These simple, practical decluttering tips worked in helping my dad declutter and they can work in yours, too.
In our family, everyone knows my dad holds onto plenty of things. Not just important things — everything. Old newspapers stacked with care, just in case yesterday’s headlines turn out to be tomorrow’s gold. Empty containers scrubbed clean and tucked away, saved for a future need that hasn’t announced itself yet. Electronics that stopped working years ago but locked away in a safe place with hopes that someone would fix them.
Our house never felt messy, but it always felt overwhelmingly full. Cupboards stayed tightly packed. Store rooms spilt over with things we couldn’t quite let go of. Even outside, you would find items placed carefully, waiting for a future that never came.
Anytime the topic of throwing things away came up, it turned into a long explanation of why each item deserved to stay. And honestly, this is very common in Nigerian homes. We grow up learning not to waste, to manage what we have, and to prepare for tomorrow’s needs.
But over time, I noticed something. The more things we kept, the more stressful living in the house became. Cleaning took longer. Finding things became tougher, and there was always the feeling of being surrounded by too many items.
So we decided to try practical decluttering, and slowly, it worked. These tips helped my dad declutter, and they can help you too.
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To declutter, start small, not the entire house
One big mistake people make when trying to declutter is starting with the entire house. That can feel overwhelming and make you give up quickly. With my dad, we started small. One drawer, one shelf, one corner at a time.
Decluttering works best when you take it step by step. Clearing one space gives you motivation to move to the next.
Tip: Start with an area you see every day, like a bedside table or kitchen shelf.
Separate “useful someday” from “useful now”
In many Nigerian homes, we keep things because “it might be useful one day,” and my dad believed strongly in this.
To help him declutter, we asked one simple question. “Have you used this in the last year?” If the answer was no, it went into a “maybe” box. After three months, if he never asked for it, we knew it was safe to let go. Decluttering is not about being wasteful. It is about being realistic.
Keep what is sentimental, not everything
This part was crucial. Some items truly carry memories — family photos, old awards, letters, cultural items, and meaningful gifts.
Decluttering does not mean throwing away your memories or your history. Instead, we created a memory box. Only items that were truly sentimental and memorable went inside. This made it easier to declutter the rest without feeling guilty.
You are allowed to keep things that matter — just not everything.
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Use the one-in, one-out rule to declutter
This rule helped us stay decluttered. For every new item that came into the house, one old item had to go out. New clothes meant donating old ones. New kitchen items meant removing something unused or broken.
This simple habit prevents clutter from building up again after decluttering.
Donate, don’t just throw away
It was easier for my dad to declutter when he knew the items would help someone else. Old clothes went to church donations. Extra utensils were given to neighbours, and old books found new homes with younger students at school.
Decluttering feels better when it becomes an act of giving, not just discarding.
Set declutter days, not declutter moods
Waiting until you “feel like it” rarely works. We picked one Saturday each month as declutter day. No pressure, no rushing, just steady progress. In busy homes, consistency is more effective than motivation.
Talk about the benefits, not the mess
Instead of focusing on how full the house was, we talked about how good it felt after decluttering. More space, easier cleaning and less stress.
Once my dad saw the benefits, he became more willing to declutter on his own.
If my dad, the biggest hoarder I know, can declutter, anyone can. Decluttering is not about perfection. It is about creating a home that supports your life, your memories, and your peace of mind. Start small and be patient. Keep what matters and let go of what no longer serves you. Your home and your mind will be grateful.
Read more: How to declutter, donate, and shop second hand clothes
