Decluttering vs. Organizing: What’s the Difference and Where to Start
As a professional home organizer in Chicagoland, I often hear people use the terms “decluttering” and “organizing” interchangeably. While they may seem like the same thing, they’re actually two very different processes—and trying to tackle both at the same time can feel overwhelming. Let’s break down the difference, offer some helpful tips, and guide you on where to start so you can turn your home into a clutter-free and organized sanctuary.
What Is Decluttering?
Decluttering is the process of removing unnecessary or unwanted items from your home. It’s all about deciding what no longer serves you or your space and letting it go. Think of decluttering as an object cleanse for your home, where you’re getting rid of items that don’t add value to your life anymore.
Tip #1: Start Small and Be Realistic. Decluttering an entire home can feel daunting, so start with one room – or even a single drawer. You don’t need to declutter your whole house in one day! Focus on small, manageable spaces to build momentum.
Examples of Decluttering:
Sorting through your closet to donate clothes you no longer wear.
Tossing expired pantry items or makeup.
Getting rid of toys your kids have outgrown.
Decluttering is the first step in reclaiming your space because it removes the “noise”—those unnecessary items that make your home feel chaotic. Challenge yourself to tackle a new space or area every single day, and by the end of the week, I bet you can look back at what a tremendous impact you’ve made!
What Is Organizing?
Organizing, on the other hand, is all about arranging and structuring the items you choose to keep. Once the clutter is gone, organizing creates systems that help you find what you need quickly and easily. Organizing transforms your space into a well-thought-out sanctuary that works for you rather than a disorganized space that always seems to fight against you.
Tip #2: Create Zones for Everything. When organizing, think about where and how you use items. Create zones or categories that make sense. For example, you might create zones for baking, meal prep, and snacks in your kitchen. You can create storage zones for school supplies, art materials, and toys in the kids' rooms.
Kid organization brownie point: Create a system for all of that art and school work that seems to make it’s way home daily. For more on organizing for the whole family, check this blog post that has game ideas to get kids engaged: Tips for Keeping Your Home Tidy with Kids Home.
See how easy it is to get distracted with the task at hand? Back to defining the term organizing!
Everything (and I truly mean everything!) should have a “home.” 😉 This makes picking up and putting things away a breeze. It will also make shorter work of putting away laundry.
Examples of Organizing:
Use bins or drawer dividers to categorize items.
Arrange books by subject matter, category, color, or size on shelves.
Label containers for easy identification.
Organizing is what keeps your home running smoothly, helping you maintain order once the excess clutter is out of the way.
Decluttering vs. Organizing: What’s the Difference?
While both processes are necessary for a well-functioning home, the key difference is that decluttering focuses on removing items, while organizing focuses on arranging what remains.
Trying to declutter and organize at the same time can be overwhelming because you’re mixing two very different tasks. Decluttering requires decision-making about what to keep and what to let go, whereas organizing is about finding a system that works for the items that stay.
Where to Start: Decluttering First
Since it’s tough to organize clutter, it’s always best to start with decluttering. If you try to organize without decluttering first, you may end up just moving items from one place to another without solving the root problem of excess stuff.
Tip #3: Use the “Four Box Method” When decluttering, try the Four Box Method. To start, label four boxes:
Keep (items you use and love)
Donate (items in good condition but no longer needed)
Trash (items that are broken or unusable)
Relocate (items that belong in another room)
As you go through each room, drop items into one of these boxes. This method forces you to make decisions and keeps you from getting overwhelmed by too much stuff. Notice how there is a box for relocated items – that’s right, no getting distracted by leaving the room and starting a new side quest. Stay put, and see your task and area through to completion! 🥰
Once your home is decluttered, then you can move on to organizing. You’ll find the process much easier and more enjoyable when you’re only dealing with items you actually use and love.
Maintaining a Decluttered and Organized Home
Once you’ve decluttered and organized, the trick is to maintain your efforts. Clutter has a way of sneaking back into our lives, so be proactive about staying on top of it! When I notice an area of my home starting to shift from organized to a bit disheveled (I have teenagers!!), I carve out time to address the area. With dedication, it may only take a couple of minutes to get the drawr, cabinet, or basket back in to tip-top shape!
Tip #4: Adopt a One In, One Out Rule. To prevent clutter from building up again, try the “one in, one out” rule. For every new item you bring into your home, remove one similar item. Bought a new pair of shoes? Donate or toss an old pair that’s no longer in good condition.
Tip #5: Regularly Check “Hotspots.” We all have those areas in our home that seem to attract clutter (hello, kitchen counter!). Regularly scan these hotspots for items that don’t belong and put them away immediately. A few minutes each day can prevent clutter from building up again.
Bonus Tip: Keeping it tidy. I find myself walking from room to room, or floor to floor… carrying this item here and that item there throughout my day. The little hack I use to keep my house tidy overall is when I know I’m about to go from the living room to the kitchen with only one or two items in my hand, I do a quick scan of the area to see if there are any other renegade items that belong either in the kitchen or on the way to the kitchen, just as an example. I notice this trick saves me trips back and forth, and it cuts down on visual clutter and or the dreaded build-up of stuff everywhere that I have to take care of at the end of the day or week.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea of decluttering and organizing your home. But remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. Start small, take your time, and celebrate your wins along the way.
If you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out! As a professional home organizer in Illinois' North Shore, I’m here to help you every step of the way. Together, we can create a clutter-free, organized, and joyful home that works for you and your family.
