How to Declutter Your Home in One Weekend

Clutter makes a home feel smaller and more stressful. Decluttering everything at once sounds exhausting, but with a clear plan, one weekend can make a huge difference.

Before you start

Get four boxes or bags and label them: Keep, Donate/Sell, Recycle and Bin. Put on some music, and set a timer for each area so you keep moving.

Saturday morning: the easy wins

• Entryway: old shoes, bags and coats you never wear
• Kitchen: duplicate utensils, chipped mugs, expired food
• Bathroom: empty bottles, expired medicines and cosmetics

Saturday afternoon: living areas

Clear surfaces first — coffee tables, shelves, sideboards. Gather loose papers into one pile to sort later, and return items that belong in other rooms.

Sunday morning: wardrobes

Take everything out. Keep what fits, what you love and what you've worn in the past year. Be honest about the "one day" items.

Sunday afternoon: papers and storage

• Shred old bills and statements you no longer need.
• Scan important documents and keep originals in one folder.
• Check the storage cupboard, garage or under the bed.

Finish strong

Don't let the donate pile sit around — drop it at a charity shop or list items for sale the same day.

To keep it clear, try the one-in, one-out rule: whenever something new comes in, something old goes.