These 10 Spots Take Less Than 10 Minutes to Declutter—Seriously!

Clutter rarely accumulates overnight. Instead, it builds gradually until every surface seems covered and you’re struggling to find or put away items. The good news is you don’t need to tackle it all at once. Spending just a few minutes decluttering can significantly improve the look of your space and its functionality. The key is to target high-traffic, high-impact areas where a quick reset can reduce daily frustrations, such as the kitchen island, the junk drawer, your bathroom vanity, or your desk.

This guide outlines 10 clutter hotspots that can benefit from quick cleanups. All you need to do is pick a space, set a 10-minute timer, and roll up your sleeves. It might also be helpful to grab a couple of bags or boxes for collecting trash, recycling, and donations as you work. Each of these micro-decluttering sessions includes specific tips to help your efforts stick. You may not have all day to work, but you can make a noticeable dent in just a few minutes.

1. The Entryway

Whether it’s a narrow hallway or a spacious mudroom, the entry is the last area you see before leaving for the day and the first that greets you upon arriving home. So getting your entryway in order is bound to have a positive effect on your day-to-day life.

Start by getting rid of obvious trash and recycling. Return jackets, bags, and shoes to their rightful place. Reorganize keys, wallets, sunglasses, dog leashes, and umbrellas. If any of these things don’t have a home yet, make a mental note to set up a system in the near future.

Going forward, have the whole family make a concerted effort to put items in their place when they walk in the door. Life is chaotic, and this area won’t look perfect at all times, but when you get into the swing of things, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to tidy up.

2. Kitchen Countertops

The kitchen is the heart of the home or where the clutter piles up the fastest, depending on how you look at it. Aim to tidy the countertops for at least a few minutes every day to keep them organized and ready for food prep and eating. 

Begin by removing anything that doesn’t belong, such as kids’ toys, handbags, or school projects. Next, bring all dirty dishes to the sink or dishwasher, return spice jars, food, kitchen tools, and small appliances to their places, and finish by wiping down surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner.

3. Junk Drawers

Junk drawers are known for holding a hodgepodge of things that you need at a moment’s notice. While they don’t need to look perfect, you should go through yours once in a while so you can find what you need when you need it.

When you’re ready to tackle your junk drawer, dump everything out onto a flat surface. It makes sense to use your newly decluttered kitchen countertops, but place a dish towel down first to keep them clean. Get rid of anything that’s clearly trash, such as broken rubber bands, wrappers, or dead batteries. Rehome anything that has fallen in by mistake, such as makeup that belongs in the bathroom or an art supply that should be in the playroom.

4. The Coffee Table

If the family gathers around the TV nightly, the coffee table likely collects remotes, drinkware, game controllers, books, and a slew of other items. It only takes a few minutes to clear everything from the table (especially if everyone pitches in). Rehome items that belong elsewhere, throw away any trash, bring dishes to the kitchen, and wipe down the table. 

Looking ahead, consider adding a low basket or a lidded box to store remotes, controllers, and chargers. Keep only a few magazines or a single stack of books on the table. You can use a tray to organize coasters and a candle, preventing them from taking up too much space and making the surface easier to clean. If board games are cluttering the console, move them to a nearby cabinet and display only one or two favorites.

5. Your Home Office Desk

A clear workspace helps our brains focus better, but busy days filled with conference calls and note-taking can create a mess before lunch. Take five minutes to tidy up around midday (especially if you ate at your desk) and another five minutes when 5 p.m. rolls around.

If you have a stack of loose papers, either file or toss them. If filing will take too long, sort documents into folders on your desktop with labels. Use a desktop organizer to corral your most-used pens and keep extra supplies in desk drawers.

6. Bathroom Vanities

Clutter can quickly accumulate on small surfaces like bathroom counters, particularly on busy days and nights. To make your getting-ready routines more efficient, dedicate 10 minutes each day to cleaning up the mess you leave behind. After using items, return them to their designated spaces, whether that is in the medicine cabinet, in vanity drawers, or under the sink.

If you find yourself short on space or time, add a sleek tray or a lazy Susan in a corner of the vanity. Use it to store daily essentials like toothpaste, face wash, and deodorant. This keeps them neat but readily accessible for when you’re running late or eager to get to bed.

7. Nightstands

Your nightstand should promote restful sleep, not add to your stress. If you don’t regularly go through the drawer, clutter can accumulate to the point where it’s difficult to open it. When you’re up to the challenge, empty all the contents of the drawer and start sorting. Discard items like expired medications, crumpled tissues, and old cords. 

Keep and rearrange only the things you truly need at bedtime: a book, a pair of glasses, a sleep mask, and the like. Use small dividers or drawer organizers to separate different categories so they’re easy to identify, even in the dark.

Don’t forget the top of the nightstand. If it tends to collect clutter throughout the week, clear it off every few days. Rehome items into the drawer or elsewhere, aiming to limit the surface to holding a lamp, a glass of water, and perhaps a piece or two of decor.

8. The Closet Floor

Even with a well-organized closet, it’s easy to forget it exists when you’re on your fifth outfit change. Clothing, shoes, and bags often end up on the floor until you’re ready to put them away. Challenge yourself to spend at least 10 minutes once a week (more often if it’s becoming a tripping hazard) doing a quick clean-up.

Use this time to also make decisions on pieces you’ve been on the fence about, adding them to the donation bag if they haven’t been worn in the last six months.

9. The Refrigerator

Many people don’t think about decluttering their refrigerator until they either smell spoiled leftovers or struggle to find space after a shopping trip. You can save yourself from clearing it out in a panic by scheduling a regular decluttering session each week. Depending on your schedule, you might find that doing it before you head out to the grocery store works best.

Begin by removing everything, inspecting expiration dates, and identifying any perishables that may have spoiled. Toss or compost as needed, wipe down the shelves, and reorganize what needs to go back. Don’t forget to repeat this process with the freezer from time to time as well.

10. Paper Piles

By now, you’ve probably embraced the paperless lifestyle as much as possible, as it truly goes a long way in reducing paper clutter. However, there’s always going to be some paper floating around, whether it is junk mail, receipts, or school memos. These things likely pile up in the same spot in your home, like the entryway console, kitchen island, or your desk. Wherever that area is, commit to decluttering the pile at least once a week. You’ll likely find that most of it can be shredded or recycled, so there’s no reason for it to linger any longer than necessary.

Staying on top of the paper piles in small doses keeps this task from becoming overwhelming over time. If it helps, consider keeping a small bin and a desktop shredder (or shredding scissors if you’re short on space) nearby.