Visual clutter competes for your brain’s attention, which can impact your well-being. Research shows that high levels of the stress hormone cortisol were found in mothers living in disorganised home environments. This constant visual noise can sap your focus and drain your energy. Beyond personal stress, a cluttered space can also cause tension among family members and increase safety risks. The good news is that a focused weekend is often all it takes to reclaim a sense of calm and boost your overall home comfort. Follow these three ways to make your home feel lighter and easier to maintain.
WAY #1 – Reset Your Mindset & Prep for Success
Clear the mental clutter first
Before you lift a single box, take a moment to define your goals. This mental preparation is crucial for staying motivated when you're faced with tough decisions about what to keep.
- Ask yourself: What would a calmer space let me do more of?
- Which rooms create the most daily friction?
- What’s one feeling I want my home to evoke on Sunday night?
Build a simple checklist
A clear plan prevents you from feeling overwhelmed by the process. Create a straightforward checklist to guide your efforts and track your progress as you move through each room.
- List the rooms to tackle, ranked by how much stress they cause.
- Define your categories: donation, recycling, and trash.
- Prepare a “maybe” box with a 30-day revisit date for items you're unsure about.
Stock your weekend toolkit
Having the right supplies on hand means you won't have to interrupt your workflow. Gather these essentials before you begin to maintain your momentum from start to finish.
- Cardboard boxes and heavy-duty donation bags.
- Masking tape and a marker for quick, clear labels.
- Comfortable work gloves, especially if you’re purging a cold garage or basement.
| Key Insight: A clear plan prevents overwhelm. Taking time to define your goals and gather supplies beforehand is the secret to staying motivated and making decisive choices when the real work begins. |
WAY #2 – The Rapid Room-by-Room Declutter
Use the four-step “Empty, Sort, Plan, Put Away” method for each space. This systematic approach ensures you evaluate every item and make intentional choices about what belongs in your home.
Step 1: Empty
Remove everything from a single closet, drawer, or shelf. Starting with a blank slate forces you to see what you actually own, making it easier to decide what truly deserves to come back.
Step 2: Sort
With the space cleared, create three distinct piles for your items: keep, donate, and discard. Be decisive and work quickly to avoid second-guessing your initial instincts and losing momentum.
Step 3: Plan
Before returning anything, decide where the “keep” items will live. A multi-functional piece like Koala's comfy sofa bed can add hidden storage and free up space, eliminating the need for extra furniture. This is the perfect time to optimise your layout.
Step 4: Put Away
Return only the essentials to their newly designated homes. Everything should be easy to see, access, and put away. Enjoy the feeling of a clean, organised, and functional space.
| Pro Tip: During the sorting step, speed is your friend. Avoid overthinking and trust your gut. If an item causes hesitation, use your 'maybe' box and keep the momentum going. Decisiveness is key. |
WAY #3 – Plan, Organise & Maintain Systems
Decluttering is an event, but organising is a system. Once the excess is gone, create simple systems to keep your home comfortable and clear for the long haul.
Plan the system
Map out where items belong before you shop for any storage solutions. A simple sketch is often all you need to create a logical flow, preventing you from buying containers that don't fit.
Source simple accessories
Choose versatile organising tools that can adapt as your needs change. Focus on items that improve visibility and make things easy to find and put back.
- Clear shoe boxes are excellent for multipurpose storage in closets and pantries.
- Drawer dividers can bring order to chaotic kitchen utensil or sock drawers.
- Under-bed totes are perfect for stashing seasonal items out of sight but within reach.
Maintain with tiny habits
A lasting organisation is built on small, consistent actions. Integrate tiny habits into your daily routines to prevent clutter from creeping back in and undoing your hard work.
- Perform a 10-minute nightly reset to quickly tidy surfaces.
- Follow the one-in-one-out rule for new purchases like clothes and décor.
- Do a Sunday evening surface sweep to start the week fresh.
| Key Insight: Decluttering is a project, but organization is a lifelong practice. The real secret to a calm home isn't the initial purge, but the simple, consistent daily habits you build to maintain clarity. |
Mini-FAQ
How long should each room take?
Small spaces like a bathroom should take about 45 minutes. Plan for around 90 minutes for bedrooms and up to two hours for a kitchen, depending on its size and complexity.
What's the difference between decluttering and uncluttering?
Decluttering is the initial process of removing excess items. Uncluttering is the ongoing maintenance required to keep the space in its clear, organised state for the long term.
Won’t an “empty” look feel cold?
Not at all, as you can add warmth without adding clutter by using textures. Incorporate soft throws, healthy plants, and warm, layered lighting to make the space feel inviting.
Can I really finish in one weekend?
Yes, it is possible if you stay focused on high-impact zones. Stick to your time blocks and follow your checklist. The goal is significant progress, not perfection.
The Path Forward
A mindset shift, rapid decluttering, and smart systems are the keys to effortless home comfort. Prepare your supplies, commit to the process, and enjoy a calmer, more simplified space.
| Author Profile: Koala is a leading online furniture brand creating better furniture experiences for modern homes across Australia, Japan, and the United States. |
