Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home in a Day

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Rome was not built in a day. We’ve all come across this proverb at least once in a while. And rightly so, Rome couldn’t have been built in a day anyway. But what is it that can be accomplished in a period of one day? Well, going for a long-drive, shooting a reel, finishing your favourite fictional book, learning a new recipe, maybe updating your resume, or you can declutter your home, all in a matter of a day. You’ll be surprised how much can shift when you simply motivate yourself to begin with it all.

It takes only a day for clutter to start building up. But as I brought up Rome here, it was not built in a day. However, it became possible through the efforts of each day. They say that step by step, the journey goes on, and little by little, a little becomes a lot. And that’s exactly how you can approach your space too. A little, small steps leading to a visible transition. If you’ve been looking for a quick decluttering guide or wondering how to organize your home quickly, here’s a one-day home organization plan to help you declutter fast and feel lighter by the end of the day.

Room-by-room Decluttering

You need to dedicate one hour to every zone mentioned below:

1. Bedroom

In order to organize your home quickly, I would suggest starting the decluttering process from the core itself, that is, your bedroom. Which, as per you, is the first spot that comes to mind when you think of sweeping things under the rug in your bedroom? I believe, for most of us, it would be ‘under the mattress. Thus, you need to clean it first. Because there is a place for everything, and everything needs to get back to its respective place.

Later, you should clear beside tables, fold scattered clothes, and sort out one drawer.

2. Balcony

If you’re really planning to declutter and organize your home quickly, don’t skip the balcony. It’s one of those spaces that tends to collect things that don’t belong there in the first place. Clear the spot with the old planters, dusty chairs, and stuffed forgotten cartons. So yes, start there. Following that, you can wipe down the railings, arrange your plants neatly, and maybe add a small seating spot to make it a feel-good corner again.

3. Kitchen

The kitchen can get cluttered faster than any other space in your home. Overcrowded countertops, mismatched containers, or long-forgotten but daily-used spice jars add up to it slowly and gradually. So, if you’re serious about one-day home organization, the kitchen needs your attention now.

You should start by cleaning the counter. Remove anything that isn’t supposed to be placed there or be there. Next, check your fridge and pantry for expired items and throw them out without overthinking. Open just one drawer or cabinet and re-stack what you actually use.

4. Living Room

Now, talk about the living room. This the most active space of a home, and eventually the most clutter-prone too. Because it’s a common area, clutter here feels heavier than it actually is.

To hasten the process and declutter fast, begin with surfaces. Clear the coffee table, dust the TV unit, and return any out-of-place item to its actual home. Next, fluff the cushions, fold the throws, and stack books or remotes neatly.

5. Bathroom

Moving on to the bathroom, clear out the empty bottles, unused skincare products, old towels, and broken clips. And since it’s a space you begin and end your day in, you must (strictly) take care of its hygiene and keep it tidy. It surely makes a huge difference than you’d expect.

Start with what’s visible. Clear the sink counter, get rid of empty containers, and store only the essentials within reach. Then, check your drawers or baskets, throw out anything expired or untouched for months. Fold your towels neatly, hang fresh ones, and give the mirror a quick wipe. If you abide by the discussed methods, this is the finest way to organize your home quickly.

One-Day Decluttering Checklist

BEDROOM	Clear bedside tables	Fold scattered clothes or laundry	Declutter under the bed or mattress	Sort one drawer or shelf	Return misplaced items to their places
KITCHEN	Clear & wipe countertops	Toss expired pantry & fridge	Organise one drawer or cabinet	Re-stack containers & pair lids	Group daily-use items together
LIVING ROOM	Remove delivery boxes, wrappers, papers	Clear coffee table & TV unit	Fluff cushions & fold throws	Return chargers/remotes to their place	Dust surfaces & open shelves
BATHROOM	Throw out empty or expired products	Organise toiletries & baskets	Replace old towels with fresh ones	Wipe mirror & counter	Clean & rearrange essentials
BALCONY	Discard broken pots, cartons, old tools	Rearrange plants	Wipe railings & floor space	Add a stool or light decor if space allows	–
EXTRAS	Create a Donate/Toss/Keep Bag	Label a box for ‘unsure’ items	Set a 10-minute timer for each space	Celebrate progress! (Even if it’s small)	–

Home Decluttering Tips (Simple Decluttering Methods)

What best you can do is follow the 4-box rule. You need to label four boxes, ‘keep, donate, trash, and sell’. This helps you make faster and clearer decisions.

Set a timer, and work in short bursts. 20-30 minutes per area. It keeps you focused and avoids burnout.

You must understand that decluttering your home either by category or by rooms. Otherwise, it’d take forever.

Also, there’s a golden rule to get rid of something or some scrap that is testing you emotionally or decisively. That rule is, let’s say, a 1-year rule. If you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, you probably don’t need it.

It is best to digitise where possible. Bills, documents, old photos, scan and store them digitally to reduce paper clutter.

Don’t buy baskets or storage boxes until you know what’s actually staying. You need to move from decluttering to organising.

Make it a family task. Get everyone involved. Even 10 minutes from each person can make a huge difference.

Declutter And Donate

Be Honest About What You Use
If you haven’t worn it, used it, or thought about it in over a year, it’s probably time to let it go
Sort Gently Used Items Separately
Keep a dedicated bag or box for clothes, utensils, toys, and books that are still in good condition but no longer serve you.
Involve Your Family
Ask each member to pick at least 3–5 items to donate. It turns into a meaningful group activity.
Know What to Donate vs. Discard
Torn clothes, broken gadgets, or expired items should be discarded. Only donate what someone else can actually use.
Find Local Donation Drives or NGOs
Look up nearby centres, shelters, or donation drives that accept household items. Many NGOs offer pick-up services.
Teach Kids the Habit Early
Encourage children to give away toys or clothes they’ve outgrown. It helps them learn empathy and sharing.
Feel Good About Letting Go
Donating does help you clear space. But it adds value to someone else’s life too.

Decluttering Motivation

A place for everything. Everything in its place. At first glance, this sounds like a rule for tidiness. But once you look closer, it’s a philosophy of intentional living. Decluttering isn’t merely about discarding the excess, it reclaims clarity, unhindered flow (both spatially and mentally).

Each misplaced object is a quiet distraction. Each overfilled shelf is an unspoken decision deferred. To declutter is to choose presence over postponement. To decide what deserves space, and what no longer does. And as you make these decisions, one by one, you realise that a meticulously organised home is not a reflection of calm. Because in the end, simplicity isn’t a lack of things. It’s the quiet confidence of knowing what truly belongs.