I Beat Procrastination With the Domino Decluttering Method

A pastel living room with blue patterned wallpaper, a white marble mantelpiece with circular mirror above, and large windows to the right with pastel pink curtains. In the foreground are two cream upholstered chairs, and in the center of the room is a circular coffee table with pink flowers on it, with a blue plaid sofa behind. On the floor is a white velvet rug.

(Image credit: Future / SARAH KAYE)

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I Tried It
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Facing off against a long decluttering to-do list is a certified way to instantly feel overwhelmed. It often feels easier to ignore the job altogether than even attempt to slog through it.

That is where the Domino Decluttering method comes in to offer an easy way into a big task, breaking the process down logically, and allowing you to stop whenever your energy runs out.

What is the Domino Decluttering Method?

The Domino Decluttering method is somewhat self-explanatory. You start with a small, easy streamlining task, and use that to launch into the next, completing one after the other until you build up to the bigger tasks on your list.

This quick decluttering method offers you a gradual way into your chores, helping to use the dopamine boost of completing one task to motivate you to complete the next, and the next, like steam in an engine.

It can look as simple as clearing a few items from the surface of your nightstand, then decluttering the drawers, before clearing the visible clutter in your bedroom, and finally, streamlining your closet. Succeeding on each step serves as its own motivator, propelling you forward and wicking away procrastination.

For Cathy Orr, professional home organizer and owner of This Uncluttered Life, this domino trick is best for people who are new to large-scale chores, those who often find themselves tidying when overwhelmed, or those who have no idea where to start when decluttering.

'It’s a way to pace yourself and have a few good “wins” at the beginning,' she explains. 'This encourages people to continue to the bigger and harder piles, while getting an idea of how much time and energy decluttering takes. It also helps them experience immediate improvement in their space.'

small snug area with paneled walls and half floral wallpaper, a tan sofa and a blue custom cabinet that folds out to reveal the TV — The trick is to start small, such as putting just one thing away, and working up from there.

The trick when using the Domino Decluttering method is to work out your start and end goals and work up from there. If you were laying out dominoes in a cascade, you would never knock the middle domino over first, after all.

Cathy says, 'A good place to start would be a drawer in an area, like the bathroom, that is usually easy to tackle. Start by going through personal care items, condensing where you can, recycling empty bottles, and checking for expired items. This may be one session of several. You can also just start with the countertop, proceed from there until the bathroom is finished.'

You can also adapt this to suit your ability to focus, much like the Sunday Butterfly Method, where you move through a set zone and declutter what you want until the task is completed.

Working room by room can also be helpful. It's a trick Cathy learned as a Kon-Mari consultant. Remember, too, that your dominos don't all have to fall on the same day.

Cathy explains, 'Do one little thing, such as take out the trash and declutter one drawer or cabinet, the first day. Live with it. See the difference just a little decluttering and organizing makes. Start, too, with an easy room.

'Then, stick with it until it’s finished. Then, move on to the next room that is just a bit harder. The key, however, is consistency, so you don’t have to keep going over your steps but actually move forward.'

I Tried the Domino Decluttering Method

A rustic entryway with wall mounted coat hooks above a blue painted shoe storage bench, topped with a cream cushion. — I used this quick method to tackle a messy entryway after the holidays.

I often use the ski-slope organizing method to restore order, but I was left with next to no energy after the recent very busy hosting period and needed something a little more manageable to tackle my entryway post-holidays.

Leaning on clever tricks like this can be a lifesaver when you're decluttering with health challenges such as fatigue, pain, or chronic illness.

I had fallen prey to the convenience of leaving coats on the backs of chairs rather than on hooks, and shoes all over the floor rather than inside the shoe rack. So, after motivating myself to clean by watching some body-doubling chore videos, I started small, just getting rid of trash, such as used packaging, opened mail, and cards.

With those out of the way and the space looking instantly tidier, I moved on to the slightly bigger task of putting all the shoes away in the cabinet (a slimline BRUSALI shoe unit from IKEA).

Finally, feeling motivated by the visible progress, I tackled the biggest decluttering task of all and put away the piles of coats that had accumulated. We have more jackets than our small, storageless entryway can comfortably house on our wall hook rack from Walmart. So I had to make more involved decisions about what to keep, which clothes to put in longer-term storage solutions dotted around our home, and what to hang back on hooks to keep the space practical.

While some experts suggest starting big to get the most tiring task out of the way, if you need the extra boost, starting small and working up is certainly the way to go.

VERDICT: It is certainly a 10/10 decluttering trick when you are seriously low on energy, but need to do something to tame home chaos.

What to Shop

Two sizes

Small Woven Water Hyacinth Milk Crate

Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for drop zones, shelves, and cabinets. They can make tidying up and hiding clutter quick and simple, while the cut-out handles make it easy to carry several items at once.

Set of six

Plastic Storage Baskets With Bamboo Lid

These stacking storage bins are ideal for use in cabinets and drawers, making better use of vertical height to save space while easily categorizing items for easy use. The cut-out design is great for ventilation, but avoid leaving open food items in these.

Wireless

Makeid Label Maker Machine With Tape

When using closed storage, label it to make finding the items you need later simple, and help others in your household maintain any organizing systems you put into place. Labeling can stop a helpful organizing system from unraveling with use.

Nine million copies sold

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

This bestselling book packs so much information into a mere 200 pages, in a readable and digestible format that's accessible to all readers of all ages.

Machine washable

Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

As you declutter, clean and dry surfaces, too. These Microfiber cloths are machine washable, meaning you can reuse them for years with proper care. Simply wash after use on a warm water cycle and gentle detergent (skip the softener) to sanitize.

EWG Certified

Attitude All Purpose Cleaner

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has certified Attitude products as non-toxic, meaning they contain no harsh chemicals or artificial compounds. It's a great multi-surface cleaner to pair with the Domino method to clean a home quickly.

Meet the Expert

Cathy Orr

Cathy is a cofounder of The Uncluttered Life and the Declutter Deck, recently featured in FabFitFun. She is also a certified master in the KonMari method.

If you still find yourself struggling to get started, consider pairing the Domino method with the Try-for-Five method, where you start a task and give it a go for just five minutes. You'll likely find that within those five minutes, your energy has picked up enough to let you continue.

The Five-Day Clutter Shakedown also helps to make progress without leaving any big piles of mess behind

TOPICS

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years and is our resident 'queen' of non-toxic living. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.