January is the perfect time to refresh your living space and start the new year with a sense of clarity and calm. To help you achieve this, I’ve created a January declutter calendar featuring daily decluttering tasks that take just about 10 minutes each.
By the end of the month, you’ll have tackled the most important areas of your home and be motivated to keep the process going. You may also want to check out some of my other declutter tips for even more January decluttering inspiration.
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Why Declutter in January?
The start of a new year feels like a fresh slate, and what better way to embrace that energy than by decluttering your home? I know firsthand how much difference even a little decluttering can make.
Years ago, I used to get overwhelmed just looking at the clutter piling up in my entryway or kitchen. Starting with slow decluttering and decluttering in layers helped me gain momentum, and by the end of that first month, I felt like I could breathe again.
If you’re feeling stuck, remember: you absolutely CAN do this. Let’s take the journey together, one step at a time with some daily declutter tasks for January.
How the January Decluttering Calendar Works
To get you on the right track to a better-functioning home this year, much of the January decluttering calendar will focus on the kitchen and closet areas. Clearing clutter in these areas can really make a huge difference in daily life, but we’ll also work on a few other spaces so that this doesn’t get boring.
January Declutter Calendar: Daily Tasks
It’s true that you won’t touch every.single.space in your home with these daily decluttering tasks. But by the end of the month? You should definitely notice a difference in your main living spaces and feel like you have a good start on decluttering for the year.
Below is my January declutter calendar, designed with daily tasks. The idea is to spend about 10 minutes on this each day. You COULD spend longer, but try not to do that — this is supposed to be simple, not overwhelming. Just do your best.
If there are days you have more energy, then maybe try doing two or three 10-minute sessions to declutter more deeply in that day’s area. But that is certainly not required to start making a real difference in your home.
No time to read? Just want the printable? Click here to have the free printable declutter calendar and checklist sent right to your email.
Week 1: Focus on the Kitchen
Day 1: Kitchen drawers – Go through each drawer, remove items that don’t belong, and organize essentials.
Day 2: Kitchen cabinets – Declutter and reorganize to ensure everything is accessible and used regularly.
Day 3: Kitchen utensils and gadgets – Remove duplicates and donate rarely used items.
Day 4: Small appliances – Evaluate these and store or donate ones you rarely use.
Day 5: Kitchen countertops – Remove everything that doesn’t belong or isn’t used daily.
(Personal note: Clearing off my countertops for the first time was life-changing. It instantly made my kitchen feel cleaner and gave me the mental clarity to tackle the next thing.)
Day 6: Under kitchen sink – Toss empty bottles and old sponges, and reorganize cleaning supplies.
Day 7: Junk drawer – Toss trash, relocate items, and create order.
Related post: 25 Things To Declutter In The Kitchen (And 3 Unexpected Items To Keep)
Week 2: Focus on Clothing and Closets
Day 8: Closet floor – Pick up shoes and cluttered items.
(Fun fact: Clearing your closet floor instantly makes your whole closet feel bigger and less overwhelming.)
Day 9: Dresser drawers – Remove clothes you no longer wear.
(I once read that we wear only 20% of our wardrobe regularly. That realization helped me let go of so many clothes I didn’t need.)
Day 10: Winter gear – Go through hats, gloves, scarves, and toss extras or damaged items.
Day 11: Shoes – Toss worn-out pairs or ones you don’t wear.
Day 12: Coat closet – Donate unused coats and accessories.
Day 13: Regular closet: hanging clothes – Choose at least 5 items to donate or discard.
(Or, try deleting one piece of clothing every day this month. This step helped me realize how freeing it is to see more space between hangers.)
Day 14: Seasonal clothing – Pack away off-season items and donate pieces you didn’t wear last season.
Related post: How to Declutter Your Wardrobe {and Still Have Plenty to Wear}
Week 3: Focus on Food Storage and Serving Areas
Day 15: Freezer – Toss expired or freezer-burned food.
(Fun tip: Make a meal plan to use what’s in your freezer this month before buying more. It’s like a little money-saving challenge!)
Day 16: Lunch packing supplies – Declutter and organize containers, reusable bags, and other items used for packing lunches or snacks.
Day 17: Entire fridge – Empty everything, toss expired or unused items, and thoroughly clean the shelves and drawers.
Day 18: Beverage station or snack area – Organize and remove stale or expired items.
Day 19: Pantry declutter – Remove expired items, consolidate duplicates, and reorganize for a cleaner, more functional space.
Day 20: Dining table – Clear off clutter, and commit to keeping it a functional space for meals or gatherings.
Day 21: Bulk food storage – Reorganize bins or containers and discard any old items.
(Tip: If you discover an uncomfortable amount of expired or spoiled foods, it may be time to rethink your food stocking strategy. This is one of the reasons why I stopped keeping a large stockpile.)
Week 4: Refine Daily Living Areas
Day 22: Living room tables – Clear surfaces for a fresh look.
(Pro tip: Keep decorative items minimal to make cleaning easier.)
Day 23: Nightstand – Tidy up and clear off the surface.
Day 24: Bathroom countertop – Simplify and keep only absolute essentials visible.
Day 25: Bathroom drawers – Purge expired products and unused items.
Day 26: Medicine cabinet – Toss expired meds and organize supplies.
Day 27: Vehicle interior – Clear trash and unnecessary items.
Day 28: Office desk – Tidy and organize papers and supplies.
Day 29: Digital clutter – Spend 10 minutes deleting unnecessary files, emails, or photos.(My phone’s storage thanked me for this one!)
Day 30: Kids’ toys – Choose a few to donate or discard.
Day 31: Sentimental box – Take one small step by organizing a single box or item.
(I know this can be emotional. Start small and allow yourself time to make thoughtful decisions.)
Ready to Declutter? Get Your Free January Declutter Calendar Today!
To make this journey even easier, grab your free printable version of the January declutter calendar. It’ll help keep you on track and motivated with daily reminders of your tasks.
Tips for Successful Decluttering in January
Staying motivated to declutter throughout the month can be tough, but I know you can do it! Here are a few tips to help you keep going:
- Choose a consistent decluttering time. Find a time when you won’t be interrupted, like 10 minutes after your morning coffee or right before winding down at night.
- Set a timer. You can make progress with just 10 minutes per task per day. Knowing it’s a short commitment makes tackling decluttering more manageable and less overwhelming.
- Use the January declutter calendar. This plan provides a clear task each day, so you don’t have to decide where to start. It’s great for avoiding decision fatigue.
- Keep donation boxes and trash bags ready. Having a system in place lets you quickly sort items as you go. After each session, get them out of your home so they don’t linger around and create more clutter.
- Track your progress. Before-and-after pictures and a tally of items decluttered each day can keep you motivated. Celebrate every small victory!
- Get the household involved. Turn decluttering into a family activity. Make it a game for kids or assign tasks to everyone to share the load.
- Be kind to yourself. If you miss a day, don’t worry. Simply pick up where you left off. Progress, not perfection, is what matters most.
Related post: How I Decluttered My Home: Decluttered Home Inspiration And Tips From A Borderline Hoarder
Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With this simple and realistic plan, you can work toward transforming your home one small task at a time. By the end of January, you’ll feel lighter, more organized, and ready to take on the rest of the year with a clearer mind and a more clutter-free space.
Happy Decluttering! You’ve got this!
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