50 Items to Purge Now: A Decluttering Checklist for the New Year

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset – not just your schedule and goals, but your home as well. Yet for many of us juggling demanding careers, children, and family responsibilities, the idea of a full-scale decluttering project can feel overwhelming.

Decluttering your entire home can take hours of sorting and decision-making, but there are small, manageable steps that can be done quickly and easily. One of the simplest ways to begin is by removing items you can part with right away, with no overthinking required.

Below is a decluttering checklist that focuses on 50 items you can purge right now. These are everyday items that quietly create clutter and stress yet provide little value. Letting them go creates instant breathing room – physically and mentally.

Think of this as your new year decluttering reset: practical, achievable, and designed for real life.

Entryway & Drop Zones

Your entryway sets the tone for your home. Clearing even a few items here can make your space immediately feel more calm and welcoming.

1. Worn-out or uncomfortable shoes
2. Broken or unused umbrellas
3. Junk mail and flyers, old takeout menus, and expired coupons
4. Receipts you no longer need
5. Jackets, scarves and gloves that haven’t been worn in years

Living Room & Shared Family Spaces

These areas often collect clutter simply because everyone passes through them. By scaling back the clutter you can make a more functional and inviting place to spend time with friends and family.

1. Remote controls for electronics you no longer own
2. Throw pillows you don’t actually like or use
3. Outdated magazines or catalogues
4. Decorative items that no longer reflect your style
5. Cords, cables, and chargers with no clear purpose

Kitchen Decluttering Quick Wins

A cluttered kitchen adds unnecessary stress to already busy mornings and evenings. Removing the bloat will save you time when preparing for the day and restocking when needed.

1. Expired pantry items and spices
2. Duplicate and broken kitchen tools (multiple spatulas, peelers, etc.)
3. Plastic food containers without matching lids
4. Chipped mugs, cracked plates, or worn bakeware
5. Small appliances you never use

Bathroom & Linen Closets

These spaces tend to hide clutter behind closed doors – out of sight, out of mind.

1. Expired makeup and skincare products
2. Toiletries you’ve tried and don’t like
3. Old or fraying towels and washcloths
4. Hotel toiletries you’ve been saving “just in case”
5. Empty or nearly empty product bottles

Closet, Clothing & Handbags

If getting dressed feels frustrating, clutter is often the culprit.

1. Clothes that no longer fit your body or current lifestyle
2. Uncomfortable bras or shapewear
3. Clothing that is torn or requires repairs you’ve been meaning to address for years.
4. Clothes that you will fit into “someday”
5. Accessories and purses you haven’t used in years

Home Office & Paper Clutter

Paper clutter is one of the biggest mental stressors for busy professionals.

1. Old instruction manuals (most are available online)
2. Outdated paperwork you no longer need to keep
3. Pens, markers, and highlighters that don’t work
4. Old planners, notebooks, or journals you won’t revisit
5. Free promotional notepads and office swag

Children Spaces & Family Storage Areas

Decluttering shared spaces benefits everyone in the household.

1. Broken toys, games, or electronics
2. School papers that no longer serve a purpose
3. Clothes your children have outgrown
4. Unused sports equipment from past activities
5. Old backpacks, lunch bags, or gym bags

Laundry Room, Utility & Storage Areas

These areas often become clutter catch-alls without regular resets.

1. Empty detergent and cleaning bottles
2. Single socks without a match
3. Tools that were impulse purchases, have only been used once and no longer serve a purpose
4. Old rags or cloths past their time
5. Items that are not practical and are causing more stress than being useful

Sentimental Items & Miscellaneous Clutter

You don’t need to keep everything to honour memories.

1. Greeting cards without personal meaning
2. Freebies from events or conferences
3. Outdated or unused electronics
4. Decor tied to past seasons of life
5. Old wallets or worn purses

The Final 5: Fast, No-Thought Purges

These are true low-effort decluttering wins.

1. Expired batteries
2. Gifts received that have never been used
3. Old, flat pillows
4. Old or Expired medications
5. Anything you forgot you owned

Why Decluttering at the Start of the Year Matters

With full schedules and limited time, decluttering is less about perfection and more about relief. Removing even a small amount of physical clutter can:

• Reduce daily stress
• Improve focus and productivity
• Make your home easier to maintain
• Free up mental energy for what truly matters

This new year, give yourself permission to let go of what no longer supports your life as it is today – not as it once was or might be someday.

Start with these 50 items. Small steps create lasting change.