Best Decluttering Method for Your Home and Lifestyle
The best decluttering method is the one you can actually follow and maintain. Decluttering can be deeply rewarding. Owning less often leads to less stress, more time, and a greater sense of emotional clarity. Many people also find that purchasing less naturally follows, which supports both personal well being and environmental responsibility.
There is no shortage of decluttering methods, and each one approaches the process from a slightly different angle. Some focus on mindset. Others emphasize structure, pace, or habit building. Understanding these differences helps you choose a method that aligns with how you live and think.
Below is an expanded look at several well known decluttering methods that have shaped the modern decluttering movement.
The KonMari Method by Marie Kondo
The KonMari Method, created by Marie Kondo, centers on decluttering by category rather than by room. This approach asks you to gather all items of a single category, such as clothing or books, and evaluate them together. The goal is to understand how much you own before deciding what to keep.
Marie Kondo’s Spark Joy philosophy encourages people to keep only items that support their current life. This emotional check helps shift focus away from guilt and obligation. The method moves through five categories in a specific order, ending with sentimental items, which are often the most difficult.
This method works well for people who like structure and enjoy working through a clear sequence. It can feel intense at first, but many find the process transformative once they commit fully.
The Becker Method Room by Room Decluttering
Joshua Becker’s method takes a room by room approach. Instead of pulling everything out by category, this method focuses on visible progress in lived in spaces. It often begins with high traffic areas, which helps build motivation quickly.
The Becker Method is goal oriented. Decluttering is framed as a way to support what matters most in life, not just as a cleaning task. Family involvement is encouraged, which can make the process feel more inclusive and sustainable.
This method works well for households where shared spaces matter and for people who feel motivated by seeing immediate improvement in daily life.
The Peter Walsh Five Step Method
Peter Walsh’s method is rooted in clarity and intention. The process begins by completely emptying a space so you can see everything clearly. Items are grouped by similarity to make decision making easier. A defining step in this method is creating a vision for how the room should function. This vision acts as a filter for decisions. Items that do not support that purpose are removed.
This method appeals to people who like a clean slate and a clear sense of direction. It requires commitment and energy, but it can produce strong results in a short period of time.
The FlyLady Method for Decluttering
The FlyLady method emphasizes consistency over intensity. Decluttering is done in short, timed sessions to avoid burnout. The idea is to make progress without overwhelming yourself. Tasks are broken into manageable pieces and spread out over time. This approach reduces emotional and physical fatigue, which is common during large decluttering projects.
This method works well for people who feel overwhelmed easily or who have limited time and energy. It favors habit building and daily maintenance over dramatic transformations.
The Colleen Madsen One Item a Day Method
Colleen Madsen’s approach focuses on simplicity and consistency. Removing one item per day may seem slow, but over time it adds up to significant progress. This method removes pressure. There is no need for long sessions or big decisions. Each day brings a small, manageable action that moves you closer to your goal.
This approach works well for people who feel paralyzed by large projects and prefer steady, low pressure progress.
The Clutterfree App as a Guided Method
The Clutterfree App offers a digital roadmap for decluttering. It follows a room by room structure similar to the Becker Method and provides task lists, progress tracking, and visual motivation. The app allows users to document donations, track achievements, and view before and after photos. These features can help sustain motivation over time.
This option works well for people who enjoy digital tools and benefit from external structure and accountability.
Professional Help Through NAPO
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals connects people with trained organizers and productivity consultants. Hiring a professional can be helpful when decluttering feels overwhelming or emotionally charged.
Professionals offer guidance, accountability, and practical solutions tailored to individual needs. Costs vary based on experience, location, and scope of work. This option is best for people who want hands on support or who are facing major life transitions.
The Minimalist Approach by Leo Babauta
Leo Babauta’s minimalist philosophy focuses on intentional living. The goal is to reduce possessions to what is essential and supportive of daily life.
This approach emphasizes clear surfaces, fewer furnishings, and thoughtful ownership. The result is often a calmer, easier to maintain home.
Minimalism works well for people who want a mindset shift rather than a step by step system. It encourages long term changes in how possessions are viewed.
Choosing the Best Decluttering Method for You
The best decluttering method is not universal. It depends on your personality, schedule, family dynamics, and emotional relationship with your belongings.
Many people blend methods or adapt them over time. Tools like the Declutter Deck® offer prompts that break decluttering into manageable steps without requiring strict adherence to one philosophy.
The key is consistency. Try a method for several weeks and evaluate how it feels. The right approach will become obvious as progress builds.