Do your friends and family always show up to your home unannounced or maybe as they head your way? This basically gives you no time to clean or tidy up your home, right?? Well, no worries, friend! I have some tips to share with you that will help you declutter your home FAST!
No piling things up on your bed or shoving in closets to deal with it later! I mean, declutter your home and feel good about your family/friend seeing every bit of it!
Are you with me?!
The benefits of decluttering your home fast & in general
Before we get into how to declutter your home fast, let’s discuss the benefits of it so that you understand why this is helpful and necessary to implement in your home.
1 // You don’t have to worry about unexpected guests
Have family or friends who like to show up unannounced? If so, knowing how to declutter your home fast will help you not worry so much about them randomly showing up at your home.
Your home is mostly tidy, so grabbing a few things here and there will be a breeze compared to a full tidy-up of your home.
2 // Less to clean
When you have a decluttered home, there is less to clean, which means cleaning not only takes less time but actually creates more time to do what is important to you!
While your focus for decluttering your home fast is due to unexpected guests, you also get to enjoy the benefits after they leave!
Check out these posts about having a clean and tidy home:
3 // Less to organize
When you declutter everything that you honestly don’t need, there is less to organize.
Everything you decide to keep will have a designated home, which also means that tidying your home goes much faster.
One mistake I see many people making is trying to organize before decluttering, and that order keeps you repeating the reorganizing cycle.
Instead, declutter first, then organize what remains. You’ll find that it is much easier to find homes for everything, and staying organized isn’t an issue.
Related Posts:
- 15 Benefits of Minimalism: Own Less, Live More
- Benefits of Decluttering Your Home and Living Minimally
How to declutter your home FAST!
Now that you know a few of the benefits of decluttering your home, let’s go through the action steps of decluttering your home fast!
It’s time to stop worrying about unexpected guests and take action towards a tidy home.
1 // Grab a basket for specific things
The first thing you need to do is grab a basket and collect everything that is out of place. Go through the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom.
As you collect things, be mindful that if something in your basket belongs in one of these spaces, put it in its proper place.
Once you are done collecting all the things that are out of place, sit the basket to the side – we will come back to it!
Related Post: The Key to Clearing Clutter Fast!
2 // Make piles
Have mail or paperwork spread all over your table? Pile it all up in one neat stack. You could even sit it in a basket to make it look like decor.
While it will not be put away, it will make your space look tidier than leaving it sprawled out all over the table.
Related Post: How to Organize Paperwork in Your Home the Easy Way
3 // Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher
Have dirty dishes in the sink or all over your house? Put away the clean dishes and load the dishwasher with the dirty dishes. Instantly, you look more organized!
4 // Put on a load of laundry
No one likes to see piles of laundry in a bathroom. By quickly organizing the dirty laundry, put on the first load that you have a big enough pile to start.
By removing just one load of laundry from your dirty clothes pile, your home looks tidier.
5 // Make your bed
Making your bed adds peace to your home, no matter how dirty the rest of your space is. By making it, you will feel accomplished and not ashamed for people to see your bedroom.
6 // Close closet doors
Whether it is your coat closet, linen closet, or clothes closet, close the doors! Closet doors are typically thought of as tidier when closed because you no longer see what is being stored.
For your guests, it is out of sight, out of mind. Only you know the true contents behind it.
7 // Fold up blankets and put them away
If you are a blanket lover, such as myself, it is best to fold them up and tuck them away. Leaving one out on the sofa is acceptable, but make sure it is put there in a tidy fashion.
8 // Wipe down your countertops
Now that you have grabbed all the clutter from the countertops, loaded the dishwasher, and tidied everything else in your home, quickly wipe down your countertops.
Clean countertops and a fresh clean smell bring your quickly decluttered home full circle!
Related Post: How to Cut Cleaning Time in Half & Make Time for the Things You Enjoy
9 // Grab your quick grab basket
Do not forget about the quick grab basket! If you have time to put things away, do so until your guests knock at the door. You will be thankful once they leave that you have a tidy home!
If they knock at your door before you get this finished, no worries! Just put it in your laundry room with the rest of your matching baskets, and finish putting everything away once your company leaves.
Take action towards declutter your home
If you’re tired of having clutter in your home, it is time to do something about it! Get access to my FREE Resource Library to help you clear the clutter once and for all!
My Resource Library contains checklists, printables, workbooks, and more to help you get decluttered and live intentionally.
Get access to the Resource Library now!
Final thoughts about decluttering your home fast
Now that you know how to declutter your home fast, you are prepared for unexpected guests! Everyone will assume you always keep a tidy home and brag about it to others.
Being thought of as tidy and organized will keep you inspired to keep your home tidy, even if no one shows up unexpectedly.
This is the very method I use when we have unexpected guests, so this method is beyond tried and true! I have used this method in multiple houses, even before I became a minimalist!
Just make sure you have everyone in your home on board with getting it done, although you may find yourself actually cleaning your home thoroughly while waiting for your guests to arrive! 😉
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I really love these ideas. I feel like I have practical solutions now for the future. Because I always get caught off guard.
I am so glad, Jac! I hope it helps you a lot moving into the future!
I love this! Great advice and I like the idea of thinking about how to tackle it in advance. It’s a lot harder to think of what to do while you’re running around! I agree that the basket idea is an excellent share, thanks for that!
The basket changed my entire approach to a fast declutter, so I am glad you found that tip useful, Kim! & yes, thinking about a game plan before hand helps a lot, too.
Love all these tips. What a great idea to have a quick grab basket.
Thank you, Cara! That is something I have done for many years that I realized many people have not thought of. It definitely changes the decluttering game when you need to clean up quick!
Great tips, I wish I had a dishwasher just for this reason
Thank you, Kizzy! We didn’t for a good bit, but we found out later that it was non-negotiable.
Make room under your sink for a rubber dish pan to hold dirty dishes, if you do not get them done in time. I try to wash them immediately and as I cook.
That is a good idea for anyone who does not have a dishwasher. Thank you for sharing that Linda!