11 Surprising Tips to Declutter - Solutions You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier
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Time to read 6 min
If you’ve ever Googled “how to declutter your home,” you’ve probably scrolled past the same tips a hundred times. And if you haven’t figured out how to use fridge bins by now, you might need more than just a blog post - you need an intervention.
I’m adding a fresh twist to home organization with clever, out-of-the-box ways to not just declutter the home - but to actually keep it decluttered. Because what is the point of organizing if it all falls apart in a week?
Here are some totally easy and doable decluttering tips that will make a real difference in your space (without making you want to sigh over a pile of mismatched Tupperware lids).
Table of Contents
1. Color-code storage boxes by season 2. Delete digital clutter aka digital spring cleaning 3. DIY magnetic strip hacks 4. Baskets are a must-have for any room 5. How to keep your power cords out of sight 6. Cut the cord clutter with a Docking Drawer 7. How to store grocery bags efficiently 8. Hang storage hooks 9. Clever trick to store sheet sets 10. Store seasonal items in suitcases 11. Lazy Susan is your easy-to-reach storage solution
Color-code storage boxes by season
A quick home organization tip to avoid the chaos of multiple storage bins is to color-code your boxes. Lee Silber, author of Organizing from the Right Side of the Brain, swears by this method to keep decorations in check - by season!
Here’s how: Match your storage bins to the colors of the holiday they are meant for. Red and green boxes are perfect for Christmas. Halloween decor goes into orange bins while Hanukkah banners and garlands go into blue containers.
Reader's Digest
You get the idea - even if your labels go missing, you’ll know exactly what to expect inside your storage bins.
Bonus tip: Why not use this hack all around the house? Everyday essentials in clear boxes, bright yellow or beachy blue bins for summer gear, or muted colors for sentimental keepsakes… Think beyond the label; color-coding your containers saves plenty of time while keeping things visually organized.
Delete digital clutter aka digital spring cleaning
Just like a cluttered home can feel overwhelming, digital clutter can be just as stressful...
We all know the feeling - your phone is out of storage, your inbox is filled with notifications you know you are never going to open, and somewhere in the depths of your computer are files you have forgotten to delete years ago.
Maura Thomas, author of Personal Productivity Secrets, explains that simple habits can triumph over digital clutter.
Reader's Digest
Hacks like setting up a secondary email account for anything that is not urgent, like subscriptions and promo deals, or taking 5-minute clean-up breaks to delete old photos and unused apps, are perfect for keeping things from piling up. Think of it as digital spring cleaning for your precious devices.
DIY magnetic strip hacks
Magnetic strips are a game changer for cutting down on clutter, and Family Handyman has plenty of unexpected but super smart suggestions that I look forward to trying myself.
I’m always misplacing small items like tweezers, nail clippers, and bobby pins, so using a magnetic strip inside the medicine cabinet will keep everything in one spot, easy to grab when I need it - plus, no more digging through drawers.
Family Handman
Messy kitchen counter space? Stick a strip inside a cabinet and use metal spice tins so you have your own DIY spice rack. An overflowing toolbox? Keep small tools like pliers and screwdrivers with a magnetic strip above your workbench. It’s that quick.
Baskets are a must-have for any room
If there’s one decluttering tip that always works, it’s baskets! Without ever sacrificing your home’s aesthetic, using baskets as a storage solution are perfect for keeping the chaos at bay.
A large woven basket makes a stylish laundry hamper that does not scream “laundry” at all. Blankets and pillows spilling over your living room? Tuck them neatly inside a decorative basket.
House Beautiful
Smaller baskets are just as handy - a sturdy Lobster Rope Basket is the perfect storage solution in the pantry, by your desk, or the entryway to catch everyday items like keys and mail so they stay organized. Baskets work in any room and make it so easy to contain the clutter.
How to keep your power cords out of sight
If you’re getting eye sore just by looking at your tangled cords and cluttered floor, The Spruce recommends a power strip to be mounted underneath the desk using a wire basket and a few small hook screws.
This decluttering hack works perfectly for home offices, appliance cords in the kitchen, or behind TV stands. It keeps cords neat while making vacuuming a breeze!
Bonus tip: label each cord so you know which is which, and you’ll never unplug the wrong one by mistake.
The Spruce
Cut the cord clutter with a Docking Drawer
Here’s another quick home organization tip to cut the cord clutter - a Docking Drawer. It is basically a built-in outlet inside a drawer, perfect for keeping messy cords and devices from taking over your desks, kitchen countertops, nightstands, or bathroom. You can charge your phone or laptop inside this drawer rather than have a tangle of cords all over the place.
Some Docking Drawer versions are even made for powering things like hair dryers or coffee makers, so you can keep everything plugged in but neatly tucked away. Finally - free of chord chaos!
Horderly
How to store grocery bags efficiently
For that one kitchen cabinet that’s overflowing with reusable grocery bags, do not let it take over your space. Simply roll up the bags and store them in an empty tissue box. Rather than getting stuffed into a random corner, this highly doable home organization tip keeps your bags compact and easy to grab.
Bonus tip: Keep a stash in the car for quick clean-ups or unexpected needs while you’re out and about.
The Spruce
Hang storage hooks
Instead of rummaging through deep drawers, try this simple decluttering tip with your measuring cups and spoons - attach adhesive hooks to the inside of your cabinet door and hang them up.
Give each size its own designated place, so the next time you need that disappearing ¼ cup, it is right where you left it. This little hack keeps your cooking and baking tools in place and ready to use.
The Spruce
Clever trick to store sheet sets
Don’t we all just get so excited to grab fresh sheets but only to get frustrated when we find a mismatched set in the closet? An easy closet organization idea is to fold your sheets and tuck the entire set inside one of the pillowcases - it keeps everything together while keeping your closet neat and tidy. No more digging through piles of linens.
Pro tip: Store sheet bundles by size (twin, queen, king) or label the shelves so you can grab the right set in seconds.
The Spruce
Store seasonal items in suitcases
Put your suitcases to work while you’re not traveling. Unused suitcases and bags are perfect for storing winter gear, holiday decor, thermal bed linens, and other seasonal items. It is a dream to free up closet space while keeping those rarely used items neatly tucked away, and I am excited to make this clothes storage idea a reality.
Pro tip: Toss in a dryer sheet or a lavender sachet to keep everything smelling fresh.
Martha Stewart
Lazy Susan is your easy-to-reach storage solution
If you have a space where you keep knocking things over just to reach what you need, a Lazy Susan is what you need. These spinning organizers are great for hard-to-reach corners, whether in your pantry, under the sink, or in your fridge.
Store spices, condiments, baking supplies, or vitamins - just give it a spin, and everything is right at your fingertips.
Kouboo
A Lazy Susan is an incredibly versatile home storage solution that you can use in your bathroom countertop so you can easily grab your everyday essentials like skincare products and perfumes.
On your closet shelf, it can keep your sunglasses, jewelry, small purses, and other accessories neat and within reach.
Decluttering does not have to be a huge project - small changes do make the biggest difference. I believe these little tweaks will help me create a more functional, stress-free home (and keep it that way!). I know I’m excited to try a few of these myself… If you give any of them a go, I’d love to hear how they work for you!
Meet the Author
Karen Marsh
Karen is the owner of New England Trading Company, a coastal gift shop in Maine. Since 2009, she has enjoyed helping customers find the perfect coastal-inspired gifts and decor. Karen loves connecting with others who share her passion for all things nautical.
