Ready to embrace minimalism in 2025? Start by getting rid of these 9 things.

As the new year begins, it's the perfect time to declutter and create a more organized home. While you might easily notice obvious clutter like expired food or old mail, there are other items quietly taking up space and causing stress that may not seem like clutter at all. Maybe 2025 is the year to adopt a minimalist lifestyle—here are 9 items you can eliminate to get started.

Unused furniture stored away

Professional organizer Jen Robin recommends reconsidering any old furniture that might be lingering in storage or your garage this year. It could be those folding chairs you hold onto for big gatherings (but let's be real, do you actually host 50 people?), or perhaps your grandmother's vintage hutch that no longer suits your taste. If these items haven’t seen use in years, it's probably time to sell or donate them. As Robin suggests, make sure your storage spaces stay functional and organized.

Worn Out Towels and Bedding

Is there any good reason to hang on to that torn duvet or a towel stained with bleach? These things are no longer useful, according to pro organizer Couri McDougald. 'They take up precious space and often remain untouched,' McDougald points out. Consider donating or recycling them, and focus on keeping just a few high-quality sets.

Outdated Tech and Old Media

While holding onto an old smartphone for emergency purposes is reasonable, do you really need to keep that pink flip phone from your middle school days? 'Some retailers, such as Best Buy, offer electronics recycling programs, where you might even snag discounts on newer models,' suggests interior designer and minimalist Shay Holland, who lives in a tiny house.

If you're already using Spotify, why hold onto that CD tower? The same applies to old Blu-rays and DVDs. There's no need to keep outdated physical media. 'With most media now available digitally, physical collections are often unnecessary,' says Robin. 'Digitize those old family movies or keep only the sentimental favorites, and donate or recycle the rest.'

Broken Items

If something is broken and beyond repair, it’s time to accept that it needs to go. 'Broken chargers, old phones, and similar items tend to accumulate over time,' McDougald points out. 'Recycle or donate them in a responsible manner.'

Duplicate Items

Our kitchens often become overcrowded with duplicate items we rarely use, so it's worth evaluating your kitchen drawers and junk drawer. 'How many spatulas, hammers, or measuring cups do you really need?' Robin asks. 'Stick to versatile, high-quality items that serve multiple purposes, and donate or recycle the extras.'

Unworn Clothing

Robin suggests conducting a closet audit to 'evaluate your current wardrobe.' 'If you haven't worn something in a year, ask yourself why,' she advises. 'Does it no longer fit, is it uncomfortable, or has your style changed?' Consider donating or selling those items to create room for the pieces you truly enjoy wearing.

Paper Trails

'Old receipts, manuals, and printouts can easily be scanned and stored digitally,' says Robin. 'Use tools like Evernote or Google Drive to organize and access important documents, while eliminating physical clutter.'

To prevent future paper trails, consider opting for paperless billing for services like utilities, cell phone bills, and bank statements.

Old Manuals

While knowing 'how to use your dishwasher' is essential, you might not realize that the manual for it, as well as those for other appliances, are readily available online. 'Most appliance manuals can be found digitally,' Robin explains. 'Eliminate the paper clutter and simply bookmark what you need for quick access.'

Things That Don't Serve Their Purpose and Make You Feel Bad

We’ve all failed on a New Year’s resolution or two, but as Holland suggests, if your treadmill is collecting dust or serving as a clothing rack, it’s time to part with it. 'The exercise mat gathering dust under the sofa or unused kitchen gadgets, like the smoothie maker from your 2019 green juicing phase,' she says. 'Letting go of these reminders of failed self-improvement efforts can actually help ease the guilt.'