Interior Designers’ Favorite Decluttering Tips – Small changes, big impact

You tell yourself you’ll get to it this weekend. But somehow, Monday rolls around and the clutter’s still there — stacks of papers on the table, random bits shoved into corners, a house that feels heavier than it should.

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Clutter doesn’t just take up space in your home — it steals your energy, your focus, even your ability to properly enjoy your space.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to spend hours reorganising or thousands buying fancy storage solutions. Interior designers know the real magic comes from small, intentional changes — the kind that shift how your space feels without turning your life upside down.

In this article, you’ll learn designer-approved decluttering tips that are simple, affordable, and powerful. Small tweaks, big impact — and a home that finally feels like it breathes again.

Why Decluttering Works: Designer Secrets

Ask any interior designer their number one trick for transforming a space, and most won’t say “buy new furniture” or “repaint the walls.” They’ll tell you: start by decluttering.

It’s not just about making things look tidier. Decluttering changes the way you experience a room. When you clear away visual noise — the piles, the mismatched knick-knacks, the half-finished projects — your brain relaxes. Suddenly, the space feels bigger, calmer, and more intentional.

Designers know that less clutter highlights the features you want people to notice — the beautiful sofa you invested in, the natural light pouring through the windows, the texture of a rug underfoot. Every great room you’ve ever admired in a magazine or on Pinterest? Chances are, the first thing the stylist did was remove about half of what was already there.

Here’s the secret:
Decluttering isn’t about having less. It’s about giving the things you love room to shine.

You don’t have to live like a minimalist monk to feel the benefits, either. Even just clearing surfaces, corralling loose items into pretty baskets, and letting a few areas “breathe” can make your whole home feel fresher, cleaner, and more pulled together — without buying a single new thing.

Quick Decluttering Wins for Every Room

You don’t need a full weekend overhaul to make your home feel lighter. Here are fast, designer-backed wins you can do room by room — many in under 10 minutes.

Kitchen

• Clear the counters. Keep out only the essentials you use every day, like the kettle or coffee machine. Everything else? Find a cupboard, or donate if it’s collecting dust.
• Create a “drop zone” for keys, post, and bits that pile up — a small tray near the door works wonders.

Living Room

• Edit the surfaces. Too many candles, books, and decorations can make the room feel busy. Pick a few favourites and store or rotate the rest.
• Tidy the textiles. Fold throw blankets neatly or drape them intentionally over a chair or sofa, rather than letting them sprawl everywhere.

Bedroom

• Simplify the nightstand. Aim for a lamp, a book, and maybe one personal item like a photo or candle.
• Deal with the “chair of doom.” You know the one — the chair where clothes pile up. Hang it, fold it, or set up a proper laundry system.

Bathroom

• Hide the clutter. Use baskets or containers under the sink for loose bottles and toiletries.
• One in, one out. If you buy a new product, toss an old one. No one needs five half-used moisturisers.

Entryway

• Slim down shoes and coats. Keep only seasonal items at the door; store the rest elsewhere.
• Small storage wins. A simple bench with hidden storage can instantly clear visual mess.

Home Office (or Desk Area)

• Clear the desk. Only your computer, a notebook, and a pen need to live there daily.
• Tame the tech. Use cable organisers or a simple box to hide charging cords and plugs.

Designer Tricks to Keep the Clutter Away

Decluttering once is good. But setting your home up to stay clutter-free? That’s where designers really work their magic. Here are a few tricks they swear by:

1. Everything needs a home.
One of the golden rules. If an item doesn’t have a set spot where it “lives,” it will keep floating around and creating mess. Baskets, trays, hooks — whatever works for you — but make it easy to put things away.

2. Use the “tray theory.”
Group smaller items (like remotes, candles, vases) onto a single tray. It instantly makes random objects feel intentional and styled, rather than messy.

3. Create zones.
Designers often split a room into zones: a reading corner, a work space, a dining area. When you know exactly what a space is for, it’s easier to spot and remove anything that doesn’t belong.

4. Stylish storage is your secret weapon.
Woven baskets, vintage crates, sleek boxes — these can hide the bits you need but don’t want to see (like chargers, toys, or pet gear), while still looking good.

5. Rotate, don’t accumulate.
Love to decorate? Instead of cramming every cushion, candle, and throw blanket out at once, rotate your favourites seasonally. It keeps the space feeling fresh and avoids overwhelming the room.

6. Follow the “one minute” rule.
If something will take less than a minute to put away — do it immediately. It sounds tiny, but over time, it’s a game-changer for maintaining a peaceful space.

How to Declutter Sentimentally (Without Guilt)

Let’s be honest — getting rid of old bills is easy. Parting with sentimental things? That’s where it gets tricky.

Designers who work with real families know that clutter often isn’t about laziness — it’s about emotions. Here’s how they help clients (and you) declutter meaningfully without feeling like you’re erasing your memories:

1. Keep the memory, not the item.
Sometimes the memory is more important than the object itself. If you’re hanging onto something you never use but feel bad tossing, take a photo of it. You keep the memory alive without having it take up physical space.

2. Choose the best, not the most.
You don’t need to keep every concert ticket or birthday card. Pick the one or two that mean the most and let the others go. Honour your memories by treating them with intention, not by burying them under clutter.

3. Reframe “getting rid” as “setting free.”
If something is sitting unused in a cupboard, it’s not being loved. Passing it on — donating, gifting, or recycling — can feel less like losing and more like giving it a second life.

4. Create a memory box.
Designers often suggest a stylish memory box or a dedicated shelf for truly sentimental items. Limiting the amount of space you allow keeps your treasures special — and prevents your whole house turning into a shrine.

5. Be kind to yourself.
It’s okay to keep some things just because they make you happy. Decluttering isn’t about becoming ruthless; it’s about creating a home that supports who you are today, not just who you used to be.

Final Thought: Small Changes, Massive Energy Shifts

It’s easy to think you need a full renovation to love your home again. But interior designers know the truth: often, the biggest shift comes from the smallest moves.

Clearing a countertop. Tidying a drawer. Letting your favourite pieces breathe instead of burying them under clutter. These aren’t just chores — they’re little acts of respect for your space, and for yourself.

You don’t need to get it perfect overnight. Start with one shelf, one corner, one table. Each small change adds up, and before you know it, you’ll feel it: a home that’s calmer, lighter, and truly yours again.

Small changes, big impact — and it all starts today.