Elena Grigorovich/
You may not believe it, but a mere 20 minutes can dramatically alter your decluttering efforts, according to Hillary Forst, a professional organizer and the founder of Sorted & Styled. Forst emphasizes that the impact of a brief decluttering session should not be undervalued.
“Rarely do we have an entire weekend to dedicate to organizing, often we’re left with just 20 minutes between school runs, grocery shopping, or heading to the gym,” Forst remarks. “Yet, when life seems overwhelming, those 20 minutes of decluttering can make a significant difference.”
Keep in mind, 20 minutes today, 20 minutes tomorrow, and 20 minutes a few days hence can accumulate to a substantial hour of decluttering. So, set your timer, dive in, and remember that even if it takes a week or two to organize your entire home, tackling it in 20-minute increments can have a substantial impact. Need some guidance? Here are a few suggestions.
Hillary Forst, Professional Organizer and Owner of Sorted & Styled
Laurie Hise, Creator of Passionate Penny Pincher
Angelia York, Vice President at Saint Louis Closet Co.
Forst suggests beginning with the most cluttered area of your home. “Some individuals are driven to distraction by a cluttered countertop, while others can overlook that but can’t stand a chaotic closet,” she explains. “That’s why targeting the area that bothers you the most is the most effective starting point.”
The results are immediate, and you’ll feel an instant sense of relief. Moreover, it fosters momentum. “This feeling of progress can inspire you to continue tomorrow,” Forst notes. “Conversely, organizing a space that doesn’t bother you won’t provide the same satisfaction or motivation to keep going.”
If you have limited time, focusing on surfaces is an excellent approach to declutter. “A clean countertop or nightstand can instantly transform how a room feels and functions,” Forst advises.
You can tackle any area of your home, from the most to the least chaotic, if you act swiftly. You might even manage to declutter all the surfaces in your home in just one or two sessions.
One frequently overlooked area is the interior of your refrigerator. It’s tucked away, so the expiration date of that old bottle of dressing isn’t always top of mind daily.
However, if your fridge is cluttered, it can impact your budget and lead to waste, according to Laurie Hise of Passionate Penny Pincher. She elaborates, “Food can spoil, mismatched storage containers can be scattered everywhere, unused gadgets take up space, and you may not even know what’s inside those fridge drawers.”
Yet, you don’t need to overcomplicate the process—Hise simply suggests discarding expired condiments and old leftovers, and making a shopping list to help plan your next grocery trip.
According to Angelia York, Vice President at Saint Louis Closet Co., it’s best to start with high-traffic areas like your entryway, mudroom, and drop zones. “These areas accumulate shoes, bags, and everyday clutter, which can make your home feel disorganized,” York says.
To maintain a clutter-free space, York recommends customizing these areas to suit your needs. “A mudroom system, cubbies, hooks, and benches can help keep items off the floor and restore order,” she points out.
Your closet is a daily task, and organizing it can be highly beneficial. It might take more than one 20-minute session, but begin by clearing the floor of dry-cleaning bags and wire hangers, washing clothes that have been on the floor for a while, and discarding shoes that are beyond repair. Then, move on to your clothing and upper storage shelves.
