Decluttering can often feel overwhelming, especially when your home is overflowing with items. If you struggle with starting a big decluttering project, the Curated Clutter Method may be your solution.

This approach involves breaking down decluttering tasks into smaller, manageable categories, making it easier to focus. I decided to try this method, and professional organizers offered their insights on mastering it effectively at home.

Understanding the Curated Clutter Method

The Curated Clutter Method encourages you to group items by specific categories before tackling the decluttering task. As a professional organizer explains, "Think of it as curating a collection. Your home is filled with various collections, whether you realize it or not! Instead of decluttering a whole drawer or a general category like kitchenware, focus on particular groups of similar items in each space."

A pink living room wall with a shelf with books, lamps, and decor on it to the left and a green fireplace to the right.

Curated clutter adds a personal touch to your home.

Unlike Marie Kondo's five main categories—clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous, and sentimental—the Curated Clutter Method is more granular, minimizing the risk of "declutter regret." Each similar item is grouped together for easier comparison during the process. For instance, instead of just clothing, you might categorize long-sleeved shirts, button-ups, shorts, skirts, formal dresses, and casual dresses, giving you a clearer overall picture of what you own.

Kimberly Corey, a certified professional organizer, emphasizes the importance of grouping like items: "After gathering similar items, it's time to determine which ones you love and use the most, and which you can part with for someone else to enjoy."

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to implement the Curated Clutter Method.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Curated Clutter Method

A rustic kitchen with white countertops, glass jars of dried food goods on the counter and shelves beneath, and dark blue painted cabinets.

Grouping items allows for informed decision-making.

  1. Select an area to declutter: Choose a specific room or space, like your closet, to focus on. Tackling one area prevents the overwhelming feeling of managing multiple categories at once. As Di notes, "Narrowing your focus helps avoid the familiar sensation of taking on too much and burning out."
  2. Organize items into curated categories: After selecting your decluttering target, break it down. If you have few items, you might need fewer categories. However, it's crucial to categorize your belongings in a way that makes sense to you. Some find it helpful to use boxes like the Mainstays Collapsible Fabric Cube Storage Bins and labels like Avery Removable Labels for clarity.
  3. Review your categories: With items grouped, assess what you have. You might find you own multiple scarves but only wear one. Alternatively, you may discover you have few pairs of shorts, one of which is damaged. Di recommends asking: Do I use this? Is it in good condition? Do I have duplicates? Would I buy this today?
  4. Decide what to declutter: After reviewing, create a keep pile and set aside items you're unsure about. This leaves you with your "no's," "maybes," and "never-worn" items, which can be donated or sold.
  5. Organize what's left: Once decisions are made, bag up donations, sort items for sale, and return your keeps to their places. Enjoy the newfound space you've created—whether in a closet, kitchen, or entryway!

Who Benefits from This Method?

closet with drawers and hanging space

Be sure to gather items from all storage spaces.

If focusing is a challenge during decluttering, Kimberly suggests the Curated Clutter Method could be beneficial. It helps keep the process streamlined, preventing distractions that arise from sorting through a mix of items.

She notes that this method can be particularly effective for individuals with ADHD or similar conditions, as its simplicity and thoroughness can aid concentration.

However, if you prefer quick results, this approach might not suit you. For those who thrive on instant progress, consider methods like the "decluttering burst." Kimberly warns that while progress with the Curated Clutter Method may be slower, it's more manageable.

Ben Soreff, another expert, points out that organizing should enhance productivity and maintain clear surfaces, ensuring you can find items when needed. If the Curated Clutter Method aligns with your style, it can be very effective.

My Experience with the Method

a light brown woven basket filled with assorted socks sat on top of a white wooden set of drawers

Categorizing items simplifies post-decluttering organization.

I decided to test the Curated Clutter Method on my sock drawer since I knew I had more socks than necessary.

To start, I emptied the drawer completely and searched for stray socks. I grouped them into four categories: plain, patterned, cozy, and mismatched. This helped me realize I had way more patterned socks than I thought, many of which I hadn't worn due to discomfort.

I set aside uncomfortable pairs for donation and tossed an odd sock that had lost its match. After decluttering, I reduced my collection from 23 pairs to 14, making the drawer feel less chaotic and much easier to manage.

Overall, I found the Curated Clutter Method thorough and effective. While decluttering your entire home this way could take time, it's perfect for those looking to make steady, meaningful progress, especially if you often feel overwhelmed. It's a great choice if you want to focus on one area each day.