5 Small Steps to Declutter Your Home After the Kids Move Out
The kids have moved out, and you’re stepping into a new chapter of life. While this can be an exciting time, it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed by the clutter they’ve left behind. From bedrooms filled with mementos to overflowing storage spaces, decluttering your home may feel like a daunting task.
The good news? You don’t have to tackle it all at once. By breaking the process into small, manageable steps, you can create a home that feels lighter, more functional, and truly yours. Here’s how to get started.
1. Start with Sentimental Items
Sorting through sentimental items can be one of the hardest parts of decluttering, but starting small makes it more manageable. Pick a single box, drawer, or corner of a closet and take your time deciding what to keep, donate, or store.
Pro Tip: Use categories like “Keep,” “Donate,” “Store,” and “Trash” to make decisions easier.
Picture This: A cozy dining table with a small open box of keepsakes—childhood drawings, photos, and trophies—neatly sorted into piles for keeping, donating, and storing. Labeled bins in the background help keep things organized.
2. Declutter One Room at a Time
Rather than tackling the whole house, focus on one room at a time. Start with your child’s old bedroom or a space that feels the most cluttered. Dedicate 30 minutes a day to sorting, tidying, and decluttering that space.
Pro Tip: Make it a goal to finish one small section of the room (like a desk or closet) before moving on to the next.
Picture This: A two-frame image: the first shows a cluttered bedroom with clothes, books, and boxes piled up. The second frame reveals a transformed space—a minimalist desk setup, tidy shelves, and cozy decor.
3. Create a Donation Station
Set up a designated area in your home for donation items. This could be a box or bin in the garage, laundry room, or hallway closet. Commit to filling it weekly with items you no longer need. When the bin is full, drop it off at a local charity or thrift store.
Pro Tip: Keep the donation station visible and accessible so you’re reminded to use it regularly.
Picture This: A garage corner with a large cardboard box labeled “Donations,” partially filled with folded clothes, books, and toys. A simple checklist taped to the wall above adds an organized touch.
4. Use Storage Solutions for Keepsakes
For sentimental items you want to keep but don’t need on display, invest in clear storage bins. Label each bin by category—like “Photos,” “Keepsakes,” or “Seasonal Decor”—and store them neatly in a closet or garage.
Pro Tip: Opt for stackable bins to save space and make retrieval easy.
Picture This: A tidy closet with clear plastic storage bins stacked on shelves. Each bin has a simple white label with black text, and a small step stool is tucked into the corner for convenience.
5. Repurpose or Redesign Your Child’s Room
Once you’ve decluttered, transform your child’s old room into something useful for this new chapter of life. Consider turning it into a home office, craft room, or guest bedroom. Choose light decor, multipurpose furniture, and functional layouts to create a welcoming space.
Pro Tip: Add personal touches like plants, artwork, or cozy seating to make the room feel like yours.
Picture This: A bright, airy room with a compact writing desk, an armchair draped with a soft throw blanket, and neatly arranged bookshelves. Fresh flowers in a vase on the desk complete the cozy transformation.
Why Small Steps Work
Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking the process into small, focused tasks, you can make steady progress while avoiding burnout. These five steps help you stay consistent and turn your home into a space that reflects this exciting new chapter of life.
