I declutter a small house by focusing in what I do have and keep aware of what I have . Therefore avoiding getting messy.
I like to start with whatever work space you have at home whether it be a computer desk or kitchen. Once you start to put things in order in one spot that has the most impact on tidiness in the short term will help you carry that momentum in other parts of your home.
For me it’s based on the number of people who live in the house . If it’s 4 people and it only has 1 bedroom and only 2 other rooms I think that’s pretty small.
set up bins with categories and add corresponding clutter to the bins. while filling the bins, discard anything you do not actually need. after all clutter is in its appropriate bin or in the toss/discard it is now time to take 1 bin at a time, taking each item and giving it a designated space.
I put everything in the garden then sorted through it- put everything in piles. Junk piles when into the car for donation and throwing out. Repacked the stuff I wanted to keep into boxes with a contents list.
I start by identifying essentials-what can’t you live without? Then sort things that you use often, vs things you rarely need or use. For clothes, try the hanger trick-put everything hook facing you, then turn the hooks to face away once you’ve worn them. Whatever you don’t turn in 3 months, donate. Do you have multiples of things you don’t need? Ask if friends or family want the things you don’t use much. Then if there’s stuff left over, make a donation drive to goodwill. Also see about lofting furniture to create more storage space.
Same as a big one, start with one category, the one you feel less stressed about, one you might have thought about long time, for example documents. Collect them all in one place, start going through quickly. Try to understand what categories this document fall to. It can be based on storage time: one you will always need, one you have to keep till certain point in time (1/3/5 years...), or classify them based on the type, contracts required payments, warranties, memories, medical, career, financial. You can also classify them with more then one system. Pay attention to stationary and storage options, maybe some personal notes can be rewritten on a standard size paper which would ease the storage, or find a specific size binders/ baskets/ drawers/tubes. If you feel overwhelmed make a break
Typically I will find a place to put my items like under a bed or under the stair case and I’ll get a plastic tub to put everything in. Also I try to keep laundry organized and my kitchen organized as well if everything is organized and has a place the your house will probably be less busy
Remove all items that do not spark joy or hold an important role in your life. This process can feel upsetting, reminding you of all the money and space wasted. Yet, it is important to keep in mind that your space does not have a space for these things.
It was actually complicated, as I do have a small house and needed to declutter and change after my dad’s passing. I did put things into piles of what I use and not. It’s ridiculous the attachment we get to some things. Also shelves: shelves are simply amazing and it has decluttered my desk SO much. It’s awesome.