Decluttering vs Organizing: Expert Tips for your Home
Decluttering vs. Organizing: What’s the Difference and Where to Start
As a professional home organizer serving Chicago’s North Shore, I often hear clients use the terms “decluttering” and “organizing” interchangeably. While related, these are two very different processes. Understanding the difference—and knowing where to start—can help you turn your home into a clutter-free, 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 a cleanse for your home, clearing out items that no longer add value to your life.
Tips for Decluttering
Start Small: Begin with a drawer, shelf, or one room to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Examples:
Sort through your closet and donate clothes you no longer wear.
Toss expired pantry items or old makeup.
Remove toys your kids have outgrown.
Decluttering removes the “noise,” making your home feel calmer and more functional. Challenge yourself to tackle one small area a day—you’ll be amazed at the progress by the end of the week.
What Is Organizing?
Organizing comes after decluttering. It’s about arranging and structuring the items you choose to keep, creating systems that make it easy to find what you need. Organizing transforms your space into a well-planned environment that works for your lifestyle.
Tips for Organizing
Create Zones: Arrange items according to how you use them. For example, create zones for baking, meal prep, and snacks in the kitchen, or school supplies and art materials in kids’ rooms.
Examples:
Use bins or drawer dividers to categorize items.
Arrange books by category, size, or color.
Label containers for easy identification.
Everything should have a designated “home.” This simplifies daily tasks like putting away laundry or school supplies.
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.
Decluttering vs. Organizing
What’s the Difference?
Decluttering focuses on removing items, while organizing focuses on arranging the items you keep. Trying to do both at the same time can feel overwhelming. Decluttering requires decision-making, while organizing requires creating systems for efficiency.
Where to Start: Decluttering First
Start with decluttering to make organizing easier. A helpful strategy is the Four Box Method:
Keep: Items you use and love
Donate: Items in good condition that no longer serve you
Trash: Broken or unusable items
Relocate: Items that belong in another room
Stay focused in one area, and avoid distractions. Once decluttering is done, organizing becomes more manageable and enjoyable.
Maintaining a Decluttered and Organized Home
One In, One Out Rule: For every new item, remove a similar old item.
Check Hotspots: Monitor clutter-prone areas daily, such as kitchen counters or entryways.
Carry Items Efficiently: When moving from room to room, pick up multiple items at once to minimize trips and reduce visual clutter.
Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection
Decluttering and organizing your home takes time, but progress matters more than perfection. Celebrate small victories, stay consistent, and involve your family when possible.
If you’re feeling stuck, SimplyOrganized is here to help. Serving homes across Chicago’s North Shore, we provide professional decluttering and organizing services tailored to your lifestyle. Together, we can create a joyful, functional, and clutter-free home that truly works for you.