We’re moving into a tiny home, and the biggest surprise has been discovering how much stuff we’d forgotten we owned.
When you have plenty of space, or even a little extra space, it’s easy not to notice, but planning for a smaller place makes you see all those hidden things. It’s been both humbling and gives us a chuckle.
Honestly, you don’t have to be moving into a tiny home to want to clear out your stuff. Maybe you’re thinking about downsizing, or you’re just tired of maintaining more space than you need.
You may also find it helpful to read 10 Things to Consider Before Living in a Tiny Home.
10 Things to Downsize Before Going Tiny
Maybe you’re done with junk drawers that never seem to end. No matter your reason, these were the first things we sorted, and it made the rest much easier.
1. Duplicate kitchen stuff
We didn’t realize we had three wine openers. Three! No one needs that many. Check your drawers and keep only the ones you actually use. The extras just take up space.
2. Towels and bedding
Somehow, we kept towels that should have been replaced years ago, and pillowcases that didn’t match anything. Once we focused on what we really use, our closet finally made sense again.
3. Clothes that don’t fit your life now
With both of us having lost weight, we were saving shirts and jeans for “one day.” If picking up an item makes you sigh, that’s a sign to let it go. Learn more about how to make money while decluttering!
4. Books you aren’t going to read again
We love books, but we weren’t fooling anyone by keeping a whole shelf of titles we hadn’t touched in years. Keeping the ones that have real meaning feels better than owning an entire wall of maybes. Don’t forget that your local library can usually access anything you want to read, and you can return it when you are finished.
5. Holiday decorations you forgot existed
We opened storage bins and found decorations we didn’t even recognize. If you haven’t used something in the last few years, it’s just taking up space. Let someone else enjoy it.
6. Electronics and random cords
We don’t know who needs to hear this… wait, yes, we do. You! Every home has a box of mystery tech. We dumped ours out, and half of it didn’t even belong to anything we still use. Recycle the dead weight. You won’t need it.
7. Extra cleaning supplies
At some point, we collected cleaning sprays as if they were souvenirs. Choosing just a few reliable ones saves precious cabinet space. Make your own all-purpose cleaner, and you will be good to go!
8. Paper piles
Old mail, manuals, and notes usually go straight to the recycling bin. You can scan and store important documents digitally. It’s a quick win that makes your home feel lighter right away. Even better, stop the mail from coming to your home.
9. Furniture that won’t work in your future space
There’s no sense dragging big pieces through the move if they don’t fit where you’re going. This applies even if you’re downsizing or reorganizing. Let the furniture match the life you’re actually living. You can read more about this when we discuss creating a cozy minimalist living room. Pieces should have multiple purposes in a small space.
10. Sentimental things you kept because you felt guilty
This one hits close to home. We used to keep items only because we felt bad letting them go, not because they meant anything. Keeping the things that genuinely matter feels so much lighter. Go through your items and determine whether they can be used for dual purposes.
For example, we kept souvenir coffee mugs, just two of them, because they mean something to us, and we use them every day.
Clear the Stuff, and Clear Your Mind
Moving into a tiny home has shown us how easy it is to let things pile up when you have the space. Clearing out these ten categories has made our home feel calmer and the move less overwhelming. Even if you never go tiny, this is a great way to make your space work better for you.
If you need some help, we have our Free 30-Day Declutter Plan and Declutter 365 to get you started!
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
No, and that’s a huge misconception. Tiny living is not about owning nothing; it’s about owning what you actually use and care about. We’re not trying to live out of a backpack. We’re just tired of stuff taking up space without earning its keep.
Earlier than you think. The more time you give yourself, the less stressful it feels. We started with the obvious stuff first, so the more complex decisions didn’t feel so heavy later.
These same categories still apply. Downsizing isn’t only for tiny homes. If your space feels overwhelming, it usually means you’re managing more than you need, not that you need more storage.
