Clear priorities are the key to creating a home that works for you. Here’s how to figure out what needs to come first (with realistic examples).
When you live with limited space, knowing your priorities helps make organising and decluttering more purposeful and straightforward.
But how do you define what matters most at home? How do you actually set priorities so you can make more intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go?
The “perfect” home
I used to go back and forth with decluttering and the mess kept coming returning because I didn’t know what my idea of a perfect home was. Without that vision, it’s impossible to make lasting changes.
Trendy items also made it harder. I would follow trends instead of creating a cosy home that truly felt right for me. But once I figured out what kind of home I wanted, it became easier to decide what to keep and let go of.
While each person’s version of a perfect home may differ, I think we can all agree that an ideal home should have at least these three qualities:
- It supports our daily lives.
- It brings us comfort.
- It reflects our values.
These qualities serve as the foundation of the perfect dream home that we should all strive for. No amount of expensive furniture or fancy decorations can make up for a space that holds you back from living the way you want.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these qualities to understand how they can guide your decluttering process:
1. It supports our daily lives.
Your home has to work with your lifestyle, not against it. It should be a tool for your needs that makes your day-to-day life go smoother. Think about how you use your space: What helps with your routine? What’s just taking up space, both physically and mentally? Find out what works for you to make your space function better.
2. It brings us comfort.
Comfort is about creating a peaceful environment where you can feel relaxed and at ease. It’s not about filling your home with extra cushions or trendy furniture, but a clean, healthy space that you can easily maintain. Your home, even if it’s small, should support that. If certain items make you feel stressed or clutter your mind (or space), it might be time to rethink their value in your home.
3. It reflects our values.
From the way you decorate to the things you keep, your home should tell your story, not someone else’s. It should feel authentic and meaningful to you. This personal connection will help you feel more grounded in your space. Instead of following fleeting trends, choose what truly resonates with you.
When you focus on creating a home that works for you (whether it’s through functionality, comfort, or emotional well-being), only then you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what you truly need in your home.
How to set your priorities when decluttering
Now that you know the three things to aim for in your home, here are the next steps to determine what’s essential in your small space and help you make more intentional choices:
Start by asking yourself
Take a moment to think about your habit. What items do you reach for regularly? What do you actually love and use? What makes you feel good? Are there things that make your daily tasks simpler or more enjoyable?
These are the things that should take priority in your space. If an item doesn’t play a role in your routine, it might not be worth keeping.
Evaluate how items serve your home’s function
Think about how each item fits into your life. Does the 12-piece dinnerware set truly fit your lifestyle, or are a few plates and bowls more than enough? If you don’t host large dinner parties regularly and prefer a simple, functional approach to dining, keeping a huge set might not make sense.
When you assess items based on their function, you’ll choose what truly supports your lifestyle.
Consider emotional value
Take note of what you genuinely love and feel connected to. That said, not everything in your home needs to be highly functional—some items bring you comfort, whether it’s physical or psychological.
Emotional connection can transform an item from just another object into something that enriches your living space. But even in this case, ask yourself if they’re truly adding to the space in a meaningful way, or if they’re just sitting there forgotten.
Stay true to your style
It’s tempting to think your home needs to follow certain decor fads to look good. While exploring new design ideas can be fun, at the end of the day, what matters most is how your space serves you.
Choose what feels meaningful and functional for you first, rather than chasing trends. A home that reflects your true needs and values will always be in style.
Sorting what stays and what goes (real-life examples)
Here are some realistic decluttering examples to help illustrate how to make intentional decisions in your small home:
Living area
- If your living room is filled with decorative pieces that gather dust faster than your motivation to clean, it’s time to reconsider their place. Aim for a space that’s comfortable, not just for looks.
- If you don’t host guests often, you may not need a large, bulky dining table or extra seating that takes up valuable space. Choose smaller, multifunctional pieces that serve your daily needs without crowding the room.
Kitchen
- If you wash dishes after each meal, there’s no need for excessive pots and pans or redundant utensils. Stick to the essentials that make meal prep efficient.
- If you rarely bake, those specialty baking pans or gadgets probably aren’t necessary. Keep the items you actually use, like a basic set of pots and pans for regular cooking.
- If you have limited storage space, avoid stocking up on large quantities of items that can’t be stored efficiently. Buy only what you can realistically store and use within a certain period.
Clothes
- If you don’t wear formal attire often, there’s no need to keep a large collection of dress shoes, suits, or blazers. Opt for versatile pieces that work for various occasions.
- If you prefer comfort over fashion trends, consider letting go of items you never wear, like high heels or restrictive clothing, and focus on pieces that truly fit your everyday style.
- If your wardrobe has a mix of sizes from different stages of life, focus on keeping what fits well and makes you feel confident right now.
Toys and hobbies
- If your kids are older, those piles of baby clothes, books, or toys they’ve outgrown can be donated. Doing so helps free up storage space and keeps it functional.
- If you don’t do DIY projects often, those extra tools taking up space in the drawers may not be necessary. Keep only the items you actually use.
- If you’ve accumulated sentimental items like old letters, keepsakes, or memorabilia that no longer bring you joy, allow yourself to let go of them without guilt. Consider digitising them to preserve the memories without taking up physical space.
Your ideal lifestyle
If you’re not happy with certain aspects of your daily life, visualising a better version of it can guide your decluttering choices. For example:
- If you feel like you’re constantly doing chores and want to spend less time cleaning, strive for a home with fewer high-maintenance items that make daily upkeep harder. This could mean cutting back on decorative pieces that collect dust or clothes that need special care.
- If you want to lead a healthier life, design your home in a way that promotes better habits and reduces unhealthy temptations. This could mean clearing out processed foods from your pantry or letting go of gadgets that distract you from being active.
Purposeful decluttering is more than just about reducing stuff.
It’s about understanding yourself, your habits, and what truly adds value to your life. When you take control of that, decluttering stops being a never-ending task and becomes a way to create a home that supports and reflects who you are.
