100 Things to Declutter Today for a Tidy, Stress-Free Home

Clutter. It sneaks up on all of us—one day, your home feels fine, and the next, you’re overwhelmed by the mess. Drawers won’t close, countertops disappear under piles, and finding anything takes twice as long as it should. Sound familiar?

Decluttering can feel like a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to be. By breaking it down, you can make meaningful progress without the overwhelm. Even starting small—like tossing expired pantry items or clearing out a drawer—can make a big difference.

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To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of 100 Items You Can Declutter Today! It’s a simple, actionable way to tackle clutter without the stress. Download the free PDF (scroll to the bottom of the post to print) and use it as your guide to reclaiming your space and your peace of mind.

And if you’re ready to take things to the next level, my Room by Room Decluttering Guide offers detailed checklists and step-by-step plans to transform your home from chaos to calm.

See more home organization and home printables here. But for now, let’s dive into the first step: figuring out what to declutter!

Why Decluttering Matters

Decluttering isn’t just about having a tidy home—it’s about creating a space that brings you peace, not stress. Clutter can weigh heavily on your mental health, making it harder to focus and leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

Think about how much time you spend searching for misplaced items or cleaning around things you don’t even use. Decluttering saves time, reduces frustration, and helps you enjoy your home again.

Beyond the practical benefits, decluttering can have an emotional impact.

Letting go of unused or unnecessary items can feel freeing, like lifting a weight off your shoulders. It allows you to make room—both physically and mentally—for the things that truly matter in your life.

When you take the time to declutter, you’re not just organizing your home; you’re creating a sanctuary where you can relax, recharge, and thrive. Isn’t that worth it?

100 Things You Can Declutter

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By tackling your home one space at a time, you can make progress without feeling stuck. Below are 100 specific items you can declutter today, organized by room.

Kitchen

The kitchen often becomes a hotspot for clutter. Start by clearing out items you don’t use or need:

• Expired pantry items
• Duplicate utensils
• Old or chipped mugs
• Extra plastic containers without lids
• Broken appliances
• Outdated spices
• Cookbooks you never use
• Worn-out dish towels
• Unused serving platters
• Old takeout menus

Living Room

Create a relaxing, clutter-free space by decluttering these common culprits:

• Old magazines or newspapers
• Broken remote controls
• Dried-out pens
• Unused decorations
• Old DVDs or CDs
• Stained or frayed throw pillows
• Games with missing pieces
• Broken or unused electronics
• Outdated candles
• Old or unused photo frames

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a place of rest, so declutter anything that disrupts your peace:

• Clothes that don’t fit
• Unmatched socks
• Broken jewelry
• Worn-out bed linens
• Extra or unused hangers
• Shoes you don’t wear
• Old handbags or purses
• Empty perfume bottles
• Worn-out belts
• Scarves or hats you never wear

Bathroom

Bathrooms can easily become cluttered with outdated or unused items:

• Expired medication
• Old makeup products
• Worn-out bath towels
• Empty or near-empty bottles
• Old toothbrushes
• Broken hair accessories
• Expired skincare products
• Worn bath mats
• Unused nail polishes
• Travel-sized toiletries you’ll never use

Home Office

Declutter your workspace for a more productive environment:

• Broken or unused electronics
• Outdated files or paperwork
• Old receipts
• Pens that don’t work
• Notebooks with little paper left
• Duplicate chargers or cables
• Instruction manuals for items you no longer own
• Outdated business cards
• Old greeting cards
• Stacks of unused sticky notes

Closet

Free up space in your closet by removing these items:

• Clothing you haven’t worn in a year
• Damaged clothing you won’t repair
• Shoes that hurt your feet
• Extra or unused purses
• Outdated or broken jewelry
• Seasonal clothing that doesn’t fit
• Duplicate or unused hangers
• Mismatched gloves or mittens
• Old scarves
• Unused belts

Garage

Garages often become a catch-all. Declutter these common offenders:

• Broken tools
• Extra or expired paint cans
• Old holiday decorations
• Outdated gardening supplies
• Unused or broken sports equipment
• Empty cardboard boxes
• Old light bulbs
• Rusted or broken nails/screws
• Car cleaning supplies
• Broken hoses or gardening tools

Kids’ Items

Help your kids declutter their belongings to create more space for things they actually use:

• Outgrown clothing
• Toys they no longer play with
• Broken toys
• Unused art supplies
• Old school projects
• Outdated children’s books
• Puzzles with missing pieces
• Broken board games
• Stuffed animals
• Old backpacks

Entryway / Mudroom

Make your entryway welcoming by clearing out unnecessary items:

• Mismatched gloves or hats
• Broken umbrellas
• Worn-out shoes
• Expired sunscreen or bug spray
• Broken keychains
• Duplicate sets of keys
• Old welcome mats
• Stained tote bags
• Extra or outdated sunglasses

Miscellaneous Items

Finally, don’t forget to tackle random clutter around the house:

• Duplicate phone chargers
• Extra batteries you don’t need
• Old wrapping paper scraps
• Random cords or chargers
• Unused decorative pillows
• Damaged or chipped dishes
• Unused gift bags or boxes
• Broken Christmas ornaments
• Extra coasters
• Old cleaning supplies

By focusing on these specific items, you’ll see quick wins and build momentum to keep going.

Ready for a more comprehensive plan? My Room by Room Decluttering Guide offers detailed checklists and strategies to tackle every area of your home with ease.

Decluttering Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Decluttering sounds simple in theory, but when you’re faced with piles of stuff, it can quickly become overwhelming.

The good news is that you’re not alone—everyone encounters challenges on their decluttering journey. Here are some common obstacles and practical strategies to help you overcome them:

Decision Fatigue

When you’re sorting through dozens of items, it’s easy to get stuck wondering, “Should I keep this or let it go?” This mental exhaustion can stall your progress.

How to Overcome It:

Start small with just one drawer or a single category, like expired pantry items.
Use the “Does this add value to my life?” question to guide your decisions.
Set a timer for 15–30 minutes to focus on decluttering in short, manageable bursts.

Emotional Attachments

Certain items, like gifts or things tied to memories, can be hard to let go of even if they’re no longer useful.

How to Overcome It:

Remind yourself that the memory isn’t in the object—it’s in your heart and mind.
Take a photo of sentimental items before letting them go.
Create a “memory box” for a select few items that hold deep meaning.

Fear of Letting Go

You might hold onto things because of the “what if” mindset: “What if I need this someday?”

How to Overcome It:

Be honest with yourself: Have you used this item in the past year? If not, it’s likely safe to let go.

Remember that keeping unnecessary items takes up space and creates stress.
Trust that you can borrow, buy, or improvise if you truly need something in the future.

Lack of Time

Busy schedules make it hard to find time for decluttering, especially when it feels like a huge project.

How to Overcome It:

Break the process into bite-sized chunks: focus on one room or category at a time.
Incorporate decluttering into your daily routine, like sorting mail while watching TV.
Use tools like my Room by Room Decluttering Guide for a structured plan to save time.

Feeling Overwhelmed

When your home feels like it’s bursting at the seams, it’s hard to know where to start.

How to Overcome It:

Focus on the areas that bother you most, like the kitchen counter or an overflowing closet.

Celebrate small wins, like clearing a single shelf, to build momentum.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all in one day—progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be daunting. By addressing these challenges head-on and using simple strategies, you can create a home that feels lighter, calmer, and more organized. And if you’re looking for even more support, my Room by Room Decluttering Guide is here to guide you every step of the way!

Conclusion

Decluttering your home might feel like a big task, but remember—you don’t have to do it all at once. Start small, pick one room or even just one item from the list, and take that first step today.

Progress matters more than perfection, and every little bit you declutter brings you closer to a home that feels lighter and more peaceful.

To help you get started, don’t forget to grab your free copy of the “100 Items to Declutter” PDF. It’s a simple, actionable resource designed to kickstart your journey.

And if you’re ready for a deeper transformation, my Room by Room Decluttering Guide is the ultimate tool to guide you through every step. With detailed checklists and practical strategies, it’s everything you need to create a clutter-free home.

Your journey to a more organized and stress-free home starts now—are you ready?