12 Brilliant Decluttering Tips for Apartment Renters Who Hate Mess
Want to learn about easy decluttering tips for apartment renters?
Keeping an apartment clutter-free can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re juggling a busy schedule because life is #hard.
I know how overwhelming it can get. My first studio apartment was a decent size, but it seemed to fill up with clutter fast which was really annoying.
The good news? Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up; it’s a stress-reliever and a way to make your apartment feel more enjoyable.
In this post, you’ll find actionable and practical decluttering tips designed specifically for renters. These tips will help you create an organized, stress-free space you’ll love coming home to each day.
This post is all about the top decluttering tips for apartment renters.
Decluttering Tips for Apartment Renters
Start Small to Avoid Overwhelm
1. The 5-Minute Rule
Decluttering your apartment doesn’t need to take up a lot of your time. Dedicating just 5 minutes daily to tidying up one small area—like a shelf or your nightstand—can make a huge difference over time.
I totally get how overwhelming decluttering can feel. That’s why I like to break tasks into bite-sized pieces. It feels more manageable for me to accomplish.
Honestly, even spending just 1 minute on a quick tidy-up session can make a big difference.
Over time, these small efforts add up, leaving your space more organized and stress-free.
And, you’ll notice you don’t need to spend your weekends doing deep cleaning sessions for hours on end because your place stays pretty tidy throughout the week.
Action Item: Set a timer for 5 minutes and tackle one spot in your apartment today.
2. Declutter One Category at a Time
It can feel really tempting to dive in and try to do all of your decluttering at once—but that approach can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.
Instead, focus on decluttering one thing at a time. For example, gather all your clothes, books, makeup, or hair products in one spot and sort through them.
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This method makes the decluttering process more manageable and helps you make quicker, more focused decisions.
Action Item: Pick one category—like your clothes—and gather all related items into one place. Start sorting to keep what you need and donate or discard the rest.
Maximize Limited Space
3. Adopt the One-Item-In-One-Item-Out Rule
In a small apartment, it’s important to prevent things from piling up.
A great way to maintain a tidy space is by adopting the One-Item-In-One-Item-Out Rule: for every new item you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer use.
For example, if you buy a new dress, donate one that you haven’t used in years.
This simple habit keeps your space from feeling overcrowded and it helps you prioritize the items that truly matter to you.
Action Item: The next time you buy something, immediately donate an item you no longer need.
4. Use Space-Saving Storage Solutions
Smart storage solutions can be your best friend during the decluttering process.
Think under-bed storage bins for seasonal clothes, wall-mounted shelves, or collapsible bins that tuck away when not in use.
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These options help you make the most of every nook and cranny in your home, while staying easily organized.
My personal favorite is an under-bed storage bin because it can easily be tucked away–out of sight.
Action Item: Take a look around your apartment and identify an underused area. Add a space-saving storage solution there to maximize its potential.
Get Strategic with Decluttering
5. Declutter by Zones
When your apartment feels chaotic and disorganized, breaking it up into smaller zones can make the decluttering process feel less intimidating.
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First, divide your space into areas like the entryway, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room. Then, focus on one zone at a time.
For example, start with your entryway—clear out any shoes, bags, and mail that don’t belong there. Then think about storage solutions that can help you maintain a tidy space.
For my entryway, I like having a small shoe cabinet to keep my shoes organized.
By tackling one zone at a time, you’ll see noticeable progress quickly. And, it can feel really motivating to tackle each area one by one.
This method also helps you create clear boundaries for what belongs in each area, which makes it easier to maintain an organized home.
Action Item: Pick one zone in your apartment and clear out anything that doesn’t belong there today.
Adopt Daily and Weekly Habits to Stay Clutter-Free
6. The Designated Area Rule
A simple way to reduce mess is to give every important item a designated spot.
For example, I always place my keys on top of my storage cabinet in my living room. If they’re anywhere else—like my bedroom—I know they’re not where they should be.
When items don’t have a set location, they end up scattered everywhere. This can make your apartment feel really messy and disorganized.
Plus, it’s just easier to find things when you know where they’re supposed to be.
Just last week, my partner spent two hours searching for his car keys. After checking every possible spot, I finally found them under our living room side table.
That was a huge lesson for us—we had to start following the Designated Area Rule, especially for important things like keys!
Action Item: Pick a specific spot for an important item today and commit to always placing it there.
7. Declutter While You Clean
Instead of waiting for a big decluttering session, use your regular cleaning routine to get rid of things you no longer need.
For example, when you vacuum or dust, take a moment to scan the room for a few items that no longer serve a purpose.
Action Item: The next time you clean, find three to five items to donate or toss.
8. Set a “Clutter-Free Surface” Rule
Flat surfaces tend to attract everything. That’s why setting a Clutter-Free Surface Rule can help maintain order.
Pick one or two key surfaces in your apartment and commit to keeping them clear at all times. Maybe it’s your kitchen counter or your nightstand.
Action Item: Choose one surface today—like your coffee table—and clear it completely. Keep it clutter-free moving forward.
9. Choose a Cleaning/Declutter Day
Growing up, Saturday mornings meant two things in my house: deep cleaning and Usher playing in the background.
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My mom made cleaning a fun experience, and it’s a routine that I still follow today.
But, let’s be real—no one has the energy to deep clean their homes every single day. We’re humans, not robots.
That’s why I like to do small daily habits to keep my space in order but dedicate an hour or two on the weekend for a more thorough clean.
It gives me a chance to reset my apartment and start the new week feeling fresh.
Action Item: Pick a weekly cleaning day and set aside time to declutter and deep clean. Bonus points if you play some music to make it fun!
Stay Consistent and Motivated
10. Celebrate Small Wins
Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a habit that you need to keep up with. And like any habit, staying motivated is key.
Every time you declutter a space—no matter how small—take a moment to acknowledge your progress.
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Maybe you finally organized your closet or cleared out your junk drawer. That’s a win!
Reward yourself with something, like your favorite snack, a relaxing bath, or an episode of your favorite show.
These little incentives make decluttering feel less like a chore and more like an accomplishment. Which it is!
Action Item: Set a decluttering goal for this week and reward yourself when you complete it.
11. Take Before and After Pictures
Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the transformation of a freshly organized space.
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Taking before-and-after pictures can be an amazing way to track your progress and keep you motivated.
It’s a powerful reminder of how much effort you’ve put in, and it can help you stay committed to keeping things tidy long-term.
Action Item: The next time you declutter an area, take before-and-after pics. You’ll be amazed at the difference!
12. Make It Fun
Let’s be real—decluttering isn’t an exciting thing to do. But you can make it more enjoyable by adding in fun elements.
For example, you can listen to your favorite music playlist, catch up on a podcast, or even put on a show in the background while you clean.
Reesa Teesa’s playlist on Tik Tok was my go-to in early 2024 when I wanted to make my decluttering session more enjoyable.
Action Item: The next time you declutter, turn on your favorite playlist, podcast, or show to make it a more enjoyable experience.
Decluttering Tips for Apartment Renters FAQs
How to declutter an apartment quickly?
To declutter an apartment quickly, start by immediately tossing or donating anything you don’t use or need. The less you have, the easier it is to organize.
If you’re short on time, focus on high-clutter areas like countertops and closets.
In the long-term, it’s helpful to maintain a daily habit of decluttering for 5-10 minutes. That way, it prevents major messes—so when it’s time for a deep clean, it won’t feel so overwhelming.
What should I remove first when decluttering?
When decluttering, start by getting rid of anything that’s clearly junk—think expired food in the fridge.
Next, move on to things you haven’t used in years but are just taking up space—like clothes that no longer fit.
Focusing on these items first creates instant results and makes the rest of the decluttering process a lot smoother.
What is the best day to clean your apartment?
The best day to clean your apartment is whenever you have the most time and energy, which is usually on your days off from work.
Cleaning after a long day at work can be exhausting. Tackling a deep clean when you’re well-rested makes the process much easier.
Plus, cleaning on a free day gives you time to relax afterward—because no one wants to scrub floors and then immediately jump into another stressful task.
This post was all about decluttering tips for apartment renters.