Running out of space? Don’t rush into throwing things away just yet! Here’s what you should figure out first before you even start sorting.
The idea that small spaces are easier to declutter is a common misconception. In reality, it can be more challenging. With limited room, every corner has to be used efficiently, which can be tricky, especially when you’re sharing your space with other family members.
As I became a parent, keeping our small home tidy definitely became much harder than when it was just the two of us. It takes more planning and effort, but once I’ve established a few simple strategies that align with my family’s needs, it gets easier.
Decluttering looks different for every family
I currently live with my husband, our 3-year-old son, and our toy poodle in a 92sqm HDB flat in Singapore, which is quite typical for many people here. While we may all share the experience of living in similarly sized homes, everyone’s circumstances are unique.
You might be a parent to a newborn, beginning to realise just how overwhelming it can be to add another person to the mix. Or perhaps you’re living with older kids whose toys and belongings are starting to take over. Maybe you’re sharing your compact home with extended family, where everyone’s stuff seems to grow daily.
The truth is, decluttering isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing that works the same for everyone. However, there’s a common ground most of us can agree on that makes the process more manageable, and it all starts with how we look at decluttering.
Declutter intentionally
Do you think of decluttering as just cleaning and throwing things away once in a while? If you do, it can feel like a never-ending project, with things piling up again over time.
The goal of decluttering shouldn’t be about getting rid of things, but about making the space work better. Once you shift your mindset, you’ll be ready to tackle it with a clear focus.
The goal of decluttering shouldn’t be about getting rid of stuff, but about making the space work better.
So, what does that mean? It means that instead of seeing decluttering as just a task of clearing out stuff when it gets messy, you start viewing it as an opportunity to optimise the space you have.
It’s about making sure every corner is used wisely and every item serves a purpose to make your home functional for everyone living in it. When you focus on creating a space that works for your family’s lifestyle, the process becomes much more intentional, and even enjoyable.
Making space for what matters
What matters most may be different for each family, but once you figure out your needs, it gets rather straightforward. Essentially, you organise your home to fit your lifestyle and get rid of anything that’s preventing you from making the most of your space and routine.
Decluttering is more than just tidying up, it’s also about discovering who you are. What are your priorities? What aren’t?
Below is an example of how we’ve developed a decluttering strategy that fits our family’s lifestyle in our small home.
Background:
Since becoming parents, creating a family-friendly home has been a top priority for us. We turned part of the living room into a playroom and made our home office double as a study space that can grow with our child. This way, our little one can play and explore safely while we’re nearby, giving us space to hang out and spend more time together as a family.
When it comes to decor, my husband and I prefer a minimalist style and don’t stress over making our home look “picture-perfect.” We focus more on functionality and making it easy to clean, especially since we handle all the cleaning ourselves. For us, having a clean home with space for our toddler and dog to roam around safely is way more important than creating a perfect aesthetic.
Here are some decluttering strategies that work for us:
1. Neutral colours: We stick to neutral colours to keep things looking clean and cohesive. This allows the furniture and storage solutions (baskets, bins, drawers, etc.) to blend in seamlessly with the space without drawing too much attention. Neutral colours help make the room feel more spacious and less cluttered.
2. Zoning: We divide our home into specific areas, each with its own purpose. The office/study is for working or doing creative activities, the living area is for playing and family time, the bedroom is for sleeping and storing books and toys, etc. This keeps the space organised and clutter under control, as everything has its own “home” to return to by the end of the day.
3. No duplicates: In our shared spaces, we keep only one of each common household item. This means no redundant stationery, kitchen tools, or multiple versions of the same thing. Everyone is responsible for putting things back in their proper place, which helps us keep clutter at bay and ensures that everything is easy to find when needed.
4. Daily tidying routines: I set an alarm every evening at 7:30 p.m. to signal that the day is winding down. This gives everyone time for a quick tidy-up and to reset the space, along with our usual nighttime routine, so my child is in bed by 8:00 p.m. This simple habit makes it much easier to maintain a tidy home in the long run.
5. Function over aesthetics: We rarely have visitors, except during festive seasons or birthdays, and even then, it’s just a few close family and friends. So, we prioritise what works for our day-to-day life over what a home is “supposed” to have. We skip things like coffee tables, extra seating, or fancy decorations because we simply don’t find them necessary. Removing the nonessentials makes it much easier to keep our small space tidy.
What’s important to you?
As everyone’s living situation and preferences are different, ultimately, you’ll have to tailor any decluttering strategies to fit your needs. Take a moment to pause and reflect. Get to know yourself first and think about what’s truly important in your life.
Sometimes, you might find that a lot of the things you’ve been keeping no longer serve a purpose. I’ve learned to accept that it’s okay to grow and evolve. As time passes, you change, and so do your needs and priorities.
So, before you go through your things, ask yourself these questions first: Who am I? What kind of person am I aspiring to be? What kind of family am I building, and what values do I want to prioritise?
Who am I? What kind of person am I aspiring to be? What kind of family am I building? What values do I want to prioritise?
Once you have these questions sorted out, only then will the process of decluttering feel much easier and more meaningful.
If you’re struggling to identify your priorities, check out this simple guide to help you declutter with more purpose.
