The 'snowball method' can take the stress out of keeping your home tidy — here's how this winter decluttering hack works

With the festive season approaching and homes filling with decorations, gifts and guests, there’s little space for clutter that starts to become an avalanche of mess. But when there are plans to make, presents to buy, and food to prepare, you have little time to worry about decluttering your home, and my favorite One In, One Out decluttering method goes out the window.

That’s where the snowball decluttering method comes in. Rather than seeing decluttering as one big event, it’s about a gradual start that builds. The idea is to achieve small wins, rather than blitz your home in one swoop.

Decluttering without the overwhelm

“Most people approach decluttering with an ‘all or nothing’ mindset, and that’s exactly why they burn out,” says Gerrit Jan Reinders, decluttering expert, founder and CEO at BOXIE24. “The snowball method takes that pressure off. When you start with one tiny space, you can finish in a few minutes, and you give yourself an instant win that makes you want to tackle the next one.”

And Reinders adds, “What surprises many people is how quickly these small wins add up. One drawer, one shelf, one corner at a time, your brain immediately recognizes that progress, and that little burst of momentum becomes the fuel that carries you forward.”

The snowball decluttering method is the approach favored by Olivia Parks, a Professional Organizer in New Orleans, Louisiana. With so much going on over the festive period and into the new year, she thinks this simple approach to decluttering is ideal.

And she believes it’s the perfect technique for anyone new to the decluttering challenge or who finds it hard to make decisions: “It keeps things doable and is all about getting something done, and not stressing over perfection,” she says.

“You start with very small tasks or small areas, and each ‘win’ gives you the motivation to keep going. It’s a great way to build steady momentum without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Just like a snowball that grows as it rolls, each small task you do adds up and builds momentum, and before you know it, you’ve made a big impact in your home,” explains Parks.

The snowball decluttering method: All it takes is 5 steps

1. Start small

Rather than taking on a whole room, approach a small area, such as a coffee table, kitchen countertop or coat rack and focus on that. “Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes and see how much you can clear,” suggests Reinders.

Decide what to keep where it is, tidy away or donate.

“Finishing even a small task gives your brain a boost and creates momentum for the next step. It’s amazing how a few minutes of focused effort can make a space already feel lighter and calmer,” he adds.

2. Move outwards

Once you are satisfied that the task is done, move on to the next space, but keep to the same area of the house, such as a drawer below, a shelf to the side.

Reinders says this creates a visual chain of progress that makes the entire room feel manageable, and says, “Seeing your effort ripple outward motivates you more than tackling a whole room at once."

3. Use a ‘decision box’

If you’re having trouble deciding whether to keep an item, Reinders recommends placing it in a ‘decision box’. “This simple trick prevents decision fatigue, keeps you from feeling overwhelmed, and still ensures that progress continues without getting stuck on every single item,” he adds.

4. Don’t be afraid to tackle easy spots in busy rooms

If a room feels overwhelming, Reinders says starting in the middle of the chaos won’t help. Instead, he suggests tackling the easiest spot first. “Completing it gives you an immediate sense of accomplishment and visually transforms part of the room. That small win makes it psychologically easier to tackle the messier areas next,” he explains.

5. Ask yourself, ‘Will I need it, will I miss it?'

“When you come across items you’re tempted to keep ‘just in case,’ pause and ask yourself if you will actually use them in the next year. If the answer is no, donate, recycle, or move them into storage,” says Reinders.

And he adds, “This mindset prevents old items from creeping back into your living space and protects the progress you’ve already made, making it easier to maintain a calm, clutter-free home.

I must admit to being guilty of removing an item in my aim to declutter, then changing my mind and sneaking it back.

Ikea SAMLA Box with lid: $4 at IKEA

This plastic storage box with a lid from Ikea is ideal for storing Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and other festive items for next year. The clear container also makes it easy to see what’s inside, so there's no need to label the box. It measures 15 ¼ x 11 x 5 ½ inches.

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Top ways to clear out your festive clutter

Once you get the hang of the snowball decluttering method you can apply it to your collection of festive decorations, and everything that comes with the season. Here Parks shares her top 5 tips on what to declutter.

• Toss leftover wrapping scraps and any wrapping items that are unusable for next year
• Donate any seasonal decor that just sat in a bin this year. If you truly loved it, you would’ve displayed it
• Throw away any broken ornaments or other broken decor, especially any festive lights that are no longer working
• Remove expired leftovers or unused holiday food from the fridge or pantry
• Start putting new gifts away and give each item a home

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More from Tom's Guide

• Avoid this common decluttering hack — experts warn it's a 'recipe for overwhelm'
• The decluttering hack that will help you break up with your clutter
• How to achieve a clutter-free home with the ‘One In, One Out’ method