Decluttering Checklist

Before you jump in, a quick note on decluttering vs. organizing. While I’ll always encourage organizing, the purpose of this checklist is first and foremost to help you edit your space. Scan through your items and decide what to throw away, donate, or even sell. Think of this as clearing the noise before making anything pretty.

If you have the time and energy to organize as you go, go for it! Organizing can help prevent clutter from creeping back in so quickly, and I’ve added “extra credit” tips throughout with ideas for how I’d organize each space.

One important tip: hold off on buying storage containers until after you declutter. You may find you need far fewer containers than you originally thought, and it’s easier to choose the right ones once you know what’s actually staying.

And finally, don’t feel like you need to tackle this list in one day. Spread it out over a few sessions so it stays manageable and you don’t burn out. Slow progress still counts.

Kitchen

• Pantry: Check for expired items and dispose of anything past its date.

  • **Extra credit: Create labeled zones for your items to prevent future clutter. A designed backstock area works especially well here.

• Utensils: Sort through utensils and remove duplicates or unused pieces.

• Tupperware: Match lids to containers, recycle any missing or damaged items.

• Mugs & Water Bottles: Donate or recycle those you no longer use or need.

• Freezer: Check for expired items and signs of freezer burn; discard as necessary.

• Junk Drawer: Empty the entire drawer, toss broken or unnecessary items, and organize what remains.

• Appliances: Evaluate small appliances. Keep only those you use regularly, donate or recycle the rest. Consider storing low-use appliances in another location if you’re short on kitchen space.

Basement and/or Garage

• Paint: Safely dispose of old, unused, or dried-up paint cans.

• Tools: Sort tools, keep essentials, donate duplicates or items you never use.

• Visible Clutter Areas: Target any areas with piles or visible clutter, sort and organize, discard or donate unneeded items.

Bedroom & Bath Storage

• Nightstand: Clear the surface and drawers; keep only nightly essentials.

• Linen Closet: Re-stack by category (sheets, towels, guest linens) and let go of worn or mismatched sets.

• Skincare & Makeup: Toss expired products and duplicates; group by routine.

  • Tip: A designated backstock area works especially well here.

• Overflowing Categories: Right-size overstuffed sections like t-shirts, underwear, and socks.

  • **Extra credit: Do a full closet evaluation. Donate, sell, or toss items that no longer fit or don’t make you feel confident and happy wearing them.

Home Catch-All Areas

• Vases: Keep a few favorites accessible.

  • Tip: Store extra vases in the basement to use for gifts.

• Coat Closet: Pull everything out and try on everything; donate what doesn’t fit or isn’t used.

• Paperwork: Trash, file, or organize mail and papers (set up simple “To Do / To File / To Shred” piles).

• Tote Bags: Pare down.

  • Tip: Repurpose less-loved totes as gift bags or use them to collect clothes for donation.

• Picture Frames: Keep a small, curated set.

  • Tip: Repurpose less-loved frames as gifts.

• Cleaning Supplies: Consolidate duplicates, discard empty/expired products, and store by room or task.