Streamline your space before things get busy for the holiday season.
Decluttering your homecan help alleviate stress, boost productivity, and promote organization.
But trying to do one annualspring organizing sessioncan be overwhelming.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Jason Donnelly
1.
Get rid of uniforms or sports attire that dont fit or are damaged beyond repair.
Involve the kids by going through their stationery and craft supplies.
Credit:Nathan Schroder
And consider streamlining that pile of old backpacks and lunch boxes down to one favorite choice per child.
Start by disposing of any expired items before sorting out the rest.
It also pays to sort things into zones, using containers and labels when appropriate.
Do you have any expired bug sprays or sunscreens?
And are you really going to use that ever-growing pile of mini toiletries youve collected from hotels?
Its not justorganizing bathroom cabinetsyou have to consider.
And, if you have time,organize your linen closet, too.
Brush Up Your Backyard
Its not just your house that needs a fall declutter.
For wonky furniture thats seen better days, take the time to repair, re-stain, or recycle it.
Now’s the time for theannual gutter declutter, too.
Organize Your Outdoor Shed
Youroutdoor shedcan also benefit from a declutter before colder months begin.
Start by clearing out and cleaning up tools and supplies you used throughout the summer.
If you do, consider organizing the items on shelves and racks.
If you don’t, it might be time to get rid of the item.
Whenorganizing your outdoor shed, prioritize easy access to items you use the most during the coming season.
Keep smaller handheld tools in labeled storage bins it’s possible for you to easily grab from a shelf.
Nathan Schroder
7.
At the end of the summer, take time toclear out your mudroomand find permanent homes for misplaced items.
Transfer summer items to a labeled bin and store for winter.
After the room is cleared out, give it a deep clean, paying special attention to high-traffic areas.
Clean up any dirt and sand, and move your mudroom essentials back into the room.
Sort Through Seasonal Decor
With changing seasons comes new decor.
One of the easiest ways to organize decor is to separate it by season and holiday.
Whensorting through seasonal decor, check that each item is clean and in working condition.
If a piece is dusty or dirty, clean it before packing it up.
If an item is broken, either throw it away or fix it.
The dark side of home: Assessing possession clutter on subjective well-being.Journal of Environmental Psychology.
