How to Create the Perfect Decluttering Schedule, According to Pros

Back-to-school season is a lesson in routine, according to DIY and home expert Julian Thomas. This annual focus on schedules and routines might prove to be the perfect time to tackle a decluttering schedule to help get your household off on the right foot.

But, where do you start? For professional organizer and interior stylist Laura Cattano, it’s all about a good cleanout.  

“Many clients think they need more storage, but the truth is, most just need a good edit,” she says. “Clearing things out allows you to reuse organizing tools like bins, baskets, drawers, and even entire closets in a new way.”

Here, Cattano and Thomas share their top tips for creating a decluttering schedule that marries intentionality with practicality. The result is a well-run, seamless home where clutter is a thing of the past.  

Start With a Deep Clean

The first step in your decluttering journey should always be an organizational overhaul and major deep clean, says Thomas.

“Creating a schedule to consistently declutter when your space is already unorganized can be challenging (and outright overwhelming),” he says.

You’ll want to create your decluttering schedule with a fresh mind and a fresh house. Do a deep clean to start things off on the right foot.

ant more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

Keep It Doable

When it comes to staying on course, a manageable schedule is key. “Do your best to be honest about how much work you can do at a time,” Thomas says.

This means getting comfortable with prioritizing. The organizing pro suggests splitting these bigger jobs into smaller projects that will be easier to tackle.

Focus on High-Traffic Areas

The key to starting your decluttering schedule is beginning with your most-used spaces. This can help your household operate more efficiently right out of the gate, Thomas says.

Not to mention, it can also alleviate some decluttering-related anxiety and give you the confidence you need to keep moving through the decluttering process.

Determine Frequency

It’s important to realize your decluttering journey isn’t going to be one-and-done. This will be an ongoing process if you truly aim to keep a well-organized household moving forward.

To that end, determining what will need to be tackled daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, and annually will help flesh out a more realistic decluttering program.

Cattano suggests also looking at your calendar to determine major events when you’ll likely have an influx of items like the beginning and end of semesters, holidays, and birthdays.

“The idea is to clear things out before the influx of new things,” she explains.

Post the Schedule

“While it may be tempting to add tasks to a digital calendar, nothing beats the satisfaction of physically checking off a to-do list or schedule,” Thomas says.

Hanging a dry-erase calendar on the back of your utility closet can help you track your progress as you reach for home care supplies and also keep the whole household on track while you continue your decluttering journey together.

Declutter As You Go

Once you start on your decluttering journey, maintenance will be key, particularly in the spaces that you’ve already tackled. Thomas keeps a running box of items on the “decluttering chopping block,” that he can assess later.

This process of actively taking inventory of items that come into your space can make the process of formal decluttering much quicker. It even works for small spaces, like kitchens or bathroom cabinets.

Celebrate Wins

Even if you take the lead in your home’s decluttering process, you’ll want to get the whole household on the same page.

When you’re all working toward your decluttering goals you might find there are benefits not only with the extra hands but also with the support that comes from your “home team.” Celebrating your wins together is an integral part of this process.

Thomas says acknowledging the progress made toward your goal of keeping an organized home can help you continue the journey.

Reframe the Mindset

There’s no denying the mental load that clutter can have in one’s life, but sometimes the thought of actually tackling the clutter can seem even more insurmountable.

Helping your kids have a healthy relationship with the process of decluttering can alleviate some of the stress they might similarly feel when it comes time to edit down their toy collection or sift through their closets.

“Clearing out the old to make room for the new, whether it’s new school supplies, clothes to replace outgrown pieces, or toys and crafts that are no longer of interest helps create a relationship to things,” Cattano explains.

This lesson can help them appropriately define the relationship of material items in their lives and take responsibility for them in both their maintenance and storage.