Free Up Space: 33 Items to Get Rid Of Today

Imagine walking into your home and feeling calm and clear, not overwhelmed by all the things around you. Cleaning up your living space can greatly improve your mental and physical health.

Research shows that having too many things we don’t need can make us feel stressed and anxious. This makes it harder to focus and enjoy our homes.

In this article, we will talk about how many things we collect over time and why it’s good to get rid of some of them.

Unworn Clothes

Many people keep clothes they plan to wear “someday.” But if an item has been unworn in the closet for over a year, it’s time to let it go. Be honest about what is actually worn and what fits the current lifestyle.

Donate or sell pieces that are no longer needed or loved. This makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable, as only clothes that are liked and worn are chosen. Plus, the closet will feel more spacious and organized.

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Unused Kitchen Gadgets

Many people stand in front of the kitchen gadget aisle, thinking they need items like an egg separator or avocado slicer. But if an item hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s probably just taking up space.

Keep only the appliances and tools that are used regularly, and get rid of the rest. This will make the kitchen feel more organized and easier to use.

Unused gadgets can be donated to a local charity or thrift store, where someone else might find them useful.

Expired Food Items

Expired foods can quickly build up in pantries and fridges, taking up space and posing health risks if eaten by mistake. It’s easy to overlook that old jar of sauce or can of beans at the back of the shelf.

Regularly checking expiration dates and throwing away expired items is a good habit. This simple step frees up space and provides peace of mind, knowing the kitchen is stocked with safe food.

It also gives a clearer view of available food, which helps with meal planning and reduces waste.

Old Magazines and Newspapers

It’s easy for stacks of magazines and newspapers to pile up, especially if you have a habit of saving them “just in case.” But unless you refer back to these items frequently, they’re just taking up unnecessary space and collecting dust.

Consider recycling or discarding these clutter-creators, and access digital versions if you ever need to reference something. Your home will feel so much more relaxing without piles of old reading material everywhere.

If there are specific articles you want to keep, consider cutting them out and storing them in a folder, or taking photos of them with your phone for future reference.

Duplicates of Cooking Utensils

Similar to kitchen gadgets, most people have far more cooking utensils than they actually need. Do you really require a dozen wooden spoons or multiple sets of measuring cups? Pare down your collection to just one or two of each type to streamline your drawers and cabinets. 

You’ll be amazed at how much more organized and accessible your cooking tools will be. This will make cooking more enjoyable as you won’t have to dig through cluttered drawers to find what you need. Keep the best quality items and let go of the rest.

Mismatched Socks

Many people know the frustration of a drawer full of socks without matches. Instead of keeping them in hopes their partners will show up, let them go.

Enjoy having a neat and organized sock drawer. This small change can make a big difference in how tidy a home feels.

Some of these single socks can be used as cleaning rags or covers for small items in storage, giving them a new purpose.

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Old Towels and Linens

Over time, towels, sheets, and other household linens can become worn, faded, or stained. While it’s tempting to keep these “just in case,” they often end up taking up valuable storage space.

Go through your linen closet and keep only the items you actively use and enjoy. Donate gently used items to animal shelters or homeless shelters where they can be put to good use. You can also repurpose some old towels as cleaning rags.

This will free up space in your linen closet and ensure you’re only keeping items that are in good condition.

Unread Books

An overflowing bookshelf can feel overwhelming, both visually and mentally. If you have books that have been sitting unread for years, consider passing them on to someone who will appreciate them.

Be realistic about what you’ll actually read in the future. You can always check out books from the library or purchase e-book versions if you decide you want to read them later. 

Letting go of the unread books you’re unlikely to pick up again can create a refreshing sense of order. Keep only the books that truly bring you joy or serve a purpose in your current life.

Old Cords and Chargers

As technology evolves, the cords and chargers we accumulate quickly become obsolete. That drawer full of tangled cords probably contains many items you no longer even own the devices for.

Sort through your collection and keep only the ones you actively use for your current devices. Properly recycle the rest. If you’re unsure about a cord, take a photo of it and ask family members if they need it before discarding.

Organizing your remaining cords with labels or cord organizers can help prevent future clutter.

Unused Furniture

Large pieces of furniture that are not used can make a home feel cluttered and smaller. Look at each piece of furniture. Is it useful? Does it fit the current lifestyle? If not, consider selling or donating these items.

Removing unnecessary furniture can make rooms feel bigger and more welcoming. It can also make cleaning easier and improve the flow of traffic in the home.

Excess Tupperware

Mismatched lids and containers can quickly turn your kitchen cabinets into a cluttered mess. Take some time to sort through your collection of food storage containers.

Match lids to containers and get rid of any that are stained, warped, or missing parts. Keep only the sizes and shapes you use regularly. 

Consider investing in a set of stackable containers with uniform lids to maximize space and minimize frustration. With a streamlined collection, you’ll spend less time searching for the right container and more time enjoying your leftovers.

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Outdated Medication

Expired medications can be ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Go through your medicine cabinet and check expiration dates on all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Dispose of expired meds properly, many pharmacies offer safe disposal programs. Don’t forget to check first aid kits and any medications stored in other parts of your home. 

Replace essential medications that have expired, and make a note to check dates regularly in the future. A clean, up-to-date medicine cabinet can give you peace of mind and potentially save your life in an emergency.

Unused Toys

\Children’s interests change fast, and toys can pile up quickly. Sorting through toys with kids helps keep only the ones they actively play with and enjoy.

Gently used toys can be donated to local charities or children’s hospitals. For toys with special memories, it’s better to keep just one or two as mementos instead of the whole collection.

Rotating toys can reduce clutter and make playtime more fun. Having fewer toys often leads to more creative play and easier cleanup.

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Old Makeup

Makeup has a shelf life, and using expired products can lead to skin irritation or infections. Sort through your makeup collection, checking expiration dates and tossing anything that’s past its prime.

Pay special attention to eye products, which tend to expire faster. Clean your makeup brushes and get rid of any that are worn out or shedding. 

Try to buy only what you’ll use regularly to avoid future buildup. An organized makeup collection can simplify your beauty routine and ensure you’re using safe, effective products.

Jewelry You Never Wear

Outdated or unworn jewelry can clutter your jewelry box and make it harder to find the pieces you love. Sort through your collection, setting aside anything you haven’t worn in the past year.

Consider selling valuable pieces you no longer want or donating costume jewelry to local charities. Keep only the items that fit your current style and that you genuinely enjoy wearing.

Organizing your remaining jewelry can make getting dressed more enjoyable and ensure your favorite pieces don’t get lost in the clutter.

Old Greeting Cards

While greeting cards can hold sentimental value, they can also accumulate quickly and take up unnecessary space. Choose a few special cards to keep as mementos and recycle the rest.

For cards with particularly meaningful messages, consider taking photos of the inside before recycling. You could also cut out favorite images or messages to create a scrapbook or collage.

Remember, the sentiment behind the card is more important than the physical object itself.

Unnecessary Kitchen Dishes

Many of us have more dishes than we actually need or use. Take stock of your kitchen cabinets and keep only what you use regularly. If you host large gatherings infrequently, consider borrowing or renting extra dishes for those occasions rather than storing them year-round. 

Donate excess dishes to local charities or thrift stores. With an organized collection, you’ll spend less time washing and putting away dishes, and your cabinets will feel more organized.

Extra Blankets and Pillows

While it’s nice to have extra bedding for guests, too many blankets and pillows can overwhelm your storage spaces. Keep a reasonable number for guests and your own use, and donate the rest.

Consider the climate you live in and how many guests you typically host when deciding what to keep. Store the blankets and pillows you do keep in vacuum-sealed bags to save space.

This will free up valuable closet real estate and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.

Magazines You’ve Already Read

Old magazines can pile up quickly, taking up valuable space and collecting dust. Once you’ve finished reading a magazine, ask yourself if you’ll truly refer to it again.

If not, recycle it or pass it along to a friend who might enjoy it. For articles you want to keep, consider tearing them out and storing them in a folder, or taking photos with your phone. 

This approach allows you to keep the information without the bulk. Local schools, nursing homes, or doctor’s offices might also appreciate magazine donations for their waiting areas.

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Old Calendars and Planners

Once a year has passed, old calendars and planners often become clutter. While it’s tempting to keep them for sentimental reasons, they rarely serve a practical purpose. Before recycling, transfer any important dates or information to your current system. 

If you love the artwork on old calendars, consider framing your favorite pages as wall art. For planners, reflect on what worked well and what didn’t to inform your choices for the upcoming year.

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Unused Exercise Equipment

That treadmill doubling as a clothes rack? It’s time to be honest about your exercise habits and preferences. If you haven’t used a piece of equipment in the past year, it’s unlikely you’ll start now.

Sell or donate unused exercise gear to someone who will put it to good use. For equipment you do use, make sure it’s easily accessible to encourage regular workouts.

Remember, the most effective exercise is the one you’ll actually do, so keep only what aligns with your current fitness routine.

Empty Gift Boxes and Bags

While it’s eco-friendly to reuse gift packaging, too many boxes and bags can overwhelm your storage spaces. Keep a small selection of versatile gift bags and boxes, and recycle the rest.

For gift boxes from high-end items, consider selling them online as some collectors value these. When you do keep gift packaging, store it flat or nested to save space.

This approach ensures you have wrapping options on hand without cluttering your home.

Outdated Home Décor

Home decor trends change, and items that once felt stylish can make your space feel dated. Walk through your home with fresh eyes, identifying decor pieces that no longer fit your style or bring you joy.

Donate or sell items in good condition. For sentimental pieces, consider ways to update them with paint or new hardware before deciding to let them go.

Removing outdated decor can instantly refresh your space and make room for items that better reflect your current tastes.

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Old Cell Phones

Many of us have a drawer filled with outdated cell phones and their chargers. Instead of letting them gather dust, look into recycling or donation options.

Many electronics stores offer recycling programs, and some charities accept old phones to refurbish and give to those in need. Before disposing of any phone, make sure to remove all personal data.

If you’re keeping an old phone as a backup, limit it to just one and get rid of the rest.

Single-Purpose Kitchen Appliances

Appliances that only do one task can quickly clutter your kitchen. Think bread makers, ice cream machines, or specialized slicers. If you haven’t used an appliance in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go.

Opt for versatile tools that can perform multiple functions instead. This approach frees up valuable counter and cabinet space, making your kitchen more functional.

Remember, you can always borrow items from your local library or rent specialty appliances for occasional use.

DVDs and CDs

With the rise of streaming services, physical media often goes unused. Go through your collection and be honest about what you’ll actually watch or listen to again.

Keep only your absolute favorites or those not available on streaming apps. Consider digitizing the content you want to keep before donating or selling the physical copies.

This will free up significant shelf space and make your entertainment options more streamlined. Local libraries or senior centers might appreciate donations of movies and music.

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Unused Sporting Goods

Sports equipment for activities you no longer participate in takes up valuable storage space. If you haven’t used something in over a year, it’s time to consider letting it go.

Sell or donate equipment in good condition, someone else might be looking for an affordable way to try a new sport. For seasonal gear you do use, invest in proper storage solutions to keep it organized and in good condition.

This approach ensures you have what you need for your active lifestyle without unnecessary clutter.

Old Cameras

In the age of smartphones, many old cameras sit unused in drawers or on shelves. If you’re not using your old cameras, consider selling them, some vintage models are quite valuable to collectors.

If they’re not worth selling, look into recycling options for electronics. Keep only the cameras you actively use or those with strong sentimental value.

For old photos, consider digitizing them to save space and preserve memories without the physical clutter.

Board Games with Missing Pieces

Incomplete board games are frustrating and take up unnecessary space. Go through your game collection and check for missing pieces.

For games that are still complete and enjoyed, consider better storage solutions to keep all pieces together. Games that are incomplete or no longer played should be recycled or donated if in good condition.

Some games have replacement pieces available for purchase if it’s a family favorite. A streamlined game collection means more fun and less frustration on game nights.

Unused Cleaning Supplies

Over time, we often accumulate a variety of cleaning products, some of which go unused. Check expiration dates and get rid of any products that are old or that you simply don’t use.

Consider streamlining to a few multi-purpose cleaners rather than having a specific product for every task. Properly dispose of any hazardous materials, many communities have special collection days for these items.

A simplified cleaning supply collection makes it easier to keep your home clean and reduces under-sink clutter.

Extra Seasonal Decorations

Holiday decorations can accumulate year after year, leading to overstuffed storage spaces. Sort through your seasonal decor and keep only what you truly love and use each year.

Consider donating excess decorations to schools or community centers that might put them to good use. For the items you keep, invest in proper storage solutions to protect them and make decorating easier next season.

Remember, a few well-chosen decorations can be just as festive as an abundance of items.

Old Batteries

Loose batteries rolling around in drawers can be both annoying and potentially dangerous. Gather all your old batteries and check which ones still have life in them.

Properly recycle any that are dead, many electronics stores and some supermarkets offer battery recycling programs. For batteries you keep, store them in a dedicated battery organizer.

This makes it easy to find what you need and prevents potential safety hazards from loose batteries.

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Excess Gardening Supplies

Gardening supplies can quickly take over a garage or shed. Sort through your collection and discard any broken tools or expired products.

Donate excess supplies to community gardens or schools with gardening programs. Keep only what you need for your current gardening activities. 

Properly clean and store tools to extend their life. A well-organized garden supply area makes it more enjoyable to care for your outdoor spaces and ensures you can find what you need when you need it.

Your Path to a Clutter-Free Home

Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Start small, tackling one area at a time. As you work through these 39 items, you’ll likely find the process becomes easier and more rewarding.

A clutter-free environment can lead to reduced stress, improved focus, and a greater sense of calm. You might even find yourself with more time and energy to pursue the activities you truly enjoy.

Choose one item from this list and spend 15 minutes decluttering. You’ll be amazed at how quickly small efforts can add up to significant changes.

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