10 Areas You Forgot to Declutter
When we think about decluttering, most of us picture the obvious places: overflowing closets, packed kitchen cabinets, and messy junk drawers.
But even after a major clean-out, there are often hidden areas around the home that quietly collect clutter over time. These forgotten spaces can weigh us down without us even realizing it, making our homes feel busier and more chaotic than they need to be.
Today, we’re diving into 10 often-overlooked areas you might have missed. From under sinks to the top of the fridge, these spots are sneaky clutter magnets.
A little attention here can make a big difference in how light, fresh, and organized your home feels. Let’s get started!
10 Areas You Forgot to Declutter:
1 – Under Sinks
The space under sinks often becomes a catch-all for half-used cleaners, old sponges, and miscellaneous supplies. Start by pulling everything out and wiping down the surfaces.
Toss anything that’s expired, leaking, or no longer useful. Keep only what you actually use, and consider using small bins or baskets to group similar items together for easy access.
2 – Blankets / Linens
It’s easy to hang onto more blankets and linens than we really need.
Go through your collection and pull out anything that’s worn out, stained, or never used. Keep a few favorites for each season and donate or repurpose the rest.
Store your linens neatly by folding them tightly or using fabric organizers to save space.
Here are some ideas for organizing a deep linen closet.
3 – Laundry Room
The laundry room can easily get cluttered with single socks, empty detergent bottles, and forgotten items.
Take everything off the shelves and sort it out. Recycle empty containers, toss broken hangers, and find a spot for loose change and random laundry finds.
Keep only the supplies you use regularly and organize them into labeled bins if possible.
Whenever I declutter my laundry area, I take an extra second to wipe down the washer and dryer, too!
4 – Declutter Above the Fridge
Out of sight, out of mind. The top of the fridge tends to collect random clutter like cookbooks, trays, or forgotten mail.
Clear everything off and give the surface a good cleaning. Only put back a few carefully chosen items (if any). Keeping it clear can make your kitchen feel instantly cleaner and more open.
5 – Under the Bed
Under the bed can be prime real estate or a black hole of forgotten items. Pull everything out and sort through it.
Donate anything you no longer need, throw away trash, and consider using under-bed bins for organized storage if you need the space.
Ideally, aim to keep it as empty as possible for a lighter, airier feel in the room.
6 – Inside Furniture
Drawers and shelves inside furniture pieces like coffee tables, sideboards, and ottomans can quickly fill up with random things.
Empty each space completely, wipe it down, and decide what truly belongs there.
Group similar items together and use small containers or dividers to keep everything neat going forward.
7 – Declutter Books
Bookshelves can easily get overcrowded with titles you’ve already read (or never plan to).
Go through your collection and be honest about what you’ll realistically read again.
Donate books you don’t love, and leave some breathing room on your shelves to create a calmer, more intentional look.
I love giving my lightly used books to a secondhand book store, which gives me credit for future purchases.
8 – Garage Eaves
The eaves of the garage are often used for storage, but they can become cluttered with forgotten holiday decor, old sports equipment, and random boxes. Set aside a day to pull everything down, sort it, and get rid of anything broken, outdated, or unnecessary.
Use clear bins with labels to store what’s left so you can easily find things later.
Read: How to Declutter a Garage!
9 – Toolbox
A cluttered toolbox can make even simple projects frustrating.
Empty it out and group similar tools together. Sharpen or replace anything that’s damaged, toss duplicates, and organize your tools by type or frequency of use.
Keeping your tool area organized offers more than just a tidy workspace—it actually makes every project faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
When your tools are sorted and easy to find, you can jump into repairs or creative projects without wasting time searching through a jumbled mess. Plus, an organized toolbox helps you spot duplicates, worn-out tools, or missing items right away, saving you money in the long run.
Even better, maintaining a neat tool area creates a sense of accomplishment and reduces frustration, turning home maintenance into a task you can tackle with confidence and ease.
10 – Declutter Your Car
Cars often turn into rolling storage spaces without us realizing it.
When I first decluttered our car, I hesitated because I worried I might eventually need something I removed.
However, I decided to move forward anyway and cleared everything out. Surprisingly, almost five years later, I still haven’t needed a single item that was once stored in my car.
Looking back, letting go of that extra clutter made my car feel cleaner, lighter, and so much easier to maintain.
Remove everything from your car — yes, everything — and sort it into what stays and what goes.
Toss trash, relocate items that belong in the house, and keep just the essentials like your registration, a spare phone charger, and emergency supplies.
A clutter-free car makes every drive feel a little lighter.
Why You Should Declutter These Forgotten Areas
Now that you’ve tackled these forgotten spaces, you’ll start to feel a noticeable shift in your home. By clearing out hidden clutter, you create a cleaner, calmer environment that supports your everyday life.
Additionally, taking the time to organize even these overlooked areas reduces stress, saves time, and brings a deeper sense of control to your space.
Small changes add up quickly, and before you know it, your entire home feels lighter and more welcoming.
In the long run, maintaining a clutter-free home means less time spent searching for things, fewer distractions, and more room to enjoy what truly matters. As you continue decluttering, don’t underestimate the impact of these little corners and tucked-away spots.
They might seem small now, but they contribute to the overall energy and flow of your home.
Keep going—you’re building habits that will make your space feel peaceful, organized, and refreshingly yours.