The quest for tranquility within our homes is not only about beautiful décor and soothing color palettes, it’s also about creating a clutter-free environment. Clutter can be overwhelming, distracting, and stressful. It’s no wonder that decluttering has been linked with increased happiness, reduced anxiety, and even improved sleep.
Today, I would like to share with you 15 items that I have decluttered from my home to help create a calmer, more peaceful living space.
1. Duplicate Kitchen Tools
If you’re anything like me, you’ve amassed quite a collection of kitchen tools over the years. But how many spatulas, cheese graters, or potato peelers do you really need? I decided to keep only one of each tool and donated the rest.
This was a practical move that not only cleared up valuable drawer and cabinet space but also made cooking more efficient. I no longer had to rummage through a cluttered drawer to find what I was looking for. It was a small change that had a surprisingly big impact on reducing stress in the kitchen.
2. Old Magazines and Newspapers
As an avid reader, I used to keep piles of magazines and newspapers with the intention of reading them “someday”. But that day rarely came, and they just kept piling up, creating unnecessary clutter.
One day, I decided to recycle all of my old magazines and newspapers. It was liberating. Now, I keep my reading materials digital. Not only does this save space, but it’s also a more sustainable option. Plus, it’s much easier to search for specific articles or topics on a digital platform.
3. Unused Clothing
We all have clothes in our wardrobes that we haven’t worn in years. They either no longer fit, are out of style, or were impulse buys that we’ve never really loved. I decided to donate these clothes to charity.
This not only freed up valuable closet space, but it also made choosing what to wear in the morning so much easier. With fewer options, I no longer felt overwhelmed by choice. And knowing that my old clothes were now benefiting someone else also gave me a sense of contentment.
4. Old Makeup and Beauty Products
I used to hold on to old makeup and beauty products, even if I no longer used them. But did you know that these products have expiry dates? Using expired products can lead to skin irritations and infections.
I decluttered my makeup bag and bathroom cabinets, throwing out anything that was expired or that I hadn’t used in the last six months. Now, I have a much smaller collection of beauty products that I actually use and love. Plus, it’s much easier to keep everything clean and organized.
5. Outdated Electronics
How many of us have old mobile phones, cameras, or laptops gathering dust in a drawer somewhere? Not only do these items take up space, but they can also contain harmful substances that can be damaging to the environment if not disposed of correctly.
I took all of my old electronics to a local recycling center that specializes in electronic waste. Not only did this clear up space at home, but I also felt good knowing that I was disposing of these items in an environmentally responsible way.
6. Broken Items
We all have items in our homes that are broken or damaged in some way. Whether it’s a chair with a wobbly leg, a clock that no longer works, or a vase with a small chip, these items can create visual clutter and generate negative energy.
I decided to either repair, recycle, or throw away all the broken items in my home. This was a very freeing exercise and it made my home feel more orderly and serene.
7. Unwanted Gifts
We’ve all received gifts that weren’t quite to our taste. Whether it’s a piece of clothing, a home decor item, or a gadget we’ll never use, these items can take up space and create clutter.
I decided to donate all the gifts that I didn’t love. This was a tough decision to make, as I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but I realized that it’s okay to let go of things that don’t bring you joy. I also now try to communicate my preferences more clearly to my loved ones to avoid receiving unwanted gifts in the future.
8. Old Bills and Receipts
I used to keep all my bills and receipts “just in case”. But in reality, most of these documents are not necessary to hold onto and just create paper clutter.
I decided to go paperless wherever possible and only keep important documents that are necessary for tax purposes or warranties. Everything else I shredded and recycled. It was a weight off my shoulders and cleared up a lot of space in my filing cabinet.
9. Junk Drawer Items
Everyone has that one drawer in their home that is a catch-all for random items: old batteries, random screws, takeout menus, etc. This drawer was a constant source of frustration for me.
I decided to completely empty out my junk drawer and only put back in the items that I actually needed and used. I also bought some drawer organizers to keep everything tidy. Now, opening that drawer no longer fills me with dread.
10. Unfinished Projects
We all have those projects that we start with enthusiasm but never quite get around to finishing. Whether it’s a half-knitted scarf, a half-written novel, or a half-painted piece of furniture, these unfinished projects can weigh on us and create clutter.
I decided to either finish or let go of all my unfinished projects. It was an incredibly freeing experience and cleared up both physical and mental space.
11. Excess Bedding and Towels
I realized I had more bedding and towels than I actually needed. These items were taking up valuable storage space and creating clutter.
I decided to keep only two sets of bedding per bed and two sets of towels per person. I donated the rest. This freed up a lot of storage space and made it much easier to keep my linen closet organized.
12. Old Medication
I had a collection of old medication that was either expired or no longer needed. These items were taking up space in my medicine cabinet and creating clutter.
I decided to safely dispose of all old medication. Not only did this free up space, but it’s also safer, as taking expired medication can be harmful.
13. Unused Exercise Equipment
I had a number of exercise equipment that I hardly ever used. They were just taking up space and gathering dust.
I decided to sell these items and keep only the equipment that I actually used on a regular basis. This freed up space and made my workout area more inviting.
14. Old Paint Cans
I had a collection of old paint cans in my garage. Most of the paint was either dried up or there was only a little bit left in the bottom of the can.
I decided to properly dispose of these paint cans at a local hazardous waste facility. Not only did this free up space in my garage, but it was also the environmentally responsible thing to do.
15. Children’s Artwork
As a parent, it’s hard to part with your child’s artwork, but the reality is that it can quickly pile up and create clutter.
I decided to keep only a few special pieces and take digital photos of the rest. This way, I can still enjoy my child’s artwork without it taking up physical space.