8 Decluttering Secrets from Professional Organizers
Decluttering is one of the challenges of organizing your home. This article contains the secrets of decluttering experts who have helped many people declutter and create stress-free havens.
How do you decide when it's time to declutter, and where do you start? // Photo by Jonathan Borba
Part of being a person trying to maintain a home means that we all fall somewhere on the spectrum between minimalism and hoarding. Some people struggle with keeping their spaces decluttered for various reasons, whether because they are sentimental keepers, busy parents or professionals, or people who hang on to things just in case.
Some people delay decluttering their homes because they hope to develop a perfect plan or take care of it at a perfect time. In contrast, others with ADHD or executive dysfunction may have difficulty with organization or decision-making fatigue. People who grew up in cluttered homes, elderly people, large families, and those who struggle with mental health issues may face unique emotional and functional challenges when keeping a home.
Clutter isn’t just about mess—it can create stress, reduce productivity, and make it harder to enjoy your space. According to professional organizers, the key to a tidy home isn’t just about getting rid of stuff; it’s about developing systems to help prevent clutter from creeping back in.
A decluttered home can reduce anxiety, making it easier to relax at home and even decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. Removing unnecessary items saves time and money, improves mental clarity and decision-making, and boosts mental well-being. Decluttering can encourage healthy habits. It's easier to cook healthy meals and enjoy them at the table if your kitchen is clean, and a clutter-free bedroom promotes better sleep quality. (And these are just a couple of examples!)
In this guide, I will share expert-backed decluttering secrets to help you transform your home into an organized, stress-free haven. These tips come from professional organizers you've likely heard of before, like Marie Kondo, The Home Edit, Dana K. White, and Peter Walsh. Let’s dive in!
1. The “One-Year Rule”
Expert: Peter Walsh, Organizing and Decluttering Expert and author of Let It Go and It’s All Too Much
Peter Walsh, a decluttering guru known for appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show, advises using the “One-Year Rule.” People will often hold on to things just in case they need them. (Admittedly, I am one of them, especially if you count craft supplies and sentimental items. And books.)
I like this rule because it makes it easier to decide what to keep or get rid of. Of course, this probably isn't the rule to use when deciding about sentimental items, but it can be especially helpful when you know you need to declutter household items, paper clutter, and clothing.
How to Apply It
- Go through your closet and remove clothes you haven’t worn in a year.
- Evaluate kitchen gadgets—if you haven’t used that bread maker in 12 months, donate it.
- Store “maybe” items in a box and revisit them after six months. If you don’t miss them, they’re unnecessary.
Exceptions? Seasonal items and sentimental keepsakes, but even those should be curated with care to ensure that you keep the most special things and can actually enjoy them!
Why it Works
Walsh explains that clutter isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. Many people hold onto things out of guilt, fear, or habit. The One-Year Rule helps people make clear, logical decisions about what truly matters.
He also reassures people that decluttering isn’t about loss—it’s about making space for the things you truly love and use.
2. The “15-Minute Declutter Challenge”
Expert: Dana K. White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life and creator of the blog A Slob Comes Clean
Being overwhelmed is one of the biggest reasons people avoid decluttering. Dana K. White suggests breaking decluttering into bite-sized tasks using a 15-minute timer. Many people feel like they need to find the perfect time to declutter or set aside an entire day or weekend, so they never get around to it.
Starting in the most visually cluttered area is recommended when following this method. Small areas where 15 minutes of cleaning can significantly impact include the kitchen counter, entryway, or bathroom sink. If you get overwhelmed easily, this method can help you get started (and finish a cleaning session!) before you are too overwhelmed.
How to Apply It
- Set a timer and tackle a small area needing attention—one drawer, shelf, or a single corner.
- Focus on quick wins by removing trash and unnecessary duplicates.
- Make this a daily habit to transform your home gradually.
- Follow expert advice for safely disposing of various items in these spaces.
Why It Works
- Prevents burnout—you stop before exhaustion sets in.
- Encourages consistency—daily 15-minute sessions are more effective than occasional marathon cleanouts.
- Provides immediate visual improvement, which increases motivation to keep going. This can be especially helpful for people who get overwhelmed with decluttering or cleaning in general.
3. The “Edit, Categorize, Contain, Maintain” Method
Experts: Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, authors of The Home Edit and creators of Get Organized with The Home Edit on Netflix
The Home Edit duo, known for their Netflix show Get Organized, do not use the traditional four-box method. Still, they encourage people to follow four steps in the process of decluttering to make it more systematic, visually pleasing, and functional overall.
How to Apply It
- Edit (Declutter by Removing What Doesn’t Belong): Take everything out of a space and assess each item. Items that don’t serve a purpose get donated, discarded, or relocated.
- Categorize (Sort Items into Logical Groups): Instead of using four broad boxes, they create specific, functional categories. For example, if you are decluttering a pantry, you might create categories like "snacks," "baking supplies," "breakfast foods," etc.
- Contain (Use Storage Solutions for Organization): Unlike traditional decluttering methods, Shearer & Teplin prioritize clear containers and labels for easy maintenance. They believe visible storage prevents clutter from building up again because people can see what they have.
- Maintain (Sustain the Organization System Over Time): They stress that decluttering is not a one-time thing—maintenance is key. Systems should be realistic and sustainable, so people don’t revert to cluttered habits.
Why It Works
By working through each item in a cluttered space, you force yourself to make intentional decisions. Keeping only what you love and use and sorting into clear containers can help alleviate the stress and overwhelm involved with too much clutter. This can be especially helpful for people with ADHD who struggle with endless piles. Clear containers can help you keep important things visible yet contained. Win-win!
4. The “KonMari" Method
Expert: Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and creator of Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
The KonMari Method of decluttering became quite popular in 2019 with the release of Marie Kondo's Netflix series. People immediately began discussing their homes through the lens of what brought joy (or not), even if they hadn't watched it yet.
Marie Kondo's structured, step-by-step approach has empowered many people, helping them to reframe the emotional aspects of decluttering. The KonMari Method encourages people to express gratitude for the things they are going to part with, even as they decide that they no longer bring them joy. This can be especially helpful for people who hang on to sentimental items or may have grown up in cluttered homes. Learning a new way of thinking about things can be very helpful.
How to Apply It
- Declutter by Category, Not by Room: Unlike traditional decluttering methods that tackle one room at a time, Kondo advises decluttering by category in a specific order: clothes, then books, then papers, then komono (miscellaneous items like tools, electronics, etc.), then sentimental items. Why? Decluttering by category allows you to see everything you own at once, making it easier to decide what truly brings value to your life.
- The “Spark Joy” Test: Kondo’s most famous principle is keeping only what "sparks joy." Hold each item and ask yourself: “Does this spark joy?” If it does, keep it. If it doesn’t, thank the item for its service and let it go. This helps shift decluttering from being about what to discard to what to keep with intention and appreciation.
- Express Gratitude for Items You Discard: Instead of feeling guilt about letting things go, Kondo suggests thanking each item before discarding it. You can say, “Thank you for serving me well.” This creates a positive emotional connection and makes parting with items easier. Gratitude reframes decluttering as an act of appreciation rather than loss.
- Fold and Store Items Properly: Kondo emphasizes proper organization to maintain a tidy home once decluttering is done. Clothes should be folded and stored upright (instead of stacked) so they’re easy to see and access. Also, every item should have a designated space where it belongs. This keeps things visible and accessible, reducing the chance of future clutter.
- Declutter All at Once for a “Life-Changing” Effect: Kondo encourages doing a big decluttering session in one go (or over a short period) instead of slowly decluttering over time. This creates a dramatic transformation, reinforcing long-term organization habits. Slow decluttering often leads to relapse, while an all-at-once approach shifts your mindset and lifestyle.
Why it Works
The KonMari Method works because it is psychologically, emotionally, and practically effective. It goes beyond simply organizing—transforming how people interact with their belongings and creating lasting change.
The positive mindset associated with the Konmari Method has made this a popular decluttering method. Research shows that clutter raises stress levels and affects mental clarity. Living in a tidy space reduces anxiety and increases feelings of calm and control. Keeping only joy-giving items creates a more positive and uplifting environment.
5. The “Daily Reset” Habit
Expert: Dana K. White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind
A clutter-free home isn’t just about one big clean-out. Daily maintenance is a necessity! Once you have done a big clean-out, you want to get into a habit of keeping everything in its place. White recommends setting aside time each day to reset your space.
When you put things away and tidy up the spaces you use the most, like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, you guarantee that you will wake up tomorrow feeling less overwhelmed!
How to Apply It
- Spend 10 minutes tidying up before bed.
- Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen counters and living room.
- Accept that a “good enough” tidy-up is better than waiting for a perfect clean.
- Make it part of your routine—pair it with another habit like brushing your teeth, right after dinner, or before you go to bed.
- If multiple people contribute to the mess, they should help reset the space. (Kids can participate by putting away toys or clearing the table; they might like the word "reset" better than "clean.")
- Consistency makes it automatic over time.
Why it Works
- Prevents overwhelm: Clutter never gets out of control.
- Reduces stress: A tidy home makes daily life smoother.
- Creates a habit of maintenance: Small actions prevent big messes.
6. Decluttering for Emotional Hoarders
Expert: Peter Walsh, Organizing Expert and Author of Let It Go and It’s All Too Much
Many people struggle to let go of items due to sentimental attachment. Walsh suggests reframing how you think about objects. Many people keep items not because they use them but because of the memories attached to them. He encourages people to separate the memory from the object—keeping the item doesn’t mean keeping the person or experience.
This is an emotionally complex situation for many people, so you may find that you need to seek out additional resources and possibly even therapy if this is difficult for you. Walsh urges emotional hoarders to stop living in the past through objects and start creating space for the future. Too many sentimental items can trap you in old emotions and prevent you from moving forward, and sometimes you need help processing those feelings. So be gentle with yourself!
How to Apply It
- Ask yourself if your home reflects who you are today or a past you are holding onto. Other questions to ask yourself include: Do these items make me feel joy or feel burdened? Do I actually use this, or do I keep it out of guilt?
- Take photos of sentimental items instead of keeping them all.
- Keep one meaningful item instead of an entire collection. Frame a letter, display a photo, or create a quilt or pillow from old clothing.
- Remind yourself that memories live in your mind, not in objects.
Why it Works
Treating yourself with compassion is paramount, especially if you are keeping a lot of things for emotional reasons. Reminding yourself that memories live in your mind, not objects, is helpful for letting go of some of the extra stuff and making room for the present version of yourself and what the future holds.
7. Digital Decluttering
Experts: The Minimalists (Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus), authors of Minimalism: Lead a Meaningful Life and founders of the popular blog called The Minimalists.
Clutter isn’t just physical—it’s digital too. The Minimalists recommend regularly clearing out digital clutter. They advocate for digital decluttering to reduce mental clutter, improve focus, and create a more intentional relationship with technology. They believe digital clutter is just as overwhelming as physical clutter and should be managed with the same mindfulness.
Constant digital distractions keep us from being present in our real lives! Cutting out unnecessary digital noise can help make space for the things that matter most.
How to Apply It
- Unsubscribe from emails you don’t read–preferably before your inbox is 99% full and you have no other choice. (Speaking from experience here.)
- Delete old files and duplicate photos. Organize digital documents into clearly labeled folders.
- If you tend to waste a lot of time on certain apps, delete them. Some people will delete social media apps for at least one day/week to take a much-needed break!
- Turn off notifications so you can decide when to pay attention to various apps, emails, text messages, and more.
- Schedule digital decluttering sessions at least once per month, if not more often.
Why it Works
The digital decluttering system works because it reduces mental clutter, improves focus, and makes technology serve you—rather than the other way around.
Digital clutter increases your cognitive load, which makes it harder to focus on what matters most to you. It's normal to check notifications, scroll, and continuously react to whatever your notifications and algorithms want you to see. Removing unnecessary apps, emails, and notifications can help you take control of your digital habits. The system forces you to ask: Does this serve me, or is it just noise?
8. The “Declutter and Earn” Strategy
Expert: Dana K. White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind
Instead of just tossing things, Dana K. White recommends turning decluttering into a way to make money. However, you should definitely weigh the time, effort, and emotional energy involved before selling something! If selling items will slow your decluttering process too much, then it may be worth it in the long run to keep the momentum up by donating the items instead.
A couple of important things to remember here:
- Give yourself a firm selling deadline, like 30 days. Donate it or post it for free if the item doesn't sell within that time frame, so you aren't hanging on to a bunch of "sell later" clutter.
- The best items to sell are:
- High-value items like electronics, furniture, and brand-name clothing
- Things in demand like baby items, appliances, and collectible items
- Items that are in excellent condition - no missing pieces, stains, or damage
How to Apply It
Where should you sell your used items?
- Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and OfferUp are great for selling furniture, electronics, and household goods.
- Poshmark, ThredUp, and Depop are favorite platforms for selling clothing and accessories.
- Your local consignment stores may be best for selling high-end or designer items.
If something doesn’t sell within 30 days, donate it! Your space is worth more than a few dollars!
Why it Works
Dana K. White’s approach to selling clutter is practical because it prioritizes efficiency, emotional freedom, and real progress over perfection. It's all about balance! Following the above suggestions will help you decide whether something is worth selling (or not)! The goal is a clutter-free home and life, and Dana's advice helps people part with things that are causing stress by sitting in piles "to sell."
Conclusion
Decluttering your home isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. Applying these expert-backed methods allows you to create a home that feels lighter, more organized, and easier to manage.
Start small—whether it’s a 15-minute challenge or a single category—and build momentum. Which decluttering tip will you try first?
Of course, if you need new organizers or a shelf for the items you've carefully and intentionally curated, you can find the best deals on your favorite organizers and furniture on Spoken.
Happy Decluttering! We're cheering for you. 🙌
Jen Buckner
Writer at Spoken
Jen is a furniture content aficionado at Spoken. She is a Delaware native living on Tulsa time with her husband Blake and three super-cool kids. Jen enjoys using her words to inspire people to make the world—and their worlds—better. When she's not writing, she's driving her kids around, picking out something cute to wear, or volunteering for a local nonprofit. Oh! And she'd always rather be at the beach (with a bucket of fries).
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