QUICK TIPS FOR DECLUTTERING YOUR HOME
The Hidden Cost of Keeping Things “Just in Case”
✔️ The 90/90 Rule: Let’s make this decision easy. If you haven’t used an item in the last 90 days, and you don’t see yourself using it in the next 90, it’s probably safe to let go. We often overestimate how much we "might" need something, but this rule will help you be more realistic and intentional with what you keep.
✔️ Would You Buy It Now?: If you saw this item on the shelf today, would you actually spend money on it? This question helps separate the items we’re holding onto out of habit versus what we truly need. If you wouldn’t pull out your wallet for it today, it’s time to say goodbye.
✔️ The “Maybe” Box: Struggling to let go right away? Try a “maybe” box. Put items you’re unsure about in a box and stash it out of sight for 30 days. If you don’t think about or need anything from that box during that time, it’s a sign you don’t need those things in your life.
✔️ Consider the Hidden Costs: Keeping things isn’t free—storage, maintenance, and even the mental energy spent managing clutter and cleaning add up. Ask yourself, is it worth the cost to keep these things around? More often than not, letting go is cheaper and frees up space for what truly matters.
Foolproof Guide to a Seasonal Closet
👚 Clear the Space: If you have the time, take everything out of your closet—yes, everything. Starting with a completely empty space allows you to see what you’re working with and gives you a fresh canvas to work from. But if that feels too overwhelming, no worries! You can break it down by tackling smaller categories each day. Start with shoes, then move to tops, pants, or accessories. Either way, clearing space ensures you’re only putting back what you really want or need for the colder months, while also giving you a better idea of how much space you have and how to organize everything effectively.
👗 Declutter Ruthlessly: Now that your closet is empty, take a second look at your Summer wardrobe. Did you reach for that sundress more than once? Are those sandals still in style, or are they looking a little worse for wear? Set aside anything you didn’t wear this summer and ask yourself if it’s worth keeping for next year. Decluttering now makes the next summer swap easier and leaves you with only the items you truly love and wear. Be honest with yourself—if it didn’t get worn, it’s time to donate or sell.
👙 Store Summer Items Smartly: When storing your summer clothes, think long-term. You want to make sure your warm-weather items are protected, so opt for breathable bins or garment bags. Avoid storing them in plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to mildew or odors. Also, make sure everything is clean before storing it away—any stains or dirt left untreated can set in during storage. Fold lighter items like tank tops and shorts, but hang more delicate pieces like dresses or blouses to avoid wrinkles.
🧣 Organize Fall/Winter by Category: As you bring your fall and winter wardrobe out, think strategically. Group similar items together: sweaters in one section, pants in another, and outerwear in its own designated spot. This not only makes your closet look more organized, but it also makes getting dressed in the morning a breeze. You’ll know exactly where to find your favorite sweater or the perfect pair of boots. Grouping by category also allows you to quickly see what you might be missing or need to replace for the upcoming season.
🛍️ Hire a Personal Stylist: As you swap your closet for the new season, consider bringing in a personal stylist for extra help. A stylist can help you curate a wardrobe that fits your lifestyle, body type, and taste, while also streamlining what you already own. Hiring a stylist doesn’t just upgrade your look—it keeps your wardrobe organized and functional. With fewer, more versatile pieces, you’ll have less clutter and an easier time getting dressed every day.
🤩 BONUS TIP: If you're considering hiring a stylist, I know a great one! Emily Burnette is an LA-based (+ virtual) personal stylist. Elevate your personal brand with custom styling tailored to your unique vision for a powerful and lasting impression. Emily offers styling packages, closet edits, digital styling lookbooks and digitizing your wardrobe- making it more seamless than ever to get ready each day and feel good about it!
To learn more, visit: emilyburnette.com.
Swapping your closet from season to season can feel overwhelming, but it’s a great chance to create a functional, organized space. If you're looking for more detailed help, I’ve just released a brand-new guide that covers everything you need to know about making the seasonal closet swap. From decluttering to organizing and storing your clothes the right way, this guide will help you tackle the transition with ease and keep your closet working for you all year long! GRAB IT BELOW! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Reset Your Workspace in 5 Minutes
🗑 Clear Off Your Desk Start by removing anything that doesn’t need to be there—cups, snack wrappers, random papers, you know the drill. Toss what you don’t need and neatly stack or file the rest. Bonus: Keep a small bin nearby for quick cleanups like this.
✍🏻 Declutter + Organize Take a quick scan of your workspace tools—pens, notebooks, chargers, etc. Make sure everything has a home. Keep the essentials within arm’s reach and stash anything you won’t need for tomorrow. Remember: a clean desk equals a clear mind!
🖥️ Tide Up Your Digital Space Don’t forget about your virtual workspace! Close any unused browser tabs, declutter your desktop, and organize files into the right folders. My brain always feels like I have 25 tabs open…anyone else??
📆 Prep For Tomorrow Finish by setting out what you’ll need first thing in the morning—whether it’s your to-do list, an important document, or just a fresh notebook. This helps set you up for a smooth start and saves you from scrambling.
Donation Done Right
💛 Match Items to the Right Cause
Not all donation centers are created equal. Research local organizations that specialize in the type of items you’re giving away. Old tech? Find an e-recycling program. Unused baby gear? Look for family shelters or foster care programs. Specialty donations ensure your items make a bigger impact.
💛 Consider Direct Gifting
Do you know someone personally who might need what you’re giving away? A neighbor, friend, or coworker could benefit from that gently used furniture or extra kitchen gadget. Direct gifting cuts out the middleman and ensures your items go to a grateful recipient.
💛 Know What Not to Donate
Not everything belongs in a donation bin. Items like broken electronics, old mattresses, or expired food are better suited for recycling or proper disposal. Check the guidelines of your local donation centers to avoid creating extra work for their teams.
Bonus tip: if you have clothes to get rid of, but aren't in good enough shape to donate (no one wants your stained shirt or old socks), then The Takeback Bag is a great option! They will recycle your old clothes and you'll earn points on future purchases.
💛 Get That Tax Receipt
Donating isn’t just good for your community—it can benefit your wallet, too. Always ask for a receipt when dropping off items. Come tax season, you’ll thank yourself for taking that extra step.
Looking for more donation services? Check out our Los Angeles Resource Guide here!
Decluttering as Self-Care: Clear Space, Clear Mind
🏠 Start Small
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t try to declutter the whole house in one day—it’s not a HGYV show, it’s real life. Pick one small area, like your junk drawer or a single shelf, and spend 15-20 minutes sorting it out. By focusing on a bite-sized project, you’ll get that satisfying “done” feeling without turning it into an all-day event. Plus, momentum is magic—once you start, you might find yourself wanting to keep going.
✨ Ask Yourself, “Does This Add Value?”
When you pick up an item, take a moment to ask: “Does this add value to my life, or is it just taking up space?” If you haven’t used it in over a year and it doesn’t spark joy (thanks, Marie Kondo!), it might be time to let it go. Be honest with yourself—sometimes the hardest part is realizing we’re holding onto things out of guilt or habit. Freeing yourself from that clutter is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this season.
🧺 Declutter in Categories, Not Rooms
Instead of bouncing around from room to room, focus on one category at a time, like clothing, books, or holiday decorations. Gather everything in that category into one spot and sort through it. This approach helps you see how much you actually own and makes it easier to decide what stays and what goes. Bonus: It keeps you from getting distracted by other tasks in the middle of decluttering.
📦 Create a “Maybe Box”
Not sure if you’re ready to part with something? No problem. Put it in a “Maybe Box,” label it with today’s date, and store it away for a set amount of time (think 1-3 months). If you haven’t needed or thought about the items by then, it’s probably safe to donate or discard them. This method takes the pressure off decision-making and makes letting go feel less final.
🎶 Make It Fun (or at Least Tolerable)
Decluttering doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Throw on your favorite playlist, listen to an inspiring podcast, or make it a family activity with some friendly competition. Reward yourself afterward—a fancy coffee or an episode of your favorite show can go a long way in keeping you motivated. When you make it enjoyable, you’re more likely to stick with it.
The 12-12-12 Challenge – A Fun Decluttering Game
🧹 What Is the 12-12-12 Challenge?
It’s exactly what it sounds like:
Find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to put back where they belong. That’s it. It’s quick, effective, and kind of weirdly fun once you get going.
Bonus Tip: Set a timer for 12 minutes and blast some music—this challenge works best when you make it a little fast-paced and lighthearted.
🛋 Where to Start
You can do this challenge in literally any space:
– Your junk drawer
– Your closet
– Your bathroom cabinet
– Even your car or purse
Pick a space that’s bugging you and jump in. It’s a great way to see progress without committing to a full-on deep clean.
👨👩👧 Make It a Family Game
This one’s fun for kids too. Give everyone their own bag or basket and let them do their own 12-12-12 round. You’ll be shocked at how much gets done when it’s a friendly competition (and you didn’t have to nag anyone).
Bonus Tip: Offer a little reward—like movie night or their favorite treat—if everyone participates. Bribery? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Brain Dump Method – Clear Mental Clutter in 5 Minutes
🖋 Get It All Out
Grab a piece of paper and write down every single thought, task, or worry bouncing around in your head—no filter. The goal isn’t to be neat or organized; it’s to unload everything from grocery items you just remembered to that email you keep forgetting to send.
Bonus Tip: Set a timer for five minutes and write non-stop. Knowing the clock is ticking keeps you from overthinking and helps you get everything out quickly.
🗂 Sort the Chaos
Once everything’s out, go back through your list and sort tasks into categories: work, home, personal, or whatever makes sense for you. This step turns an overwhelming list into smaller, more manageable parts.
Bonus Tip: Use symbols or color-coding to quickly identify tasks—like a star for urgent items or a checkmark for quick wins. You can also draw a line down the middle of the page, and write your personal items on one side and work items on the other. This is how my brain likes to categorize my to-dos.
✅ Prioritize Your To-Dos
Now that everything’s sorted, pick the top three tasks that need your attention today. Focusing on just a few things keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and makes it easier to actually get things done.
Bonus Tip: Use the “2-Minute Rule” for anything quick—if it’ll take less than two minutes to finish, do it now instead of adding it to your list.
🗓 Schedule It Out
Take those top three tasks and assign them to specific time slots on your calendar. Even if you can only fit in 15 minutes, blocking out time makes it more likely you’ll actually follow through.
Bonus Tip: Keep some buffer time between tasks for unexpected interruptions—because let’s be real, they always happen.
Speed-Cleaning Hacks for a Clutter-Free Home
🎯 Target the Hotspots
Instead of attempting to clean every corner of your home, zero in on the areas that make the biggest impact—think kitchen counters, entryways, or the living room surface. Spend 10 minutes clearing away stray items and wiping down surfaces to instantly lift the clutter.
Bonus Tip: Keep a small basket nearby to quickly gather misplaced items as you move from room to room; once the timer’s up, return them to their proper places.
⏰ Set a Timer & Beat the Clock
Turn cleaning into a fun race against the clock by setting a timer for just 10 minutes. This short, focused burst will motivate you to work quickly and efficiently, turning tidying into a game rather than a chore.
Bonus Tip: Crank up your favorite upbeat playlist during your 10-minute tidy to add energy and make the time fly by.
🧼 Use Multi-Tasking Tools
Streamline your cleaning process with tools that do double duty. A microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner can tackle spills and dust on various surfaces without the need for multiple supplies. This minimizes interruptions and keeps you moving through your tidy-up session without breaking your momentum.
Bonus Tip: Keep a portable, handheld duster or mini vacuum in your cleaning kit for those hard-to-reach spots that tend to gather dust when you’re not looking.