10 Things to Declutter When You’re Short on Time

Let’s be honest for a second…

Summer is joyful, carefree, but also a little bit chaotic.

Between spontaneous beach days, popsicle drips on the floor, and sandy flip-flops piling up by the back door—summer isn’t exactly the most practical season for a complete overhaul.

But here’s the thing: a little really does goes a long way.

And after years of helping families across Bellingham and Seattle create systems that support their lifestyle—I’ve learned that decluttering doesn’t always have to be a giant project. It can be 10 quiet minutes while your coffee brews. Or that short window between camp drop-off and your first meeting of the day.

So if you’re craving more calm in your home—but don’t have the bandwidth for a full-on organizing marathon—this post is for you.

Here are 10 spaces you can declutter in 10 minutes or less, so you can feel more in control, even when life gets busy.

Why 10 Minutes Makes a Big Difference

I used to think if I couldn’t do it perfectly, it wasn’t worth doing. But spoiler: perfection is overrated (yes, that’s coming from a perfectionist).

Consistency is what actually makes a difference.

Ten minutes might not sound like much, but repeated daily or even a few times a week? That’s hours of reclaiming your space over the course of a month!

And sometimes, all you need is a little momentum to remind yourself that yes—you’re still in charge of your home (even if it doesn’t always feel like it).

My Favorite 10-Minute Decluttering Tasks

These are the small-but-mighty tasks I return to when my space (or my brain) needs a reset. You can rotate through them, pick one a day, or tackle two if you're feeling crazy! 😉

1. Clear the Kitchen Counters

This is always my favorite place to start! Toss the junk mail. Return the chip bags to the pantry. Wipe everything down. This one simple step makes the whole kitchen feel lighter!

2. Purge the Fridge

Do a quick scan for expired condiments, wilting produce, or questionable leftovers.

Bonus: This will actually help you figure out what to cook for dinner!

3. Clean Up the Entryway Drop Zone

Shoes, backpacks, sunglasses, dog leashes—whatever's multiplying by your door. Take a few minutes to put everything back where it belongs, and you’ll feel much better the next time you walk through your front door.

4. Tackle One Drawer

Choose one drawer that causes you the most stress. Is it your junk drawer? Nightstand? T-shirt drawer?

Open it up, toss or donate what you don’t need, and organize what remains. You’ll thank yourself every time you open it!

5. Declutter Your Bookshelf

Books are one of the easiest things to let pile up—and also one of the easiest to let go. Donate what no longer sparks interest and reclaim that shelf space.

Pro Tip: I’m a big fan of audiobooks, but if that’s not you, remember that you can go to your local library to borrow any book you want for free!

6. Dump Out Your Overflowing Purse/Diaper Bag/Work Tote

You know the bag…the one full of receipts, crushed snacks, and mystery wrappers. Empty it out, toss the trash, and keep the essentials. Who knows—you may even find the lipstick you thought you lost!

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to do the same for your work tote and diaper bag!

7. Delete 100 Emails or Photos

Yes, digital clutter counts too—and it’s way more satisfying to declutter than you might think! Set a timer and swipe away.

8. Reset Your Car

If your car is the unofficial summer camp shuttle, it's time to give it some love.

Toss the trash, vacuum the crumbs, return the rogue water bottles to the dishwasher. A quick tidy here makes every errand feel a little easier.

9. Check for Expired Medications + Toiletries

This one’s fast but impactful! Open the bathroom drawer or cabinet, check the dates, and toss anything that’s past its prime.

10. Speed-Edit the Closet Floor

We’re not doing the full closet clean out here. Just the floor. Shoes, laundry, clothing tags—whatever’s collecting. Toss the trash, donate the pieces you don’t love, and put the rest away.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a free weekend or an empty house to start feeling better in your space.

You just need ten minutes.

So the next time your home feels like it’s spiraling out of control? Take a breath.
Pick one task. Set a timer. And start small.

This summer, let your home reflect the kind of life you actually want to live: relaxed, intentional, and a little more peaceful (even when the kids are tracking in sand and asking for snacks 😉).

Because staying sane in the summer doesn’t mean having a perfectly organized home.
It just means having enough systems in place to help you breathe, reset, and enjoy the season you’re in.

And if you ever want help turning those 10-minute wins into full-blown transformations—we’d love to chat!