Introduction

Clutter can build up quickly in any home, especially with busy work schedules, school activities, online shopping habits and daily responsibilities. A cluttered environment makes your home feel smaller, messier and more stressful. Australians, particularly those living in Sydney apartments or compact suburban homes, often struggle with limited space and fast moving lifestyles that make clutter control challenging. The good news is that keeping clutter under control does not require hours of effort. With simple habits and practical organisation strategies, you can maintain a cleaner, calmer and more functional living environment. In this blog, we explore the top tips for keeping clutter under control and how these habits support a more organised lifestyle.

1. Follow the One Minute Rule

If something takes less than one minute to complete, do it immediately.
This rule helps prevent unnecessary buildup of small tasks that eventually turn into bigger messes.

Examples include:
• Putting shoes back on the rack
• Placing dirty clothes into the basket
• Dropping mail into its designated tray
• Closing cupboard doors
• Returning cutlery to drawers
• Wiping small spills

This simple habit is one of the fastest ways to reduce clutter and keeps your home tidy throughout the day.

2. Use the One In One Out Method

This method is especially useful for families or individuals with limited storage space.
Every time you bring a new item into your home, remove one existing item.

This applies to:
• Clothing
• Toys
• Kitchen tools
• Personal items
• Books
• Skincare and beauty products

It prevents unnecessary buildup and helps you make mindful decisions about what truly belongs in your space.

3. Create a Home for Everything

Clutter often happens when items do not have a proper place.
Assigning a home for every item makes tidying easier and helps maintain order.

Try assigning spaces for:
• Keys in a bowl near the entry
• Kids toys in labelled boxes
• Mail in a tray
• Remote controls in a basket
• Shoes in a dedicated rack

When items have a home, they return to that space naturally and help maintain a clutter free environment.

4. Use Baskets and Storage Boxes

Storage baskets are one of the best tools for keeping clutter under control.
They help group similar items, reduce visual mess and make organisation simpler.

Useful areas for storage baskets include:
• Bathrooms
• Living rooms
• Pantries
• Kids rooms
• Linen cupboards
• Laundry areas

Choose baskets that match your home style to keep everything tidy and visually appealing.

5. Declutter in Small Bursts

Decluttering does not need to be a big task.
Work in small bursts so you do not feel overwhelmed.

Try:
• Five minutes per day
• One drawer per session
• One shelf each weekend
• One wardrobe section per week

Australian families with busy schedules find small bursts more manageable than full cleaning days.

6. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear

Flat surfaces like kitchen benches, dining tables, coffee tables and bathroom counters easily attract clutter.

Keeping them clear:
• Improves the appearance of your home
• Reduces visual stress
• Makes cleaning easier
• Supports daily organisation

Flat surfaces should hold only essential items to maintain an uncluttered look.

7. Sort Mail and Paperwork Immediately

Paper clutter is one of the biggest hidden issues in homes.
Bills, receipts, school notes and flyers pile up quickly.

Keep control by:
• Sorting mail once a day
• Recycling unwanted papers immediately
• Using a folder for important documents
• Digitising receipts when possible

This habit prevents piles of paperwork from taking over your table or kitchen bench.

8. Stop Storing Just in Case Items

One of the biggest causes of clutter is holding onto items that may be used someday.
In most cases, these items are forgotten and take up valuable space.

Ask yourself:
• Have I used this in the last year
• Does this item add value
• Would I buy it again
• Can someone else use it

Letting go of just in case items creates more breathing room and reduces storage stress.

9. Tidy As You Go

Tidy while you move through your daily routine.
This lightens your overall cleaning load.

For example:
• Clear counters while cooking
• Put things back while watching TV
• Pickup items while walking to another room
• Fold blankets before leaving the couch

These small actions add up and prevent large clutter buildup.

10. Have a Donation Box Ready

Keep a donation box or bag in your wardrobe or laundry.
Whenever you find something you no longer need, drop it in the box.

This helps you:
• Declutter naturally
• Reduce unnecessary items
• Support local charity shops
• Keep your home tidy over time

When the box is full, donate it and start another.

11. Limit Sentimental Clutter

Sentimental items can be difficult to part with but often take up a lot of space.

Ways to manage sentimental clutter include:
• Keeping only the most meaningful items
• Taking photos of items you want to remember
• Creating a small memory box
• Avoiding storing items you never use

Emotional clarity helps maintain cleaner living spaces.

12. Do a Weekly Clutter Sweep

A short weekly sweep helps keep everything in order.

Tasks may include:
• Collecting stray items
• Returning things to their place
• Clearing common areas
• Checking laundry piles
• Organising kids spaces

This habit takes less than fifteen minutes and keeps the home feeling calm and organised.

Conclusion

Keeping clutter under control creates a calmer, healthier and more functional living environment. Simple habits such as the one minute rule, decluttering small areas, using storage baskets and assigning a place for every item help maintain a tidy home without overwhelming your schedule. These strategies work well for modern Australian lifestyles and fit seamlessly into daily routines. With consistency and small steps, you can enjoy a clean, organised and stress free living space all year round.

For commercial buildings, hospitality venues, industrial facilities and educational spaces that require professional cleaning, KV Cleaning Sydney provides reliable and efficient services designed to support clean and productive workplaces.