Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist

Before You Begin: Mindset Tips that Actually Work

Downsizing isn’t just about stuff — it’s about decisions.

And if decision-fatigue is real (spoiler: it is), then a checklist becomes your superhero cape. 🦸‍♀️

Here’s how to get started without feeling overwhelmed:

Start Small. Choose one room. Then zoom in: one drawer, one shelf, one cupboard.

Pre-label categories: Decide ahead of time if an item will be:

Donate

Sell

Gift

Recycle

Toss

This tiny bit of prep saves you loads of mental energy later. (And fewer dramatic “But what if I need it someday?!” moments.)

Let’s Dive In: Room-by-Room Checklist

KITCHEN

Clutter loves the kitchen like peanut butter loves jelly.

Duplicates (3 garlic presses? Pick your fave.)

Appliances used once a year or never

Expired spices and sauces

Mystery ingredients from that “experimental” recipe phase

Lidless containers and stained plasticware

Mismatched mugs and chipped dishes

Fast food packets and straws

Takeout menus (they're all online now)

Old or worn dish towels

Recipe books you haven’t opened in years

Rarely-used specialty serveware

BATHROOMS

The place where products go to expire in peace.

Expired medications and sunscreen

Dried-out nail polish and old makeup

Sample-sized everything (you’re not opening a mini-mart)

Half-used products you'll “totally finish someday”

Old or unused hair tools

Towels that have seen better days

Toiletries you don’t like or forgot you had

BEDROOM

Your sanctuary, not your storage unit.

Paper clutter and unread books

Old magazines and random knick-knacks

Extra throw pillows (they're just floor pillows now)

Bedding you don’t love (or that's secretly scratchy)

Furniture that clutters instead of calms

Under-bed chaos (if you’re scared to look, it’s time!)

CLOSETS

Spoiler: if you forgot you owned it, you don’t need it.

Clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in 9+ months

Shoes that hurt, wobble, or make you swear

Socks with holes and bras with broken souls

Clothes you keep out of guilt (gifted or expensive)

Repairs you never made

Unused accessories, scarves, and bags

Extra hangers and dry-cleaning wire soldiers

HOME OFFICE

AKA the Paperwork Graveyard.

Expired warranties and manuals for things you no longer own

Dead pens, broken staplers, and tangled cables

Receipts and paper clutter (hello, recycling bin)

Unused gift cards and coupons from 2012

Old tech accessories and random thumb drives

Books and binders collecting dust

KIDS’ ROOM / GRANDKIDS’ STASH

If it hasn’t been touched since last Christmas…

Toys no longer played with or broken

Outgrown clothes and shoes

Puzzle pieces and game parts MIA since 2020

Faded craft supplies and dried-up paint

Old schoolwork and artwork (snap a pic and let it go)

LIVING ROOM

Just how many remotes does one house need?

Furniture that doesn’t suit your new lifestyle

Dead or dusty plants (real or faux)

Décor that no longer brings joy

Unread books and outdated magazines

Extra cords, chargers, and tangled tech spaghetti

Excess throw blankets and toss pillows

GARAGE

A little chaos, a lot of “just in case.”

Tools you haven’t touched in years

Paint cans, broken bulbs, and unidentifiable items

Sports gear no longer used

Duplicate screwdrivers, tape measures, or drill bits

Gardening tools and yard stuff you’ve replaced or outgrown

Broken things you swore you’d fix (you won’t)

BASEMENT / REC ROOM

Land of the Lost… hobbies, DVDs, and dreams.

Boxes from your last move (still sealed = not important)

Unused exercise gear and musical instruments

Outdated electronics (VHS? Really?)

Holiday decorations you don’t love or use

Extra blankets and bins of “maybe someday” items

Random craft or hobby supplies collecting dust

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD CLUTTER

The catch-all for “where did this even come from?”

Old electronics (phones, cameras, chargers)

Duplicate or blurry photos (keep the gems)

Luggage you never use

Extra linens – two sets per bed is plenty!

Sentimental stuff you don’t actually need to keep (digitize or share!)

Hobby gear from a past life (camping gear, knitting kits, disco lights?)

✅ The Joy of Checking Things Off

Whether you're a pen-and-paper type or love a digital tap-tap-tap, checking boxes feels amazing. It creates visible progress, boosts motivation, and helps you stay on track. Even if you only do one drawer today — that’s still a win.