How to Start Decluttering: A Quick Guide to the 7 Best Decluttering Methods
- Sue Spencer
- May 5
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
I always like to think of decluttering as a way to pause and press the "refresh" button - not just for your home, but for your mind and time. Letting go of items you no longer need creates room for things you use daily, making your home feel calmer and more organised.
But with social media awash with experts and influencers each offering different tips and methods, it’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed before they’ve even begun. Should you start with your wardrobe or the kitchen drawer? Should you be sparking joy, filling boxes, or counting items?
As a professional organiser and KonMari Master Consultant, I understand decluttering can feel daunting. Luckily, there are several tried and tested methods you can explore. Whether you're a methodical sorter, a sentimental soul, or someone who loves a challenge, there’s an approach that will suit you.
I've put together a quick guide to some of the most popular decluttering methods to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
1. The KonMari Method
Developed by Japanese home organising expert Marie Kondo, the KonMari Method embraces the idea of choosing joy. Rather than deciding what to discard, you focus on what you want to keep by asking, “Does this spark joy?”. You declutter by category (clothes, books, papers, etc.) instead of room by room, and start by defining your goals by imagining your ideal lifestyle and considering how you want to live.
Pros:
The KonMari Method encourages mindful decision-making and a lasting mindset shift.
Decluttering by category allows you to see duplicates easily and make confident decisions about reducing excess, as you can view all the similar items you own.
Promotes a positive, joy-led approach that many find empowering.
Cons:
Whilst you can work on a single category like clothes, the KonMari Method is most impactful when you work through all the categories in your home, which can take time.
Best suited to those who can dedicate focused time to the process.
As a KonMari Master Consultant this is my favourite decluttering method - if you'd like a step by step guide on decluttering using the KonMari Method take a look at How to declutter and organise your home with Marie Kondo's KonMari Method®.
2. The Four-Box Decluttering Method
This is a straightforward, practical approach that involves using four containers labelled:
Keep, Donate/Sell, Keep, Donate/Sell, Recycle/Discard, and Move to Another Room.
It helps you avoid decision fatigue and stay focused on one area without getting sidetracked.
Pros:
Simple and immediately effective, so it's perfect for visual progress.
The “Other Room” box keeps you from wandering off-task.
Cons:
Without a clear decision framework, you might keep items “just in case.”
Doesn't prompt emotional reflection in the same way some other methods do.
3. The Mins Game
Created by The Minimalists, the Mins Game turns decluttering into a month-long challenge. On Day 1, you get rid of one item. Day 2, two items and so on up to 30 items on Day 30. In just one month you can get rid of a total of 465 items!
Pros:
Great for building momentum and developing a daily decluttering habit.
Turns decluttering into a fun challenge, especially if you do it with a friend or partner.
Cons:
The time commitment increases as the month goes on.
It can be overwhelming if you leave it until the end of the day to decide what to let go of.
If you’re not able to donate or recycle items regularly, it can lead to a pile-up of clutter waiting to leave your home, so an exit plan is essential
4. The 20/20 Rule
This is also known as the “Just in Case Rule,” as it helps you let go of items you may have held onto for unlikely scenarios. The method prompts you to ask: “Could I replace this for under £20, in less than 20 minutes, within 20 miles?” If the answer is yes, you can probably let it go.
Pros:
The 20/20 rule is great for freeing up valuable cupboard space, often taken up by backups and spares you don’t really need.
It can help to challenge the fear-based mindset around letting go.
Cons:
Might lead to occasional repurchases, but these are usually few and manageable.
5. The One-In, One-Out Rule
This is a great maintenance method once you’ve done the initial declutter. The idea is simple: for every new item you bring into your home, one old item must go.
Pros:
Keeps clutter from creeping back in.
Builds long-term awareness of your consumption habits.
Cons:
Only effective if you stick to it—easy to slip if you don’t apply it consistently.
Doesn’t help reduce clutter in the first place—best used after a larger sort-out.
6. The Backwards Hanger Trick
Perfect for wardrobes, this method involves hanging all your clothes with the hangers facing backwards. Each time you wear and wash an item, hang it back in the wardrobe the usual way. After a few months, it’s easy to see what you actually wear and what’s just taking up space.
Pros:
A simple method that gives you a visual snapshot of what you wear.
Takes the emotion out of clothing decisions.
Cons:
The hanger trick only works for items that hang in the wardrobe; drawers and folded clothes are excluded.
7. Swedish Death Cleaning
Don’t let the name put you off! Swedish Death Cleaning (or döstädning) is not as morbid as it sounds - it's a gradual process of decluttering with the future in mind. It encourages you to gradually reduce your belongings so your loved ones won’t be burdened with sorting through everything later.
This method encourages gentle reflection, giving you time to make intentional decisions about what to keep, pass on to others or donate and is ideal for later-life rightsizing or simply wanting to live with more intention.
Pros:
Enables you to reconnect with your belongings and make confident decisions as you let go at your own pace.
Encourages meaningful conversations as you share stories and pass on items—helping recipients understand their sentimental value.
Reduces the emotional and practical burden on loved ones later down the line.
Cons:
Takes time and patience, so it isn't the method to use if you're looking for a quick clear out.
It can be emotionally challenging as you work through sentimental items
You may need support from family or a professional organiser if you have limited mobility or time.
Don’t Forget Your Exit Strategy
A crucial part of decluttering is deciding where your unwanted items will go. Without a plan, things often linger in the hallway, garage, or car boot (yes, we're all guilty of one of these!) - so things end up becoming clutter all over again! Having a plan in place makes it easier to get discarded items out of your home so you can enjoy the space you've created.
Your exit strategy might include:
Donating to local charities or community groups
Selling on sites like Vinted or Facebook Marketplace
Recycling through council schemes
Using apps like OLIO (for food and household items) or Ziffit (for books, games, and DVDs)
Knowing your items will be used and appreciated elsewhere can make letting go feel more rewarding. Take a look at my guide on how to turn your clutter into cash - How to make money when you declutter and sell stuff online.
Just Start - It Gets Easier
The most important thing with decluttering is to just give it a go. Choose one of the methods (I'd always recommend the KonMari Method), start small, maybe with your socks or mugs, and notice the difference it makes. That quick win will give you the momentum to keep going. Decluttering doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to start. Once you feel the benefits of more space, less stress, and a greater sense of calm you’ll get the motivation to keep going.
Call in an Expert
If you feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, you don’t have to go it alone. A professional organiser can help you get started, suggest the right method for your situation, and offer accountability to help you reach your goals without the stress.
Book a free discovery call or find out more about how I can support you with decluttering and rightsizing services. Whether you want to rightsize your home, simplify your wardrobe, or finally tackle the garage, help is just a call away.
Hi! I’m Sue, a professional home organiser and KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire, UK. I had the privilege of training with Marie Kondo and by using her methods, I help growing families and empty nesters Rightsize their Homes.
We declutter and organise to clear space and time so they can get on with the important job of enjoying life.
Are you ready to start living A Life More Organised?
For a no-obligation chat about how I can help, please get in touch.
m: 07740 782575 www.alifemoreorganised.co.uk
I'd love to keep in touch - why not follow me on Instagram or join in the conversation in my Facebook group
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