Become a Minimalist with these 30-Day Baby Steps Decluttering Ideas

Being a minimalist is not easy, so to help you, here's a 30-Day Baby Steps Decluttering Ideas to get you accountable on your journey.

We’ve all been there— staring at the clutter of our homes, wondering when that chair was last used by a human and not by a pile of clothes for days.

Try as we might, sometimes the will to do "minimalism" isn't just there. We procrastinate a lot because we're not sure where to start.

So here's a 30-Day Baby Steps Decluttering Ideas for everyone. This is the ultimate plan to bring peace, order, and sanity back to your space through minimalism one day at a time.

Don’t worry, this isn’t about throwing away your beloved collection of coffee mugs or purging every drawer in one day. It’s about taking small, manageable steps to transform your home into the minimalist haven you've dreamed of.

Decluttering all at once is not the jam anymore, doing small steps towards minimalism is more sustainable and effective.

Why do people become a minimalist?

There are a lot of reasons why a person chooses to become a minimalist, it might be due to their upbringing or personal experiences. Regardless of the reasons, the common denominator is for people to simplify their lives, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters.

By owning fewer possessions, minimalists experience financial freedom, less mental clutter, and more time for meaningful activities like relationships and personal growth. Minimalism encourages intentional consumption, focusing on quality over quantity, and fosters a deeper sense of purpose and contentment.

It also promotes sustainability by reducing waste and breaking free from the pressures of consumer culture.

It is recorded that some advantages of minimalism include improved mental health, stronger relationships, increased productivity, and a greater sense of freedom. By living intentionally and decluttering their physical and mental spaces, minimalists find more fulfillment and joy in everyday life, leading to a more purposeful and environmentally conscious lifestyle.

30-Day Baby Steps Decluttering Ideas

Day 1: Clear Your Kitchen Counters

Start small! Take a 'before' photo of your Kitchen because we will start there, specifically the counters!

Your counters are the workhorses of your kitchen, so give them a little TLC. Remove everything that doesn’t need to be there. Yes, that includes your juicer from the 2010 health kick and that water bottle you no longer use but can't throw because it is still functional and you might be able to use them later on.

Throw those away! Clean the counter and bonus points if you wipe down the surfaces afterward—it’s amazing how sparkly it will look!

Day 2: Clean That Junk Drawer

Every home has that drawer—the black hole where random receipts, rubber bands, and lost keys go to die. Today, you’re going to face it. Empty it completely, toss the trash, and organize the rest. You’ll never believe how satisfying it is to have a junk drawer with no junk!

Almost everyone has a junk drawer in our rooms or home. Personally, I don't have a junk drawer anymore. I've decluttered many times before, and what's left of that junk drawer is now inside a junk canister on my desk table.

It is an old plastic cookie container that was gifted to me a few Christmas back, now there are receipts, chargers, cords, receipts, coins, and even table napkins from takeouts!

It is nice to have a junk drawer where you can stash little trinkets, but make sure to clean it regularly. You'll be shocked to see that loyalty card you've been looking for months or that

Day 3: Wardrobe Refresh—Donate 10 Items

Head to your closet and donate 10 items of clothing you haven’t worn in ages. Yes, including those signature jeans from 2012 you swear you’ll fit into again. If it hasn’t seen the light of day in over a year, it’s time to set it free.

Day 4: Simplify Your Bathroom Cabinet

Raise your hand if your bathroom cabinet is filled with half-used lotions, old razors, and expired medication. Now lower that hand and clear it all out. Toss anything that’s expired or unnecessary. You only need one moisturizer, not five.

Day 5: Declutter Your Entryway

Shoes, bags, random mail—your entryway is the first thing you see when you walk in. Declutter it by removing what doesn’t belong and organizing the rest. A clear entryway sets the tone for a peaceful home!

Day 6: Organize Your Digital Life

Yes, decluttering can be digital too. Delete those 5,000 unread emails, unsubscribe from newsletters that no longer serve you, and organize your desktop. You’ll feel like a tech genius afterward.

Day 7: Bookshelf Clean-Out

Books are great, but do you really need that dusty cookbook from 1999 or the self-help book you never finished? Sort through your collection and donate anything that no longer sparks joy. Keep only what you love or plan to read.

Pro Tip: Decluttering is the New Self-Care

People often think self-care is all about bubble baths and yoga, but clearing out the clutter can work wonders for your mental health. Studies show a clutter-free space reduces stress and boosts productivity. So, consider this 30-day challenge a self-care routine for your home (and your sanity).

Day 8: Declutter Your Nightstand

Do you really need a stack of six books, an old water bottle, and three hair ties on your nightstand? Probably not. Keep it simple—lamp, book, phone charger, done!

Day 9: Kitchen Cabinets Overhaul

We all have those cabinets where mismatched Tupperware goes to hide. Time to open them up and toss anything broken, stained, or missing a lid. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you can actually find the lid for your container.

Day 10: Paperwork Purge

We live in a digital age—there’s no need to keep paper bills from 2009. Go through your paperwork and shred anything that’s no longer needed. Organize the rest into neat folders or go digital if possible.

Day 11: Kids' Toys (AKA The War Zone)

If you have kids, you know the struggle. Sort through toys and donate or toss anything broken, outgrown, or unloved. Tip: involve the kids in the process—it teaches them valuable lessons about giving and organizing.

Day 12: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

How many pairs do you actually wear? Go through your shoe collection and donate the pairs you’ve been holding onto but haven’t worn in years. You only need so many shoes before it becomes a museum of lost soles.

Day 13: Organize Your Cleaning Supplies

You probably have enough cleaning products to scrub down an entire city. Keep only what you actually use and find a space where everything can be stored neatly.

Day 14: Tidy Up Your Fridge and Pantry

Expired mustard? Cans from 2018? Say goodbye to the forgotten corners of your fridge and pantry. Toss the expired stuff and organize the rest. It’s also a good time to plan a meal with what you already have!

Quick Win: Celebrate Small Victories

Every little step is a win! Don't be afraid to reward yourself after a solid decluttering session. Grab a coffee, take a walk, or just sit back and admire your freshly cleared space. You’re doing amazing, seriously!

Day 15: Declutter Your Makeup and Beauty Products

If you haven’t used that eyeshadow palette in two years, it’s time to say goodbye. Streamline your beauty routine by keeping only the products you love and use regularly.

Day 16: Magazine and Book Purge

If you’ve been holding onto stacks of old magazines or books that no longer inspire you, now’s the time to part ways. Donate them to your local library or recycle the ones no one needs.

Day 17: Declutter Your Wallet and Purse

Receipts, old loyalty cards, random gum wrappers—it all adds up. Clean out your purse or wallet and only keep what you actually need.

Day 18: Simplify Your Accessories

Go through your jewelry, scarves, and other accessories. Toss or donate anything that’s broken, out of style, or never worn.

Day 19: Minimize Your Kitchen Gadgets

Do you really need that avocado slicer? Declutter your kitchen gadgets and only keep the ones that make your life easier. A minimalist kitchen is a happy kitchen.

Day 20: Clear Out the Garage or Basement

Garages and basements tend to become storage zones for things we never use. Sort through the clutter and donate or toss anything that no longer serves you.

Day 21-30: Finishing Touches

Now that you’ve conquered most of the major areas, use the last 10 days to fine-tune and finish up anything you missed. Revisit areas that still feel a little cluttered and do a final sweep through your home.