Tackling Clutter with the Changing Seasons
As professional organisers, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly clutter can accumulate as the seasons change. Whether it’s packing away winter coats, swapping out seasonal décor, or managing the influx of outdoor gear, every shift in weather brings new opportunities and challenges for organising. The good news is that the changing of the seasons also offers a perfect chance to refresh your space, simplify your life, and create a home that feels lighter and more functional.
In this blog, we’ll share our tried-and-true methods for tackling clutter with the changing seasons, along with tips that we use with our clients to make the process smoother and more effective.
1. Start with the Wardrobe: A Seasonal Clothing Swap
One of the most common sources of seasonal clutter is the wardrobe. When the weather changes, we often find ourselves struggling with an overflow of coats, scarves, boots, and summer clothes. We always recommend tackling the wardrobe first because it has an immediate impact on the overall feel of your home.
Tips on how to approach your wardrobe:
Sort by season: Go through your closet and drawers and separate clothing into categories, whether that is winter, spring, summer, and fall. This will help you identify which pieces are truly necessary and which can be stored away or donated.
Create a “keep,” “donate,” and “store” system: We encourage clients to make a decision on each item by asking these questions: Does it fit? Do I love it? Have I worn it recently? Donate or sell items that no longer serve a purpose, and store seasonal clothing out of sight, using bins or under-bed storage for a more organised system.
Implement the “one in, one out” rule: This is a simple yet powerful strategy that we recommend to clients: whenever you purchase a new item, donate or get rid of an old one. This ensures that your closet doesn’t become overwhelmed over time.
By applying these strategies, you’ll create a wardrobe that’s both functional and easy to navigate and you’ll free up precious space in your wardrobe!
2. Declutter Seasonal Decoration
Seasonal decorations can quickly accumulate, and it’s often a source of stress for clients who feel like their home is cluttered with holiday decorations, seasonal pillows, or even seasonal tableware that they don’t use. The key is to be intentional about what stays and what goes.
Where to start with organising this section?
Evaluate each item: When it’s time to transition decorations for a new season, go through your storage boxes and evaluate whether each item still aligns with your style and needs. This can be a difficult process for many people, but it’s important to remember that less is more. Keep only those items that bring you joy and fit with your current aesthetic.
Use clear storage bins and labels: We recommend storing seasonal decorations in clear, stackable bins so clients can easily see what’s inside. Labelling each bin according to season (Autumn, winter, etc.) will make it easier to find exactly what you need when it’s time to switch out your decorations.
Let go of what no longer serves you: Seasonal decorations often accumulates over the years, especially when items are passed down or bought on impulse. Be honest with yourself: Are they items that you no longer use? Donating or selling these items will give you more space and a more curated, intentional home.
3. Declutter Your Hallway: A Functional First Impression
The hallway is one of the busiest areas of the home, especially when seasons change. Coats, scarves, boots, and umbrellas all come and go, and it’s easy for the area to become cluttered. A well-organised entryway sets the tone for the rest of the house and helps reduce stress as you come and go.
Our organising approach:
Create functional zones: Use hooks for coats, a boot tray for shoes, and baskets or bins for scarves and gloves. A well-organised entryway should have a place for everything so that nothing is left lying around.
Rotate seasonal gear: With every season, rotate out bulky jackets, winter boots, and other weather-specific items. This keeps your entryway from becoming too crowded, and it also makes it easier to grab what you need when you’re heading out the door.
Go vertical: In many homes, space is limited, so utilise wall space for hooks and shelves. This maximises storage without taking up precious floor space and keeps everything within arm’s reach.
4. Outdoor Spaces: Maintain Functionality and Order
Outdoor areas can become messy quickly with the changing seasons, especially when it comes to gardening tools, patio furniture, and seasonal gear. As a professional organisers, we recommend taking some time to declutter and organise outdoor spaces to ensure they remain as functional and tidy as your indoor areas.
Our approach:
Clear away debris: After the autumn or spring season, clear away leaves, sticks, and any other debris that may have accumulated. A tidy outdoor area sets the tone for a calm, organised home.
Store tools and equipment properly: Use sheds, garage storage, or dedicated storage bins to keep gardening tools, lawnmowers, and outdoor furniture organised. We recommend using labelled bins for smaller items like seeds, gloves, and fertilisers.
Prepare for the weather: Depending on the season, check your outdoor furniture, cushions, and umbrellas for wear and tear. Clean and store summer items during the colder months, and bring out winter gear like snow shovels and salt during the cold season.
5. Storage Areas: Make Seasonal Transitions Easy
Lastly, it’s essential to focus on your home’s storage areas during seasonal transitions. These areas including either your loft, basement, or garage often become the catch-all for seasonal items and overflow from other parts of the home. Keeping these areas organised is key to preventing clutter from building up and overwhelming your space.
Where do you start?
Purge and evaluate: Each time a new season begins, we encourage clients to take a few hours to go through their storage areas and assess what’s no longer needed. Remove any broken items, donations, or things you simply haven’t used in the last year.
Use efficient storage solutions: Invest in sturdy shelving units, stackable bins, and clear storage containers to keep seasonal items organised. This makes it easier to store things away while maintaining accessibility.
Do a seasonal inventory: Take stock of your stored items so you can easily locate what you need come the next season. Create a system that works for you whether it’s by category, frequency of use, or size.
Final Thoughts: Seasonal Decluttering for Long-Term Success
As a professional organisers, we’ve seen how seasonal decluttering can create lasting change in a home. By breaking down the task into manageable steps and focusing on key areas, whether that is clothing, decorations, entryways, outdoor spaces, and storage, you can maintain a home that feels organised through every season.
The beauty of seasonal transitions is that they offer a built-in opportunity for decluttering and reorganisation. Use this time to refresh your space, streamline your belongings, and create a home that works for you, and not just in one season, but throughout the entire year.
If you need help creating a customised organising plan for your home, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help guide you through the process and make decluttering feel easy, efficient, and, dare I say, enjoyable!
