Refreshing your home starts with rethinking your space. Clearing out clutter makes room for a fresh perspective while reimagining your furniture, appliances and electronics may help your home work for you. Together, these steps create a space that feels both inviting and functional. 

In this article, we’ll share a few suggestions you might find helpful as you think about your next steps to declutter your home. We’ll also share how lease-to-own with Acima Leasing may help simplify your shopping to create the space you dream of. 

Setting Goals and Planning 

Decluttering often starts with setting realistic goals and having a simple plan. Consider what you want to achieve, whether it’s minimizing your possessions, reorganizing your space, or rethinking your home’s layout. Setting goals can help guide your efforts and keep you on track. 

Once you have an idea of your goals, try creating a schedule or timeline to get started. Breaking tasks into smaller steps—like focusing on one room or category at a time—might make the process feel more manageable (1). A loose plan can help you make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. 

Categorizing Your Items 

Effectively decluttering involves sorting your belongings into four categories: keep, donate, sell and discard. This categorization helps in making quick, practical decisions about what to do with each item (2).  

Here are some tips to guide these decisions: 

• Keep: You should consider keeping items you use regularly, have sentimental value, or are essential for functional living.  

• Donate: Items that are in good condition but no longer needed or wanted can be donated. 

• Sell: Some items might have economic value that you can recoup by selling online or at garage sales. 

• Discard: You should consider discarding broken, worn-out, or otherwise unusable items. Recycling or proper disposal will help minimize environmental impact (2). 

Room-by-Room Decluttering Ideas 

Living Room:  

The living room is a focal point of daily activity and often accumulates various items. Start by reducing visual clutter; remove unnecessary decorations, old magazines and rarely used gadgets (3). Use storage ottomans or baskets to store items like remote controls and gaming accessories neatly. Consider using cable organizers and media storage units for entertainment areas to keep cords and devices tidy and out of sight.  

Kitchen:  

Kitchens can quickly become cluttered with gadgets, dishes and food items. Begin by decluttering countertops, leaving only the essentials that you use daily. Regularly clear out expired or rarely used items to keep your pantry and refrigerator organized and accessible (4). 

Bedrooms:  

Minimize excess furniture that doesn’t serve a specific purpose or contributes to clutter (5). Instead, consider multifunctional furniture, such as nightstands with drawers or beds with under-bed storage, to add functionality and extra storage space. 

Maintaining a Decluttered Home 

Once your home is decluttered and organized, the challenge becomes keeping it that way. Here are some tips to maintain order: 

• Regular Decluttering Sessions: Set aside time monthly or seasonally to go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell or discard (6). This can reduce the accumulation of unnecessary items. 

• One-In, One-Out Rule: Whenever you bring a new item into your home, make a habit of letting go of another (particularly for items like clothing, toys or books) (7). 

• Daily Tidying Routines: Incorporate quick, daily cleanup routines into your schedule. Consider setting a time and setting just a few minutes each day to return items to their designated places, which may prevent clutter from building up (8). 

• Mindful Shopping: Before bringing something new home, consider whether it’s necessary and where it will live within your home (9). This mindset helps avoid impulse shopping that can contribute to clutter. 

How to Shop with Acima Leasing 

If you’re looking for ways to shop for items that can help keep your space organized, we’re here to guide you as you explore lease-to-own. With Acima Leasing, you can find retailers offering home essentials like furniture, appliances, electronics, and more. 

Applying is simple and can be done in-store, online, or using our mobile app. The process only takes a few minutes, and here’s what you’ll need: 

• An active checking account with at least $750 in monthly income. 

• Three months of income history from your current job. 

• A government-issued photo ID and either a Social Security number or taxpayer identification number. 

If approved, Acima Leasing provides a lease approval amount of up to $5,000 in merchandise**. This allows you to shop for the items you need to keep your home in order—without using credit*. 

Ready to Transform Your Space? 

Decluttering your home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With thoughtful planning, regular tidying habits, and intentional shopping, you can work toward creating a home that supports your lifestyle and simplifies daily life. Even small steps may lead to meaningful changes and a more comfortable space. 

If you’re considering your next steps, Acima Leasing offers an easy way to shop for items that can help create a clean and organized home. From furniture to appliances, you’ll find options that suit your needs—all without using credit*. Apply today and see how small changes might make a big difference in your home. 

 

 

The content of this article is provided solely for general interest and should not be relied upon or construed as any form of advice, whether legal, financial, or otherwise. Receipt or use of this information does not create any sort of relationship between us.

 

 

Sources: 

1. Joyner, L. (2024, March 26). How to declutter your home in one weekend. Country Living. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/a43244247/decluttering-one-weekend/ 

2. Ermey, R. (2024, March 28). What to sell, donate, and trash, according to professional organizers. CNBC. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/28/what-to-sell-donate-and-trash-according-to-professional-organizers.html 

3. Phillips, L. (2022, July 25). How to declutter your living room. Real Simple. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/organizing-living-room/declutter-living-room 

4. Combiths, S. (2021, November 10). Sneaky ways to declutter your kitchen. The Kitchn. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.thekitchn.com/sneaky-ways-to-declutter-kitchen-23088977 

5. Bennett, J. (2024, September 30). Declutter your bedroom with these easy storage ideas. Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/declutter-your-bedroom/ 

6. Magnuson, S. (2024, May 9). The seasonal decluttering and decorating system you’ll wish you started years ago. Apartment Therapy. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/seasonal-decluttering-decorating-system-37397947 

7. Morrison, R. (2024, July 1). The “one in, one out” rule is the ultimate decluttering trick—here’s how to use it in your wardrobe. Apartment Therapy. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/one-in-one-out-rule-decluttering-wardrobe-37408676 

8. Smith, S. R. (2023, July 20). How to clean your house in 20 minutes a day for 30 days. The Kitchn. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-your-house-in-20-minutes-a-day-for-30-days-23553528 

9. Catmull, J. (2024, April 14). How to trick yourself from impulse buying. Forbes. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaimecatmull/2024/04/14/how-to-trick-yourself-from-impulse-buying/