Honestly, chaos is the best thing for us. Piles of mail, overflowing closets, and random collections of “I might use someday” items can quickly make your home look smaller and more cluttered than it actually is. That’s where some smart tidying tips come in handy.
This Redfin guide shows you practical, budget-friendly ways to reclaim space, simplify your daily life, and actually enjoy being at home. Whether you’re cleaning a home in Portsmouth, VA or Wilson, NC, these tips will help you transform any room from cramped to quiet without spending a fortune.
1. Start with a clear plan
Starting to clean without a checklist is like going grocery shopping when you’re hungry. Chaos is guaranteed. Planning helps you stay focused and makes the process less stressful.
Decluttering tips to set you up for success:
Create a simple to-do list. Write down what you need to work on today and what you want to work on later so you can track your progress without rushing. Set a timer. Setting it to 20-30 minutes is more manageable and helps prevent burnout. Gather your supplies: donation bags, trash cans, garbage bags. Uplifting playlists are also important tools.
2. Tackle one area at a time
Trying to clean your entire house in one day can be frustrating. Concentrating in a single space makes tasks more manageable and less stressful. When you work on one area at a time, you’ll see results quickly and your progress will gain momentum.
To stay focused:
First, choose a small space. This could be a desk drawer, a bathroom shelf, or a corner of a closet. Quit before moving on: Resist the urge to jump between rooms. Celebrate small victories: Every time you clear a space, you make progress, and your progress accumulates.
3. Use the 4-box method
The 4-box method will be your best friend when you hit the wall of whether or not you should continue doing this. Instead of second-guessing everything, you have clear categories to help you make decisions. We turn a stressful process into something simple and a little more satisfying.
How to declutter using the 4-box method:
Things to keep: Things you use often and things you can’t imagine living without. Donate: Items in good condition that deserve a second life with someone. Recycle: Things that shouldn’t go in the trash but are no longer useful. Trash: Broken, outdated, “why do I own this?”
We spoke to Michael Black, vice president and general manager of Clutter, a moving and storage company that offers innovative and flexible solutions, for expert tips on how to declutter effectively. “Make your belongings visible again. Pull everything out by category, like seasonal gear, clothing, and decor, and decide what needs to be kept, saved, or let go. Use clear boxes and easy labels to keep track of what’s stored. If you’re truly running out of space in your home, Clutter Services like Take the heavy lifting by cataloging all your items online so you can see exactly what you have and request a return with just a tap.
4. Make the most of vertical storage and hidden storage
Messy people love flat surfaces. counter, desk, table. If you’re not careful, they all attract mountains. The trick is to think upward and inward, using hidden vertical storage to keep things out of sight and away from surfaces you use every day.
For smarter storage:
Go vertical: Free up floor and counter space by adding shelves, hooks, or wall organizers. Think hidden: Storage ottomans, under-bed bins, and baskets allow you to keep items nearby but out of sight. Use what you have: Reuse boxes, jars, and containers before purchasing new storage solutions.
“You don’t need expensive renovations to make a small space seem larger; you just need to change how you use what you have,” says Michael Black. “Our advice is to always think vertically: add hooks behind doors, stack bins on shelves, and use the space under your bed wisely. Group similar items and label them clearly. You’ll find what you need quickly and instantly feel like you’ve doubled your square footage. Keep only the things you use every day close together, and keep seasonal items separate.”
5. Organize your closet and clothes
Closets are often the source of the most overcrowding. Clothes you haven’t worn in years are still there, shoes remain untouched, and old favorites take up space even though they no longer fit into your life. Getting rid of things you don’t wear frees up space for things you really love.
Tips to keep your room organized:
Follow the one year rule. If you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months, it’s time to let it go. Check fit and comfort: Only keep things that are comfortable and suitable for your current lifestyle. Sort as you go: Create piles for storage, donation, or recycling instead of putting everything back together.
“When it comes to your closet, edit it by season. Store off-season clothing in labeled boxes and keep your closet only with what you’re currently wearing. Vacuum-pack soft items to save space, and use high or hidden spots like top shelves for things you’ll revisit next season,” recommends Michael Black. “Affordable storage isn’t about adding more containers, it’s about creating systems that keep your home light and functional.”
6. Clear out clutter in the kitchen and pantry.
The kitchen is the heart of your home, but it’s also the place where clutter accumulates the fastest. Expired food hides in the back of your pantry, unused utensils take up counter space, and duplicate dishes pile up in drawers. Removing excess makes cooking easier and keeps your kitchen looking fresh.
Tidying tips for cleaning the kitchen and pantry:
Check expiration dates: Throw away anything past its expiration date and rotate what’s left so you don’t lose anything again. Rationalize your gadgets: Keep the tools you use most and donate the rest. Group similar items: Store snacks, baking supplies, canned goods, etc. together so you always know what’s in them.
“In the kitchen, treat your countertop like a luxury space,” says Michael Black. “Take only the items you use every day and organize the rest by categories, such as appliances, cookware, and pantry items to avoid duplication.”
7. Streamline your living room
Just be careful not to overcrowd the space in appearance or actuality, since, again, you want your living room to be cozy—not overcrowded. Over time, it becomes a landing place for remote controls, magazines, knick-knacks, and random items that can never find a home. By keeping this space simple, it creates an open, comfortable, and relaxing space.
Living room tidying tips:
Limit surfaces: Give each item a designated spot and avoid coffee tables and shelves becoming drop zones. Edit decorations: Instead of filling every nook and cranny with decorations, choose a few areas that you love. Store extra items: Store remote controls, blankets, and other everyday items in baskets or trash cans where they are accessible but out of sight.
8. Optimize your garage, basement, or storage space
Garages and basements are notorious for being places where anything goes. Old sports equipment, unused paint cans, and boxes that haven’t been opened in years can pile up until the space becomes useless. Organizing these areas will reuse valuable real estate and reduce the stress of hunting through endless clutter.
Useful tips to declutter your storage space:
Sort by category: Group tools, seasonal decorations, sporting goods, memorabilia, and more all have a clear place. Use vertical storage: Shelving units and wall hooks free up floor space and keep items visible. Label everything: Labeling your transparent boxes will make it easier to find what you need and avoid making duplicate purchases.
“The best way to handle seasonal or rarely used items is to store them intentionally rather than indefinitely,” advises Michael Black. “Group items by type, pack them in transparent boxes with labels, and use elevated or hidden locations for seasonal storage. When you’ve reached the limit of storage space in your home, you can catalog your items with a managed digital service like Clutter so you can always see them and request a return.”
9. Deploy affordable storage solutions
You don’t need fancy custom closets or expensive furniture to stay organized. Affordable storage solutions can go a long way without stretching your budget. The key is to be creative and use what works best for your space.
Budget-friendly storage ideas:
Reuse containers: Glass jars, shoe boxes, and baskets can hold everything from groceries to office supplies. Shop wisely: Dollar stores and discount stores often have bins, trays, and dividers that serve this purpose. Consider off-site storage: Storage units can help free up space in your home while keeping your belongings accessible.
10. Maintain an organized lifestyle
It is effective to declutter once, but maintaining it is what will change your home in the long run. If you don’t consciously stay, the clutter can come back. A few simple habits can help you maintain the progress you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Organizing tips:
One input, one output: When something new comes in, we remove the old one. Do a quick check-in: Take 5 minutes a day to put items back where they belong. Be careful when purchasing: Before purchasing, check whether you really need it and whether there is a place in your house to put it.
“Clutter doesn’t build up overnight, and it doesn’t just go away,” says Michael Black. “The secret is consistency. Take just five minutes each day to do a quick reset and create a drop zone for items that tend to wander around.” “If certain things always end up in the ‘for later’ pile, consider rolling them out through a digital storage service like Clutter, where everything stays organized, accessible, and out of sight until you need it again.”
Final tidying tips to maximize space in your home
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking or expensive. With these tidying tips, you can create a home that’s larger, more organized, and more enjoyable every day. Please remember. Small, consistent actions lead to big results over time. You’ll be amazed at how much space you can regain if you start incorporating just one tip today.
