This blog shares actionable tips and strategies, including the 12-12-12 Decluttering Rule, to help you efficiently declutter your apartment and prepare for a stress-free and organized New Year.
Decluttering before the New Year is a fantastic way to reset your space and prepare for a fresh start. I know it can feel overwhelming—wondering, Where do I even start with this mess? while staring at piles of holiday decor, unopened gifts, and that closet you’ve been avoiding all year.
But trust me, with a clear plan and a little patience, you’ll not only reclaim your space but also rediscover a sense of peace and control. Let’s break it down step by step, and by the end, you’ll feel ready to tackle your clutter like a pro.
Step 1: Visualize Your Ideal Space
Before jumping in, take a moment to think about how you want your apartment to look and feel. What do you want it to feel like? Is it calm and minimalist? Cozy and organized? Knowing your goal will make decisions easier.
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- Ask yourself:
- What currently frustrates you about your space?
- What’s your biggest pain point (e.g., cluttered countertops, overflowing closet)?
- Write it down:
Jot down specific changes you want to make, like “clear off my kitchen counter” or “create a cozy reading nook.” Having these goals in writing will keep you motivated when the going gets tough.
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💡 Personal Tip: When I visualized my ideal apartment, I made a collage of photos of minimalist living rooms on my phone as a reminder of what I was working toward.
Step 2: Try the 12-12-12 Decluttering Rule
If you’re feeling paralyzed by the clutter, the 12-12-12 Decluttering Rule is a fantastic way to get started. This method, introduced by Becoming Minimalist, breaks the process into manageable chunks.
- How it works:
- Find 12 items to throw away.
- Identify 12 items to donate.
- Put 12 items back in their proper places.
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I broke this into daily tasks, focusing on one room per day, so it never felt overwhelming. This method creates momentum. You’ll immediately see progress without feeling overwhelmed.
💡 Personal Tip: I used this rule in my working area (aka the work desk area) first. Tossing away ink pens that are not working properly/ used sticky notes lying around, donating unused notebooks (guilty notebook hoarder here!), and organizing essentials gave me an instant win!
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Pro Tip: Repeat the 12-12-12 challenge daily or weekly in different rooms to maintain consistency.
Step 3: Don’t Rush—Take It One Step at a Time
Decluttering an entire apartment can’t happen overnight – it is unrealistic and stressful… If you try to do it all in one day, you’ll likely burn out and give up. Instead, break the process into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Daily goals: Dedicate 30 minutes a day to decluttering one area.
- Weekly focus: I set aside 30 minutes each evening to declutter. Tackle one room or category (like clothes, kitchen items, or even kitchen drawers) per week. By the end of the week, I’d tackled all the major areas without feeling exhausted.
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💡 Personal Tip: I started with the easiest area to declutter—my nightstand. Clearing it off in just 10 minutes motivated me to keep going.
Step 4: Declutter Seasonal Items First
Holiday decorations and seasonal items often take up unnecessary space. Start by sorting through these since they’re easy to categorize.
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- What to do:
- Keep only items you love or that bring you joy.
- Discard or donate outdated or damaged items.
- Store wisely: Use clear bins or under-bed storage for seasonal items. Label clearly for easy identification. Vacuum-sealed bags are perfect for bulky clothing like winter coats.
💡 Check out my Storing Christmas Decor in Apartments for clever storage tips that maximize your space.
Pro Tip: As you pack away decorations, label each bin with its contents and consider creating an inventory list for next year.
Step 5: Tackle High-Impact Zones First
This is one of my favorite decluttering tips! Certain areas of your apartment will make the biggest visual difference when decluttered. I usually start with my living room since it’s the most visible space. The immediate improvement was incredibly motivating.
Focus on these spaces to keep up your momentum and feel instantly rewarded.
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Kitchen
A cluttered kitchen can make cooking and hosting stressful.
- Sort your pantry: Discard expired items and organize by category (e.g., spices, snacks).
- Clear countertops: Store appliances you rarely use and keep only essentials within reach.
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💡 Personal Tip: I added stackable baskets to my pantry, which doubled my storage space!
Closet
Your closet might be hiding clothes you haven’t worn in years.
- Use the one-year rule: If you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months, it’s time to donate.
- Organize by season: Store out-of-season clothes in bins or under-bed storage.
Step 6: Create a “Holiday Reset Box”
Sometimes, it’s hard to part with sentimental items. That’s where a “Holiday Reset Box” comes in.
- How to use it:
- Place items you’re unsure about in the box.
- Revisit the box after three months. If you haven’t used or missed the items, let them go.
This method gives you a buffer for making tough decisions without adding guilt.
💡 Personal Tip: My reset box freed up closet space while giving me peace of mind about parting with sentimental decor.
Step 7: Maintain with Easy Habits
Once your apartment is decluttered, the goal is to keep it that way. This requires building simple, sustainable habits.
- Adopt the “one in, one out” rule:
Every time you bring something new into your home, donate or discard one old item. - Schedule monthly check-ins:
Dedicate 30 minutes each month to tidy up your bigger spaces like living area and kitchen. The bigger visual impact will instantly motivate you to clean up other problematic areas in your apartment. - Use a donation bin:
Keep a box in a closet or by the door where you can toss items you no longer need. When it’s full, drop it off at a local charity.
💡 Personal Tip: I set a recurring calendar reminder for my monthly decluttering session. It’s quick, easy, and keeps me on track.
Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about creating a space that reflects your ideal lifestyle. A clutter-free home can reduce stress, increase productivity, and set the tone for a positive year ahead.
After reading the above simple tips that you can easily adopt at your small apartment, I am sure you don’t feel so overwhelmed anymore. With these tips, some strategic planning and realistic pacing, you can transform your space and start the New Year fresh!
Need more tips to keep your small space organized? Explore our holiday decor storage hacks and make start the new year on a fresh note!
This blog shares 7 actionable tips and strategies to help you efficiently declutter your apartment and prepare for a stress-free and organized New Year.
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