My Ultimate Decluttering Checklist

Decluttering your space can feel overwhelming and difficult to know where to start but with a clear plan, it can be an incredibly rewarding process. This guide will help you tackle each area of your home, step by step, ensuring that you transform your living space into a clean, organised haven.

Why Declutter?

• Decluttering isn't just about making your home look nice. It can:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve your focus and productivity
• Save you time by making it easier to find things
• Create a more peaceful, enjoyable living environment

The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist

Top Tips

• Set Goals: Before you start, decide what you want to achieve. Do you want to make more space, reduce clutter, or reorganise?
• Take It Slow: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Break it down into manageable chunks.
• Stay Consistent: Dedicate a specific time each day or week to decluttering.
• Use the Four Box Method: Label four boxes as "Keep," "Donate," "Recycle" and "Sell." This method helps you decide where each item should go.

Room by Room Guide

Living Room

• Surfaces: Clear coffee tables, side tables and shelves. Keep only items you love or use regularly.
• Furniture: Assess your furniture. If it’s worn out or never used, consider donating or selling or moving it to another area in your home. Can you swap furniture around to maximise space?
• Electronics: Organise and hide cables. Remove any electronics you don’t use.
• Decor: Limit decorative items to a few favourites to avoid clutter.

Kitchen

• Counter tops: Keep them as clear as possible. Store appliances you don’t use daily.
• Cabinets and Drawers: Empty them out, clean them, and only put back items you use regularly.
• Pantry: Discard expired food and donate anything you won’t use. Group similar items together.
• Fridge and Freezer: Throw out expired or freezer burned items. Defrost and clean the shelves and drawers.

Bedroom 

• Wardrobe: Go through your clothes. If you haven’t worn it in a year, consider donating or selling it.
• Drawers: Sort through your drawers and get rid of or donate items you no longer need.
• Under the Bed: Clear out anything stored under the bed. Only keep items here if absolutely necessary.
• Bedside Cabinet: Keep the top clear and only store essentials inside.

Bathroom

• Countertops: Store daily essentials neatly. 
• Everything else should be put away.
• Medicine Cabinet: Discard expired medications and products.
• Shower and Bath: Remove empty bottles and products you don’t use.
• Linen Cupboard: Fold towels neatly and get rid of any that are old or frayed.

Home Office

• Desk: Keep only what you need on a daily basis. File or discard unnecessary papers.
• Drawers: Organise supplies and get rid of duplicates and anything you no longer require. 
• Shelves: Sort books and remove any you no longer need or use.
• Electronics: Clear out old electronics and organise cables.

Garage and Storage Areas

• Tools: Organise tools and equipment. Discard broken items.
• Seasonal Items: Store seasonal items in labeled boxes.
• Sports Equipment: Donate or sell equipment you no longer use.
• General Storage: Go through boxes, and eliminate duplicates and items you haven’t used in years.

Bonus Tips

• Donate Regularly: Schedule monthly trips to your favourite charity shop or closest recycling center.
• Avoid Impulse Purchases: Think carefully before bringing new items into your home.
• Stay Organised: Regularly revisit each area to maintain order.

By following this ultimate decluttering checklist, you’ll be well on your way to creating a more organised, stress free home. Happy decluttering!