7 Powerful Ways to Get Your Family on Board with Decluttering

Introduction

I’ll never forget the Saturday morning I announced, with all the enthusiasm of a woman on a mission, “Today’s the day—we’re decluttering the garage!”

My husband disappeared outside to “mow the lawn” (in February, mind you). My son suddenly remembered he had a “very important” video game to play.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: you can want to declutter all you want, but unless your family is on board, the clutter will creep back faster than you can say donation box.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to get your family on board with decluttering—without nagging, without meltdowns, and without turning weekends into World War III. These seven strategies changed everything in my home, and I believe they’ll help you too.

1. Start with “Why” (Not Just the Stuff)

When I first tried to get my family on board with decluttering, I made the mistake of talking only about the things.

“Too many toys.”
“Too many mugs.”
“Too many shoes by the door.”

But here’s the problem: no one gets inspired by a lecture on mugs.

Instead, I started framing decluttering around the “why.” I explained how less clutter meant:

• More room for family dinners at the table

• Easier mornings when we weren’t searching for lost homework

• Less stress for everyone walking into a calmer home

That shift was huge. Suddenly, decluttering wasn’t about what we were losing—it was about what we were gaining.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, make it about shared benefits, not just stuff.

Tip: Have each family member share one thing they wish they had “more of” at home (peace, space, time). Then connect decluttering to that desire.

📦You might like to use my affiliate link for this Family Command Center Wall Organizer – perfect for corralling mail, schedules, and keys so everyone benefits from less chaos.

You might also like How to Get Rid of Stuff: 9 Powerful Tips That Actually Work.

2. Pick Battles Wisely (Spouse Edition)

If you’ve ever tried to toss your spouse’s 20-year-old concert T-shirts, you know exactly why this tip matters.

When I first pushed to get my family on board with decluttering, I made the rookie mistake of starting with their stuff. That approach backfired fast.

What worked instead? Start with your own things.

I went through my closet first. I pared down my kitchen gadgets. I let go of décor I secretly hated or just wasn’t using. And you know what? My husband noticed—without me saying a word. Over time, he became more open to letting go of things himself.

Here’s the mindset shift: you don’t have to win every battle. Focus on shared spaces and your own belongings first. Respect builds trust, and trust builds teamwork.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, lead with action, not nagging.

Pro Tip: Instead of arguing, ask: “Would you rather keep this, or have more space for ___?” (insert something they value—like their tools, car space, or hobby corner).

📦 Affiliate pick: Lift-Top Storage Coffee Table – stylish, multi-functional, and a win-win when space is tight.

Be sure and also check out How to Declutter: 9 Surprising Things I Didn’t Expect to Feel.

3. Make Decluttering Kid-Friendly

One of my biggest battles when trying to get my family on board with decluttering was my kids’ endless stream of art projects, stuffed animals, and birthday party trinkets.

Telling a child, “We’re throwing away your stuff,” is a recipe for tears. Instead, I learned to give them ownership in the process.

Here are three tricks that worked:

1. Choices, not commands. I’d hold up two items and ask, “Which one do you love more?”

2. Memory bins. Each child got one box for keepsakes. When it filled up, they chose what stayed and what went.

3. Photos of sentimental items. My daughter still talks about how she felt relief knowing her favorite, worn-out stuffed animal “lived on” in a picture.

When kids feel included, they resist less. Plus, decluttering teaches them life skills about decision-making and gratitude. We talked with our kids about donating so that other kids could get the same enjoyment out of the toy. And we took them with us when we went to donate the items at a local shelter or foster group homes.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, let kids feel empowered, not punished.

📦 A few of my affiliate picks to help when decluttering:

• Keepsake Memory Boxes – perfect for each child’s special treasures

• Aura Digital Photo Frame – display memories without piles of stuff

If you like this, please also take a look at Helpful Tidy Tips for 4 Different Life Stages.

4. Set Boundaries Without Nagging

My husband used to dump his mail, receipts, and random “garage treasures” on the kitchen counter. Every. Single. Day.

I could have nagged (and honestly, I did at first), but it never worked.

What did work? Boundaries.

I set up one decorative basket on the counter. His pile could live there—nowhere else. When it filled up, it was his responsibility to sort it.

No more spreading, no more resentment. Just one defined space.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, create systems that do the talking for you.

Tip: Try “one bin per person” in a shared space. When it’s full, that person has to deal with it before adding more.

📦 Affiliate pick: Woven Decorative Storage Baskets – attractive enough to leave in plain sight, functional enough to tame the piles.

Another great article is Stop Procrastinating Decluttering: 9 Powerful Tricks.

5. Turn Decluttering Into Family Time

At first, decluttering felt like a punishment. But one day, I turned on music, set a timer, and said: “Let’s see how much we can get done in 20 minutes before pizza night!”

Shockingly, everyone joined in. And we actually had fun.

That’s when I realized—decluttering doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be a chance to laugh, move, and work together toward a common goal.

Here are a few tricks we use now:

• Theme nights. “Tidy Tuesday” or “Donation Saturday.”

• Assign roles. One person sorts, one carries, one wipes down surfaces.

• Celebrate after. A movie, ice cream run, or takeout dinner.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, make it less about “the stuff” and more about togetherness.

📦 Affiliate picks:

• https://amzn.to/3KfRMneLabel Maker – let kids label bins like pros

• Clear Storage Bins with Lids – makes sorting easier and oddly satisfying

We’re not aiming for perfection! My House Is Still Sometimes Cluttered: 7 Surprising Reasons

6. Show, Don’t Tell (Lead by Example)

Here’s the hard truth: your family won’t magically declutter because you lecture them. They need to see the benefits first.

When I decluttered my own closet, something surprising happened. My family noticed how much calmer I felt. My mornings were faster. I wasn’t stressed about “nothing to wear.”

And slowly—without me pushing—they started asking for help with their spaces too.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, start by modeling the change.

Tip: Take before-and-after photos of a small project you complete. Share how it makes you feel. People are inspired by transformation, not nagging.

📦 Affiliate pick: ClosetMaid Closet Organizer Kit – makes even small closets feel spacious and peaceful.

7. Celebrate Wins & Keep It Going

One of my favorite family memories was our first trip to the donation center with a car full of boxes. We rolled down the windows, blasted music, and cheered as we dropped everything off.

Decluttering can be hard, but celebrating progress keeps the momentum alive.

Here’s how we keep it going:

• Take a photo of every donation drop-off (we call it our “freedom album”).

• Share gratitude at dinner: one thing we’re thankful for now that we have more space.

• Schedule a quick monthly reset—just 15 minutes to keep clutter from creeping back.

👉 If you want to get your family on board with decluttering, don’t forget to celebrate along the way.

You might also like How to Organize Your Life Beautifully.

Conclusion: Peace Is Possible

If you’ve ever felt like you’re fighting a losing battle against clutter because your family isn’t on board, I want you to know: you’re not alone.

The key isn’t forcing, nagging, or doing it all yourself. It’s finding ways to get your family on board with decluttering by connecting it to what matters most—peace, time, space, and freedom.

Here’s a quick recap of the seven strategies that worked for us:

1. Start with why, not just the stuff

2. Pick battles wisely (especially with your spouse)

3. Make decluttering kid-friendly

4. Set boundaries without nagging

5. Turn decluttering into family time

6. Show, don’t tell—lead by example

7. Celebrate wins and keep it going

Decluttering isn’t just about less stuff—it’s about more life.

And when your whole family is on board, that life feels a whole lot lighter, calmer, and more joyful.

✨ Related posts to keep you inspired:

• 10 Simple Common Decluttering Mistakes That Keep You Stuck

• 9 Helpful Decluttering Tips for Helping a Parent Downsize

For more organization inspiration, be sure and check out 97 Best Organization Ideas.

Note: Affiliate links support my content at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

And don’t forget to get my free guide, “Declutter Your Home in 30 Days“!

Want more help? I offer virtual decluttering and organizing help or in person in South Alabama/Northwest Florida. Reach out at [email protected]!