By Hamad 
Keeping your home and household clutter-free can be simple with the right ideas and inspiration. These 36 hacks cover every type of space, from your room to the kitchen, and offer helpful tips to declutter effectively. Whether you’re stuck with piles or want to organize efficiently, these strategies are free and easy to use.
To get your spaces back in order, cover each area systematically. Cleaning and organizing doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you offer attention to each room, declutter what’s unnecessary, and maintain a slump-free, neat household. By applying these hacks, your home can feel refreshing and structured.
Designate a Spot for ‘Junk’
One of the best ways to manage junk and odds and ends is to designate a spot for them. Use containers, trays, bowls, tins, caddies, or muffin tins to store items and transform piles into organized spaces. This makes it easier to find what you need and limit clutter around the room.
A drawer or file can be used for smaller items, while a front door caddy or living room tray is useful for things you accumulate frequently. Separate items by type or purpose, so you can go through them quickly and regularly.
This method helps you control clutter, making it amazing how much more functional your space can become. Whether it’s a little point or a small pile, having a designated spot for junk is effective, useful, and a great way to end chaotic accumulation in your home.
Use Magnetic Desk Organizers
Magnetic desk organizers are a great way to keep office supplies like paperclips, tacks, and other accessories neatly corralled. Using trays or containers that attach to a bulletin-board or desk ensures items are securely stored and easy to find when needed.
Knowing where everything is on your desk reduces clutter and improves efficiency. You can use magnetic organizers by mounting them in your office, on the desk, or in their resting spots, making it simple and effective to keep supplies organized.
Designate a Donation Center
Creating a donation center at home helps declutter and gives old or lightly used items a new life. Clothing, shoes, accessories, and other household items can be collected in a designated place so you can easily find and leave them for charity or local donation centers.
Having a centralized donation spot makes the process smoother, especially for beginners. Before adding new items, sort through your things and place them in the center, making it easier to donate regularly and maintain a tidy, organized home.
Hang Kids’ Artwork
Displaying kids’ artwork can make your home feel lively without adding clutter. Use clips, magnets, or hanging systems on the fridge or wall to display their creations in an interesting way that’s easy to update.
You can hang artwork from strings, boards, or walls to make it look neat and organized. This method ensures their pieces are seen, not lost, and helps avoid clutter while keeping your home playful and functional 36 Cleaning and Organizing Hacks to Conquer Clutter.
Use Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Just About Everything
Shower curtain rings can be a surprisingly useful tool to organize items around your home. Use them on rods in the closet, bathroom, or bedroom to hang scarves, towels, tea towels, dishrags, handbags, ties, and belts neatly.
For kitchen or bathroom storage, plastic or metal rings can hold lightweight items effectively. Simply place items on the rings and hang them carefully on a rod or hooks to make the most of vertical space.
This method allows you to store multiple items in one place without cluttering surfaces. Shower curtain rings are easy to use, adaptable, and help you keep your home organized in a creative and efficient way.
Declutter Your Mudroom With Built-In Storage, Hooks, and Bins
A mudroom can quickly become messy with shoes, umbrellas, gear, and bags. To keep it functional, add built-in storage, hooks, and cubbies. This allows your entry to stay organized, makes retrieval easy, and prevents dumping items on the floor.
Use shelves or bins to store stuff like winter gear or other items that tend to accumulate. Hooks are ideal for bags or umbrellas, and built-in storage keeps the mudroom tidy while moving things in and out is convenient.
A well-planned mudroom is a long-term solution to uncluttering. By taking the time to build or DIY proper storage, you’ll look forward to a clean, organized space that works with your daily routine, making your entryway more functional and appealing.
Be Prepared With Baskets
Using baskets is a quick and attractive way to declutter your living room or other spaces. They corrall clutter, fit into your decorating scheme, and don’t detract from the room’s look. These baskets are versatile, making it easy to use them for any clutter you want to keep organized and accessible
Create a Clutter Cabinet for Home Accessories
A clutter cabinet is perfect for storing home accessories like tchotchkes, vases, picture frames, candlesticks, centerpieces, and decor. By having a dedicated cabinet, you know exactly where each item is stored, making it easy to retrieve when needed.
Seasonal items or project materials can also be kept in bins within the cabinet, so you can display them again when appropriate. This keeps your home tidy while still allowing flexibility for entertaining or changing up the decor.
By organizing mementos, frames, and other items in this way, your clutter cabinet becomes a central hub for home accessories, ensuring gear and seasonal pieces are stored neatly and always accessible. It’s a simple and effective solution for maintaining an organized space.
Have a System for Project Magazines
Having a system for project magazines or DIY content helps you save ideas without creating clutter. You can store magazines, recipes, and project inspiration in a file or box, so you always know where to find what you need.
When you actually want a recipe, idea, or project instruction, it’s easy to keep organized. By managing your magazines properly, you ensure your content is accessible, your projects stay on track, and you don’t waste time looking for inspiration.
Invest in a Shredder
A shredder is essential if you accumulate piles of paper from mail, files, or junk. Using it periodically helps control clutter, keeps your space organized, and ensures sensitive information is securely destroyed.
Even if you see lots of paper or anything that can build up, a shredder allows you to go through your files efficiently. By using it regularly, you help keep your home or office tidy and avoid unnecessary clutter accumulation.
Save Countertop Space
To save countertop space, use magnetic strips, knife blocks, or dividers in a drawer or mounted on the wall. This keeps knives and other items organized and off the counter, giving you more valuable workspace.
By storing items up or on a strip, you rid your kitchen of clutter while keeping essentials accessible and safe. This simple method helps maximize your space and ensures everything is easy to find and use.
Use Storage-Friendly Furniture
Storage-friendly furniture is perfect for small spaces where every inch counts. Using beds with built-in drawers, ottomans, nightstands, or tall bookshelves allows you to store items neatly underneath or within furniture, keeping your space organized and functional.
Choosing smart furniture units means you can maximize storage without cluttering your home. By incorporating storage into furniture, you save valuable floor space, making your rooms feel larger, cleaner, and easier to maintain.
Create Clutter Hub Spots
Creating clutter hub spots in hallways or rooms helps keep your home organized. These stations act as a proper spot where items belong, so things aren’t dumped in the wrong place or carried to another room.
By placing hubs in strategic areas, you keep halls clear and maintain order. Think of them as centralized points where items can be stored temporarily, ensuring clutter is managed efficiently and your home stays tidy.
Set a Timer for 15 Minutes
To declutter efficiently, set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to tidying up a specific area. You can clean the kitchen, living space, or bathroom while listening to a podcast or music, making the process more enjoyable.
Even if you hate cleaning or feel short on time, this quick method ensures you make steady progress. By focusing for a short period, you can tackle clutter consistently and keep your home looking tidy without feeling overwhelmed.
Treat Every Item in Your Home the Way You’d Treat a Fork
Treat every item in your home like a fork: it should have a designated place where it belongs, whether in the kitchen drawer, utensil holder, or bathroom storage. This ensures you know exactly where to find things when needed.
By giving each item its own space, you maintain order and efficiency throughout your home. Items stored properly are easier to access, reduce clutter, and make your home feel organized and functional, just like neatly stored forks and utensils.
Use Your Smartphone
Your smartphone can help avoid extra clutter from paper, menus, schedules, paperwork, manuals, credit card agreements, and takeout receipts. By storing these digitally in apps like Evernote, Google, or bookmarking one-page documents in your browser, you keep your home organized.
Digital storage allows items to be found easily when needed. Important photos, documents, and schedules are accessible anywhere, reducing the need for physical paperwork. This method includes everything from menus to credit cards, letting you manage clutter efficiently in your daily life.
Use Hanging Storage
Hanging storage is perfect for shoe organizers, closets, and other vertical spaces. You can store shoes, gloves, scarves, jewelry, canned or boxed food, and other items while keeping them visible and accessible.
Clear pockets and compartments allow you to see the contents and hold items securely. By using hanging organizers, you maximize space and keep your belongings organized, tidy, and easy to retrieve whenever needed.
Get Familiar With the Box Method
The box method uses three boxes to sort items: one for storage, one for donation or sale, and one for trash. As you go through your belongings, you put each item in the appropriate box, making decisions fast and organized.
By following this simple method, you decide quickly what to keep, donate, or throw away. Using your gut feeling for each item ensures the process is efficient, letting you organize your home systematically without feeling overwhelmed.
Store Plastic Bags for Later Use
To store extra plastic or paper bags, use a DIY fabric holder, small tote, or tube. This keeps them from ending up in a clump or creating an unattractive mess, making your space tidier and more organized.
Stored properly, the bags are ready for later use as wastebasket liners, dog waste bags, or returns. Whether you purchase a holder or make one yourself, this method prevents clutter and ensures your bags are accessible and easy to grab.
Store Plastic Bags for Later Use
To store extra plastic or paper bags, use a DIY fabric holder, small tote, or tube. This keeps them from ending up in a clump or creating an unattractive mess, making your space tidier and more organized.
Stored properly, the bags are ready for later use as wastebasket liners, dog waste bags, or returns. Whether you purchase a holder or make one yourself, this method prevents clutter and ensures your bags are accessible and easy to grab.
Use Baskets in the Linen Closet
Linen closets are often prone to clutter, but using baskets provides a good solution. Try putting bath towels and other linens into individual baskets, giving each item its own space and making retrieval easier.
Having baskets for each type of linen keeps the closet organized and neat. This simple method works for you by making organizing easier and ensures your linens stay tidy and accessible at all times.
Pare Down Your Clothing
To pare down your clothing, start by going through each item and deciding what you actually wear and need. Having individual sections for clothes you keep, donate, or discard makes the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
This method works for you by keeping your closet organized and reducing clutter. By putting only essential clothing in its proper place, you make organizing easier and ensure your wardrobe is tidy and functional.
Pare Down Your Clothing
For a big family, organizing clothing starts by creating storage spaces like shoe bins in the mudroom, entryway, or foyer. Giving individual members their own bins helps everyone keep their items organized and reduces clutter.
You can even get kids involved to help sort and store their clothes, making the house tidy and functional. This method ensures clothing is easy to find while maintaining a well-organized home for all family members.
Quickly Declutter a Bag
Even in a short amount of time, you can tackle clutter in your handbag. Decluttering only takes five minutes: dump everything out and sort essentials like wallet, sunglasses, lip balm, receipts, and appointment reminders.
Remove trash, old grocery lists, wrappers, used tissues, and straws. By replacing items strategically, your bag stays organized, making it easy to grab what you need while keeping clutter under control at all times.
Control Your Email Clutter and Junk Mail
To control email clutter, start by setting filters and unsubscribing from newsletters, catalogs, and junk mail. Use two addresses—one for friends and family and your main account—to keep important messages separate.
Regularly clear your inbox, delete old emails, and manage subscriptions online. This helps you view, read, and collect only what’s necessary, while recycling or discarding the rest, keeping your digital space organized and efficient.
8 Genius Tips For Decluttering Your Car Trunk and Keeping It Clean
To keep your car trunk clean, use a trash bag for coffee cups, old receipts, and miscellaneous odds and ends. Check the passenger and driver seats as well to ensure nothing accumulates unnecessarily.
Spend a minute or two each day going through your trunk. This prevents piles from forming, making it easier to maintain a tidy and organized car at all times.
Use the 5 Things a Day Rule
Decluttering your entire home can feel daunting, but the 5 Things a Day Rule makes it manageable. Commit to filling one trash bag, donating, or shredding five items daily, breaking the process down into small tasks. This approach makes it easier to complete without feeling overwhelmed and keeps your home organized over time.
Start Moving Prep Early
When moving, it’s best to start early by packing and decluttering. Toss items you no longer need and sort keepsakes, clothing, and clutter using a technique that helps you act efficiently.
Pretend you’re staging your home and ask yourself about each item: should it move to the new home or be discarded? This method makes packing easier, saves time, and ensures a smoother moving experience.
Check Food Expiration Dates
Regularly check food expiration dates in your pantry and freezer to prevent using items that are no longer good. Take a once-over each week, toss anything expired, and identify what’s still safe to consume. Keeping a schedule for checking dates helps know what to use and prevents unnecessary food waste.
Organize Recipes 10 Minutes at a Time
Start by gathering all your recipes from cookbooks, drawers, and stuffed binders. Break the process down into manageable tasks so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Take the work in small spurts, like 10 minutes at a time, to make progress steadily.
Sort through smeared or outdated recipes, decide which to keep or weed out, and continue putting them in a smart, organized binder or project folder. Rewriting or chunking similar recipes together makes it easier to find what you need next time you cook.
Continue through the rest of your collection, keeping the process small and manageable. By breaking it into steps, you make decluttering cookbooks and recipes a simple, organized task while ensuring your favorite recipes stay accessible.
Use the Traveler’s Method
The Traveler’s Method helps you declutter your home by thinking like you’re packing for a trip. Designate a caddy for toiletries and big items and consider what you actually use or need. Anything that doesn’t fit or isn’t necessary should be purged.
Go through your belongings one by one, and continue the process throughout your space. Unless an item already has a designated place, decide if it fits into your organized system. This ensures that everything you keep has a purpose.
Use this method as an example of decluttering efficiently: only keep what is essential, and no item should linger unnecessarily. By thinking like a traveler, you make decluttering a simple, intentional process that fits seamlessly into your routine.
Use a Scanner for Office Clutter
To reduce office clutter, it helps to use a scanner to scan documents, receipts, warranties, and even taxes or mortgages that you don’t need in paper form. By investing in a digital version, you can safely store everything once it’s scanned, keeping backups for vital records. This greatly clears away piles of paper and makes it easier to find what’s needed while sorting through files. These systems work either by computer or mobile apps that can organize and label each copy, giving you a lot more control. It’s a smart way to protect data like extended warranties or important forms, ensuring it all stays safe and accessible.
Declutter for the Holidays
The holidays are a great time to declutter your home and office, especially before buying gifts or adding new decor. Start by rethinking what you haven’t used in years—ornaments, ribbons, wrapping paper, and even bows can pile up. Donating items that no longer bring joy is a simple way to reduce clutter and make someone else’s season brighter.
For documents like receipts, warranties, taxes, and mortgages, scan and store a digital version safely. Investing in a scanner can help reduce paper clutter, follow your plan, and keep vital records like gifts or extended service papers backups for later use. You don’t need to keep every copy—just scan needed ones and throw the rest away.
As you sort through these piles, you’ve likely collected a lot of items that no longer serve you. Adding them to a donating jar or storage inventory helps track what goes out and keeps your space feeling low-stress. This plan works greatly by helping you find more free space and focus on what’s truly meaningful this season.
Designate Specific Areas for Toys
To keep kids’ toys organized, start by designating specific areas in each room or corner. Rather than strewn across the house, make a habit of looking for a proper place for each item. This prevents clutter from spreading and keeps your home tidier.
Encourage children to store toys in a playroom, bins, or other designated spaces. By making this part of their routine, you help them get used to keeping toys organized. This simple approach makes your home less messy and easier to manage overall.
Use Pegboards to Organize Visually
A pegboard is a simple yet powerful way to store and track supplies, helping you fight clutter and keep things organized. Whether you’re arranging crafts in a closet or setting up a workspace, a pegboard can make it much easier to see what you have. By storing items this way, you use wall space permanently and create a system that’s both practical and visually neat—perfect for those who want a more efficient setup of tools or materials.