The Smarter Way to Declutter Your Home in 2025: Keep, Donate, Store

To clear the mess, you first have to create a mess. That’s how decluttering works, and it’s also often why many get overwhelmed in the first few steps.

The good thing is there’s no single way to declutter. In fact, since Marie Kondo popularized the act with her KonMari method in 2011, new approaches to declutter your home have emerged such as the Packing Party method or the Ski Slope method.

In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into one of the classics, the “Four Box Method,” and how it can evolve to meet the modern needs of urban, apartment-dwelling professionals.

How Can the Four Box Decluttering Method Evolve to Meet Modern Needs

With the Four Box Method, you traditionally label four boxes with ‘keep, throw away, donate, and sell.’ Other variations include ‘rehome’ and ‘undecided.’

However, this might not always be suitable, especially for urban professionals who live in cramped apartments with limited storage options. The good news is that the approach is highly flexible.

The classic ‘Keep, Throw Away, Donate, and Sell’ labels can be further simplified into ‘Keep, Donate, and Store.’ This acknowledges that while we can’t keep everything, we don’t have to let go of what still serves a purpose, especially with smarter, on-demand storage options like the self-storage units that Stuf Storage offers.

How to Declutter Your Home Using the Keep–Donate–Store Method

The Keep–Donate–Store method simplifies decision-making by reducing the choices you need to make. Instead of deciding between half a dozen categories, you sort each item into one of three clear actions: keep it in your home, give it a second life, or move it into smart off-site storage.

“We buy based on emotions not needs…If you aren’t willing to get rid of things to eliminate the clutter, you will never be organized.”

ー Dominique Spicer

Below is a practical, step-by-step way to apply the method to declutter your home.

Keep: Choose what adds real value

The “keep” stage is about redefining value, not just tidying. Here, you confront what you’ve chosen to and will continue to live with. However, even this starting stage can already be overwhelming for some.

“I think people become paralyzed by disorganization because they don’t understand how they got to this point of clutter and chaos. Unfortunately it's usually from over buying things,” says Dominique Spicer, the owner of Clutter Simplified. “We buy based on emotions not needs…If you aren’t willing to get rid of things to eliminate the clutter, you will never be organized.”

The best way to overcome this hurdle according to Dominique is to take one thing at a time, whether that’s one room, one bin, or one corner and complete it 100%.

As you sort, ask yourself:

• Have I used this in the past 90 days?
• Would I buy it again today?
• Does it make my daily routine easier or better?

Tips to prevent overwhelming yourself:

• Create a checklist: List down all the things you need to complete per area or section of your home, and tick things off as you go. Not only will this keep your process more structured, but it will also give you mini-dopamine hits as you achieve those small wins.

  The same approach can work if you use self-storage units for your extra stuff. Having a self-storage inventory checklist will keep things organized, and allow you to use the unit efficiently.

• Set a 30-minute timer: Work within that window to prevent decision fatigue from setting in and derailing your progress

  If you do encounter decision fatigue, Dominique suggests moving on to the next item on your list and circling back later on to the item that has got you stumped.

Once you’ve decided what stays, create a “Home Base” for everything you keep. Give each category (keys, skincare, chargers, cleaning supplies) a fixed spot. This prevents the “floating clutter” that returns days after you declutter your home.

Donate: Build a let-go routine

Decluttering shouldn’t end with a pile on the floor. That’s why it’s important to build a donation system that’s easy enough to keep going the whole year round. 

Here’s how:

1. Keep one labeled bin or bag in each key area such as a “closet cleanout” in the bedroom or “miscellaneous” in the living room.
2. Every time you spot something unused or unloved, drop it in immediately.
3. Once full, schedule a pickup with your local charity or donation service (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity).

For sentimental items, combine emotion and practicality:

• Digitize photos, awards, and paper memories.
• Keep one small “memory box” for the few things that truly matter.
• For kids’ artwork, take pictures and compile them into a yearly photo book.

Store: Use space strategically, not emotionally

When you get a storage unit it should be a tool, allowing you to store your items purposefully rather than a hiding place for items that currently have no place in your apartment.

So before packing anything, apply the“12-Month Test.” If you haven’t used it in the past year, and can’t name a specific reason you will soon, it’s time to donate or sell. However, if it’s a seasonal item or something you know with 100% certainty you’ll still get some use out of, then, it can go into storage

When you store items, think like a professional. Some of Dominique’s non-negotiables for storing items in a storage unit include:

• Using clear plastic bins for easy visibility.
• Labelling everything with both category and date.
• Using sturdy metal shelving for long-term durability.
• Keeping the ground clear to make it easier to grab your items
• Create an inventory of what you have in your unit
• Scheduling a mini-declutter session at least twice a year to remove items you never get and to create open spaces for new things to come.

Modern solutions like Stuf Storage make this easier with secure, tech-enabled facilities that give you flexible access. Here, your storage feels like a natural extension of your home, not a forgotten afterthought.

Pro tip: Dedicate a small “rotation zone” in your home (like a hall closet) for items that move in and out of storage seasonally. It keeps your living space dynamic and prevents re-cluttering.

When Does Self Storage Become the Right Solution for You?

Renting self-storage should be a strategic decision based on need, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Here are five situations where renting a storage unit genuinely makes sense:

1. You’re in the middle of a major transition
   If you’re moving, renovating, or downsizing, your space may feel chaotic before it feels organized. But you can use self storage to temporarily hold furniture and décor you’re unsure about, giving you space to finish decluttering without pressure or regret.

2. You’ve decluttered but your home still feels cramped.
   Sometimes, even after letting go of unnecessary items when you declutter your home, space remains tight, especially in small city apartments. So, storing bulky or seasonal items off-site can help maintain your decluttered environment and keeps daily living areas open and calm.

3. You’re struggling to make final decisions
   Decluttering can stir up “maybe later” piles that stall progress. During these moments, a self storage unit can serve as a decision buffer, a place to store items you’re not ready to part with yet. However, be sure to set a reminder in six months to revisit and decide with a clearer mind.

4. You want to keep sentimental or high-value pieces without clutter
   Some items such as heirlooms, art, or collectibles deserve to be preserved but not necessarily displayed. Using storage to store them allows you to protect what matters most while keeping your home streamlined and clutter-free.

   However, when storing valuable items in a self-storage unit, be sure to protect them with insurance. You can check if your current insurance plans cover them, or take out a separate insurance plan like our monthly insurance add-on at Stuf.

5. You’re creating a sustainable decluttering system
   A successful decluttering session can help build sustainable organizational practices that can keep your home clutter-free for years to come. One of these practices is using self storage for items that rotate seasonally (like winter coats or holiday décor). This can help you maintain long-term order and prevents your newly organized space from filling up again.

   Keep in mind, storage works best when used intentionally. Every item you move should serve a future purpose or hold clear value. The goal isn’t to hide clutter, so treat your self storage unit as an extension of your home rather than as another forgotten closet..

Keep in mind, storage works best when used intentionally. Every item you move should serve a future purpose or hold clear value. The goal isn’t to hide clutter, so treat your self storage unit as an extension of your home rather than as another forgotten closet.

Keep What Counts, Store What Matters, Simplify the Rest for a More Organized Home

When you decide to declutter your home, it should start with the mindset you bring to the process. When you commit to seeing your space as a reflection of your values, not just your possessions, the real work can begin. And with the Keep → Donate → Store framework, you’ve got a practical method to start with.

At Stuf Storage, we believe decluttering doesn’t end at your doorstep. Our modern, secure storage units are designed for people who want to live lighter without letting go of what’s important.

With flexible access, contactless booking, and smart storage features, we make it easy to treat your unit as an intentional extension of your home.

Find a unit near you now!