Is Decluttering Your Entire Home in One Day a Smart Move?

Decluttering can be a draining task, often leading people to wonder if they can tackle their entire home in just a day. While this approach might seem appealing, it's not typically the best choice.

We consulted professional organizers to understand the feasibility of doing a full home declutter in one day and to learn about the most effective methods.

Is it feasible to declutter an entire house in one day?

If you're new to decluttering, tackling the entire house at once is usually not advisable. According to Amélie Saint-Jacques, a professional organizer, it's essential to start small and clear out one room at a time. Amélie notes, 'I often help clients with whole house declutters using the KonMari Method™, but for most people, trying to declutter everything in a single day is unrealistic. This process requires many micro-decisions about each item, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Typically, it can take weeks or even months to fully declutter a home with regular sessions.

She also mentions practical challenges, like the number of trips to donation centers and how full your trash or recycling bins are.

Experts recommend strategies such as the week-by-week decluttering method or room-by-room decluttering to make the task less daunting and to help reduce decision fatigue.

However, if you're pressed for time, there are ways to make a single decluttering day work. Here are some expert tips.

1. Plan Ahead and Set the Right Atmosphere

'When facing such a large project in a short timeframe, starting with a solid plan is crucial,' advises Nicole Miller, a cleaning and organizing expert. Planning allows you to break down the overwhelming task into manageable parts and even create a vision board to keep you focused.

Nicole suggests enlisting family or friends to help if possible, as this can prevent burnout and keep you motivated. 'Setting the mood is important too. I like to play energetic music or have the TV on in the background to keep my spirits up while I work,' she adds.

All-in-One Declutter Planner | $3.92 at Etsy
This printable planner is your go-to resource for managing your home's clutter and effectively kicking off your decluttering journey.

2. Start with Trash, Then Tackle Visible Clutter

A common hurdle in decluttering is knowing where to begin. Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson, a professional organizer, advises starting with obvious trash to significantly declutter the space. 'Grab a large garbage bag and recycling bins, and start collecting items like expired food, empty cans, and magazines,' she suggests. 'Work your way from top to bottom, room by room, to eliminate this first layer of clutter.'

Next, gather items that belong in different areas of the house, like dishes from the bedroom or laundry from the dryer. This systematic approach helps streamline the process.

3. Delay Organizing Items

While it's common to declutter and organize at the same time, focusing solely on decluttering during a one-day effort can be more efficient, according to Kim Corey, a professional organizer. She suggests setting aside unwanted items for donation or sale without immediately organizing them. 'You can designate a spot for items you want to keep, even if it's just temporarily behind doors or in bins,' Kim explains. This method allows for a focused declutter without the pressure of finding a home for everything right away.

4. Tackle the Biggest Jobs First and Take Breaks

To maximize your efficiency in a short window, starting with the most significant tasks when your energy is highest can be beneficial. Eileen Roth, founder of Everything In Its Place, highlights that decluttering the worst room can boost your motivation for the rest. Once you finish one area, take a break before continuing. 'Be sure to take lunch and snack breaks together to keep everyone on the same page and energized.'

FAQs

How long does it take to declutter an entire house?

The time required to declutter a home varies based on its size and current state. An organized home may take just a day or two, while a cluttered or large home could require a month of consistent effort, particularly for those new to decluttering.

What is the quickest way to organize a cluttered house?

Generally, the fastest method involves working room by room, starting with decluttering and disposing of trash, followed by organizing the remaining items into storage solutions. Repeat this process for each room.

'When attempting to declutter an entire house in one day, it's wise to avoid handling sentimental items or other people's belongings without their input, as this could lead to hasty decisions you'll regret later,' Eileen advises, sharing a personal experience about mistakenly discarding cherished items.