The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Decluttering
Every season, I find myself facing the same question: how does so much stuff accumulate in just a few months?? Life gets busy, and clutter always finds a way of creeping in. So I’ve decided to take a seasonal approach to decluttering—it’s like hitting the reset button on your home every few months! From going through my outdoor tools to prep for another year of gardening, to clearing out the stale holiday treats from my pantry, each season gives me a chance to reevaluate what I actually use, love, and need in my home.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my go-to seasonal decluttering checklist and the tips that help me stay organized year-round. Let’s get started!
Winter (January - March)
Winter is the perfect time to embrace a clean slate after the holidays and start the New Year off on the right foot!
Holiday Decor and Wrapping Supplies: After the holidays, take time to go through your seasonal decorations and gift-wrapping supplies. Are there broken ornaments, decor you never put out, or wrapping paper you know you won’t use? Donate or toss any items that are taking up excess space.
Winter Clothing and Accessories: Pull out coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. Are there items you didn’t wear this season or anything that no longer fits? Consider donating them to a local shelter!
Pantry Items: Winter often involves stocking up on festive holiday treats, but it’s easy for your pantry to get overcrowded. Check for expired or unused items, and make a plan to use what you have before heading to the grocery store.
Toys and Games: Post Christmas, many households have an influx of new toys and games. Go through what your family already owns and donate or consign items that are no longer played with.
Paperwork and Documents: Start prepping for tax season by organizing important documents. Shred anything unnecessary and create a filing system for storing what you need.
Winter Decluttering Tip: Dedicate one snowy weekend to tackling your decluttering list. Pair it with cozy drinks and fun music to make the process enjoyable for the whole family!
How The Orderly Space Can Help: The holidays are magical—but taking everything down afterward? Not so much. That’s where we come in! Our team offers stress-free holiday takedown services to carefully pack, organize, and store your decorations so they’re ready for next year. Start the new year fresh and let us do the heavy lifting—because you deserve to relax after the holidays!
Spring (April – June)
Spring is synonymous with renewal, making it the perfect time to clean out your home. With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to focus on lightening your space and preparing to spend more time enjoying the outdoors!
Wardrobe: Swap out heavy winter clothes for lighter spring and summer options. If there were any pieces you didn’t wear throughout the fall or winter, donate or consign them! When bringing out your spring wardrobe, check for anything worn or outdated, and consider donating those items as well!
Garden Tools and Outdoor Equipment: Dust off your garden tools and outdoor gear, the sunshine is on its way! Dispose of broken items and organize what you’ll need for any upcoming outdoor projects.
Cleaning Supplies: Spring cleaning often reveals duplicate or expired cleaning products. Consolidate what you have, recycle empty containers, and make a list of what needs replenishing.
Sports and Recreational Gear: With spring sports and outdoor activities ramping up, it’s time to take a look at your equipment. Donate or consign items your family has outgrown or no longer uses.
Bathroom Toiletries and Makeup: Check expiration dates on makeup, skincare products, and toiletries. Toss what’s expired and streamline your routine by keeping only the products you love.
Spring Decluttering Tip: Use the “one-year rule”—if you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to let it go!
How The Orderly Space Can Help: As spring arrives and the sun begins to peek through the clouds here in the PNW, our Bellingham and Seattle teams are ready to help you tackle your garage projects once again! Decluttering and organizing your garage at the beginning of springtime will ensure you're ready for all your outdoor adventures in the coming months. Plus, who doesn’t want to be able to park their car in the garage when it starts to get hot outside??
Summer (July – September)
If your family is anything like ours, summer is a busy season filled with travel, enjoying times with loved ones, and spending as much time outside as possible! Decluttering at the beginning of the season will set you up for a stress-free summer that you can fully embrace and enjoy.
Travel Items: Go through luggage, packing cubes, travel-sized toiletries, and travel accessories. Discard anything damaged, unused, or expired, and make sure your essentials are well-stocked and in good condition.
Outdoor Entertaining Items: Take a look at your grill tools, outdoor furniture, and picnic supplies. Toss rusted or broken items and organize what you’ll need for barbecues and gatherings.
Pool and Beach Gear: Gather your swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, and beach toys. Donate items you no longer use and ensure everything is clean and ready for use.
School Supplies: Summer is the perfect time to go through school supplies with your kids. Get rid of dried-out markers, torn notebooks, and unused items to prepare for the back-to-school season.
Photos and Digital Clutter: With summer trips and events, your camera roll can quickly fill up with photos and videos! Take time to delete duplicates, organize albums, and back up your fun memories.
Summer Decluttering Tip: Make a night out of decluttering your camera roll after a family vacation! Screen share your camera roll onto your TV, so you and your family can relive your fun memories as you go through all of your photos and videos.
How The Orderly Space Can Help: Summer is the perfect time to get your kids' spaces organized for a smooth transition into the new school year! Our team specializes in transforming kids' bedrooms, play areas, and study zones into functional spaces that inspire creativity and productivity.
Fall (October – December)
Fall marks the transition into cozy, holiday-filled months! Decluttering during this season can set the tone for a smooth, slow, and more enjoyable end of the year.
Decor and Entertaining Items: Pull out decorations and hosting supplies early to see what’s still in good condition. Streamline your collection for the season and donate or toss items you no longer need or use.
Craft and Office Supplies: Toss any pens without ink, broken crayons, and any papers you don’t need. Organize what remains to help get you into a productive mindset for the season ahead!
Kitchen Tools and Gadgets: Declutter your kitchen in preparation for holiday meals. Donate duplicates and toss broken or unused tools.
Cold-Weather Clothing: As you bring out fall and winter clothes, donate or consign anything that doesn’t fit or is no longer your style. Swap out your breezy summer pieces for cozy knits and warm scarves!
Guest Room or Hosting Supplies: If you’re expecting guests during the holidays, declutter your guest room and gather anything you’ll need when hosting. Freshen up extra bedding, towels, and any spaces guests will use.
Fall Decluttering Tip: Use the changing seasons as motivation to make space for what matters most during the holidays—time with loved ones. ❤️
How The Orderly Space Can Help: Here in the Pacific Northwest, the start of fall means saying “goodbye” to the sun for a few months. Which makes this time of year the perfect time to go through and refresh your wardrobe! As the seasons shift, let our Bellingham and Seattle teams help you curate a cold-weather closet that works for your lifestyle. We’ll streamline your space, rotate in cozy fall favorites, and create systems that make getting dressed an effortless (and enjoyable!) task.
General Tips for Seasonal Decluttering
Set Realistic Goals: Don’t try to tackle an entire season’s worth of decluttering in one day. Break it into manageable chunks, whether that’s hours, days, or weeks - decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint!
Create a System: When you’re decluttering, have three bins or bags labeled “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Toss” accessible to you at all times to streamline decision-making.
Involve the Family: Encourage everyone in your household to participate, especially your kids! This teaches them the value of letting go, giving their items a new purpose, and keeping their spaces tidy.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge progress, even if it’s just one closet or one category at a time. Small progress is still progress!
By focusing on decluttering your home throughout the different seasons, you’re not only breaking down the decluttering process to make it more manageable, but you’re also creating a home that’s functional and enjoyable year-round! And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone! Book a complimentary consultation with us today, and we’ll talk through how our Bellingham and Seattle, Washington teams can help transform your space!
