If you need some decluttering ideas for a rainy afternoon, I’ve come up with some quick wins that can make your place look neater in a flash for instant gratification. This means that you’ll finally get to do some of that tidying you’ve been saying you’ll get around to when you have some free time – and still get to enjoy your other favourite rainy day activities, like curling up with a good book or playing a game with the family!

1. Clear flat surfaces

This is, hands down, the #1 way to make your home look way neater in a flash. Clear off flat surfaces, like your coffee table or kitchen counters. Place everything in a pile on the floor or sofa and then put the essentials back. Find a new place for everything else. A good rule of thumb, according to some interior design experts, is aiming to leave the top of your coffee table 75% clear to make your living room like tidier.

2. Organise just one drawer 

You know that drawer. It’s the one where you have to use one hand to push its contents down while the other tries to pry it open. While it’s hard to find the time (and desire) to completely overhaul all your drawers, a rainy afternoon is the ideal time to tackle a single drawer that you use often – so you won’t have to cringe every time you open it.

3. Control your cords

If you’ve got cords and chargers all over the place, take a few minutes to organise them. Whether you create a mini charging station near an outlet or place everyone’s devices vertically in an extra desktop organiser, this can go a long way toward making everything look neater. Another thing you can do is label cords with washi tape if your family tends to get them mixed up.

4. Limit your visual clutter

If you have open storage, such as open kitchen shelves, now is a great time to streamline it a bit. If you’re able to put some things elsewhere, great. If not, try reorganising and grouping by colour or style, leaving as much space as possible on all sides of your items for a cleaner look.

5. Organise the fridge

If you’d be mortified to open up your refrigerator in front of company, now’s the time to get your fridge clutter under control. Empty the shelves and drawers, wipe them down and toss expired foods. Group similar items together or organise by height so you won’t feel overwhelmed every time you open the fridge.

6. Fill a garbage bag

One of my easiest decluttering ideas is to walk around your house with a garbage bag and fill it up. Decide whether you’re looking for things to throw away or things to donate, and then see how high you can fill it!

7. Deal with shoes

If your entryway looks like the scene of a shoe explosion, tidying it up will make a big difference. Limit the number of shoes on the ground with bins, closet storage, or baskets to make a good first impression.

8. Set up a landing station

Are you tired of everyone leaving keys, sunglasses, and bags on the table in the front hall? Designate a catch-all space for these items, such as a drawer or basket, to keep them tucked out of sight.

9. Toss expired products

This might not have as visible of an effect as some of the other tips, but it will cut down on your overall clutter. Go through your bathrooms and kitchen and check the expiration dates on everything, tossing those that are past their prime. 

10. Set a timer

If it’s hard to get motivated to declutter, set a timer and tell yourself you’ll do as much as you can in a set period. Go for at least 5 minutes – or 15 if you’re feeling really ambitious. Since this feels like a game, you may even be able to convince the kids to join in! Either way, you’ll be amazed at how much more productive you can be in 5 minutes when there’s a timer counting down. 

I hope these decluttering ideas will give you some inspiration the next time you want your house to look tidier but aren’t up for a full weekend overhaul.