There are all sorts of decluttering tips, methods, and so-called hacks floating around the internet. Some come with lengthy rules and intense time commitments, others with not enough guidance at all.
As a writer about all-things-home, I’ve tested out a number of organizational strategies. I’ve found that the best are simple, easy to follow, and stress-free—they have clear step-by-step instructions that can be explained in just a few words.
Domino decluttering checks all these boxes. It’s a strategy that relies on momentum. All you have to do is find that first domino.
I decided to try out the method myself while gathering advice from a few professional organizers familiar with the technique. Here’s more on the approach, plus my experience and tips for anyone hoping to give it a shot.
What Is Domino Decluttering?
Domino decluttering is clearing out spaces throughout your home by momentum rather than by a strategic plan.
“You start with one small, genuinely easy task and finish it—that win makes the next slightly bigger task feel possible, and that one leads to the next,” says Beata Kozlowski of Tidy Step by Step. “Like a row of dominoes, tipping the first one does most of the work. You clear one junk drawer, then the drawer beside it, then the whole cabinet, and an hour later, the kitchen looks different even though you never decided to declutter the kitchen."
There’s no preplanned commitment involved. Domino decluttering is all about starting small and seeing where that takes you.
“My philosophy is that you don't need motivation to start decluttering, you need evidence that you can do it,” says Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of Minimalista. “One finished drawer is that evidence, and it's proof that action leads to confidence, and confidence leads to momentum. It's less about the space itself and more about proving to yourself that the process is doable, one small win at a time.”
My Experience with Domino Decluttering
Before testing out the domino decluttering method myself, I spent some time thinking about the spaces that could function as the first domino—small, contained areas around the apartment that don’t feel too overwhelming. I put on some music and kept things low-pressure. If I felt like I couldn’t declutter any longer, I would simply stop.
I decided to start with the area below my kitchen sink. It’s a low-stakes spot I knew I could get through without sacrificing hours on end. I removed a few towels that didn’t belong, reorganized some supplies and bags, and got rid of a few empty cleaning bottles.
That space naturally led me to the cabinet right next door, which held my mugs. While this space felt a bit more intimidating (I’ll admit, I’m definitely a cup collector), I was already in the groove of decluttering, so it didn’t feel so terrible. I only ended up donating a couple of mugs, but it was better than nothing.
At this point, I felt like I could continue conquering the various cabinets and drawers in my kitchen. Seeing each spot clear of clutter gave me the satisfaction I needed to keep going. Suddenly, I felt the need to get through the whole kitchen.
I finished off the room sorting through the rest of the drawers and cabinets, and that even led me to clean my counters and sink so I could fully enjoy this freshly organized space. For me, removing the pressure and rules so many decluttering methods come with felt good. I was simply tackling one area at a time, and moving on if I felt like I still had energy.
The Best Domino Decluttering Spots
Domino decluttering requires momentum, and some areas around the house are better than others when it comes to keeping the energy going.
“Start with something small, manageable, bite sized,” says Amelia Meena of Appleshine. “Let that roll into the bigger, harder places.”
Below are a few spaces that work as a first domino, according to organizers:
- Junk drawer
- Cabinets (kitchen cabinets, medicine cabinets or cabinets under the sink, for example)
- Coat closet
- Glove box
- Piles of papers
- Excess tote bags
- Old dish rags
“Just as important is what not to start with: photos, kids' artwork, sentimental boxes, or anything belonging to another family member,” says Kozlowski. “Those require hard decisions, and hard decisions are exactly what kill momentum before it builds.”
Tips for Domino Decluttering
While domino decluttering is pretty self-explanatory, professional organizers still recommend following a few key tips to ensure the method works for you and your space.
Declutter with intention: “If your ‘small first step’ turns into a four-hour excavation of your closet, you lose momentum instead of building it, and the method backfires,” says Gill. “Start small on purpose. One win leads to the next, and before long, a junk drawer turns into a whole kitchen, a closet, a home. Small, doable actions compound into massive change.”
Acknowledge difficulty: “First, tier your tasks—easy, medium, hard—and let the difficulty climb as your energy does,” says Kozlowski. “Nightstand surface, then the nightstand drawers, then the dresser, then the closet.”
Don’t kill the momentum: “Once you've finished your first space, don't stop to admire it,” says Gill. “Immediately choose the next domino while the motivation is hot.” Meena agrees with this sentiment, saying “starting small only works if you keep going.”
End the clutter: “Build in the sustainability piece as you go,” says Gill. “Don't just relocate the excess to a donation pile that sits in your garage for six months. Bag it up and get it out the same week, so each domino actually closes the loop instead of just shifting clutter elsewhere.”
Don’t be afraid to stop: “Stop while you're still winning,” says Kozlowski. “Finishing while you still feel good is what makes it easy to pick it up again tomorrow.”
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
