Decluttering for Good: Four Methods to Transform Your Home

Clutter builds up easily, a junk drawer here, a closet overflowing there, and suddenly every spare surface has become a dumping ground. When chaos sets in it’s tempting to look for a magic bullet. Recently, Good Housekeeping introduced Declutter by Degrees, a gentle approach that breaks tidying into bite‑sized steps. At Sorted NI we’ve been following the conversation about organising for years. We’ve written about the KonMari method, the Ski Slope method and the Swedish art of death cleaning individually on our Hints & Tips section. In this post we pull those threads together to help you choose a strategy that suits your lifestyle.

Declutter by Degrees

Good Housekeeping’s household advice editor Katie Mortram designed Declutter by Degrees for people who don’t have time (or the desire) for a dramatic clear out.

This approach is about breaking down the process into small, manageable steps. Instead of aiming for a complete overhaul in one go, you work in stages, building lasting habits along the way.

For example:

• Day 1 - clear one shelf.

• Day 2 - sort a drawer.

• Week 1 - tackle a single category, like shoes.

These rules make decluttering fit into the gaps of daily life rather than turning it into a weekend‑long slog. Read more about this approach in our post “Tidying by Degrees: The Gentle Way to Get Organised” and the original Good Housekeeping article.

The KonMari Method

Marie Kondo’s KonMari method remains one of the most popular systems for clearing clutter.

KonMari emphasises mindful decision making and gratitude. Finishing each category in one sitting helps you recognise duplicates and avoid storing the same type of thing in several places.

For a candid take on how we adapt this method in our own lives, read “KonMari vs Real Life: Why We Adapt Marie Kondo’s Method”.

The Ski Slope Method

Therapist, turned designer, Anita Yokota created the Ski Slope method for people who feel paralysed by clutter. Instead of diving head‑first into the steep slope of chaos, you break a room into small “lanes” and glide between them:

• Divide the space into manageable zones 

• Move from corner to corner rather than front to back

• Stay in your lane until it’s completely sorted

  
  

The contained zones create quick wins and momentum, the original tester managed to tidy a bedroom in about 30 minutes and an office in 50 minutes. Discover more about this approach in our blog “The Ski Slope Method: Building Momentum in Decluttering”.

Swedish Death Cleaning

Döstädning, or Swedish death cleaning, is a compassionate Scandinavian tradition popularised by Margareta Magnusson. Despite its solemn name, the practice isn’t morbid, it’s a gift to yourself and your loved ones. The idea is to gradually reduce your possessions so no one is left with the burden of sorting everything after you’re gone. But it’s not just for later life... anyone can use this method to declutter with purpose and clarity.

We explore this perspective in our post “What is Swedish Death Cleaning and Why It Isn’t as Scary as It Sounds”.

Why Decluttering Works (No Matter the Method)

Although these four approaches differ in tone and technique, they share common threads:

• Small steps add up. Whether you’re committing to 20‑minute sessions, category‑by‑category sorting or corner‑by‑corner gliding, breaking the task into manageable parts makes it less overwhelming and more sustainable.

  
  

• Mindful decision‑making. Asking if an item sparks joy or whether it’s essential helps you evaluate possessions thoughtfully rather than out of guilt or habit.

  
  

• Creating lasting habits. Each method emphasises routines to prevent backsliding. Declutter by Degrees builds a daily habit, KonMari trains your “joy detector,” and the Ski Slope method builds momentum.

  
  

• Health and wellbeing benefits. An organised home reduces stress, provides a sense of control and frees up time for what really matters. Swedish death cleaning highlights the emotional relief of not leaving clutter for loved ones, while the other methods create calmer, more functional spaces.

  
  

Ready to Get Sorted?

No matter which method resonates with you, the structure of KonMari, the gentleness of Declutter by Degrees, the momentum of the Ski Slope method or the thoughtfulness of Swedish death cleaning; decluttering brings clarity and peace. If you’re ready to reclaim your space but feel overwhelmed about where to start, Sorted NI can help. We’ll listen to your needs and tailor a decluttering plan that fits your life. Contact us today to start creating a home that supports you.