7 Methods for Organizing and Decluttering Spaces

I believe a beautiful-looking space and a functional one can (and should) co-exist. Once I have decluttered and determined exactly what I want to keep, I decide what I need to access easily versus occasionally or hardly ever. For items I don't need much or that don't need to be visible, sturdy, linen storage boxes are ideal because they streamline the overall look. Plus, they can hold a variety of smaller loose items that can make the space appear cluttered. I love to combine form with function by utilizing pretty options for storage. For example, I purchased a beautiful white scallop-shaped bulletin board, used dress pins, and hung up my necklaces. It makes it easy to see all of the necklaces I own, plus the display looks like art! Go ahead and get creative!

We believe addressing the space as a whole is the only way to truly transform a space and make your efforts stick! We've all tried organizing the junk drawer or the cleaning supplies, but inevitably, things fall back into the same patterns of disarray. You need to dig to the root of the issue that is causing the problems. Only then will you break the cycle of disorganization.

We worked with a client who could never find their t-shirts. They owned SO MANY and for some inexplicable reason (inexplicable only to them) they always seemed to go missing. It turns out, this client had no designated t-shirt drawer. After things came out of the laundry, they haphazardly tossed everything into any drawer that had space or dumped things onto the ever-growing pile of "clean clothes" in their closet. It was no wonder they couldn't find anything!

Lost t-shirts were only a symptom of a much larger issue. We attacked the space with a new systematic mindset and pulled out every article of clothing. Every t-shirt, sock, pair of pants, and underwear the client owned. This was where the real magic happened! When you're faced head-on with every sweater from the past ten years of ugly sweater parties, it's incredible how the reality of what you have in your life comes to light. The average person only uses 20% of their wardrobe on a regular basis. We're not using 80% of our clothes the vast majority of the time! And a large portion of that 80% is kept for reasons like occasional parties, weddings, "goal clothes," or simply because they're so far back in the closet, they've been forgotten altogether.

We took the time and talked about every single item of clothing. We asked questions like, does it serve you? Does it fit you? Is it still your style? Is it your first choice? It never ceases to amaze me how many people hold on to things simply because they already have them, not because they particularly like them.

After downsizing a solid 25% of our client's wardrobe that they were beyond ready to part with, we designated a home base for each category. We had collected every single t-shirt our client owned, file folded them so you could see every single option in the drawer, and installed dividers to keep them organized. They were thrilled with the results and never lost a t-shirt again!

My favorite method is to design backwards from the mess I cannot stand. For me, it was cords. Cords under the desk, behind the TV, on the kitchen counter. I built a small recessed cabinet behind the TV wall with a sliding panel that hides outlets, surge protectors, and all the random gear that used to sit in plain sight. I made the panel out of oak but finished it in flat white so it melts into the wall. Now I do not have to see the mess, and I do not have to unplug anything to clean around it.

At home, I try to treat every drawer like a map, not a bin. In my kitchen, I have a shallow custom drawer near the stove that holds four types of spices I use every day. Nothing rolls, nothing hides, and nothing is more than one motion away from the pan. It took me 3 hours to build, but I have used it every day for over 5 years. I do not believe in organizing for the sake of tidiness. I believe in cutting motion and saving time with tools that look like part of the room. That way, the function stays hidden until you need it.

My favorite method for organizing and decluttering a space is all about combining intentional functionality with a dash of creativity. I believe every space--no matter how small--has the potential to work smarter without sacrificing style. It starts with asking, "What do I truly need here?" and "How can this space better serve me?"

In my own home (which I lovingly refer to as my "tiny home"), one of my proudest organizing wins was converting an old, unused shower into dedicated winter gear storage. With a few simple modifications--like adding tension rods, hooks, and shoe shelving--I turned a totally forgotten space into a streamlined, seasonal drop zone. Everything has a home, and nothing's cluttering up our main living areas.

Sometimes, it just takes a fresh perspective and a willingness to let go of what's not working. Decluttering clears the path--but organizing? That's where the magic happens.

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From a Feng Shui perspective, I first like to define the purpose of the space. Once that is clear, I go ahead and create zones based on task and, of course, the energy I want to feel in this particular place. I go ahead and curate the space, keeping only the things that will match the task and energy, perhaps add new items too. Always use beautiful storage to match the aesthetics (baskets, boxes, built-ins that feel like decor).

When clients struggle to let go of things--which, by the way, is very common--we use the 15-minute method. Starting on the left side of the space, we set a timer and an intention. With clear goals already in place, they quickly sort items into three piles: keep, donate, or toss. When the timer goes off, we pause. If momentum is strong, we'll add another 10 minutes. Always celebrate the small wins.

The Zoning Method

When the goal is to maximize both style and functionality, my favorite method for organizing and decluttering a space is to use the zoning approach. What I love most about this approach is the fact that it makes achieving the perfect balance between style and functionality quite easy. As the goal is to designate specific areas for specific activities and functions, it becomes easier not to get distracted or overwhelmed by clutter, making it easier to maintain clarity of mind, focus, and efficiency.

This everything-in-its-place mentality that this approach encourages helps to reduce stress and mental clutter during this process, thereby creating a sense of calm and control. This ensures a harmonious and organized environment that also promotes a sense of serenity and productivity.

In fact, an example of when I have used this approach to tackle organization in my own home was during last year's spring cleaning. Last year, I felt I was long overdue for a home office space, and since I didn't have the luxury of an extra room that I could convert to an office, and since my bedroom was already becoming a multipurpose space for rest, relaxation, and work, I decided to use the zoning approach to carve out a dedicated workspace within my bedroom. This meant reorganizing the entire bedroom because I wanted to ensure a clear separation between where my workspace began and ended and where the rest areas also started and ended. I needed this physical separation so much because I knew it was key to staying productive whenever I brought work home.

So to create the result I wanted, after assessing the room's layout and designating an area as my workspace, making sure to account for minimal distractions, natural lighting, and electrical outlets, I went on to equip the space with minimal furniture: a desk and a chair, and storage: a filing cabinet. This way, I was able to balance organization with decluttering and also create an environment that supports my work needs as well as ensure that the original function of the bedroom as a place for relaxation is not compromised.

Hi,

I am Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning (bearbroscleaning.com), Alabama's #1 cleaning company.

We have been featured on Realtor.com, Homes and Gardens, Tom's Guide, Go Banking Rates, Redfin, Reader's Digest, CNET, AOL, The Spruce, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart, and more.

My favorite method for organizing and decluttering is what I like to call the "reset and rebuild" approach.

It's not just about tidying up--it's about completely stepping back from the space, looking at how it's being used (or misused), and rebuilding it in a way that actually supports your daily routines.

For me, the key is to focus on function first--how the space needs to work--then layer in elements of style so it's not only practical but also feels good to be in.

I always begin by thoroughly cleaning the space I'm working in. I remove everything to see what I'm working with, whether it's a room, a drawer, or a closet.

A clean slate makes it easier to rethink the layout and storage setup.

Once that's done, I think about zones. Every space needs to be broken down into clear categories--whether it's by item type, frequency of use, or even who in the household uses it.

From there, I figure out the best containers or systems for each zone. I don't spend a fortune--most of the time, I'm using clear bins, baskets, or drawer dividers that can be found at discount stores or online.

I always try to keep things looking cohesive, though. Matching bins and consistent labels go a long way in making even the most functional areas feel stylish and intentional.

I took on our closet in the hallway as one particular example. With shoes scattered everywhere, coats crammed in, cleaning supplies precariously balanced on the top shelf, and sporadic items like gift bags and lightbulbs thrown in because we had nowhere else to put them, it was essentially a black hole.

I pulled everything out and realized we were storing things in there that we hadn't used in years. I eliminated what wasn't necessary and reassigned some items to more suitable locations.

I also made some small adjustments, including using sticky hooks on the interior walls of the closet for reusable shopping bags and umbrellas.