Simplification Foundations: Decluttering Strategies

I’ve always loved decluttering and have practiced some form of a minimalist lifestyle since 2010. Beyond the practice itself, I’m fascinated by the philosophy behind minimalism and enjoy exploring its ideas. Over the years, I’ve read countless books, blogs, and articles, and watched plenty of videos on the subject. This month, I thought it would be fun to gather and list all the concepts and strategies I can remember, creating a central resource for anyone who wants to simplify their life.

This post covers some of the most well-known decluttering and minimalism strategies, as well as lesser-known ones. Some of these ideas even contradict each other. For example, the KonMari method recommends decluttering by category (like books) throughout your home, while other methods suggest tackling one room at a time, ignoring categories. Decluttering is deeply personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so I encourage you to experiment and see what works best for you. I will credit the original sources whenever possible, though tracking down who first came up with each strategy can be tricky. I also plan to keep adding to this list as I come across (or remember) new techniques.

Before we dive in, a quick note: minimalism is about living with enough. It is not about owning a specific number of things (though you will see that some strategies use numbers to help guide the process). It is not about achieving a certain aesthetic either (that would be minimalist style, not minimalist lifestyle). Ultimately, decluttering is about removing excess to free up your time, space, money, and energy for what truly matters to you.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, I highly recommend trying some of these strategies. Whether you want to go all in at once or take things slowly, you will find ideas here to help make your life lighter and easier to manage. I’ve divided the post into three sections: Decluttering methods, what to get rid of, and staying decluttered. Let’s go!

Decluttering methods

KonMari method 

Marie Kondo - https://konmari.com/

• How it works: Declutter by category (clothes, books, papers, etc.) rather than by location. Keep only items that “spark joy.” Inspired by Shinto animism (the belief that objects have spirit) rather than strict minimalism.
• Best for: Sentimental people seeking a deeply emotional and transformative process.

Minimalist game (30-day challenge) 

The Minimalists - https://www.theminimalists.com/

• How it works: On day 1, let go of 1 item; on day 2, 2 items; continue for 30 days, totaling 465 items.
• Best for: Competitive or challenge-driven people who like gamified motivation.

Project 333 

Courtney Carver - https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

• How it works: Choose 33 clothing items (including accessories and shoes) and wear only those for 3 months.
• Best for: Anyone overwhelmed by their wardrobe or seeking simpler clothing choices.

Packing party

The Minimalists - https://www.theminimalists.com/

• How it works: Pack all your belongings as if moving. Unpack only what you need or love over time.
• Best for: People wanting a full reset or feeling overwhelmed by clutter.

Swedish death cleaning 

Margareta Magnusson https://www.margaretamagnusson.com/

• How it works: Declutter now to ease the burden on loved ones later.
• Best for: Older adults, caregivers, or anyone thinking about legacy and simplicity.

12-12-12 challenge 

Joshua Becker https://www.becomingminimalist.com/

• How it works: Identify 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put away.
• Best for: People who like structured, simple systems.

No mess decluttering method 

Dana K. White https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/

• How it works: Choose a small category or area, pull out only a few items at a time, and decide what to keep or discard before moving on. This prevents creating overwhelming piles or messes during the process.
• Best for: People who get stressed by seeing everything spread out or who need to keep their space functional while decluttering.

5-5-5 decluttering method 

Laurie Palau  https://simplyborganized.com

• How it works: Spend 5 minutes a day tackling 5 spaces, removing 5 items from each.
• Best for: Busy people or anyone overwhelmed by bigger tasks.

Onion method 

Abigail Roe - https://www.downsizeupgrade.com

• How it works: Declutter in layers, returning over time to peel away more, like an onion.
• Best for: People who prefer gradual progress or feel overwhelmed by big sessions.

Four-box method

• How it works: Label four boxes: keep, donate/sell, trash, and relocate. Every item goes in one.
• Best for: People who like clear structure and quick decisions.

Just one drawer/room

• How it works: Focus on decluttering one drawer, room, shelf, or storage space at a time.
• Best for: Beginners or anyone struggling with overwhelm.

5-minute declutter

• How it works: Set a timer for 5 minutes and tackle a small space or category.
• Best for: Busy people or those who need small wins to stay motivated.

Surface sweep

• How it works: Quickly clear visible surfaces like counters, tables, and desks.
• Best for: People seeking instant visual relief or momentum.

Do half-a-job

• How it works: Instead of eliminating a whole category, reduce it by half.
• Best for: People emotionally attached to collections or sentimental items.

One in, two out rule

• How it works: For every new item brought in, remove two existing items.
• Best for: People aiming to accelerate decluttering over time.

Take before-and-after photos

• How it works: Photograph your space before and after decluttering to see your progress.
• Best for: Perfectionists or anyone struggling to see how far they’ve come.

What to get rid of

90/90 rule

The Minimalists - https://www.theminimalists.com/

• How it works: If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and won’t in the next 90, let it go.
• Best for: People wanting a rational, time-based decision filter.

Need, use, love

Christine Platt - https://www.afrominimalist.org/

• How it works: Keep only items that meet all three criteria: You need it. You use it. You love it. Focuses on intentionality and emotional resonance, especially through a culturally informed lens.
• Best for: Those wanting minimalism that honors identity, heritage, and emotional truth.

20/20 rule

The Minimalists - https://www.theminimalists.com/

• How it works: If you can replace it in under 20 minutes for under $20, let it go.
• Best for: People holding onto “just in case” clutter.

What if I lost this?

• How it works: Ask yourself if you’d be upset or (secretly) relieved if you lost the item somehow. If relieved, let it go.
• Best for: People trying to identify emotional dead weight.

What if this had poop on it?

• How it works: Ask yourself if you’d go through the trouble of cleaning or replacing it if it had poop on it. If not, let it go.
• Best for: People needing a blunt, no-nonsense test of importance.

Santa’s naughty list

• How it works: Immediately discard broken, ill-fitting, or clearly useless items.
• Best for: Quick, decisive clutter removal.

Reverse hanger trick

• How it works: Turn hangers backward. Return them normally after washing/wearing. Donate what’s untouched after a set period.
• Best for: People unsure what clothes they actually wear.

Use-it-to-keep-it system

• How it works: Place items in a holding box. As you use them, move them to a “used” box. After 30 days, review what’s left unused.
• Best for: People who like data-driven, emotion-free decisions.

Staying decluttered

Color scheme trick

• How it works: Buy only items that match your chosen color scheme.
• Best for: Simplifying wardrobe or décor purchasing decisions.

Stick to a container

• How it works: Choose a container for a category. When it’s full, declutter before adding more.
• Best for: Managing hobbies, crafts, collectibles, or anything you might struggle to “contain yourself” with (see what I did there?)

One in, one out rule

• How it works: For every new item brought in, remove one existing item.
• Best for: Maintaining minimalism, especially for shoppers or families.

Shop with a list

• How it works: Buy only what’s on your list to avoid impulse purchases.
• Best for: Staying focused and avoiding unnecessary clutter.

The outbox

• How it works: Keep a box for things you might donate or sell. When full, follow through.
• Best for: Maintaining decluttering momentum over time

Final thoughts

Decluttering and minimalism are not about perfection or following rigid rules, but about creating a life with more space for what truly matters. Whether you choose to simplify all at once or take it one step at a time, these strategies can help you move forward in a way that feels right for you. Remember, the goal is to live with enough, not to deprive yourself or chase an unrealistic aesthetic. As you experiment with different methods, be patient and compassionate with yourself. Every item you let go of creates room for more clarity, peace, and freedom. I hope this evolving resource continues to inspire and support you on your path to a simpler, more intentional life.