When you look around your home at the possessions you’ve accumulated, the idea of embarking on a decluttering project could leave you sagging in defeat.
Before you despair and turn your back on the bulging wardrobe, understairs cupboard, or messy shelves (again), here are two good-news stories that may be the nudge you need to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in:
- In November 2024, three brothers discovered a pristine copy of a Superman No 1 comic in their late mother’s attic. Hidden beneath a stack of old newspapers, the 1939 comic book was in exceptional condition and sold at auction for $9.12 million.
- In the UK, a brother and sister discovered a Rembrandt print in a drawer while they were clearing out their parents’ house. The Guardian reports that though the print was unframed, their father had written on the mount that it was a Rembrandt original. In December 2025, the print sold at auction for £22,100.
While there are no guarantees that you’ll unearth similar hidden treasures, getting rid of some of the clutter that’s around your home can have a huge effect on you and your wellbeing.
Indeed, decluttering your home could:
- Help you feel more in control of your surroundings
- Help you move your body more
- Boost your mood
- Improve focus.
Here are seven practical tips to help you get started (and reach a clean finish).
7 top tips to help you declutter your home
1. Start small
Decluttering an entire house is overwhelming, so don’t try to do it all at once. Instead, start with a single drawer, shelf, or corner. Alternatively, you may find a room-by-room approach is right for you, or you could break your belongings into categories; for example, starting with paperwork before moving on to clothing.
With one previously cluttered space organised and tidy, it’s much easier to move on to the next space with a little more bounce.
2. Set a time limit
Short, focused bursts of tidying are often more productive than long sessions. Knowing you have a defined stop point can prevent decluttering from feeling endless and exhausting. Plus, you can fit a bit of positive tidying into your schedule without it getting in the way of more pleasurable pursuits. So, set a timer on your phone or work to a soundtrack and stop when the music does.
3. Be decisive with the “keep, donate, bin” method
Having clear categories helps prevent decision fatigue from derailing your motivation. Every item must go into one of three piles: keep, donate, or bin. This simple structure speeds up decisions and will hopefully prevent you from simply moving stuff to a “I’ll deal with it later” pile that could defeat the entire purpose.
4. Ask the tough questions
If you find yourself debating whether to keep or discard an item, ask: “would I buy this again today?” If you wouldn’t spend money on it now, it probably doesn’t deserve valuable space in your home. This simple step can help you cut through nostalgia and focus on what genuinely adds value to your life, rather than on what once did.
Another question you may find useful is, “when did I last use this?” If you haven’t used something in years and can’t realistically imagine when you will, it may be time to let it go.
5. Keep what supports your current life
Your home should reflect who you are today, not who you were 10 years ago. Items linked to old hobbies, careers, or past life phases can create a lot of unnecessary mental clutter. Meanwhile, keeping things aligned with your current lifestyle makes your space feel calmer and more intentional.
6. Check for hidden value
As the two stories above show, some items may be worth more than you expect. Jewellery, artwork, antiques, and even old tech could be valuable. If you stumble upon something that might be valuable, take time to research or find an expert to provide a valuation.
7. Don’t aim for perfection (but do consider how to keep clutter at bay)
You don’t need a magazine-perfect home for decluttering to be a success. Every item removed is progress. Don’t get hung up on pristine perfection; if you’re able to make progress and enjoy the process, you’re far more likely to succeed in completing your decluttering tasks.
While you’re decluttering, think about the steps you can take to make it part of your routine. Small changes to everyday habits mean you can reap the benefits of a decluttered life in the long term.