessories, and makeup.
Declutter quick win areas like shoes, accessories, and makeup.

If you are ready to tackle more areas in your home, check out the Happy Clutter-Free Home Series.  It is made up of 7 days of challenges for a more clutter-free home!

Related Posts:

Declutter to Drastically Reduce Anxiety and Stress

Declutter by Ditching the Dumping Ground

8 Organizing Mistakes that Make Your Home Look More Cluttered

Save for later on Pinterest!

Declutter quickly with these 20 areas in 20 minutes or less.
Decluttered living room
Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Declutter Quickly With These 20 Insanely Easy Quick-Hit AreasRead More

Category: Areas to Declutter, Decluttering

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