Ready For An Autumn Declutter? 6 Ways To Get Started
As summer fades and leaves begin to turn, our homes often need a refresh, too. Autumn decluttering isn’t just about creating space, it’s about preparing your nest for the cozy months ahead.
Before you hibernate for winter, take advantage of these practical ways to clear out the old and make room for new possibilities. Note: Always consider donating usable items responsibly and check local guidelines for disposal and recycling.
1. Clear Out Your Summer Wardrobe
If your closet feels like it might explode every time you open it, autumn is the perfect moment to intervene. Those breezy summer clothes won’t see daylight for months now.
Grab three boxes labeled ‘keep,’ ‘donate,’ and ‘store.’ Summer items you’ve worn less than twice this season should head straight to donations. The beloved pieces deserve proper cleaning before being stored away in breathable containers under your bed or in high shelves.
2. Declutter Kitchen Counters And Pantry
How many gadgets are collecting dust on your countertops? Kitchen clutter accumulates faster than anywhere else in the home, making meal prep feel like an obstacle course.
Start with a ruthless assessment of counter space, anything unused in the past month gets relocated. Then tackle that pantry! Expired items go straight out, while half-empty packages get combined. Group similar items together, and suddenly you’ll discover space you never knew existed.
3. Sort Through Entryway Clutter
When was the last time you actually saw your entryway floor? This high-traffic zone tends to become a dumping ground for everything from shoes to mail to random bits of life.
Create designated homes for everyday essentials, hooks for each family member’s coats, a basket for scarves, and a specific spot for keys. Be merciless with those mysterious objects that have been sitting there since spring.
Your future self will thank you each time you walk through the door into your calm, welcoming space.
4. Purge Unused Decor And Seasonal Items
Are you secretly hoarding holiday decorations you haven’t used in years? Seasonal items have a sneaky way of multiplying in storage, taking up valuable real estate in our homes.
Pull out all those boxes of decorations before the holiday rush begins. Anything broken, faded, or that makes you think “maybe someday” needs to go.
Keep only what truly brings joy or serves a purpose. This ruthless edit ensures what remains is truly special and worth the space it occupies.
5. Tidy Up Your Digital Space
Though your computer doesn’t collect physical dust, that desktop cluttered with random files certainly accumulates digital cobwebs. Digital decluttering often gets overlooked but makes a massive difference in daily efficiency.
Set aside just 30 minutes to delete unnecessary photos, organize documents into folders, and clear your email inbox. Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read.
Create a simple filing system that makes sense to you. Digital decluttering gives an instant productivity boost without requiring a single storage container!
6. Organize Cold-Weather Essentials
Where exactly did you put those gloves last spring? Nothing’s more frustrating than scrambling to find winter gear when the first cold snap hits.
Now’s the time to locate all those scattered cold-weather items, hats, scarves, gloves, heavy blankets, and gather them in accessible locations. Check for items needing repair or replacement.
Create a dedicated winter gear station near your entryway. This preemptive organization saves future-you from frantically searching for matching mittens on frosty mornings.
