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Feeling cramped in your living space is a common sentiment shared by many. Often, the real issue isn’t the size of your home, but the accumulation of items that no longer serve a purpose. A prime example would be that kitchen drawer filled with assorted cookie cutters—items that sit unused because baking isn’t a part of your routine. The same can be said for various corners of your home, from closets to under sinks, where similar items are hiding.
These unused possessions do not just occupy physical space; they also clutter our minds. According to professional organizer Bridget Urgo, co-owner of The Settler, many people are unaware of how much mental burden clutter can impose. By reducing clutter, individuals often discover that they can locate items more readily, think clearly, and even save money by avoiding unnecessary duplicates.
Items you can easily part with
To assist in your decluttering journey, we have compiled a list of common household items that can be tossed or donated without regret. Professional organizers share their top suggestions for what to eliminate to create a more serene environment.
Vases that are just taking up space
After receiving a lovely bouquet, many of us are left with a plain vase, which ends up buried in a cabinet alongside others. Maura Fitzgerald, founder of Fitz Just Right, points out that those vases are rarely used. When it comes time to arrange your own flowers, you are likely to reach for your favorite vase instead. Instead of hoarding multiple vases, consider returning them to a local florist, who will happily repurpose them.
Kitchen gadgets and appliances
Another significant contributor to clutter is the kitchen. Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by gadgets that serve a single purpose, like an apple corer or a mango slicer. Urgo advises that a simple knife can suffice for most fruit-cutting tasks. Furthermore, appliances like Instant Pots or Vitamixes often collect dust in cabinets. If they are gathering cobwebs, it’s time to donate or discard them. Many community libraries have programs that allow patrons to borrow such appliances, so check if they would accept your unused ones.
Clearing out electronic clutter
We all have that one drawer where old devices and their accompanying cords pile up, often with the belief that they might come in handy one day. However, the reality is that most of us never use them again. Before disposing of these gadgets, ensure you have erased any personal data to protect your information. After wiping them clean, consider recycling or reselling them back to the manufacturer for store credit.
Overabundance of bags
It is astonishing how many reusable bags accumulate over time. According to Fitzgerald, many homes have far more than necessary. She recommends paring down to just a few bags—ideally under five. Use your surplus to transport items to donation centers or food pantries where they can assist others.
Managing paper clutter
Paper clutter is another prevalent issue, especially among families with children or older generations. Old files, receipts, and schoolwork can pile up quickly. Nikki Boyd, founder of At Home With Nikki, suggests having children select their favorite artwork for preservation. The rest can be digitized by taking photographs, which allows you to enjoy their creations without the physical space burden.
Gift supplies and wrapping materials
Many people tend to stockpile wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift bags, often filling closets to the brim. Shira Gill, author of Minimalista, notes that this can lead to clutter. Instead of holding onto every item, she suggests investing in a designated storage solution for gift supplies, limiting what you keep to what fits within that system.
Out with the old and expired
Expired spices, old toys, and unused beauty products are often overlooked during decluttering. Urgo has a straightforward rule: if you do not use it or consume it, it is time to let it go. This applies to everything from cans of paint to broken crayons. For paint, check with local recycling centers for proper disposal methods.
Tea and linen collections
These unused possessions do not just occupy physical space; they also clutter our minds. According to professional organizer Bridget Urgo, co-owner of The Settler, many people are unaware of how much mental burden clutter can impose. By reducing clutter, individuals often discover that they can locate items more readily, think clearly, and even save money by avoiding unnecessary duplicates.0
These unused possessions do not just occupy physical space; they also clutter our minds. According to professional organizer Bridget Urgo, co-owner of The Settler, many people are unaware of how much mental burden clutter can impose. By reducing clutter, individuals often discover that they can locate items more readily, think clearly, and even save money by avoiding unnecessary duplicates.1