The First 3 Places to Declutter When You’re Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? The best place to start is where you spend the most time. For me, that’s the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Focusing on these areas first will have the biggest impact on your daily life and make your home feel more peaceful.

This post is all about how to declutter when overwhelmed.

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1. The Kitchen: The Heart of the Home

The kitchen is where I spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning, so keeping it decluttered helps my day run more smoothly.

How to start:

• Set a 5-10 minute timer and look for trash, expired food, and broken items—these are easy wins that build momentum.
• Look for items that just get shuffled around or are buried at the back of a cupboard—if you haven’t used them in a while, donate them.
• If you’re unsure about an item, put it in a box labeled with a date three months from now. If you don’t use it before then, donate it without opening the box.

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2. The Living Room: The Gathering Space

Since my family spends so much time in the living room, keeping it decluttered makes a big difference.

How to start:

• Start by picking up trash and broken items.
• Identify things that don’t belong and put them in their proper place.
• If something is always getting moved around but not actually used, it might be time to let it go.
• Having designated storage, like a small basket for toys or books, helps keep things manageable.

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3. Your Bedroom: A Place for Rest

Your bedroom should be a retreat, not a storage space. When I declutter my bedroom, I feel calmer and more relaxed.

How to start:

• Start with your nightstand and dresser—clear off surfaces and put things where they belong.
• Go through your clothing and remove items that no longer fit or that you never wear—less clothing means less laundry!
• If you’re keeping something out of guilt (like a gift you don’t use), remind yourself that being a good steward of your home is more important than holding onto things out of obligation.

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How to Declutter When You Have Little Time

• One small area at a time – I used to think I needed a whole day to declutter, but that day never came. Instead, I focus on one shelf or drawer at a time.
• Set a timer – A 5- or 10-minute declutter session adds up over time.
• Celebrate small wins – Even if you just clear out one section, that’s progress!

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What If I Regret Getting Rid of Something?

I can honestly say I’ve never regretted donating something. A tip I love is asking: Can I replace this for $20 or less in 20 minutes or less? If the answer is yes, let it go. Most of the time, you won’t even remember what you got rid of!

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How to Keep Clutter from Coming Back

Decluttering isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. There’s always stuff coming into our home, especially with kids. I’ve learned to set up simple routines to keep things under control. I remind myself that progress, not perfection, is the goal.

By focusing on these three key areas first, you’ll create momentum and start to feel a sense of peace in your home. Small steps lead to big progress!

This post is all about how to declutter when overwhelmed.