I love summer! It’s a season that makes me feel a little happier – hello sunshine! – and a little bit lighter, too. I also think that should translate into our homes as well. But let’s be real – many of us are still working or just trying to enjoy our evenings, not spending time buried in clutter. That’s why this 7-Day Summer Declutter Challenge is designed to be:
Quick: Each task can be done in 30 minutes or less.
Flexible: Skip a day when you need to. Double up, if you’re feeling inspired.
Impactful: Small changes with a lot of impact.
Whether you’re home for the summer, heading out on vacation, or working full-time, this challenge gives you the easy wins you need to create a calmer, more breathable home without the overwhelm.
A Lighter Home in 30 Minutes a Day
Every year between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I find myself elbow-deep in a drawer full of “what even IS this?” The post holiday declutter and reset has become a tradition – and, oddly, I’ve come to enjoy it. Maybe it’s my desire to maintain a warm, minimalist vibe – cozy, calm, and lived-in – that has me enjoying the act of simplifying my space.
Gradually, though, I’ve been making decluttering more than a ‘once of year’ thing. Even after a major purge, little clutter ‘gremlins’ sneak up in mysterious corners, drawers, and closets over time. Whether it’s focusing on a long-chaotic drawer or a so-called ‘tidy’ corner (spoiler: it wasn’t) there’s always a little more room for improvement.
So this summer – since I’m sticking around – I took on a light, doable challenge: a 7-Day Summer Declutter. Nothing resembling a KonMari marathon or anything like it. Just 30 minutes – or less – of easy tidying.
The ‘Rules’ Were Simple:
– Keep it strategic.
– Keep it small.
– Keep it 30 minutes (or less) a day.
And if I skipped a day? No biggie. It was all about small wins, not perfection.
Below, I’m sharing the results of my challenge – what I did each day, what I learned – along with a downloadable checklist (it’s free!).
Ready to lighten up your home without losing your weekends? Let’s declutter – casual-style 😉
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THE 7-DAY SUMMER DECLUTTER CHALLENGE
DAY 1: Foyer & Drop Zone
Time: 20-30 minutes
Why it matters: It’s the first thing you see when you walk in – and the first thing guests notice too.
Suggested Areas to Tackle:
– Clear the area of extra shoes
– Toss/file mail or papers
– Add a basket or tray for essentials (keys, sunglasses)
👉 My Focus: The 4 storage baskets in our foyer closet
These baskets looked tidy – like when you shove everything under the bed before company comes – but I hadn’t decluttered them in ages.
I emptied each one, roughly sorted the contents, and removed anything that belonged elsewhere or needed to be tossed. I even found a few long-lost items (and more than a few candy wrappers hiding in old purses – RIP emergency snacks).
Burger, my cat and self-appointed supervisor, kept close watch – mostly to make sure I didn’t toss any of his treasures.
After wiping down the shelf (hello, dust bunnies), I put each basket back up top.
Best of all, I cleared out one basket completely. Victory! I might even use it for something useful… or just admire it empty for a while.
Total time: 30 minutes – 20 to sort and reset, plus 10 to wipe down the shelf and rezone items.
💡What I Learned:
Even “organized” areas can secretly collect clutter.
Just because something looks organized doesn’t mean it’s not secretly holding onto years of random clutter. My foyer baskets gave off a “nothing to see here” vibe, but once I actually peeked inside, it was a different story. From old food wrappers to items I thought were lost, it was a reminder that “tidy” doesn’t always mean “decluttered.”
Tip:
Give your “neat” zones a second look now and then. A quick check-in can uncover hidden messes, long-lost essentials, and even free up space you didn’t know you had.
DAY 2: Quick Kitchen Refresh
Time: 25-30 minutes
Why it matters: A lighter kitchen = easier summer meals (and snacks!)
Suggested areas to tackle:
– Toss expired pantry or fridge items
– Wipe down shelves or drawers
– Make your most-used summer items accessible (blender, iced coffee gear)
👉 My Focus: 1 Deep Pantry Shelf
This top shelf tends to collect mystery items. At first glance, it looks alright – but once I pulled everything out, I found expired items, scattered blender parts (from two Magic Bullets!), and a forgotten tray used to dispense cat treats.
I emptied the plastic bins I’d been using, grouped items by type, wiped everything down, and put it all back with more breathing room.
I even took the protein bars out of the box to save space.
Total time: 25 minutes – 20 minutes to sort and reset and 5 minutes for composting expired food and recycling packaging.
💡What I Learned:
Decluttering more often means less to declutter later.
When I tackled this one pantry shelf, I realized it wasn’t quite the mess I expected – mostly because I’d done a similar clean-out six months earlier. That quick past effort made this round faster, less overwhelming, and oddly satisfying. Instead of battling chaos, I was fine-tuning things.
Tip:
Don’t wait for a major mess. A small pantry refresh every few months helps prevent buildup, especially during busier seasons. Think of it like brushing your teeth: the more consistently you do it, the less time you spend fixing problems later.
DAY 3: Summer Wardrobe Sweep
Time: 20-30 minutes.
Why it matters: Less time digging = more time enjoying the day.
Suggested areas to tackle:
– Pull out your go-to summer clothes
– Pack or donate what doesn’t fit the season
Remember, you’re not overhauling your whole closet – just making space for summer.
👉 My Focus: Socks (an unexpected task)
At first, I thought I would be decluttering my hanging wardrobe but soon realized there just wasn’t much to do. I’d already gone through my clothes a couple of times these past two years and haven’t been on a shopping spree since. So I turned to the shelves in my IKEA wardrobe, home to socks, bras, belts, and other everyday essentials.
That’s where I found the real chaos: two shoeboxes full of ankle socks. Why I own that many is a mystery even Frite (our cat and self-appointed decluttering expert) couldn’t solve.
We sorted through them together – well, I sorted, he lounged – and I tossed anything stretched out, stained, or better suited for rag duty.
I kept the rest grouped by type (dressy vs. sporty, of course – there’s a system!), gave the shelf a quick tidy, and pulled out two barely-worn bras for donation, too.
An unexpected mission, accomplished.
Total time: 20 minutes – 10 minutes to sort (including that sweep of my hanging wardrobe), 5 minutes to rehome or toss, and 5 minutes to add to our bag of rags.
💡What I Learned:
Your most-used basics might be quietly cluttering your space.
I wasn’t expecting to declutter my ankle socks that day, but it felt good to tackle a hidden zone that actually needed it. Also: cats make excellent decluttering sidekicks!
Tip:
Don’t limit “wardrobe” to the things you hang up. Drawers, bins, and shelves often hold the clutter you notice the most when you’re in a rush. A quick sweep of your everyday basics can make getting dressed feel smoother, especially in hot weather, when comfort is key.
DAY 4: Living Room Reset & Declutter
Time: 20-30 minutes
Why It Matters: This is where you lounge – make it feel relaxing.
Suggested areas to tackle:
– Remove excess decor, dusty candles, or off-season throw blankets.
– Clear one or two surfaces like your coffee table, end table, or media cabinet.
– Fold throw blankets, fluff those pillows, and corral remotes.
👉 My Focus: Declutter the Storage Basket (our ‘fancy’ junk drawer)
This storage basket stores electronics and other odds and ends we access in the living room. It’s yet another spot that looked deceptively organized…
But sometimes the smallest spaces hold the biggest surprises.
When I emptied the basket, I found everything from a wireless headset (meant to be there) to cat toys, a lost Bible (oops), random wires (some that have yet to be identified), and a long-forgotten iPhone 4! Most of it had just landed here for no known reason.
After sorting through what I would keep there, what to rezone elsewhere, and what to toss, I cleaned and reset my ‘junk’ – emptying quite a bit out and leaving room for more, if needed.
Total Time: 30 minutes – 20 minutes to sort and clean, plus 10 minutes to rezone items that didn’t belong.
💡What I Learned:
A junk drawer isn’t junk – it’s just ‘undefined.’
As I sorted through it, I realized most of the items weren’t junk at all, just things that never got a proper home. Some belong there – like my headset – but some were just the victim of ‘set it down for now.’
Tip:
Give your “catch-all” spaces a job description. For me, this basket is now reserved for tech items like chargers, cords, and my headset, but also things I reach for often like glasses cleaners. So if something doesn’t fit this (admittedly broad) ‘theme,’ I’ll find another home for it.
Day 5: Craft Area OR Kids’ Zone
Time: 25-30 minuts
Why It Matters: Make a fun/hobby space feel fun, not overwhelming.
Suggested areas to tackle:
– Choose 1 bin, shelf, or corner
– Donate unnecessary multiple supplies or outgrown toys
– Store or rotate what’s not being currently used
👉 My Focus: 1 Bin in My Craft Space
This day’s decluttering brought me face-to-face with a bin that I’d long wanted to sort: a Picture Hanging Supplies bin in this IKEA cubby system. The bin held all sorts of supplies like nails, hooks, and command strips, along with wreath hangers and a recently dismantled metal frame – a real chaotic mess of plastic bags, receipts, and much of the items in their original packaging, though ripped open and disorganized.
I wish I could show you the ‘before’ photos – but these did not survive. Corrupted files, I think (probably the bin wanted to save its dignity). Nevertheless, you will be able to see the satisfying ‘after’ photos, featuring a quick and easy organizing system using items I had purchased but never found a use for – until now.
After emptying out everything, then sorting by function – hanging hardware, wreath stuff, and a few “why do I still have these?” items – I gathered up 3 small plastic containers with compartments to organize all my nails, clips, and command hooks. After recycling the packaging, and rezoning a few items, I ended up with a fairly neat, functional picture hanging (and related) bin.
Let me run through the small storage containers that really made a big difference for me:
Besides a couple of clear dollar store bins (always handy), these 3 clear bins have small, customizable compartments that are perfect organizing small items. Each compartment keeps things separated so nothing gets mixed up or jumbled.
Now, when I need to hang something, I no longer feel like I am spelunking for supplies 🙂
Total Time: 35 minutes – a little longer than I anticipated: 15 to sort and separate packaging, 10 to place everything into the plastic container compartments, plus 10 for packaging cleanup.
💡What I Learned:
Even the best-intentioned ‘organized’ zones have chaotic corners.
This IKEA cubby system is terrific at quick and tidy organization – the bins keep things hidden, which I love. But each bin has it’s own level or organization and can descend into chaos, if I’m not careful. (And trust me, there are more bins that deserve further scrutiny). So once I gave everything a ‘place within its place’ the bin became a lot more usable.
Tip:
For a kids or hobby zone, tackle just 1 small area – like a bin or drawer – and give everything a clear purpose. Bonus points for using containers you already have!
Day 6: Bedroom Calm-Down
Time: 20-30 minutes
Why It Matters: A peaceful space helps you unwind in the summer heat.
Suggested areas to tackle:
– Clear a nightstand or clothes folded on “the chair” (there’s always one of those!)
– Lighten up the bedding
– Tidy a drawer, shelf or a corner of the closet
👉 My Focus: An old plastic rack being used as a ‘catch-all’ in the closet
Y’know, there’s always a spot (or several) in the home that just sort of fade into the background after awhile. You stop noticing how cluttered or untidy it is. This is that one space in our bedroom.
Confession: I hadn’t actually tidied or even vacuumed under it in…well, let’s just say, a LONG time.
I started by removing everything from the storage rack, sorting by category, including items to donate and rezone elsewhere – which was almost ALL of the items. I had shoes to put away, linens to wash and put away (later), and a chaotic mess of things to simply store with ‘like’ items elsewhere.
After removing the rack and – FINALLY – vacuuming under it. Yes, that IS dust (eek).
The rack went back in (for now) left only to hold up an old kit and stand next to a couple of jugs of water (my husband’s contribution to our closet aesthetic). But, all in all, a very satisfying clean, declutter, and rezoning exercise.
Total Time: 30 minutes – a very satisfying session to clear out the rack and vacuum.
💡What I Learned:
Even the least-noticed spots can make a big impact when decluttered.
That plastic rack had become a clutter magnet with items that needed a proper home – but I didn’t know it. Once I took the time to sort all of it, I realized nearly all of it could all be rezoned. Cleaning and reorganizing my things helped make this whole space feel calm and so much roomier.
Tip:
Finding a small, overlooked spot – like this storage rack – to declutter and clean up can make your space feel instantly calmer and more organized.
Day 7: Digital or Paper Declutter
Time: 30 minutes
Why it matters: An organized inbox and phone make life feel lighter, clearer, and more efficient.
Suggested Areas to Tackle:
– Delete or archive old emails – personal or work. (Clear away those digital dust bunnies).
– Delete or transfer photos or videos from your phone to an external drive (organize these into files for easy access).
– Unsubscribe from email lists you no longer need.
👉 My Focus: Deleting, archiving, and responding to emails.
Quite honestly, this was the one task that I was postponing – more like avoiding – until the last day. Because of the number of spam emails I get in my business inbox, I hate opening it up. So, more often than not, they build up – and build up and build up – until there is an overwhelming mountain of them to sort through.
But, it was finally time to face it. And, face it, I did 😉
Delete, delete, delete….Read, save, respond (to a couple of emails)…but mainly: delete, delete, delete.
Total Time: 30 minutes for phase 1 of email cleanup (this one task remains incomplete).
💡What I Learned:
Procrastination makes digital clutter so much worse than it needs to be (but I’m sure you already know that!).
Once I finally started, the task was actually pretty easy – lots of deleting 😉 But because of how much I had let build up – this declutter challenge remains incomplete.
Tip:
This tip is more like a plan for myself as much as for anyone else overwhelmed by digital cutter: For the next phase: Set aside 5-10 minutes per day until I have all my emails sorted. For the future: Set aside a once-a-month quick inbox clean-up (if I’m falling behind). In the long run, those few minutes will help prevent the clutter from building up.
KEY TAKEAWAYS of the 7-Day Summer Declutter Challenge
Small Efforts, Big Impact: 30 minutes a day can significantly lighten your space. By focusing on just 1 area at a time, you’ll feel more in control of your space.
Make Decluttering a Habit: Regular, small tasks can prevent clutter from building up, which makes maintaining order far easier.
Personalize the Process: Don’t let an influencer (or blogger like me) tell you what you need to declutter – the challenge is meant to fit your needs and your schedule.
*And don’t forget: Keep it simple. Done is better than perfect.
Ready for Your Own 7-Day Summer Declutter Challenge?
👉 Grab your FREE CHECKLIST to get started and transform your space into a more organized, usable home!
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