Ever looked around your home and felt like you’re drowning in a tornado of half-done projects?
Yeah, me too.
You’re definitely not alone in this mess. ADHD brains just work differently when it comes to tidying up.
Most advice out there? It’s garbage for us.
We don’t need some Pinterest-perfect fantasy closet. We need systems that actually work on those days when our executive function decides to take an unannounced vacation.
These 13 fixes came from real disasters, real meltdowns, and my desperate need for something that would finally stick. Whether it’s you, your kid, your partner (or your entire circus) dealing with ADHD, these tips meet your home exactly where it is.
Loud, messy, and deeply loved.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later so you can come back when you need these sanity-saving tips!
Let’s jump in.
1. Start with bite-sized zones
Forget the garage disaster zone. Start with your junk drawer.
ADHD minds absolutely crave quick wins. Pick one tiny area and set a timer for 10-15 minutes max.
That’s seriously it.
Success gives your brain that sweet dopamine hit. It creates momentum for next time without overwhelming you.
2. Use a DOOM basket (yep, it’s actually a thing)
“Didn’t Organize, Only Moved.”
Grab any basket or box you have lying around. Toss anything that doesn’t belong where you found it.
Zero overthinking allowed.
Then pick a specific time later (with a timer!) to sort through it. This clears your space without forcing immediate decisions.
3. Diffuse clutter as you move
Every single time you walk from room to room, grab one item that belongs somewhere else.
It sounds almost too simple, right?
This tiny shift slowly chips away at chaos. No need for marathon decluttering sessions that burn you out.
4. Build an evening clutter sweep habit
Right before bed, set a 5-minute timer. Sweep those surfaces clean.
Return what you can easily put away. Toss what obviously needs tossing.
Throw on some music or get your kids involved if that helps. It’s way more about building the habit than achieving perfection.
5. Don’t declutter alone (body double it!)
A body double can be someone in person or on FaceTime who just sits with you while you work.
They don’t need to help at all. They just need to exist in your space.
This simple presence helps your scattered brain stay grounded and way more focused.
6. Do not shop first (I’m begging you)
Don’t buy bins, labels, or cute organizing supplies until after you’ve actually decluttered.
ADHD brains are obsessed with novelty. Shopping feels incredibly productive in the moment.
But those gorgeous bins become part of your clutter problem if you buy them too early.
7. Stop shuffling stuff room to room
That pile you just moved from the hallway to your bedroom? That’s not decluttering, friend.
Make real decisions instead. Keep it, toss it, donate it, or relocate it with actual purpose.
Moving clutter around just creates different messes in different places.
8. Take progress pics
Before and after photos are pure magic for ADHD brains.
We constantly forget how far we’ve actually come. Looking back at those photos helps you feel genuinely proud.
It gives you that motivational push to keep going when things get overwhelming.
9. Lower the bar (70% is totally a win)
If perfection is your goal, you’ll literally never finish anything.
Aim for “functional and fine” instead.
A 70% done space that actually works is infinitely better than a 0% done space you keep avoiding.
10. Sort by category, not room
Instead of bouncing around from place to place, try grouping similar items together.
All kids’ art supplies in one session. All bathroom stuff in another.
Give each category one designated home. This simplifies your decisions and reduces that awful brain overload feeling.
11. Start with emotionally light stuff
Leave photos, keepsakes, and important paperwork for way later.
Begin with easier spaces first. A bathroom drawer, your kitchen counter, or even your car.
You need momentum and confidence, not a complete emotional breakdown over old memories.
12. Make it kid (and ADHD family) friendly
Use open bins instead of closed containers. Label everything with actual pictures.
Make storage super visible and easy to reach.
The simpler your system is, the more likely your whole family will actually follow through. Especially if your kiddo has ADHD too.
13. Build a routine that respects your brain
No single organizing system will magically fix everything forever.
Build tiny, sustainable habits into your daily life instead. Use a rolling cart for problem areas.
Try visual timers that you can actually see. Keep a simple “declutter list” for those random 5-minute windows.
You deserve a home that works with your brain
Here’s the real truth nobody talks about.
ADHD doesn’t mean you’re broken or lazy. It just means you need different tools that actually work for your brain.
These strategies aren’t Pinterest-perfect. They’re real-world tested by actual ADHD families.
Some days you’ll absolutely crush your decluttering goals. Other days you’ll stare at that same pile and just walk away.
Both of those days are completely okay.
Whether it’s just you dealing with ADHD, your kid, or your entire beautiful chaotic crew, these strategies exist to make your life smoother.
Not perfect. Just genuinely easier.
You’ve totally got this.
And if you forget all of this tomorrow? That’s perfectly normal too.
Come back here, start ridiculously small, and try again.
You’re already doing so much better than you think you are.