Decluttering Your Home Room by Room
Decluttering Your Home Room by Room
Downtown Storage
February 7th, 2026
Whether you are preparing for a move, tackling spring cleaning, or simply feeling overwhelmed by too much stuff, decluttering your home can feel like a massive task. The good news? By taking it one room at a time, you can transform your living space into an organized, stress-free environment.At Downtown Storage in Salem, Oregon, we help families and individuals reclaim their homes every day. Here is our room-by-room guide to decluttering, along with smart storage solutions for the items you want to keep but do not need on hand.
Kitchen: Start Where It Counts
The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in any home, making it a great place to begin your decluttering journey.Clear out expired food and spices from your pantry and cabinets. Be honest about duplicate gadgets — do you really need three can openers? Store seasonal items like holiday baking supplies or that oversized turkey roaster in a self storage unit instead of cramming them into valuable cabinet space. Donate dishes and cookware you have not used in the past year.Quick Tip: Use clear bins to group similar items together in your pantry. Label everything so the whole family knows where things belong.
Bedroom: Create a Calm Retreat
Your bedroom should be a place of rest, not a cluttered catch-all. Start with your closet. Try the reverse hanger trick — turn all your hangers backward, and after six months, donate anything still facing the wrong way. Store out-of-season clothing, extra bedding, and sentimental items like quilts or keepsakes in a climate-friendly storage unit to free up closet space. Clear nightstands and dressers of anything that does not belong.Quick Tip: Keep only what you need for the current season in your closet. Rotate your wardrobe twice a year and store the rest.
Living Room: Less Clutter, More Living
The living room is where your family gathers, so it should feel open and welcoming. Start by sorting through bookshelves, entertainment centers, and side tables. Remove items that are broken, outdated, or purely decorative clutter. If you have kids, rotate toys — keep a selection out and store the rest, swapping every few weeks to keep things fresh.Quick Tip: One in, one out. For every new item you bring into the living room, remove one.
Garage and Basement: Tackle the Tough Spots
These areas tend to become dumping grounds, but they do not have to stay that way. Sort everything into four categories: keep, donate, trash, and store. Be ruthless with items you have not touched in over a year. Seasonal gear like camping equipment, holiday decorations, and sports equipment are perfect candidates for a self storage unit.Quick Tip: If your garage is so full you cannot park your car in it, it is time to consider a storage unit.
When Self Storage Makes Sense
Sometimes decluttering does not mean getting rid of everything — it means finding a better place for the things you love. A self storage unit at Downtown Storage is perfect for seasonal items, sports gear, furniture, family heirlooms, and business supplies.Our facility at 889 Liberty St NE in Salem, OR offers a variety of unit sizes to fit your needs. We are conveniently located right downtown, making it easy to access your items whenever you need them.
Ready to Reclaim Your Space?
Decluttering does not have to be overwhelming. Start with one room, set a timer for 30 minutes, and see how much progress you can make. For the items that deserve to be kept but are taking up valuable space in your home, Downtown Storage is here to help.Visit us at 889 Liberty St NE, Salem, OR 97301 or browse our available storage unit sizes and pricing online. Your clutter-free home is closer than you think.