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If you want to simplify your life and maybe enjoy some of the reported benefits of a minimalist lifestyle without adopting a minimalist lifestyle, you may be asking yourself (or Google): “Where do I start?”
Inspired by an article from the LA Times published in March 2024 in which professional organizer Regina Lark claimed that the average US household has 300,000 items, we thought the easiest place for some to start is there – with the excess, the unused, the damaged, the forgotten, the just-in-case from 20 years ago. We think this approach is valid even if in all likelihood your home, like ours, has far fewer than 300,000 items inside.
The relevant point is finding simplicity in less. From the clutter and chaos, you can gain clarity as to what 'stuff' matters to you, a theme near and dear to us here at Artifcts. You can reduce time-consuming decisions you make every day, too. If you have 5 pairs of pants to choose from, how hard can it be for you or your kids to get dressed in the morning? And just maybe you’ll also stop yourself from spending money on things you already own but can’t find, like items number 78 and 83 in our list below.
We invite you to take a stroll around your home with this wildly varied home decluttering list to see where you find opportunities to simplify by reducing the volume of stuff that’s claimed a place in those drawers, closets, and shelves. Here and there we’ve added some commentary where we simply couldn’t resist. Like anything, decluttering takes practice, like building up a muscle. Enjoy, and good luck!
If you’re looking for a Decluttering or a Collections Checklist from Artifcts—or any of our dozens of additional checklists—to inspire you as you also seek to capture the stories, CLICK THE IMAGE. Our checklists are free to download with a free Artifcts.com account.
108 Objects to Declutter from Your Home
Why 108 objects? Author Jeff Greenwald, in his book 108 Beloved Objects: Letting Go of Stuff, Keeping Our Stories, explains, “The number is deeply significant in Eastern spiritual practice, and beyond… the number of prayer beads on a malla (a Buddhist rosary), the number of yoga postures in a full cycle,” and so on. Because of the deep global resonance of this number and the efforts here at Artifcts to help change our relationships with our ‘stuff’ and each other, we think 108 is the perfect number for our decluttering list.
Enjoy some story telling from Jeff Greenwald, who shared with us some of his 108 beloved objects.
We’re breaking away from a room-by-room approach with our list. In doing so, we hope to unleash creative and unexpected freeform association of items that might help you declutter items that did not make the list or have been very much “out of sight, out of mind.”
Ready? Here we go!
1. Lightbulbs – You don’t even have a socket for that one anymore!
2. Boxes, the cardboard variety; and no, it doesn’t matter if it’s a “really nice box”
3. Bins, the plastic kind this time
4. Rugs
5. Fidget gadgets
6. Suitcases – If your kid isn't even a teen yet, and you think they are packing up for college in those, reconsider how else you could use the space.
7. Picture frames
8. User manuals
9. Candles
Candles are wickedly easy to accumulate because they are easy to gift and even available in end caps at grocery stores!
10. Cookbooks
11. Party decorations
12. Pens and markers – Do they work? How many 100s do you need?
13. Remotes from gadgets you no longer own
14. Pots for plants
15. Decorative pillows – Well, maybe keep the pillow, rehome the case?
16. Baseball hats
17. Pads of paper / notebooks
18. Cleaning supplies and tools
19. Retired and retirement-ready linens
20. Bottle openers
21. Koozies
22. T-shirts and sweatshirts
23. Chapsticks
24. Coasters
25. Glassware
26. Scrunchies – If you know, you know.
27. Old sports equipment
28. Ice packs
29. Rubber bands – Beyond the fun aesthetics of a rubber band ball, how many do you need? And you know they will become brittle and break.
30. Shorts (or other clothing) long out of style, stained, or otherwise in disrepair
31. Belts
32. Coins – Cash it in!
33. Musical instrument lesson books
34. Fine silver, you never use
35. Fine china, you also never use
36. Pottery
37. Bookmarks
38. Greeting cards
39. Business cards, too
40. Rechargeable batteries, because they stopped holding a charge
41. Regular batteries in sizes you haven't used in decades
42. Foam rollers and massage devices
43. Coffee making apparatus, including pods that are long-since stale
44. Coffee mugs
45. Hygiene products (spares and expired, from consumables like cosmetics to tools like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and combs)
46. Socks
A friend of Artifcts kindly shared this picture. Can you relate to her dilemma?
47. Keys
48. Craft supplies, the should’ve, would’ve, could’ve never started, unfinished or dried up
49. Handbags
50. Fishing tackle
51. Nail polish
52. Aprons
53. Magazines and pages torn from them
54. Dog toys
55. Pet beds
56. Lamps
57. Baby blankets
58. Spare buttons and thread
59. Kitchen appliances you never use and utensils, too – What’s jamming that drawer?
60. Spices, so old they may not poison you but they certainly won’t add the flavor you’re expecting
61. Travel-sized everything
62. School report cards – Scan and Artifct them first!
63. Awards, professional and childhood
64. Games and/or pieces left from them
65. Take-out containers and utensils
66. Blankets
67. Stuffed animals
CLICK THE IMAGE to read about why you should declutter stuffed animals with care, according to research.
68. Boxes of tea – Added to this list, with love, on request of both of the husbands of the cofounders of Artifcts.
69. Holiday stuff, the one off, the past it's prime, the "when did we celebrate that?"
70. Kid artwork, don't forget to Artifct first so you can declutter without guilt
71. Magnets
72. Unmatched socks
73. Décor that is outdated or no longer on display
74. VHS and cassette tapes – Say it with us: digitize, digitize, digitize.
76. Miscellaneous home repair and renovation materials (tiles, bricks, etc.)
77. Books, but Artifct the ones that mean something to you first
78. Blenders – True story, our cofounder Heather found SIX of them at her dad’s house.
79. Record player
80. Reusable shopping bags, consider donating to your local food pantry, they can always use extra bags!
81. Plastic shopping bags, recycle if you can!
82. Costumes
83. Reusable water bottles, yes, we know they're lurking in the back of your kitchen cabinets
84. Windshield wipers, for the car you don’t even own anymore
85. Vases
Collections can take on a life of their own. What's in yours? One of these vases pictured is not like the others. Take your guess, and then click here for the answer on Artifcts.
86. Watches that no longer work or are no longer worn
87. Travel pillows
88. Gift bags
89. Costume jewelry
90. Placemats, tablecloths, and chargers
91. Extension cords - Who are you, Clark Griswald?
92. Eyeglasses
93. Old computers, consider donating or recycling before tossing in the bin
94. Postcards
95. Cutting boards that are long past their prime
96. Key chains
97. Dried (and dusty) flora
98. Membership cards to places you no longer visit/no longer have a membership
99. Cameras, bonus points for selling them for the point-and-shoot obsessed Gen Zers
100. Cords, cables, and chargers
CLICK THE IMAGE for more tech inspiration from our Tech Detox checklist.
101. Unused swag from your employer AND previous employer.
102. Paint
103. Travel mementos from who-remembers-where
104. Sunglasses
105. Cake pans of all varieties, especially if you don't bake!
106. Shoes you no longer wear
107. Covid-era face masks
108. Ticket stubs, playbills, brochures – ephemera of life. Artifct them first, along with the memories!
Your reward for reading all 108 is this free download to take with you around the house. As always, if you’re having trouble letting go, "Artifct that!" to keep the memories. You can download our DIY checklist to jot down all the items you want to Artifct as you declutter, too.
And please remember to recycle, upcycle, rehome! Download Artifcts' Going Green guides to inspire and support you. Depending on where you live, you may have a reuse center where you can donate goods in addition to traditional charities.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sasso Piatto, destroyer of stuffies and Chief Happiness Officer here at Artifcts. I haven’t got much time as my Mum has stepped away from her laptop, and I know she’ll be back soon.
Today’s topic? The importance of Artifcting ALL your life’s keepsakes because you never know what will happen next. Case in point, my cherished Mr. Moose.
Mr. Moose was the love of my life (second only to bacon). We had been through thick and thin together. Mr. Moose was always up for adventures—mud puddle hopping, snow pile digging, and zoomies in the front yard. He was my constant companion, my snuggle buddy, and my best friend.
And then, just yesterday, an unthinkable thing happened. My Mum got rid of Mr. Moose. One moment I was admiring my handy-work (who knew Mr. Moose had so much stuffing?) and then, gone! Into the trash. How could she?!
Sure, he was well-loved (who doesn’t love a plush moose with squeaky antlers), but that doesn’t mean that it was time for him to go. My Mum claimed the stuffing was falling out of him (I think she needs new glasses) and that the squeaker was a choking hazard. As if! I swallow Milk Bones whole! Choking hazard, it was not.
And the worst part is that she didn’t even pause long enough to let me ARTIFCT him. Not one photo. Not one solemn moment to stop and reflect on all the love and joy Mr. Moose has brought me over the years. Of all the people, of all the deeds. How could my Mum, the founder of Artifcts, TOSS MR. MOOSE OUT before I got to Artifct him?
I beg you Dear Reader to take a moment today and Artifct That! It could be a favorite photo, a cherished piece of kid's art, or for the love of all, a favorite toy. If you’re planning to declutter this spring (hello spring cleaning!) take a moment to Artifct those treasures before you (OR YOUR MUM) toss them out.
Speaking of spring cleaning, I heard my Mum mumble something about re-homing the Everest sized pile of sticks I’ve accumulated outside the front door. For those of you not in the know, I’ve learned that “re-homing” really means removing. I’ve got to go! Time to Artifct my favorite sticks before they too disappear.
Yours Truly,
Sasso Piatto
PS. Happy April Fool’s Day! We hope today’s ARTIcles story from Sasso made you smile. You can click here to view all of Sasso’s Artifcts(written in his voice of course!).
Where were you in 1996? Take a moment and really think about it.
Where were you living? What filled your days? What music was on repeat, and what did your favorite outfit look like? Maybe you were heading off to school in flannel and Doc Martens, building a career in your first real job, or chasing toddlers around the house. Maybe 1996 was loud and exciting—or quiet and uncertain. Either way, it was yours.
Lately, there’s been a surge of nostalgia inviting us to revisit that specific year. But the truth is, it’s not really about 1996.It’s about something much bigger.
It’s Not Just 1996—It’s Any Year
Pick a year. Any year. 1996. 2006. 2016. Last summer.
Every single one holds a version of you that no longer exists—someone shaped by the people, places, and moments of that time. And tucked inside those years are vivid snapshots: the song that instantly transports you back in time, the hat you wore until it fell apart, the photo you’ve kept in a drawer for decades.
We all have these anchors, the objects and memories that pull us back to “way back when.” A concert t-shirt isn’t just a shirt. It’s the night you sang every word with your friends, the feeling of freedom, the version of yourself that felt invincible.
A certificate, a ticket stub, a handwritten note—these aren’t just things. They’re evidence of a life fully lived, in moments both big and small.
The Small Moments Matter More Than You Think
It’s easy to assume that only major milestones deserve to be remembered—graduations, weddings, promotions. But what about everything in between?
Our co-founder Heather recently came across a stash of photos from her high school days and her daughter was in awe. The clothes! The hair! The concerts! Heather had forgotten how she had spent the summer of '96 working two jobs and attending every Phish concert within driving distance of her childhood home. Funny, because that's just what her daughter wants to do this summer.
The everyday moments are often the ones that define us most:
The summer you spent making friendship bracelets at camp
The first apartment that barely had furniture but felt like independence
The hobby you picked up on a whim that turned into a lifelong passion
The concert t-shirt you wore so often it became part of your identity
These moments may feel small at the time, but they’re rich with meaning. And over time, they become the stories we wish we had captured more fully.Because memory fades. Details blur. And eventually, even the most vivid experiences can become harder to recall.
Why Capturing Your Story Matters
The people who come after us—our kids, grandkids, and beyond—don’t automatically know who we were. They might know the broad strokes. Where we lived. What we did for work. Maybe a few stories that get told again and again.But they don’t know what it felt like to be you in 1996. Or 1976. Or 2016.
They don’t know what made you laugh, what you worried about, or what you dreamed of, unless you tell them.
How to Turn Memories Into Artifcts
That’s where Artifcting comes in. Artifcting is the act of preserving not just your objects, but the stories behind them—so they can live on far beyond your memory.Looking for an easy way to get started?
Start with What You Already Have
Look around your home. Open a drawer, a closet, or an old box in the attic.Find something that instantly takes you back:
A photo from the ‘90s
A concert t-shirt (Fun fact! Our Advisory Board Member Matt Paxton recently spent an afternoon with his teenage son Artifcting his vintage concert t-shirts from the 90s.)
A piece of jewelry
A letter or postcard
If it sparks a memory, it’s worth preserving.
Capture the Story, Not Just the Object
Ask yourself:
Where did this come from?
Why did it matter to me?
What was happening in my life at the time?
Who was I then?
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning.
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning
Add Context That Only You Can Provide
This is the part no one else can recreate, especially the most well-intentioned AI-apps that promise to tell you your story. (Naturally, we have our doubts about that.)
Describe the details:
What you were wearing?
Who you were with?
What the world felt like at that moment?
These personal insights transform a simple item into a living memory.
Preserve It Digitally
Open the Artifcts App and upload your photo or a photo of your item and pair it with your story.Now it’s not just stored—it’s documented, searchable, and shareable with the people who matter most. Bonus! Add audio or video too for greater context and details that only you can provide.
Share It Across Generations
Invite your family into the experience by privately sharing the Artifct with them.Your stories become a bridge—connecting generations through shared history, personal insight, and emotional truth.
Your Story Is Still Unfolding
Thinking back to 1996 might feel like a fun exercise in nostalgia. But it’s also a reminder: the life you’re living right now will one day be “way back then,” too.
What from today will you wish you had captured?
The coffee mug you use every morning
The playlist that defines this season of your life
The photo sitting unnoticed on your phone
These are tomorrow’s Artifcts just waiting to be captured today. You don’t need a milestone. You don’t need a perfect story. You just need a moment—and the willingness to preserve it.
So ask yourself again:Where were you in 1996?Then take the next step.Capture it. Tell it. Artifct it.Because your story deserves to be remembered—not just by you, but by everyone who comes after.
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You might also enjoy reading these related ARTIcles:
There’s something almost magical about the objects we keep.
A framed photograph on the wall. A handwritten recipe card tucked into a drawer. A ring passed down through generations. These items are more than ‘stuff’—they are vessels of memory, identity, and connection.
However, we also keep, either intentionally or unintentionally, vast collections of other items, trinkets, and do-dads. Don’t believe me? Take a look at your junk drawer and let’s talk.
According to an article in the LA Times, the average American home contains 300,000 items. Now that’s a lot of ‘stuff.’ If you took just one minute to briefly examine each item, it would take you 5,000 hours, or roughly 208 days. That's a lot of time, especially if you inherit an estate and are trying to get to the bottom of what the objects are and if they have any value.
At Artifcts, we believe there is a better way to not only sort and organize the items we keep and the keepsakes we love, but to also document the value, history, and stories that go along with those items.
From Object to Story in Seconds
We created our Artifcts QR code stickers to solve a simple but meaningful problem: how do you seamlessly connect the physical objects in your life with the stories behind them?
No more printing, cutting, or searching for labels. Just grab a sheet of durable, weatherproof stickers, place one on your item, scan it, and start creating. Each scan prompts you to either create a new Artifct or link the sticker to an existing one—instantly tying that object to its digital story.It’s organization, storytelling, and preservation—all in one simple action.
But Here’s Where It Gets Personal…
With Artifcts, you can add audio and video to every Artifct you create. That means when someone scans your QR code sticker, they don’t just read about the object—they experience it.
They can hear the laughter in your voice.
They can see the way your hands move as you demonstrate a recipe.
They can feel the emotion behind the memory.
Because sometimes, the story isn’t just what happened—it’s how it’s told. Audio and video are powerful keepers of memories. They capture inflection, personality, and even the little imperfections that make memories real and human.
Imagine the Possibilities
Once you start thinking about it, you’ll see opportunities everywhere.
📸 Photo Frames That Speak
That wedding photo on your wall? Add a QR code sticker to the back.Now, when your children or grandchildren scan it, they don’t just see the image—they hear you tell the story of that day. Maybe even watch a short video clip from the reception.A single photo becomes a living memory.
Sorry, this Artifct is private! But it definitely has a QR code sticker attached to the back of the frame.
💍 Jewelry with a Voice
A ring isn’t just beautiful—it has a past.Was it your mother’s? Does it now have a special meaning to you?Attach a sticker to the jewelry box, and suddenly that piece carries its full story. Imagine hearing your mother explain where it came from, who owned it before her, and why it mattered.That’s legacy—preserved in her own voice.
🧁 Recipes That Come to Life
Yes, you can save Grandma’s famous biscuit recipe. But with Artifcts, you can do so much more. Attach a QR code sticker to the recipe card or cookbook. Now, when it’s scanned:
You hear her voice explaining why she never measures the flour exactly
You see a video of her hands gently folding the dough
You catch the little tips that never made it onto paper
It’s no longer just a recipe—it’s an experience passed down through generations.
🎨 Collections, Keepsakes, and Everyday Treasures
From antiques to travel souvenirs, children’s artwork to military memorabilia—every item has a story waiting to be told.Artifcts QR code stickers make it easy to catalog, organize, and preserve those stories without interrupting your flow. You can move from room to room, scanning and storytelling as you go, building a meaningful, searchable collection of your life.
Ready to get started? Start small. Pick one object that matters to you. Tell its story. Add your voice. You might just discover that what you’re really preserving isn’t just your belongings…It’s your legacy.
Pro Tip: You can also print off your Artifcts QR codes at home and safely attach them to your keepsakes. No stickers required...
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Sorry, this Artifct is private! But it definitely has a QR code sticker attached to the back of the frame. 
