The idea of decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially if you look around and see so much accumulated stuff, closets you’re scared to delve into, or piles of disorganized paperwork. A weekend decluttering project is an efficient way to tackle the clutter, and it doesn’t have to be a monumental task. With the right approach, you can make significant progress without burning yourself out. The key is to set realistic goals that work for YOU. Divide the process into manageable chunks and focus on the areas that will bring you the most satisfaction, up your productivity, and lower your stress levels. We’ve created this guide to break down the spaces so you can choose to either spend the entire weekend and get all your decluttering done, or divvy it up into several weekend mini projects.
Friday Night Prep
- Set realistic goals, and choose which areas you will focus on and plan to complete.
- I personally like to make written lists because it is SO satisfying to cross off each item as you complete it!
- Rope in your partner and kids—it’s their house, too. How about a little carrot at the end of the stick, like dinner out on Sunday night after you’ve all finished? Nothing wrong with extra incentives (read: bribery)!
- Gather supplies: trash and recycling bags, donation boxes, labels and a Sharpie, cleaning supplies, and a timer.
- Create well-labeled sorting zones: keep, donate, sell, trash.
High-Impact Areas
Bedroom (2-3 hours)
- Nightstands: Remove random items, old magazines, empty glasses, already-read books.
- Include what’s inside the drawers and shelves.
- If your nightstand has a web of device charger cables, consider these clip cord organizers to keep them out of the way.
- Dresser: Apply the one-year rule—if you haven’t worn it, donate it.
- Declutter the top of the dressser as well. Less is more.
- Closet: Remove everything and go through each item; also apply the one-year rule.
- Under-bed area: Declutter forgotten items, off-season stored clothes.
- That ‘extra’ clothing holder in the corner: Whether it’s a chair, a bench, or an exercise machine, clear off clothes you’ve piled on there.
Kitchen (3-4 hours)
- Countertops: Keep only daily-use appliances visible. The rest should go in a cabinet or the pantry.
- Pantry/fridge: Toss all expired and never-to-be-used-again items (e.g. that funky condiment you bought that nobody likes).
- If you wish to do a serious decluttering of your refrigerator, check out our more comprehensive guide.
- Gadgets: Keep one of each tool, then donate duplicates. Definitely donate anything you have not used in a year.
- Dishware and utensils: Gather up unused extras for donation, and toss or recycle broken or chipped items.
- Small appliances: If unused for 2+ years, donate.
- Food containers: Keep only matching sets with lids; toss anything with red food stains or odd odors.
Bathroom (1-2 hours)
- Medicine cabinet: Check expiration dates on medications. Read: Safe Medication Disposal/Return.
- Toiletries: Toss expired makeup and skincare (Yes, they do expire!).
- Hair tools: Donate rarely-used styling equipment.
- Towels: Keep 2-3 sets per person max. Old towels can be donated or repurposed so they don’t end up in landfills.
Living Spaces
Living Room or Family Room (2-3 hours)
- Surfaces: Clear coffee tables, side tables, media centers.
- You don’t need to aim for an Instagram-worthy, model home-level minimalism.
- That being said, you do want to declutter items that take up unnecessary space or don’t add to the room’s vibe. For instance, a couple of coffee table books look sharp; a huge stack, not so much.
- This room often has items that normally “live” elsewhere, like slippers, cups and glasses, iPads, chargers, toys and games—return them to their proper “home”.
- Store visible DVDs and video games in bins or a cabinet; get rid of ones no longer watched or played.
- Books: Keep favorites, donate the rest. We have a super guide, of course!
- Magazines: Current issues only; recycle the rest.
- Decorative items: Choose your favorites and donate the rest.
- If you have more than one throw, consider keeping them tidy and folded in a decorative storage basket.
Entryway (1 hour)
- Coats, hat, scarves, gloves: Remove everything and go through each item; also apply the one-year rule. Donate the rest.
- Shoes: Keep the ones that are actually being used; donate the rest.
- If you and the family have a lot of shoes cluttering up the entryway, consider storing them in the garage instead. I have several stacked shoe racks from Costco that keep my family’s shoes neat and out of the way.
Dining Room (1-2 hours)
- Table: If it’s covered with miscellaneous items, declutter it so you can actually eat on this table.
- Using this as a hobby or craft area? Consider setting up a small table in another area of the home.
- China cabinet or sideboard: Declutter items on top, and then go over the items stored inside.
- Keep what you plan to use; donate the rest.
- This includes linens, server ware, holiday items, and decor.
Paper Clutter (1-2 hours)
- Bills: Keep current month, access others online. Better yet, transition to doing all your bill paying online and lessen your paper load. All utilities, medical billing, mortgage and rent payments, and credit card payments have paperless billing now.
- Documents: File important papers, shred personal info. Not sure what to keep and what to shred? Read our guide.
- Kids’ artwork: Keep a few favorites from each grade, then photograph the rest. We like this large, flat storage box for art keepsakes.
Sunday Evening: Finish Strong
- Bag or box donations immediately and close up the container. Don’t second-guess decisions.
- Schedule donation drop-off for Monday.
- List valuable items for sale and set a 2-week deadline. If it doesn’t sell, donate it.
- Put everything in designated “homes”.
- Here’s our piece on Online Places to Give Away Your Stuff.
Maintaining Success
- One in, one out rule: New item comes in, old item goes out
- 15-minute weekly maintenance for each area
- Everything needs a designated home
- Deal with papers immediately
Benefits of Weekend Decluttering
- Immediate visible results creates motivation. You’ll wake up Monday and feel the effects of a tidy, decluttered home!
- Reduced daily stress and decision fatigue. Clutter is a source of stress.
- Easier cleaning and maintenance—no more cleaning around all the clutter.
- More space for what matters—keeping only the things that you really need and actually use makes a huge difference.
- Mental clarity and fresh start feeling. You really will lighten your load.
Keep in mind that this is about creating space for what matters most in your home. It’s about having a clutter-free environment that reduces stress, makes living in your home easier, and brings you pride and joy. Start somewhere, build momentum, and enjoy your transformed spaces!