The Ultimate Room-by-Room Decluttering Checklist Printable

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Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering your entire home? Not sure where to start? That’s where a comprehensive home decluttering checklist printable can really help. But not any old checklist, one that guides decision-making, breaks each room into manageable sections, and includes projected timelines for completion.

Tackling a whole home decluttering project can feel like a massive project, but a checklist simplifies the process. It provides a clear path to starting the project and helps you stay focused until it’s done.

You can also check off items as you go, which provides you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going. This makes the decluttering process more manageable and rewarding.

Whether you are an avid declutter or just beginning your decluttering journey, this is the only decluttering checklist you will need to help you purge those items cluttering your mind and your space.

Before You Start Decluttering

Decide the Order You Will Tackle Each Room

Decide on the order in which you want to tackle each room. You might choose to start with a smaller space, like the bathroom, then move on to a larger area such as the kitchen or bedroom. To maintain momentum, consider alternating between small and large projects (for example: bathroom>kitchen>hallway closet>bedroom).

However, if you prefer to get the big projects out of the way first, feel free to start with the larger rooms and work your way to the smaller ones. You may have more time on a Sunday to tackle a bigger space like the basement or kitchen. It’s best to schedule your decluttering projects based on how much time you have in your day available. And remember, it’s totally okay if you don’t finish a large room in one go. Just pick up where you left off another day.

On my free decluttering checklist printable, you can actually write the number order of how you’ll tackle each room. Furthermore, if you’re feeling overwhelmed about this decluttering job, check out my post on how to breakthrough the overwhelm and start decluttering.

Set Realistic Expectations & Timelines

Set realistic expectations and goals. Don’t expect to declutter your home in one day or one weekend. On your free decluttering checklist printable below, you can set projected timelines for each room in your home. For example, you may want to devote a whole Saturday to decluttering your kitchen, since it’s a larger project. Maybe after work on Monday you will declutter one of your bathrooms because that’s a smaller project. List the projected date of completion for each room in your house.

Gather Materials for Decluttering

Gather any decluttering materials needed for purging all your items. This may include garbage bags, boxes, post-its to label your containers, markers, etc. Get your decluttering system in place and know exactly where the items you’re keeping, donating, and discarding are going. On the checklist below, you’ll see a spot in the top corner of each room section where you can jot down the order you plan to tackle each space.

Making Decisions: Using your Decluttering Checklist Printable

As you go through the checklist, you will have to make decisions on whether to trash, recycle, donate, sell or keep each item. I like to include an optional “sell” category when decluttering, since I often end up with items worth listing on Facebook Marketplace. Using guidelines and rules for what to trash, donate, sell, and keep, makes it easier to let go of items and help you sort items into clear categories. Additionally, you will not get stuck overthinking every single item.

Decluttering rules:

Toss if It’s: broken, stained, expired, outdated, no longer your style, unused, or just doesn’t bring you joy.

Recycle if It’s: Items that you can put in the recycling bin such as plastic, paper, cardboard, and glass.

Donate if It’s: In good condition, not your vibe anymore, could be useful to someone else, or still has value but not worth selling.

Sell If It’s: Worth 40 dollars or more–because hey, why not make some cash while you’re at it?

Keep If It’s: You use it frequently, genuinely love or enjoy it, and it’s still in good condition and not expired

Room by Room Decluttering Checklist

For each room, I’ve organized decluttering items by category to make things easier for you. You’ll also find a complete checklist included in this post to give you a clear overview of what can be decluttered.

Before you begin, don’t forget to jot down the order in which you’ll tackle each room, along with your projected completion date.

Download your Free Decluttering PDF below!

Kitchen Decluttering

Decluttering your kitchen really involves going into your cabinets and drawers and going through everything. To make it easier, declutter your kitchen section by section.

Surfaces

• Counter Tops/Floors
• Front of the Fridge

Food & Drink

• Refrigerator
• Freezer Food
• Pantry Food
• Spices
• Oils
• Coffee/Tea
• Baking Ingredients

Tableware

• Dinner & Salad Plates
• Bowls
• Silverware
• Serving Utensils
• Drinkware
• Kid’s Tableware
• Tupperware

Cooking

• Cutting Boards
• Trivets
• Pots & Pans & Tops
• Colanders
• Cooking Utensils
• Dish Towels & Rags

Baking

• Oven Mits
• Baking Dishes/Pans
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring cups

Other

• Appliances
• Cleaning Products
• Sponges & dish brushes
• Paper, Plastic, & Foil Wrap
• Plastic & Shopping Bags
• Recipes & Cookbooks
• Junk Drawer
• Paperwork & Mail
• Supplements & Vitamins
• Medicine

Living Room/Family Room

SURFACES

• Top of Furniture
• Floors
• Walls

Electronics

• Old Gaming System
• Video Games
• DVDs & DVD Player
• Electronic Chargers & Plugs
• Other Electronics
• Old Remotes

Decor

• Table Top Decor
• Throw Blankets.
• Candles & Incense
• Pillows
• Plants
• Coasters

Toys

• Kids Toys
• Animal Toys

Storage

• Coffee Table Drawers
• End Table Drawers
• Couch Storage
• Entertainment Center
• Storage Bins

Dining Room

SURFACES

• Tops of Furniture
• Floors
• Walls

Furniture

• Bulky Furniture
• Broken Furniture
• Extra Chairs

Decor

• Tabletop Decor
• Candles
• Centerpieces
• Placemats
• Coasters
• Tablecloth & Runners

Serveware

• Serving Dishes
• Platters
• Cloth Napkins
• Napkin Rings
• Flatware
• Dinnerware
• Serving Utensils
• Trivets
• China/Expensive Pieces
• Drinkware

Storage

• Drawers & Cabinets
• Containers & Bins

Other

• Paperwork
• Kid’s Papers
• Writing Utensils
• Party Supplies

Entryway/Mudroom

Surfaces

• Top of Furniture
• Floors
• Walls

Outdoor Items

• Coats & Jackets
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Hats
• Shoes
• Umbrellas

Travel Bags

• Bookbags
• Purses
• Shopping Bags
• Work Bag
• Laptop Cases

Pets

• Leashes
• Pet Toys
• Pet Bowls
• Pet Bags

Other

• Car Keys & Other Keys
• Athletic Gear
• Paperwork
• Electronics
• Chargers & Plugs
• Outdoor & Indoor Kids Toys

Office

SURFACES

• On Top of Desk
• Other Furniture Surfaces
• Walls
• Floors
• Tabletop Decor

Office Supplies

• Notebooks & Notepads
• Post It’s & Sticky Tabs
• Staplers & Staples
• Tape & Adhesive
• Scissors
• Paper Clips & Binder Clips
• Writing Utensils
• Rubber Bands
• Hanging File Folders
• Folders & Binders
• Craft Supplies
• Other Office Supplies

Electronics

• Old computers
• Computer Speakers
• Keyboards
• Computer Mouse
• Chargers & Cords
• Printer Supplies

Files & Paper Items

• Filed Paperwork
• Receipts & Coupons
• Instruction Manuals
• Magazines & Newspapers
• Books
• Greeting Cards

Storage

• Office Drawers
• Cabinets
• Containers & Bins

Laundry Room

The laundry room is one of the smaller spaces in the home, which makes it a quicker and more manageable decluttering project. With fewer items to sort through, you can most likely have it done in just 15 to 30 minutes. Which is perfect for when you want to check a task off your list without spending hours.

Surfaces

• On Top of Furniture
• Walls
• Floors

Laundry Supplies

• Detergent
• Fabric Softener
• Bleach
• Stain Removers
• Dryer Balls & Dryer Sheets
• Lint
• Filters
• Iron
• Iron Board

Laundry

• Dirty Clothes
• Clean Clothes
• Bedding & Linens
• Throw Blankets
• Rags & Wipes

Storage

• Cabinets & Drawers
• Storage Bins
• Containers

Other

• Items From Pockets (Loose Change)
• Cleaning Supplies
• Light Bulbs

Bedrooms

Bedrooms can take time to declutter, especially since closets often overflow with clothes. If it’s been a while, tackling your closet might feel like a big project. I break down closet decluttering in a separate post to make it less overwhelming.

Clothing

• Tops
• Sweaters
• Blazers
• Jackets
• Suits
• Dresses
• Jeans & Pants
• Pajamas
• Workout Clothes
• Snow Jackets & Pants
• Undergarments
• Socks & Tights
• Sweatshirts & Sweatpants
• Shoes

Accessories

• Belts
• Jewelry
• Purses
• Makeup
• Hair Accessories
• Bags & Travel Bags

Bedding

• Current Bedding
• Extra Bedding
• Pillows

Decor

• Candles
• Frames & Art
• Throw Pillows & Blankets
• Other Decor

Paper Items

• Paperwork
• Books
• Magazines & Newspapers

Storage

• Nightstand Drawers
• Dresser Drawers
• Bins & Containers

Other

• Electronics
• Chargers

Bathroom

Surfaces

• Top of Vanity
• Walls
• Floors

Hair Products

• Brushes & Combs
• Hair Accessories
• Hair Products
• Hair Appliances
• Hair Accessories

Self-Care Items

• Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
• Floss
• Other Dental Care Items
• Razors
• Shaving Cream
• Hair trimmers
• Nail Clippers & Files
• Nail Polish & Manicure Set
• Glasses & Contact Solution
• Feminine Products

Skin Care

• Body Lotion
• Soaps
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Face Care
• Expired Makeup

Medical

• Band Aids
• Medications
• Other Medical Items

Linens & PapeR

• Bath Towels
• Beach Towels
• Wash Cloths
• Hand Towels
• Bedding
• Toilet Paper

Storage

• Vanity Storage
• Closet Storage
• Bins & Containers

OTHER

• Toiletry Bags
• Makeup Bags
• Kids Bath Toys
• Cleaning Supplies
• Robes

Kid’s Playroom

Surfaces

• Top of Furniture
• Floors
• Walls
• Large Play Toys
• Kid’s Tables
• Kid’s Chairs

Toys

• Toys with Missing Parts
• Toys that Are Broken
• Grew Out of the Toys
• Dress Up Items
• Board Games

Other

• Arts & Craft Supplies
• Outdoor Sports Items
• Outdoor Toys
• Video Games
• Gaming Accessories
• Electronics
• Chargers & Plugs

Basement/Attic

Outdoors

• Camping Equipment
• Lawn & Beach Chairs
• Beach Accessories
• Sports Equipment
• Outdoor Kid Gear and Toys

Decor

• Holiday Decor
• Home Decor
• Seasonal Decor
• Other Decor

Building Supplies

• Paint Supplies
• Paint & Paint Brushes
• Wood
• Tools
• Nails & Screws

Mementos

• Photo Albums
• Trophies
• Newspapers
• Awards & Certificates
• Scrapbooks
• Memorable Items

Items You Wear

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Purses & Bags

Storage

• Storage Bins & Boxes
• Furniture Storage

Other

• Supplies for Hobbies
• Old Furniture
• Electronics
• Luggage
• Books & Newspapers

Garage/Shed

Outdoor Items

• Sports Equipment
• Bikes
• Lawn Games
• Hoses
• Camping Supplies
• Coats and Outerwear
• Boots and Shoes
• Coolers

Lawn Care

• Lawnmowers
• Leaf Blower
• Other Lawn Care Tools
• Gardening Tools
• Potting Soil
• Planters

Car Care

• Car Cleaning Supplies
• Car Parts
• Car Accessories

Storage

• Bins & Boxes
• Storage Cabinets
• Tool Storage

Other Items

• Holiday Decor
• Mementos
• Cleaning Supplies
• Garbage & Recycling
• Building Materials

Your Free Decluttering Checklist Printable

Your free decluttering checklist printable is here! Time to dive into those projects you’ve been putting off.

After Decluttering Checklist Printable

After you declutter, your job is not done. You will have to do a few things to finish the job. Here is my after decluttering checklist to help you finish the job.

• Throw away trash immediately on the day you declutter. This helps you avoid second guessing your decisions and saves you from revisiting already trashed items.
• Place items in the recycling bin right away to keep your space clear.
• List any items you’re selling as soon as possible. If you don’t sell the item by a set date, throw the item out or donate the item.
• Donate Items Promptly: Bag up anything you’re donating and put it in your car or schedule a pickup.

Other Decluttering Resources

• The 90/90 Minimalism rule: a decluttering method that involves asking two questions about each item: Have I used it in the past 90 days? and Will I use it in the next 90 days? If the answer is no, you get rid of the item.
• The 1-3-5 method: is a productivity strategy that involves organizing tasks into three categories: one major task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks to complete each day
• KonMari Method: KonMari method involves decluttering by category and focusing on items that spark joy.

Conclusion

I hope this decluttering checklist helps you create the decluttered home you have always wanted. Using a checklist really helps you get the job done. If you would like to learn how to maintain a clutter-free home, check out my post on maintaining a clutter-free home.