How to Keep a Clutter Free Home

Keeping a clutter free home has always been something I have worked toward, but it definitely has not come naturally or easily.

Like many people, I could declutter a room and feel really good about it… until a few days or weeks later when the clutter started creeping back in. If you have ever felt like you are constantly cleaning but never quite catching up, I understand that frustration completely.

What I have learned over time is that keeping a clutter free home is less about big cleanouts and more about the habits we practice every day. Once I started focusing on those habits, things slowly began to change.

Why It Is So Hard to Keep a Clutter Free Home

Clutter tends to build up without us even realizing it.

Some of the biggest reasons clutter shows up again are:

• We bring more items into the house than we remove
• Life gets busy and picking up gets pushed off
• Items do not have a designated place
• We hang onto things “just in case”

Realizing this helped me stop being so hard on myself. Clutter was not happening because I was lazy or unmotivated. It was happening because I needed better systems.

Decluttering Is Important, But It Is Not Enough

Decluttering is an important first step, but it is not the final solution.

You can spend an entire weekend decluttering your home, but if daily habits stay the same, the clutter will return. I learned this the hard way.

When I declutter now, I try to keep things simple and realistic. I ask myself if I actually use the item or if it is just taking up space.

I usually sort things into four basic categories:

• Keep items that are used regularly
• Donate items that are still good but no longer needed
• Sell items that have value and are worth the effort
• Trash items that are broken or unusable

Letting go of excess makes everything else easier.

If you are struggling with clutter, start small and stay consistent. Those little habits really do add up.

Two things that always sabotage me:

Overthinking False obligations

As soon as I decide to begin the daily challenge I will set a timer for 15 minutes and grab as many things as I can and place them in the pile they belong in.

*Saving Dollars and Sense Tip: Setting a timer helps me from overthinking or second guessing my initial response.

The more time I have to consider keeping something, the more likely I am to pull it back out of the giveaway pile. Keep in mind that your first response to an item is usually the correct one.

False obligations are those feelings you get when you know you no longer want to keep something you received as a gift from someone you love, and yet you just can’t let it go because you feel like you would be doing something wrong against someone that you love.

This “guilt” is a lie that will keep you bogged down with stuff.

Holding on to stuff you no longer need, want or have a place for doesn’t make you a better person or keep you closer to the person that gave it to you.

I am giving you permission to let it go!

False obligations are those feelings you get when you know you no longer want to keep something you received as a gift from someone you love, and yet you just can’t let it go because you feel like you would be doing something wrong against someone that you love.

This “guilt” is a lie that will keep you bogged down with stuff.

Holding on to stuff you no longer need, want or have a place for doesn’t make you a better person or keep you closer to the person that gave it to you.

I am giving you permission to let it go!

Letting go of extra items also helped me see how much clutter was actually costing us. I talk more about how decluttering can help you save money and even make extra cash in this post on decluttering a house.

The Daily Habits That Made the Biggest Difference

Once I started focusing on habits instead of just decluttering projects, maintaining a clutter free home became much more doable.

The One In One Out Rule

One simple habit that helped a lot was following the one in one out rule.

Whenever something new comes into the house, something else goes out. This works especially well for:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Toys
• Kitchen items
• Home decor

It keeps clutter from slowly building back up without me even noticing.

Five Minute Tidy

Instead of letting messes pile up, I try to do a five minute tidy each day, usually at night.

I focus on areas that collect clutter the fastest:

• Kitchen counters
• The living room
• The entryway

Even a few minutes makes a big difference, and the house feels much better the next morning.

Put Things Away Instead of Setting Them Down

This was a habit I really had to work on.

Mail, bags, shoes, and coats have a way of landing wherever is closest. Now I try to put things away immediately instead of setting them down and telling myself I will deal with them later.

Later almost never comes.

Everything Needs a Place

One thing that helps prevent clutter is making sure everything has a place it belongs.

When something does not have a home, it usually ends up on a counter, chair, or floor. Once I assigned simple storage spots for everyday items, cleanup became faster and easier for everyone in the house.

This does not mean fancy organizing systems. It just means practical solutions that work for real life.

Here’s What Helps:

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the first places that feels cluttered.

What helps keep it under control:

• Keeping counters as clear as possible
• Storing appliances that are not used daily
• Regularly going through cabinets and the fridge
• Letting go of gadgets that rarely get used

Living Room

The living room tends to collect a little bit of everything.

I have found it helps to:

• Use baskets for blankets, books, and games
• Clear surfaces at the end of the day
• Keep paperwork out of this space

Bedrooms

Bedrooms feel so much better when they are clutter free.

Some habits that help:

• Decluttering clothes a few times a year
• Letting go of items that no longer fit or get worn
• Making the bed daily for an instant sense of order

Paper and Mail

Paper clutter used to overwhelm me quickly.

Now I try to:

• Sort mail as soon as it comes in
• Throw away junk immediately
• Keep a simple system for important papers
• Avoid stacks that need attention later

Kids Toys

Toys can easily take over a home.

What has helped us:

• Rotating toys instead of keeping everything out
• Donating toys that are no longer played with
• Keeping toy storage simple and accessible

Staying on Track With Regular Check Ins

Keeping a clutter free home is ongoing.

Instead of waiting until things get overwhelming, I do small decluttering check ins regularly. Sometimes it is a drawer. Other times it is a cabinet or closet.

A little effort consistently goes a long way.

Give Yourself Grace

Your home does not need to look perfect to be clutter free.

There will be messy days and busy seasons. That does not mean you are failing. Progress matters more than perfection, and doing what works for your family is what truly matters.

Keeping a clutter free home is something I continue to work on, but it has gotten so much easier over time.

By being more mindful about what comes into the house, putting things away right away, and doing small daily resets, clutter no longer feels so overwhelming.