How to Declutter Your Apartment (Stop Paying Rent For Clutter!)

Is your small apartment feeling cramped because you have too much stuff? Do you often need to go through piles of stuff in order to find something you need? If so, it’s time to declutter your apartment!

In this article, I will walk you through the steps to declutter your apartment. Trust me, I will make the process feel less daunting and more achievable.

Whether you’re dealing with a small studio or a larger space, these steps are designed to help you reclaim your space and create an environment you love coming home to.

So, if you’re ready to clear out the mess and embrace a more harmonious living space, let’s dive into these practical decluttering steps!

Why pay rent to live with your clutter?

You probably already know how living in a cluttered space can negatively impact your overall well-being. Such as feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

But have you ever thought about it this way:

Living with clutter is like sharing your space with an annoying roommate. This roommate occupies so much of your space, making it hard for you to move around.

But the worst part is, this roommate lives in your apartment for free, and depends on you to cover for his/her rent! Doesn’t it sound terrible?

Even if your own your apartment, you still wouldn’t be happy paying a mortgage for this “roommate” who takes away so much of your own space, right?

When you remove unnecessary items and organize your belongings, you will enjoy the space that you’ve paid for and get your money’s (rent/mortgage) worth.

Steps to declutter your apartment

Now let’s break down your decluttering project into simple and smaller steps:

Step 1: Start to practice shopping with intention

While this step is not directly related to decluttering, it has a tremendous effect in the long run.

Think about it: why put in all that effort to declutter, only to find yourself doing it over and over again? The trick is to tackle the root cause, often hidden in our shopping habits.

By practicing intentional shopping, you’re not just decluttering for now; you’re making a lasting change in how you approach “stuff”.

Step 2: Assess your apartment’s clutter

Before diving into the decluttering process, take some time to assess the current state of your apartment.

Walk through each room and identify areas that are particularly cluttered or disorganized. Pay attention to items that are taking up unnecessary space or causing visual clutter.

This way, you’ll know where to focus when setting a goal and creating a decluttering plan.

As you assess your apartment’s clutter, think about the functionality of each space.

Are there items that are no longer serving a purpose or contributing to the overall functionality of the room? Are there areas that feel chaotic or overwhelming due to excessive stuff?

By asking yourself these questions, you can begin to pinpoint areas that are in need of decluttering and reorganization.

Step 3 : Create a decluttering plan

Once you’ve assessed the clutter in your apartment, it’s time to create a decluttering plan.

You can list the specific areas you’ll tackle, and the steps you’ll take.

For example, there might be lots of clothing items from when you were much younger and are out of trends. Or there are so many kitchen appliances and gadgets that you bought when you liked to experiment in the past, but didn’t find them useful.

Step 4: Find a decluttering method that suits your lifestyle and needs

Once you’ve identified the areas to focus on, come up with a strategy to declutter.

Pick an area to start

Where should you start decluttering? I have 5 options for you to choose from:

• The least cluttered area of your home – to gain confidence
• Area where you are most embarrassed to let visitors see
• Area where you spend most of your time at
• Area that gives you the most stress
• Area that you have neutral feelings about – no strings attached

If you would like to read more in details, click to read How To Start Your Decluttering Journey.

Decluttering like peeling an Onion

If your apartment is tiny and clutter is everywhere, how about decluttering like “peeling layers of an onion”?

This is my favorite decluttering method when I was living in a 500 sq. ft. studio apartment in New York City in my younger years.

Just like peeling layers of an onion, declutter your stuff in the order of:

1. The obvious trash: old receipts, junk mail, packages and boxes, shopping bags
2. Items you don’t use: old clothes that no longer fit, hobbies you no longer pursuit, skincare and hair products you don’t like.
3. Items you don’t need: duplicates and extra items in the kitchen, excess stationary items, extra bedsheets and pillow cases.
4. Items you are ok to live without: fewer sofa pillows, fewer decorations, fewer indoor plants.
5. Find storage solutions and designate a proper storing place for each item.

If you reach number 4 and discover that you actually enjoy getting rid of items that you are ok living without, you might have an affinity for a minimalist lifestyle.

Decluttering Fast or slow?

Now you have to think about how much you want to spend on decluttering. There is no rule that says you have to finish decluttering within a certain amount of time.

However, procrastination is never good. So you just have to see what works best for your lifestyle and schedule, then make it a priority to get the job done.

Do you plan to dedicate the whole weekend to declutter? If you are someone who likes an all-in approach and finish decluttering your entire apartment in one go, or if you believe you can handle this task over several days non-stop, then this is the method for you.

On the other hand, if you have a busy schedule or if you get bored easily and don’t want to devote a big chunk of time, you can try the following:

• Spend 10 minutes a day decluttering
• Declutter 1 item (or N items) every day

Just keep in mind, that if you like decluttering slowly, try to establish a habit by setting a reminder on your phone, until it becomes a part of your daily routine.

Step 5: Make the decluttering process more enjoyable

There are some suggestions to make your decluttering process more enjoyable:

• Put on music or podcast
• Set a timer
• Get support from a friend or an online group
• Make it a friendly competition
• Create a challenge
• Post your progress photos on social media
• Set a goal
• Make it a 10-minute routine

If you would like to read more about these tips, click to read my other post 8 Easy Ways To Make Decluttering More Fun And Enjoyable.

Step 6: Get your clutter out of the apartment ASAP

Try to get the clutter out of your home as soon as possible, to restore your space. Don’t let the ‘donate’ bags stay in your apartment only to forget about taking them to charity.

Clearing clutter from your apartment is not just about creating space; it’s also an opportunity to make a positive impact.

One effective way is by selling items second-hand, whether through online platforms or a good old-fashioned yard sale. This not only helps declutter but also puts some extra cash in your pocket.

Donating is another fantastic option—items that no longer serve you might be just what someone else needs. Plus, the act of giving can be incredibly fulfilling. Recycling is key for items that have served their purpose but can still be repurposed.

Step 7: maintain a clutter-free apartment

Now that you’ve cleared your clutter, it’s important to maintain your a clutter-free apartment.

To prevent clutter from creeping back into your living space, incorporate daily habits and routines that support a tidy and organized environment. Set aside time each day to tidy up and put belongings back in their designated places, preventing clutter from accumulating over time.

Additionally, regularly assess your belongings and consider whether they continue to serve a purpose in your home.

Another helpful tip for maintaining a clutter-free apartment is to practice the one-in, one-out rule. For every new item you bring into your apartment, consider removing an existing item to maintain a balanced and clutter-free environment.

This mindful approach to acquiring new belongings will prevent unnecessary accumulation and promote a more intentional and purposeful living space.

Conclusion

If your small apartment feels cramped and navigating through piles of stuff has become a daily struggle, stop paying rent (or mortgage) for the stuff you don’t need! It’s time to declutter.

The 7 steps of decluttering your apartment are:
1. Start practicing shopping with intention
2. Assess your clutter situation
3. Create a goal and a plan
4. Find decluttering methods that suits your lifestyle
5. Make decluttering process more enjoyable
6. Get your clutter out ASAP
7. Habits to maintain a clutter-free home

Whether you dwell in a tiny studio or a larger space, these steps are designed to help you reclaim your living space and transform it into an environment you genuinely love coming home to.

I hope this article is helpful to you!