Let’s Be Honest…
If you’re an ADHD mom staring at a mess that seems to grow overnight, I see you.
I am you.
The clutter, the constant pile-shuffling, the “I’ll get to it later” baskets. Then waking up to the same mess that makes your brain feel like it’s buzzing before your feet even hit the floor.
Here’s the thing: it’s not because you’re lazy.
It’s not because you don’t care.
ADHD makes clutter feel louder. It’s visual noise screaming decisions at you.
And when you’re juggling kids, home, maybe work, and (let’s be real) your own beautiful, chaotic brain… it can feel impossible to stay on top of it all.
But you’re not broken.
You just need strategies that actually work for your brain, not against it.
These 25 tips changed how I handle clutter in my home and in my head. They’re realistic, non-shaming, and designed specifically for ADHD minds (and yes, even if your kid has ADHD too, these help the whole family).
Don’t forget to save this pin for later! You’ll want to come back to these when you’re ready to tackle that one corner that’s been staring you down.
Let’s dive in. No fluff, no judgment, just stuff that works.
🧠 Start Here: Mindset That Doesn’t Suck Your Soul
1. Know your “why”
Before you even touch a drawer, ask: What do I want this space to feel like?
Clarity here gives you something to hold onto when your brain wants to bail halfway through.
2. Make a decluttering plan (like, a loose one)
No need to create a vision board. Just scribble down what room, what area, and what day.
Keep it small and doable.
3. Only commit to 15 minutes
Seriously. Set a timer.
ADHD brains thrive under gentle urgency. You can always keep going, but you don’t have to.
4. Perfection is the enemy of done
Repeat after me: Clear-ish and functioning is 1000x better than untouched chaos waiting to be perfectly curated.
5. Make it easier to start than to quit
Put your decluttering bag in the hallway. Leave the timer out. Put on music.
Stack the odds in your favor.
🧺 Gather Your Tools (ADHD-Style)
6. Decluttering Caddy
Keep a bag or bin with: trash bags, sticky notes, sharpie, empty boxes (for Donate + Return), and maybe a snack.
ADHD prep = fewer distractions later.
7. Use boxes, not piles
Piles are like ADHD kryptonite.
Put stuff in boxes labeled: Keep, Donate, Trash, Belongs Elsewhere.
8. Color-coded Post-its are your friend
Can’t decide? Use color Post-its: Green = Keep, Yellow = Maybe, Red = Let Go.
Then walk away and revisit with a fresh brain.
9. FhiFho Rule
(“Find Home In / Find Home Out”) Anytime you walk into a room, grab something that belongs in there and something that belongs out.
Sounds silly. Totally works.
10. Avoid complicated systems
No Pinterest-worthy organizers here.
If you can’t use it one-handed while holding laundry and wrangling a toddler, it’s too complicated.
🔄 The Process That Finally Clicked (for Me)
This is based on something called the PEACE method. It’s one of the only systems I could actually follow.
11. P – Pull out & sort one small space
Not the whole closet. Just one shelf. Or one drawer.
That’s it.
12. E – Evaluate & eliminate
If it’s broken, stained, or gives you guilt… it’s not helping you.
Be ruthless in love with your future self.
13. A – Assign a home
If it’s staying, it needs a real home. One that’s obvious and easy.
No floating scissors anymore.
14. C – Containerize (lightly)
Boxes, bins, baskets. Clear is best.
Labels help your brain and your kids know where things go.
15. E – Establish a habit
Make it brainless. Shoes always in the basket. Keys always in the bowl. Laundry on Sundays.
The simpler the habit, the more likely it’ll stick.
⚡ Dopamine Tricks That Don’t Feel Like Tricks
16. Chunk everything into micro-tasks
“Clean the kitchen” is overwhelming.
“Clear off the island” is doable.
17. Create mini rewards
Finish the drawer? You get 5 minutes on the couch with your phone.
No shame in motivation.
18. Make items easy to put away
If putting it back is a pain, it won’t happen.
Period.
19. Use a “distraction box”
When you find something that belongs in another room, toss it in the RETURN box.
Don’t leave the space. Deal with it later.
20. Set boundaries with your future self
Delete saved credit cards from your browser.
ADHD impulse shopping is real, but harder is better here.
👶 What If Your Kid Has ADHD Too?
First off, breathe.
You’re not doing anything wrong.
These tips still work. In fact, they work even better because you’re modeling what’s possible.
Start with:
21. Clear visual zones
Label toy bins. Color-coded baskets.
Big pictures for little brains.
22. Let them make small choices
Ask, “Which 5 toys do you want to keep?” instead of “Let’s declutter your whole room.”
It’s less overwhelming for everyone.
23. Give everything a ‘home’ together
Make it a game. Where do socks live?
Where do crayons sleep?
24. Fix the root cause
If clutter keeps happening, ask why.
Is it too hard to open the drawer? Does that bin overflow too fast?
25. Make mini resets a daily thing
A 5-minute family “clutter sweep” before dinner helps maintain progress and avoids massive weekend clean-ups.
💬 Real Talk Before You Go
You are not messy.
You are not lazy.
You are not failing at this.
Your brain just works differently, and so should your systems.
You can have a space that feels calmer, easier, and less… constant. You deserve that.
Your family does too.
And hey, if today you only toss out one expired bottle of lotion and call that a win? That is a win.
Save this list. Revisit it.
Try one or two things at a time.
Even the smallest shift can ripple into something that actually sticks.
You’ve got this. And if it feels like too much?
That’s okay.
Take one deep breath, pick one corner… and just begin.
If you found this helpful, save it for later or send it to another ADHD mom who needs a little clarity (and a lot less clutter). 💛
Pin this post so you can find these tips whenever you need that gentle push to get started!