How to Declutter Your House in One Day: Fast & Easy Guide

Decluttering your entire house in a single day feels like a huge goal, right? I used to think so too. But I’ve learned that with a good plan and the right mindset, it’s completely possible. Whether you’ve got family dropping by unexpectedly or you’re just tired of the chaos, a focused approach can make all the difference. This guide breaks down the process into simple, manageable steps that work. We’ll move through your home room by room, using practical methods to clear the clutter without the overwhelm. If you’re feeling overwhelmed before you even start, you might find some helpful advice in our guide on how to start decluttering when overwhelmed.

Preparing for Your One-Day Declutter Mission

Before you even pick up a single item, setting the stage is key. A successful one-day declutter is all about preparation. First, block off your calendar. This is a dedicated mission, and interruptions will slow you down.

Next, get your mind right. This isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about making significant progress. Put on an energizing playlist, open the windows for some fresh air, and remind yourself why you’re doing this—to create a more peaceful, functional space. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Essential Supplies You’ll Need

Gathering your tools beforehand means you won’t have to stop once you’re in the zone. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:

• Trash Bags: For obvious garbage. Get a large, sturdy box of them.
• Donation Boxes: A few cardboard boxes or large bags for items you’ll give away.
• A Laundry Basket: This will be your “relocation” basket for things that are in the wrong room.
• Labels or Markers: To quickly label your donation boxes.
• Basic Cleaning Supplies: A pack of microfiber cloths and an all-purpose cleaner for wiping down surfaces as you clear them.
• A Timer: To help you stay on track and work in focused bursts.

Creating Your Room-by-Room Schedule

A schedule turns a daunting task into a series of small wins. Start with the areas that have the biggest impact on your daily life—usually the shared spaces. This gives you a burst of motivation right from the start.

Here’s a sample schedule you can adapt:

• Kitchen & Dining Area: 2–3 hours
• Living Room: 1.5–2 hours
• Bedrooms: 1–2 hours per room
• Bathrooms: 45 minutes
• Entryway: 30 minutes

Work in focused blocks, like 45 minutes of work followed by a 15-minute break. This keeps your energy up and prevents burnout.

The Three Core Steps for Fast Decluttering

For every room, you’ll follow the same simple, three-step process. This method works because it clears the easiest stuff first, giving you immediate visual progress and momentum.

Step 1 – Remove All Trash

Walk through the room with a trash bag. This is a quick sweep for the obvious junk—wrappers, old mail, empty containers, broken items. Don’t overthink it. If it’s trash, toss it. You’ll be amazed at how much space this frees up in just a few minutes.

Step 2 – Collect Recyclables

Next, grab a box or bag and collect all the recyclables. This includes papers, magazines, cardboard, bottles, and cans that have been piling up. Separating them now makes a big difference and clears even more surface area.

Step 3 – Relocate Misplaced Items

This is where the laundry basket comes in. Walk through the room and gather everything that doesn’t belong there—mugs from the bedroom, toys from the kitchen, books from the bathroom. Once the basket is full, take a quick trip around the house to put everything back in its proper home. This step alone often creates the most dramatic transformation.

Room-by-Room Decluttering Strategy

Focusing on one space at a time is the only way to get this done in a day without feeling scattered. Complete one room before moving to the next.

Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen is often the heart of the home and a major clutter hotspot.

Start with the countertops. Clear everything off. Give them a good wipe-down, then put back only the essential items you use every day, like the coffee maker and knife block. For everything else, find a home inside a cabinet or drawer. Next, tackle the pantry and fridge, tossing expired food and donating anything you know you won’t use. This is a great time to implement zoning, where you group similar items together (e.g., a coffee station, a baking zone).

Living Room and Common Spaces

Your living room should be a place for relaxation, not a storage unit. Clear all flat surfaces like the coffee table and end tables. Sort through magazines, books, and DVDs, keeping only your favorites. Use a simple basket or tray to corral remote controls, coasters, and other small items. It keeps them handy but out of sight.

Bedrooms and Closets

A calm bedroom leads to better rest. Start by clearing your nightstands and dresser, leaving only the bare essentials.

For the closet, be decisive. If you haven’t worn something in a year or it doesn’t make you feel good, it’s time for it to go. A helpful trick is the hanger method: turn all your hangers backward. Once you wear an item, turn the hanger the right way. In six months, you’ll see exactly what you don’t wear. For more guidance on letting go, check out these tips on how to declutter when you want to keep everything. The KonMari method also offers great insights into keeping only what “sparks joy.”

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are small, but they can hold a surprising amount of clutter. Pull everything out from under the sink and from the medicine cabinet. Be ruthless with expired makeup, old medications, and half-empty bottles of products you didn’t love. To keep things manageable, stick to one open product and one backup. A small “use-it-up” bin for samples can be a good way to work through them.

Entryway and Mudroom

This is the first impression of your home, so keeping it clear is important. Install hooks for coats and bags, use a tray for keys and mail, and have a designated spot for shoes. Move any out-of-season items to a different storage area. The goal is to have only the things you need for the current day or week in this space.

Quick Sorting System: Keep, Donate, Trash

As you work through each room, use the classic three-box method to sort your belongings.

• Keep: Items you love, use regularly, or are truly necessary.
• Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer need but someone else could use.
• Trash: Anything broken, expired, or unusable.

To make faster decisions, try the 90/90 rule: If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and don’t plan to in the next 90, it can probably go. This is one of many helpful decluttering tips for beginners.

The One-Touch Rule for Faster Decisions

To avoid getting bogged down, use the “One-Touch Rule.” Pick up an item and decide its fate immediately—keep, donate, or trash. Don’t put it down in a “maybe” pile to decide on later. That hesitation is what leads to decision fatigue. Trust your gut; it’s usually right.

Tackling Visual Clutter and Creating Storage Solutions

Even after decluttering, the items you keep can create visual noise if left out. The solution is simple: give everything a home. Use decorative baskets, bins, and trays to group similar items together. A basket by the couch for throw blankets or a tray on the coffee table for remotes keeps things tidy but accessible.

Choosing the Right Storage Containers

Don’t buy storage containers until after you’ve finished decluttering. Once you know what’s left, you can buy what you actually need.

• Open baskets are great for things you use daily, like toys or blankets.
• Covered bins work well for items you use less frequently.
• Drawer dividers are perfect for organizing small items in the kitchen or bathroom.

Finishing Touches: Quick Clean and Brighten

Once the clutter is gone, do a quick clean to make the space shine. Work from top to bottom: dust surfaces, wipe down counters, and vacuum the floors. Open the blinds to let in natural light and maybe light a candle. These small final steps make a huge difference and are the reward for your hard work.

Maintaining Your Decluttered Home

The real challenge isn’t the one-day purge; it’s keeping the clutter from coming back. The key is to build small, consistent habits.

Daily Habits to Stay Clutter-Free

Adopt the “all the way away” principle. Instead of setting something down “for now,” put it back where it belongs immediately. Another great habit is the 10-minute nightly reset. Before bed, spend ten minutes tidying the main living areas. It’s a small investment for a calm morning.

Weekly Maintenance Routines

Dedicate 30 minutes once a week to a quick clutter check. This could involve sorting through the week’s mail, tidying one “hot spot” like the kitchen counter, or clearing out the car. Consistency is more important than intensity.

The Put Away Basket Method

Keep a designated basket in high-traffic rooms. Throughout the day, toss in any items that are out of place. Once a day, or whenever it’s full, do a quick lap of the house to return everything to its home. This is a simple system that keeps surfaces clear.

Common Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made all of these mistakes, so learn from my experience!

• Moving clutter around: Don’t just shuffle items from one room to another. Give everything a designated home or get rid of it.
• Keeping things “just in case”: This is a major clutter trap. If you can replace it for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes, you probably don’t need to keep a spare.
• Getting lost in sentimental items: Set aside a small box for sentimental items you’re unsure about. Deal with it last, so you don’t lose momentum.
• Organizing before decluttering: You should only organize what you’re keeping. Declutter first, then organize what’s left.

Decluttering your home is an act of self-care. It creates physical and mental space, allowing you to relax and enjoy your home again. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll get there. For more inspiration on wellness and creating a life you love, feel free to explore more at www.notonetype.org.