4 steps to decluttering for a new year, new space

Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk

Resetting consumption habits and decluttering your space can help stop us from over-buying and make us realize that most of the time, less is more.

And it’s not about buying more stuff to get organized either. You cannot purchase your way into organizing, (although many people may think you can). 

The sad part is, the decluttering industry is worth billions of dollars. But there is no one magic shelf or set of drawers that will whip your space up into the perfect, neat, and tidy place that you want it to be.

You, a donation bin, and good energy. That’s all it takes. 

Here’s a guide to help you transform your space into a sanctuary that supports your growth. 

Whether you’re facing a cluttered closet, struggling to decide how to minimize clothes, or simply wanting to feel more balanced in your space, this step-by-step guide will help you refresh your home, your energy, and your mindset.

step 1. preparation: set your decluttering intention and schedule your closet cleanout

Photo by Steve Johnson

Before you touch a single hanger, take a moment to think about why you want to declutter. 

Decluttering is most powerful when it’s intentional & when your space starts to reflect your goals for the new year. 

A.) define the goal of your closet cleanout. 

Ask yourself:

• what do I want my year to look like?

• how can my space work for me and not against me?

• am I trying to simplify? Save time? Reduce stress? Create systems that my family can follow?

Your answers will shape how you approach your closet cleanout and the energy you bring into your home. 

B.) do your research before decluttering.

Before scheduling your decluttering day, spend a little time researching and maybe make a list. 

• where can you bring donations? 

• is there anything you can repurpose or a DIY you can finally try?

• learn about minimalism and define how you identify with it and what you really want in your wardrobe

• decide how long you’re okay with this project taking. Where will things live while you sort? How can you set yourself up for success?
  

Maybe one of your goals is to style your clothes better. Consider using pinterest for inspiration or following stylists you like. 

This can help give you a visual sense of what you love and makes it easier to decide what stays and what goes. 

C.) schedule it and commit.

Decluttering isn't something you can squeeze between errands. 

It deserves your full attention. 

Block out time on your calendar for a full closet cleanout. Treat it like a self-care appointment (because it is one).

Put on your favorite playlist, light a candle, and make the process feel special. You’re not just organizing, you are setting the stage for a brand new trip around the sun!

step 2. sort: how to actually declutter your clothes 

Photo by Zach Kessinger

Sorting is where the transformation begins. 

 

This step requires some brutal honesty and probably a lot of patience. But it is an art of letting go and it is deeply rewarding. 

When tackling a cluttered closet, it has to get worse before it can get better. And if you’re anything like me, probably a lot worse. 

Take everything out. Yes, everything. It may feel overwhelming at first, but seeing the full scope of what you own helps make clearer decisions. 

the sorting process

Here is a proven method for a successful ‘closet clean out’:

1. categorize your clutter

• • Separate items into groups. 

  • You will probably (quickly) start to notice duplicates, forgotten favorites, and patterns in your buying habits. 

2. ask the right questions 

• • Do I actually wear this?

  • Does it fit and flatter me?

  • Is your ‘I don’t wear this’ pile getting bigger? What do the pieces have in common? 

  • Would I buy this again today?

  • Does it reflect who I’m becoming this year?

This is where you reassess and decide: it’s probably time to let it go.

3. create sorting piles 

• • keep: you love it, use it, and it fits your goals for the new year

  • maybe: you’re unsure, maybe it can be stored for seasonal use or sentimental reasons

  • donate/sell: it’s in good condition but no longer serves you

  • recycle: it's worn or damaged, can be repurposed in some other way or simply needs to be recycled. 

As you sort, think of it as clearing out old energy. Each item you release frees up space for new opportunities, and even a new you.

I like to think about it like this. Whenever I go on a week+ vacation, while I’m packing I’m simultaneously panicking that I’m not going to have enough space for all the things I want to wear. When I’m actually on the vacation, do I wear everything? Absolutely not! After a couple of weeks with my limited items, I get used to working with what I have (clothing wise, I never have enough lotion). When I get home I’m suddenly extremely overwhelmed by all the clothes I have! 

This is where you realize that less really can be more. 

step 3. keep: curate and organize what you love

Photo by pascal Stöckmann

Once you’ve narrowed down your keep pile, it’s time for the fun part. Create a closet that supports your goals, your vision, and your energy for the new year. 

A.) organize with intention

When you declutter your closet, you design your personal sanctuary. Every piece you keep should make you feel confident and comfortable. Here’s how to set it up for success:

• Group by category and color for a visually calm and functional layout

• Use uniform hangers to create a streamlined look (and save space)

• Display frequently worn items at eye level 

• Store off-season items in bins or higher shelves to reduce visual clutter

• But most importantly? Find a system that works for you that you can actually maintain!

B.) keep out the items you want to style

If one of your resolutions this year is to refine your style, keep a small selection of “styling challenge” items visible. Maybe it's that patterned blazer you love but never wear, or a dress that feels bold for your usual comfort zone. 

 

By keeping these items in sight, you’re reminded to play, experiment, and grow into your new wardrobe goals. 

C.) spatial wellness (aka make your space feel good)

Beyond organization and decluttering, focus on spatial wellness: the idea that your environment affects your mental and emotional health.

 

This is probably something we have all felt: the dread and anxiety of having an overly cluttered or disorganized space. It’s NOT enjoyable. 

But in addition to just organizing, use this as an opportunity to try new things and arrange your space in a way that feels more like you.

• Rearrange your furniture

• Create a small dressing area

• Put your favorite jewelry on display

• A purgatory for clothes that aren’t dirty but aren’t clean either

Create systems that you’ll actually stick with and enjoy using. 

At the end of the day YOU have to live in your space. It has to work for you and your life, so make it!

Doing all this work of creating a clean, open space for yourself can drastically improve your mental health. 

It becomes easier to think clearly and start the day intentionally. 

Allow yourself the room to be able to focus on what’s really important to you.

Who doesn’t want that for the new year?

step 4. maintain: six ways to keep the decluttered energy flowing all year

Photo by Sarah Brown

Decluttering isn’t a one time event, it’s an ongoing relationship with your environment. The goal is to maintain this serenity you have created for yourself.

Simple systems to stay clutter-free

1. the good ol’ hanger trick

Turn your hangers around to face the wrong way. When you wear an item, turn the hanger back the right way. From now on it will be easy to see after a certain amount of time which pieces you are actually wearing. 

If after a while, some hangers are still facing the wrong way, it may be time to let that item go. It sounds silly but it really can make a difference.

2. hide clothes from yourself

If you’re not quite ready to part with a particular item, but you know it's not something you use very often, store it in another bin or room for 30 days. If you forget about it, or you don’t miss it, then you know it’s time to let it go! It seems simple, but the best things in life often are. 

3. create a decluttering challenge

Make it fun and try a 30-day challenge! Think about things like:

• removing one item per day

• setting a goal to maintain a certain number of hangers

• styling pieces you love but never seem to wear 

If you can find a way to be mindful each day about combing through your things, it won't pile up and end up feeling as daunting as it otherwise would. 

4. schedule seasonal refreshes

Mark your calendar for quarterly mini-cleanouts. Use your original declutter list to quickly scan through spaces and prevent buildup. Each season can bring its own fresh start!

5. be a conscious shopper

Minimalism isn’t about owning less for the sake of it. It's about owning with purpose. 

If you’re like me, you may have realized a few patterns about your buying habits during this process. It’s helpful to use this time to be reflective: before buying something, ask yourself:

• Does this align with my goals and lifestyle?

• Do I already own something similar?

• Will this item bring me long-term value or just short-term satisfaction?

• And try to have at least 3 different ways you can wear it/style it before making that purchase.

6. create organizing systems that work for you

Before you go spend your life savings at the container store convinced that  you need to buy things to become organized, figure out your own system and stick to it. 

Sure, maybe you need one or two things to bring the tidy aesthetic to life. But chances are your space is perfect just as it is. It's about what you do with it, not what you can buy for it. 

 

By adopting this mindset, you’ll maintain the sense of lightness and clarity that your “new year declutter” created. 

A lot of us live in excess — it’s what society and culture tell us we have to do. 

But minds are shifting to the realization that nobody wants that. 

I don’t want that, you don’t want that, the planet certainly doesn’t want that. 

Less really is so much more. 

And doing more with less becomes so much easier when you stop to think about what your life needs and what you what it to look like, not what you see online. (it’s so much harder than it sounds!) 

new year decluttering as a path to new energy

Photo by Carrie Allen www.carrieallen.com

When you declutter your closet or simplify any part of your home, you’re not just organizing, you’re realigning your energy. You’re releasing the weight of the past year and creating space for who you want to become. 

This process is about more than just a tidy room. Prioritizing the aesthetic of your space and the value of each thing you own can help you focus on the things you really want to in this life. 

So light that candle, cue your favorite playlist, and get started. A new year (and a new you) begins right where you are!