If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering your home, you’re not alone. As a professional home organizer, I work with clients every day who want a tidy, peaceful home but aren’t quite sure where to begin. Organizing doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, and it certainly doesn’t need to happen in one exhausting weekend. The key is breaking the process down into manageable categories and making intentional decisions about what truly deserves space in your home.
Decluttering is really about creating calm and giving yourself peace of mind. When every item has a purpose and there’s a place for everything, your home becomes easier to maintain and far more enjoyable to live in. Here are ten common categories that tend to quietly collect clutter over time. Tackling them one by one can make organizing feel far more manageable and help you create calm throughout your home.
1. Organize Books
Books can be surprisingly emotional. Many of us love the idea of reading more than we actually reread most titles. Keep the books you truly love or reference regularly, and donate the rest to a library or charity. Letting go doesn’t mean losing the joy they once brought you.
2. Organize Your Tupperware Storage
Tupperware and food storage containers are another classic clutter culprit. I’m not sure how it happens, but lids seem to multiply while bottoms seem to disappear from all of my client’s Tupperware collections. Match lids with bottoms, toss anything stained or warped and donate specialty pieces you never reach for. A tidy cabinet filled only with usable containers makes everyday cooking so much easier.
3. Organize Kitchen Glasses
Everyday drinking glasses, juice glasses, wine glasses, and specialty drinkware can quickly take over your cabinets. Take an honest look at how you live and entertain. Do you really need martini, margarita and cordial glasses – no matter how cute they are? Keep the glasses you actually use and enjoy, and donate the rest. If you’re holding onto glassware simply because it was a wedding gift or came from a loved one, remember this: they would want you to have a tidy kitchen that works for you. And any glasses with chips or cracks should be tossed – no exceptions.
4. Organize Your Kitchen Stuff
This is a broad category and a big opportunity to declutter. Duplicates of gadgets, rarely used appliances and specialty items often fill drawers and cabinets. Keep what you reach for regularly and let go of the rest. If your kids are grown, it’s time to pass along sippy cups and small dishes. Extra baking pans, cookie cutters, serving pieces and utensils can also go if they no longer serve your lifestyle. Less clutter means easier cooking and a more organized kitchen.
5. Organize Coffee Mugs
Coffee mugs seem to multiply on their own. Save your favorites—the ones you grab without thinking—and donate the rest. Novelty mugs from trips or events often take up space without getting used. The same goes for travel mugs: if they’re missing lids or leak, it’s time to declutter.
6. Organize the Stacks of Magazines
If letting go of magazines feels hard, give them a boundary. Limit yourself to one basket, bin or holder. Once it’s full, read them or recycle them before adding anything new. This simple system keeps paper clutter under control.
7. Organize Your Tote Bags
Free-with-purchase totes and reusable bags pile up fast. Keep only the ones you actually use and donate or sell the rest. A tidy closet starts with honest editing.
8. Purge or Organize Old Decorations
Too much décor can make a space feel cluttered instead of cozy. If surfaces are crowded or walls feel busy, nothing gets to shine. Tastes change and that’s okay. Ask yourself, “If I were shopping today, would I buy this again?” If not, let it go.
9. Organize Your Office Supplies
Cute notebooks and colorful paper clips are tempting, but unused supplies create clutter. Sort through desks and command centers and keep only what you truly use. Donate the rest to a school or community organization.
10. Gifts You’ve Never Liked
One of the most challenging categories for many people is gifts they’ve never liked or used. Holding onto items out of guilt only adds stress to your home. Once you’ve appreciated the thought behind the gift, it’s okay to pass it along so someone else can enjoy it.
You don’t need to tackle all of these categories at once. Pick one or two, work at your own pace and celebrate the progress you make. Every small step moves you closer to a tidy home that supports your daily life.
Organizing isn’t about perfection – it’s about intention. When you declutter thoughtfully and create simple systems, your home becomes a place of calm instead of chaos. And if you find yourself needing guidance, motivation, or hands-on support, Smart Organizing Solutions is always here to help you create a home that truly works for you. Learn more or book a session through my Contact Denver Professional Organizer | SOS Organizing page today. I enjoy working with families throughout Denver, Central Park, Park Hill, Cherry Creek, Aurora and surrounding communities.