9 Effective Decluttering Strategies Professional Organizers Recommend

Professional organizers know that decluttering done in a rush rarely lasts. Fast cleanouts can feel satisfying in the moment, but without a system in place, clutter often finds its way back. That’s why experts focus less on how quickly a space can be cleared and more on how easily it can be maintained. A good system reduces the number of decisions required each day, creates clear boundaries for what belongs in a space and builds habits that support consistency. By addressing both what stays in the home and where less-used items should live, organizers help create environments that feel calmer and more functional long after the initial decluttering is finished.

One of the most common reasons decluttering stalls is decision fatigue. The Four-Box Method removes that friction by limiting your choices and keeping you moving forward. Before you begin, set up four clearly labeled boxes or bins: Keep, Donate, Trash and Store.

This structure helps prevent clutter from migrating from one surface to another and forces realistic decisions about what actually belongs in your home. Items that fall into the “Store” category are often the ones that cause the most hesitation — seasonal gear, sentimental belongings, things you don’t need access to every day. Moving these items out of your living space and into storage can dramatically reduce clutter, making it easier to organize what remains and maintain the system going forward.

Remember, the Four-Box Method should be a consistent practice, not a one-time event. Set aside some time every month or every three months to reassess your space.

The KonMari Method™ — popularized by Marie Kondo — focuses on tidying by category rather than by room. Instead of organizing one space at a time, you gather all items in a single category, such as clothes, books or kitchen tools, and review them together. Seeing everything at once makes it easier to spot duplicates and things that no longer fit your life.

What sets this method apart is how you make decisions. Your task is to evaluate items individually based on whether or not it “sparks joy.” If an item doesn’t bring a sense of usefulness, happiness or meaning, it’s a signal that it may be time to let it go. For items that do spark joy but aren’t needed every day (like sentimental keepsakes or seasonal belongings), storing them outside the home can help preserve their value without adding visual disarray.

To keep the process manageable and prevent half-finished projects, we recommend completing one full category before moving on to the next.

The 1-3-5 Method is a favorite among professional organizers because it brings structure to decluttering without turning it into an all-day project. Instead of tackling everything at once, you decide in advance what today’s progress will look like — then stop when you’re done.

Here’s how to apply it to decluttering:

• 1 big task: Something that requires more time or decision-making, like clearing out a hall closet or sorting paperwork.

• 3 medium tasks: Smaller but meaningful wins, such as editing a dresser drawer or reviewing a shelf of books.

• 5 small tasks: Quick resets, like tossing expired items, returning stray objects to their proper homes or setting aside a donation bag.

This method works especially well when clutter feels endless. By defining the scope upfront, you avoid burnout and decision paralysis. We suggest pairing the 1-3-5 Method with storage planning—using the “big task” to identify items that don’t need to live at home every day and relocate them to storage so progress feels immediate and visible.

The 12-12-12 Challenge is a simple, repeatable strategy that turns decluttering into a clear, time-boxed exercise. The goal is to find:

• 12 items to keep

• 12 items to donate

• 12 items to discard

Because the numbers are fixed, this method removes guesswork and keeps decisions moving. It’s particularly effective for clutter-prone areas like bedrooms, entryways and shared living spaces, where items tend to pile up gradually.

We recommend using this challenge regularly — monthly or seasonally — rather than saving it for major cleanouts. You can move items you decide to keep but don’t need frequent access to, like seasonal decor or extra household supplies, into storage to prevent drawers and closets from becoming overcrowded again.

Professional organizers know that consistency matters more than intensity. The “Just Five Things” rule is designed for days when you have limited time or energy but still need to keep your clutter in check. The idea is simple: identify and deal with just five items at a time, no more, no less.

You can return those five items to their proper homes, add them to a donation bag, toss them or set them aside for storage. Because the commitment is so small, it’s easier to get started and easier to repeat daily. Over time, these micro-resets prevent clutter from quietly building up and turning into a much larger project. For households with limited space, removing rarely used items to storage makes this rule even more effective by reducing the number of objects competing for space in the first place.

The Move-Out Method flips the decluttering process on its head by asking you to imagine you’re packing up and leaving your home. Instead of deciding what to get rid of, you focus on what’s worth bringing with you.

To use this method, work room by room and ask yourself a few key questions as you go:

• Would I pack this if I were moving tomorrow?

• Would I replace this if it were lost or damaged?

• Does this item earn its space in my home today?

Items that don’t make the cut should be donated, sold, discarded or placed into storage if they’re needed occasionally but not year-round. Storage is especially helpful here, acting as a transition space for items you’re unsure about. 

The Ski Slope Method gets its name from the idea of moving downhill without backtracking. Instead of bouncing between surfaces, professional organizers start at the highest points in a room and work their way down. This prevents already-cleared areas from getting cluttered again as you go.

To apply this method effectively:

• Start with upper shelves, cabinets and tall furniture

• Move next to mid-level surfaces like countertops, desks and dressers

• Finish with lower drawers, bins and the floor

Working top to bottom keeps clutter from “falling” onto cleaned areas and makes progress feel more orderly. We often recommend removing rarely used items early in the process and placing them into storage, especially when clearing high shelves or upper cabinets.

The One-Touch Rule addresses one of the most common causes of clutter: repeatedly moving the same items without ever deciding what to do with them. We encourage you to make a final decision the first time you pick something up, rather than setting it down for later.

When you touch an item, it should immediately be:

• Put it away in its designated home

• Added to a donate or discard pile

• Placed into a storage bin or box if it’s not needed daily

This rule works best when homes have clear systems in place. If an item doesn’t have a logical place to go, that’s often a sign there’s too much of it — or that it belongs outside the home altogether. Using storage for non-daily items supports the One-Touch Rule by reducing hesitation and helping decisions stick, making it far easier to keep clutter from resurfacing.

The 30-Minute Method removes the pressure of tackling clutter all at once. Instead of setting aside an entire afternoon, professional organizers recommend working in short, focused bursts. Setting a timer for 30 minutes creates urgency, keeps energy high and makes it easier to fit decluttering into a busy schedule.

To get the most out of each session:

• Choose one clearly defined area or category before you start

• Avoid jumping between spaces or tasks

• Stop when the timer ends, even if the space isn’t “perfect.”

These short sessions are especially effective when paired with a plan for what leaves the house. Scheduling donation drop-offs or storage runs alongside 30-minute blocks ensures decisions lead to action. 

Professional organizers rely on simple rules — not constant effort — to maintain order. Once a space is decluttered, these ongoing guidelines help prevent backsliding and keep systems intact.

• Use containers as boundaries: Containers aren’t meant to hide clutter; they define how much you can keep. If a category no longer fits, it’s time to edit or move overflow into storage.

• Batch similar tasks: Group activities like donating, rotating seasonal items or reviewing stored belongings to reduce mental load and avoid constant tidying.

• Follow one-in, one-out principles: New items should replace old ones, not add to them.

• Schedule regular storage check-ins: Periodic visits help ensure stored items remain intentional and useful, rather than forgotten.

Ready to find a storage unit for the cluttered areas in your home? Use our Storage Locator to find a facility near you. For more tips on staying organized, head to the SmartStop blog.