How to Downsize Your Home in One Hour: Simple Decluttering Wins That Actually Work

Written By Blair Hammond

Downsizing your home doesn’t require a full weekend, a dumpster, or endless emotional decisions. In fact, you can make meaningful progress in just one hour, especially when you focus on the right spaces.

Whether you’re preparing a home for sale, helping aging parents downsize, or simply trying to reduce clutter, this one-hour downsizing guide will help you take action quickly and confidently. It is also manageable, which is why we love it so much.

Why One-Hour Downsizing Sessions Work

Many people delay downsizing because it feels overwhelming. Short, focused sessions:

  • Reduce decision fatigue

  • Create visible progress fast

  • Fit easily into busy schedules

  • Build momentum over time

If you have one free hour, you have enough time to make a real dent.

How to Prepare for a One-Hour Downsizing Session

Before you start, gather:

  • 3 bags or bins labeled Keep, Donate, and Discard

  • A timer set for 60 minutes

The goal is to make steady progress.

The Best Areas to Downsize in One Hour

1. Coat Closet Downsizing

The coat closet is one of the highest-impact places to start when downsizing.

What to remove:

  • Coats not worn in the last 2–3 years

  • Duplicate hats, gloves, scarves, and umbrellas

  • Shoes that are uncomfortable or no longer fit

  • Gloves with no matching pair

Downsizing tip: Keep only what fits your current lifestyle and climate.

2. Linen Closet Decluttering

Linen closets are often overfilled with extras “just in case.”

In one hour, you can:

  • Match sheet sets and donate incomplete ones

  • Remove worn or stained towels and donate them to a local animal shelter

  • Reduce to 1–2 sheet sets per bed

This creates instant space and simplifies daily routines.

3. Bathroom Cabinets and Vanities

Bathroom storage fills quickly with expired and unused items.

Focus on:

  • Expired medications and toiletries

  • Products you didn’t like and won’t use

  • Duplicate grooming tools

If it’s been opened and untouched for over a year, it’s time to let it go.

4. The Kitchen Junk Drawer

A classic one-hour decluttering project with immediate results.

Remove:

  • Old takeout menus

  • Dead batteries and broken gadgets

  • Mystery cords and unused tools

Keep only items that truly belong there and are used regularly.

5. Entryway or Hall Closet

These spaces often become catch-alls that add visual clutter.

Edit out:

  • Bags, backpacks, and totes you don’t use

  • Seasonal items stored in the wrong place

  • Items that belong elsewhere in the home

A streamlined entryway makes the entire home feel calmer.

What Not to Downsize in One Hour

Avoid emotionally charged areas like:

  • Photo albums

  • Sentimental keepsakes

  • Family memorabilia

These deserve more time—and often guided support.

Small Downsizing Wins Add Up

Downsizing isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about taking consistent, manageable steps. One cleared closet today makes tomorrow’s decisions easier.

Over time, one hour at a time can lead to a lighter, more functional home.

Blair Hammond
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Where to Start with Downsizing