Could be a shelf in a closet, or on a bookshelf. Now that you’ve done a counter, try a shelf. Have a blender you haven’t used since jazzercise was all the rage? Put it in the cupboard! Clear off all papers and all the other junk you’ve been tossing on the counter too. Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things. Maybe they have a toaster on them, maybe a decorative candle, but not a lot of clutter. You want to get your house so that all flat spaces are clear of clutter. Some people don’t appreciate simplicity, I guess. Once you have that clutter-free zone, keep it that way! Now, each day, slowly expand your no-clutter zone until it envelopes the whole house! Unfortunately, the neighbors don’t seem to like it when you try to expand the no-clutter zone to their house, and start hauling away their unused exercise equipment and torn underwear when they’re not at home. Wherever you start, make a rule: nothing can be placed there that’s not actually in use. It can be a counter, or your kitchen table, or the three-foot perimeter around your couch. Receipts, warranties, manuals, notices, flyers? In the inbox! This one little change can really transform your paperwork. No wonder we can’t find anything! Designate an in-box tray or spot in your home (or at your office, for that matter) and don’t put down papers anywhere but that spot. This is because we put them in different spots - on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, on top of our dresser, in our car. Papers often account for a lot of our clutter. We’ll have a challenge!įor those who are overwhelmed by their clutter, here are some great ways to get started, five minutes at a time. Before you know it, you’ll have cleared a whole closet or a room and then half your house and then … who knows? Maybe before long your house will be even more uncluttered than mine. Sure, five minutes won’t barely make a dent in your mountain, but it’s a start. So here’s my advice: start with just five minutes. When your home is filled with clutter, trying to tackle a mountain of stuff can be quite overwhelming. I’ve written a lot about simplicity and decluttering (I can’t help it - I’m passionate about it!) and I’ve noticed that a lot of readers share my ideal of having an uncluttered home or workplace, but don’t know where to start.

“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity From discord find harmony In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein By Leo Babauta

Declutter home tips