50 Things to Declutter Today When You Don’t Know Where to Start

The idea of decluttering your home is a good thought until you simply have no idea where to begin, so you don’t take any action at all.

This is normal. Deciding how to get rid of extra stuff is overwhelming and feels impossible when everything needs attention.

That’s where this list comes in. Instead of tackling the entire home all at once, take it category by category or space by space. You’ll build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll have a space that feels like you again.

Key Takeaways:

• How to know if your house is cluttered
• A simple strategy to get started
• 50 decluttering ideas
• How to make decluttering decisions easier

Is Your House Cluttered?

Clutter isn’t about perfection; it’s about how your space functions and how it feels. It’s also different from your house being a mess. You could clean all day long, but still feel like your home is cluttered.

Here are some ways to know if your house is cluttered:

• You spend time moving things before using a space.
• Everything feels like it’s missing a “home”.
• You avoid certain rooms or drawers.
• You buy duplicates because you can’t find something.
• You feel overstimulated at home.
• You “just set things down” everywhere.

If you resonate with any of these statements, your home is probably cluttered, even if it looks fine to everyone else.

A cluttered house does not mean you’re lazy, disorganized, or failing. It usually means you’re busy, your life changed faster than your systems could keep up, or you have more stuff than space.

All fixable. All normal.

The Domino Effect Strategy

Thinking that you “need to declutter” is overwhelming because our brains try to tackle it as one giant task. Actually, decluttering is a chain of small dominoes. You just have to focus on that first one, which doesn’t take a ton of effort, and then the momentum will follow.

This mindset shift helped me so much when I first dove into decluttering. It felt more attainable and realistic to focus on one thing at a time. Then I would get into a groove, and before I knew it, I had decluttered an entire room!

So if the idea of decluttering your house makes you want to crawl into a hole and ignore all the small messes, try to focus on just ONE thing you want to declutter.

Maybe that’s:

• A side table
• A bookshelf
• Your water bottle collection
• Your purse

It doesn’t have to be anything crazy! Small steps still count as progress.

And if you’re still in analysis paralysis, keep reading for 50 places to start decluttering.

50 Decluttering Ideas

And now for the good stuff! When decision fatigue hits, you just need a list that tells you exactly what to toss or donate—no thinking required. Here are 50 things you can declutter when you look around your house and have no idea where to start.

Easy Wins

1. Junk mail and old flyers
2. Expired coupons
3. Broken pens and dried-out markers
4. Instruction manuals for items you no longer own
5. Old receipts you don’t need for taxes
6. Empty boxes you were “saving just in case.”
7. Takeout menus
8. Worn-out batteries
9. Old phone cases
10. Duplicate keys you can’t identify

Bathroom and Self-Care

1. Expired makeup
2. Old skincare products you stopped using
3. Half-empty travel-size toiletries
4. Ratty towels or washcloths
5. Empty shampoo or soap bottles
6. Hair ties that have lost their stretch
7. Old loofahs or sponges
8. Medications past their expiration date

Closet Quick Picks

1. Socks without a match
2. Underwear that’s uncomfortable or worn out
3. Clothes that don’t fit and haven’t in years
4. Shoes that hurt your feet
5. Accessories you never reach for
6. Hangers that don’t match your system
7. “Maybe someday” outfits

Kitchen Clutter

1. Expired pantry items
2. Mismatched food containers (no lids!)
3. Duplicates of the same utensil
4. Chipped mugs or plates
5. Gadgets you’ve used once—or never
6. Old dish towels
7. Takeout condiment packets

Paper and Digital Clutter

1. Old notebooks with only a few used pages
2. Outdated planners
3. Random instruction sheets
4. Old business cards
5. Screenshots you don’t need anymore
6. Apps you never open

Living Areas

1. Décor that no longer fits your style
2. Candles you don’t like the scent of
3. Throw pillows you’re over.
4. Magazines you’ve already read
5. Old remotes with no home
6. Board games missing pieces

Catch-All Clutter

1. Reusable bags you don’t use
2. Freebie swag you never wanted
3. Cords you can’t identify
4. Old water bottles
5. Gifts you feel guilty keeping.
6. Anything that makes you think, “Why do I still have this?”

How to Make Decluttering Decisions Easier

Sometimes, people feel an emotional attachment to certain items, even if they technically fall under one of these 50 things to declutter. It’s difficult to determine whether something is worth keeping because it’s sentimental or if it’s time to get rid of it for your mental clarity.

Essentially, it all comes down to principles. Principles are universal truths that provide guidance across any task or discipline. They are timeless, flexible, and offer a foundation for decision-making.

Where methods show us how to act, principles remind us why we act. When applied thoughtfully, principles help us know the next right step without even needing a more rigid framework.

I did a podcast episode about the best principles to guide your decluttering.You can listen to it right here.

Starting Small Is Still Starting

Pick just one or two of the ideas I listed above to do this week. It may feel daunting at first, but it probably won’t take you more than an hour.

Make it a goal to revisit this list each week and declutter a few areas of your home. Before you know it, you’ll have a calm, clutter-free home that feels more like you.

Need some extra guidance? Subscribe to The L.E.S.S. Express, my weekly newsletter that’s designed to keep you on track as you declutter your home.

FAQs About How to Get Rid of Extra Stuff

What if I’m afraid I’ll regret getting rid of something?

If you haven’t used it in a year and it’s easy or inexpensive to replace, it’s usually safe to let it go. You can also try a “maybe box” and revisit it in 30 days.

Is it better to donate or throw things away?

Donate items that are clean, usable, and in good condition. Throw away anything broken, expired, or unusable without guilt.

Why does decluttering feel emotionally difficult?

Clutter often carries memories, guilt, or “what if” thinking. That’s normal. Decluttering isn’t about being ruthless—it’s about making space for how you live now.

How do I stop clutter from coming back?

Give everything a home, declutter regularly in small amounts, and be intentional about what you bring into your space.