How I Decluttered My Entire Home in Just 7 Days — And You Can Too

You know, I still remember the day I stood in the middle of my living room, staring at the pile of shoes by the front door, mail stacked on every flat surface, and a tangle of cords that seemed to multiply overnight. It wasn’t just a mess — it felt like my house had exhaled all over the place. And honestly? It was wearing me out.

So, I made a cup of tea, pulled out a notepad, and gave myself a challenge: declutter the whole house in one week. Just one hour each day. That’s it.

And guess what? It worked — beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This 7-Day Declutter Plan

• ✔️ Just one hour a day — no marathon cleaning sessions

• ✔️ Clear, focused tasks for each space in your home

• ✔️ Mentally and emotionally freeing (I swear I slept better after Day 3!)

• ✔️ You’ll fall back in love with your home

A Quick Prep Before We Begin

Don’t skip this — it’s like stretching before a workout.

Grab these:

• A few trash bags (you’ll fill them, promise)

• Boxes or bins for donations

• A marker and labels (because future you will thank you)

• A timer or your phone — because we’re sticking to that one-hour promise

Also, if you live with family or roommates, loop them in. Make it a team effort. And if not, no worries — blast some music or a podcast and make it your solo power hour.

Day 1: The Entryway & Living Room — First Impressions Matter

Start where the chaos usually greets you: the front door.

• Toss or donate old shoes, stray bags, and coats you haven’t worn since 2019.

• Clear off your coffee table — books, old mugs, random mail… you know the stuff.

• Edit your shelves — leave only what makes you smile.

• If a piece of furniture or decor feels like it’s crowding the room? Set it aside. Less is truly more here.

Little trick: Put a small basket by the door for keys, wallets, and mail. Game-changer.

Day 2: The Kitchen & Dining — Where the Magic (and Clutter) Happens

Now we roll up our sleeves and face the kitchen — the heart of the home and sometimes the junk drawer of rooms.

• Start with countertops. Clear them off completely, then only put back what you use daily.

• Check those cabinets. Got five spatulas? Pick your favorite.

• Toss expired pantry items — yes, even that can of beans from 2017.

• Dining table? Remove everything but maybe a cozy candle or simple centerpiece.

And hey — if you’ve got a junk drawer, don’t panic. Just take five minutes and sort it. You can do anything for five minutes.

Day 3: Bedrooms — Your Calm, Cozy Escape

This one might feel emotional — bedrooms hold so much of our daily mess and personal history.

• Make your bed first — it sets the tone.

• Clear nightstands and dressers.

• Sort clothes into “love it,” “leave it,” and “what was I thinking?”

• Use under-bed storage for off-season clothes or extra linens.

Let your bedroom breathe. You deserve a restful space that doesn’t feel like a to-do list.

Day 4: Bathrooms — Small Space, Big Impact

You’d be amazed what an hour in a bathroom can do.

• Toss expired meds, old razors, crusty toothpaste tubes (you know the one).

• Wipe down shelves and drawers.

• Group like items: hair stuff here, skincare there.

• Only keep daily essentials on the counter — everything else goes in a basket or drawer.

Bonus: Add a small plant or candle if you want to feel a little fancy.

Day 5: Home Office or Study Spot — Brain Space Matters

Whether you work from home or just pay bills at your desk, this space deserves attention.

• Recycle junk mail and old papers.

• File what you need. Shred what you don’t.

• Clear off your desk — leave only what’s useful or inspiring.

• Organize office supplies in bins, trays, or mugs.

If you’ve got cords everywhere, use twist ties or even bread clips to keep them neat. Yes, bread clips. Old-school, but they work.

Day 6: Closets & Storage — The Secret Stuff

These spaces are often the “I’ll deal with it later” zones. Well… it’s later.

• Start with one closet. Empty, sort, and be ruthless.

• Label bins and donate what you haven’t touched in a year.

• Keep like with like: seasonal, sentimental, and utility items all in their own zones.

Don’t try to organize chaos — simplify first, then store.

Day 7: Finishing Touches & Staying Clutter-Free

You did it! Now let’s make sure it stays this way.

• Walk through each space with fresh eyes — any little piles forming again?

• Tidy up a few hot spots.

• Create simple habits: 10-minute resets at night, a “one in, one out” rule for new stuff, and a family basket for shared items.

Celebrate. Light a candle. Pour a glass of something. You earned this.

A Little Goodbye — But Not Really

Whew — look at you. In just one week, you’ve lightened your home and your spirit. Isn’t it wild how physical clutter weighs us down emotionally too?

If you try this 7-day plan, I’d love to hear how it goes. Got a favorite day? A spot that surprised you? Any little tricks you discovered along the way?

Drop a comment or send me a message. Let’s keep sharing and learning — because home should feel like a hug, not a hassle.