How to Declutter, Organize and Maximize Your Space

decorative image of RV before declutter and organization

Decluttering before organizing

Ever looked around your space and felt overwhelmed by clutter? Trust me, you’re definitely not alone! 

Whether you’re living in a spacious house or cozying up in an RV, keeping things tidy can seem daunting. Luckily, a little declutter and organization goes a long way, making life simpler and more enjoyable. When living in an RV, maximizing small spaces starts with one crucial step: decluttering before organizing. It’s easy for small spaces to become overwhelmed with unnecessary items, making even the best practical storage solutions ineffective.

Ready to reclaim your space? Let’s dive in!

Follow these easy steps:

1. Assess & Sort Everything

First things first, take the time to decide what’s essential. Before diving into decluttering, carefully consider what you genuinely need and regularly use. Avoid overwhelming yourself by tackling small, manageable spaces one at a time—like one or two cabinets, a single closet, and specific storage areas individually. Next, sort items into three clear piles: keep, donate, and discard. Don’t be tempted to hold onto things “just in case.” Chances are, if you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s safe to say you can part with it.

2. Prioritize Multi-Use & Space-Saving Items

When living in a small space, especially an RV, every item should earn its place. For example, select multi-functional items like nesting cookware, collapsible kitchen tools, and furniture that doubles as storage. Reducing single-use items frees up valuable space, maximizing space for necessities and comfort.

3. Adopt the “One In, One Out” Rule

Keep clutter under control by committing to a simple yet effective policy: for every new item you bring into your RV or home, let go of something old. As a result, this easy practice prevents accumulation and ensures your carefully curated space remains efficient and enjoyable.

4. Prioritize Multi-Use & Space-Saving Items

Additionally, embrace multi-purpose and compact storage solutions. Items that can serve multiple functions or collapse for easy storage should be prioritized. Furthermore, this approach not only saves precious space but also simplifies your daily life, making it easier to maintain a decluttered and organized environment.

5. Create a Plan for Smart Organization

Once you’ve decluttered and prioritized your belongings, it’s time to organize effectively. To acomplish this, invest in practical solutions like vertical storage, stackable bins, hanging organizers, and clearly labeled containers. Thoughtful organization ensures everything has its place, making it easier to find what you need and keep clutter at bay.

6. Regularly Revisit Your Organization System

Consistency is key to staying organized. Likewise, periodically reassessing your storage and belongings ensures that your space remains functional and clutter-free. Keep flexibility in mind, as your needs and essentials might shift over time. Review your belongings and remove items you no longer need or use, donating or recycling them responsibly.

Organization Tips: Habits for a Clutter-Free RV

Transforming these expert organization tips into daily habits will significantly enhance your RV living experience. By consistently practicing these strategies, you can maintain an environment that’s decluttered, organized, peaceful, and truly enjoyable!

  1. Spend 5-10 minutes daily tidying high-traffic areas, preventing small messes from growing into overwhelming clutter. This habit will surely save you time as you will keep a series of small areas organized 

  2. Assign a specific place for every item in your RV. When something has a designated spot, it’s easier to maintain order and organization. Moreover, it is a time saver on cleaning days and it helps maximize spaces that would get cluttered with other things instead.

  3. Clearly labeling bins, shelves, and containers helps everyone in the home easily locate and return items, maintaining order.

  4. Designate specific entryway or high-traffic area spaces for frequently used items (keys, bags, shoes), minimizing random clutter.

  5. As you prepare and cook wash dishes and pots you don’t need to use anymore. Also, immediately after meals or activities, clean up thoroughly. This prevents messes from becoming overwhelming and helps maintain a pleasant living environment.

Ready to turn your cluttered space into a calm, organized oasis? Ultimately, decluttering doesn’t just create tidiness; it brings peace, clarity, and joy to your daily life. Therefore, take the next step toward an organized life by downloading our helpful free decluttering and organization checklist, check out our additional resources, and tips specifically designed to help you conquer clutter and maximize your small space!

Read our next post here! Practical Solutions to Organize Your Space