How To Declutter Your Entire Home: 20 Fastest Ways

Is your house feeling more like a storage unit than a home? Drowning in stuff and desperate to know the fastest way to declutter your home without it taking over your life? You’re not just imagining it; clutter actually does shrink your space and crank up your stress. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to block out weeks on your calendar.

With a few smart moves, you can get that breathing room back, and fast. I’m going to lay out 20 of the fast decluttering tips so you can get back to enjoying it. These are quick decluttering tips that deliver.

Smart Prep for Fast Decluttering

Before you even think about touching anything, a little prep goes a long way. This isn’t about stalling; it’s about being effective.

1. Map Your Attack (Your Decluttering Plan):

Don’t just charge in blindly. Grab a notepad. Walk through your gaff. Which areas scream “help me”? Think those overflowing bookcases, wardrobes bursting at the seams, and kitchen counters you can’t see anymore. Jot down what you’ll hit first. Set actual, achievable goals. A plan keeps you focused and stops that “where do I even start?” panic. This is basic stuff if you want to learn how to declutter your home quickly.

2. Beat the Clock (Set a Timer):

This is pure gold. Whether it’s 10, 20, or even 30 minutes, give yourself that block of time for one specific area. It’s a sprint, not a long, painful slog. You’ll be amazed at what a bit of focused effort achieves. Perfect for those 10-minute decluttering hacks. This makes speed cleaning and decluttering feel less like a chore.

3. Small Wins, Big Momentum (Start Small):

Seriously, don’t try to conquer the loft in one go. Pick a drawer. A single shelf. A tiny patch of countertop. Getting that small area clear gives you an instant win, a buzz that makes you want to keep going.

Best Decluttering Methods for Rapid Results

Got your plan? Timer ready? Let’s get into the actual doing. These are some of the best decluttering methods out there.

4. The Three-Pile System (Keep, Go, Bin):

Dead simple, this. As you pick up each item, make a call: Keep it? Donate it or sell it? Or is it just rubbish? Make quick decisions. This is how you declutter your home fast.

5. The 20/20 “Just in Case” Killer:

You know all that stuff you’re keeping ‘just in case’? Ask yourself this: could you replace it for under $20 in less than 20 minutes from a local shop or online? If it’s a “yes,” then out it goes. Sounds harsh, but this rule is incredibly effective for how to get rid of clutter quickly.

6. Expired & Broken – No Brainer (Clear Out The Obvious):

Go through your fridge, pantry, medicine cabinet, and bathroom. Anything out of date, broken, or just plain useless? Bin it. This is one of the truly easy ways to declutter a surprising amount of space.

7. Surface Level Wins (Declutter Surfaces First):

Flat surfaces – countertops, tables, dressers – are clutter magnets. Clear these first. It gives an immediate visual lift and makes your whole home feel tidier straight away. A top home organization hack.

8. Paper Mountain Takedown (Tackle Paper Clutter):

That pile of mail, old magazines, and random bits of paper? Sort it. File what you genuinely need, shred any sensitive documents, and recycle the rest. Controlling paper makes a massive difference.

9. The “Box & Banish” Test (For the Undecideds):

Still not sure about some bits? Put them in a box. Store that box out of sight. Set a reminder on your phone for, say, 30 days. If you haven’t needed or even thought about anything in that box by then, it’s safe to let it all go.

10. Declutter While You Clean (Multi-tasking Magic):

When you’re doing your usual cleaning, keep a donation bag with you. Spot something you no longer need or use? Straight in the bag. This makes decluttering and organizing a fast and regular habit.

Quick Home Organization Ideas and Daily Habits

Once you’ve made a dent, you need to keep it that way. It’s about simple habits.

11. The 20-Minute Room Blitz (Room Reset):

Set the timer for 20 minutes and go hard in one room. Quickly pick up items, put things back where they belong, and remove anything that doesn’t live there. This is brilliant for busy days when you want results without a massive time sink. You could even use this as a one-hour decluttering method by hitting three rooms back-to-back.

12. Kill the Clones (Remove Duplicates):

Have a look at your kitchen, bathroom, and wardrobes. How many versions of the same thing do you own? Keep your favourite, most-used one and donate or toss the rest. This is a quick way to declutter room by room fast.

13. Sort As You Go (Organise During Decluttering):

As you’re clearing out, group similar items. Books with books, tools with tools. It helps you see what you’ve actually got and stops future clutter from building up in the same way. This is key for organizing your home fast.

14. Bin It & Basket It (Use Storage Wisely):

Got lots of small bits and bobs lying around? Get some decent bins or baskets. Label them so you know what’s what. This keeps things tidy and makes it easy to maintain an organised home. These are solid, quick home organization ideas.

15. Guard Your Entryway (Declutter Your Entryway Regularly):

The entryway often turns into a dumping ground for shoes, bags, and mail. Spend just a few minutes each day clearing this space. It makes your home feel more welcoming instantly.

16. Wardrobe Warrior Mode (Purge Unworn Clothes):

Be honest. Go through your wardrobe. Anything you haven’t worn in the last year? Donate it or sell it. You’ll create more space and make getting dressed much easier. Think about minimalist decluttering tips here – if you don’t love it or use it, why keep it?

17. Go Digital, Ditch Paper (Digitise Where Sensible):

Scan important documents and old photos, then store them digitally (back them up too!). This drastically reduces paper clutter and keeps your memories safe.

18. Bring in Reinforcements (Enlist Help):

Decluttering is always quicker with a bit of help. Ask family members or even a mate to pitch in. You could even make it a fun decluttering challenge for the whole household.

19. Make it Regular (Schedule Decluttering Sessions):

Don’t let the mess creep back in. Set aside a small amount of time each week or month to tackle any clutter hot spots. Regular maintenance is your secret weapon. Pop it on your decluttering checklist.

20. Pat Yourself on the Back (Celebrate Progress):

Take some before-and-after photos. Give yourself a small reward. Or just sit back and enjoy your refreshed, clearer space. Celebrating these little wins keeps you motivated.

FAQs

How can I declutter my home fast?

Look, to declutter your home fast, you hit small, manageable areas first. Use a timer to keep you on track, and use simple sorting methods like the three-pile system for quick decisions. Focus on those quick wins to build momentum. Speed cleaning and decluttering are your best friends here.

What should I declutter first for quick results?

Want to see an immediate difference? Start with flat surfaces – kitchen counters, the dining table. Then, clear out expired items from the kitchen and bathroom. The entryway is another great spot for an instant impact. These are simple steps to declutter your home effectively.

How do I keep my home clutter-free after all this effort?

It’s all about building good habits. Try a ‘one in, one out’ rule for new purchases. Do regular quick tidy-ups – those 10-minute decluttering hacks are perfect for this. Use smart storage solutions. And, most importantly, be more mindful about what you bring into your home in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Clearing out the clutter doesn’t need to be some drawn-out, painful saga. Start with small, manageable chunks, be decisive with your choices, and use these proven methods like the 20/20 rule and the three-pile system. You’ll see a significant change, and you’ll see it quickly. Remember, every single item you remove counts.

What’s the first spot in your home you’re going to hit using these tactics? Drop a comment below – let’s make today the day you found the fastest way to declutter your home and took back control!