Spring cleaning usually gets all of the attention, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only (or even the best) time to organize and declutter your home. The beginning of fall is a great time to take stock of what you have, donate what you no longer need, store away summer items, and bring out the fall decor. We know all of this can be overwhelming, especially since the fall season is already such a hectic time. So to help you get started we asked organizing experts living in Philadelphia all the way to those living in Sacramento to provide their best advice. Here are their top 10 home organization hacks to help get you ready for fall.
1. Begin with your entryway
Your entryway not only sets the tone for your home – it either supports your comings and goings or it makes it more difficult. At the start of each season, I always recommend to my clients that they assess what’s taking up space in their entryways and make sure it still serves them for this current season. Edit strongly, add sparingly, then create a home for each item and style with baskets and labels. – Next Level Organizing
2. Divide areas of your home into micro-sections
Decluttering can seem overwhelming, so I recommend that my clients divide their homes into micro-sections. One can start with just ten minutes each day. First, pick a room, then choose a dresser or closet, pick three items, and then evaluate them. Are they a crucial save, a possible save, or a purge item? – Brilliant Order
3. Label bins for specific items
Make yourself signs and assign a bin for each: Toss (use your garbage can), Recycle, Give to Someone, Donate, Somewhere Else, Return, Keep.
- Begin with your kitchen as it’s the heart of your home and the remaining areas of organizing will stem from the kitchen.
- Open the first drawer and dump out all of its contents, set a timer, and begin the process using the sign method. Place back items in the drawer items if they belong there.
- Once this process is complete, go back to evaluate what you placed back inside drawers and cabinets. Ask yourself these questions; Does this space serve me well with these items here? If you answered NO, move them to an area in your kitchen that allows easy access for you.
- The last step is to organize. Check your cabinet shelving for adjustability and rearrange it to fit your belongings. This is where you can purchase supplies and equipment that suit your space. Drawer organizers, containers, organizational signs for all to see, and so on.
- Finally, walk your family through the newly organized space to “show and tell” them where everything is. This will ensure your belongings will be put back to the proper place. – Nancy’s Concierge Services
4. Out with the old wardrobe, in with the new
Fall is an ideal time to declutter your wardrobe. As you pack away your shorts and pull out the sweaters, ask “if I were out shopping today is this something I would buy for myself?” Downsize and donate to create a more spacious and functional closet. – Clear the Clutter
5. Organize seasonal items sooner rather than later
The fall can be full of holiday decoration transitions from general fall to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. This is the perfect time to declutter and organize your seasonal and holiday decorations. As you’re putting up decorations, remember that it’s ok to get rid of something you’ve always used and buy new. Don’t keep something that you don’t like just because that’s what you’ve “always done.” Make a conscious decision that you like and want each item. When removing decorations, place in a labeled, covered, plastic bin to be stored in an out of the way area. Try labeling with a sharpie on some duct tape that is placed on the bin so that if the label needs to change years down the road, your label isn’t permanent. When stored, be sure to store the bins with the label facing you so you can find what you need next year. – Charlottesville Organizing
6. Prepare your home office and work stations
This year many students and adults are working from home. Make sure that every “work station” is set up with proper lighting, a comfortable and supportive desk chair, and any necessary school/office supplies. Consider investing in a standing desk to make long days in front of the computer easier to manage. – Abell Organizing
7. Set aside time to reflect on your space
Fall is a season of change when the color of the leaves reminds us to prepare for colder days ahead. Take this moment of the year as a signal for intentional reflection. One way is to set aside a chunk of time either at one sitting or over several days to review items in your home, perhaps in the kitchen, garage, and closet. What can be simplified? What do you no longer use, is broken, or no longer serves you? Clear these things to reveal what you really need, use, and love. – Hop To It Organizers
8. Keep your pantry clutter-free
One of the best home organization hacks is to place pasta, cereal, snacks, and other dry goods in clear unified containers. This helps eliminate bulky packaging, keeps foods fresh, and makes it easy to see when you are running low. When you purchase new spices, mark the expiration date on the jar or package with a black Sharpie before putting it away. This will save hours of time looking for expiration dates in the future and it will help you easily see when it is time to replace old spices. – Heart & Home Organizing
9. Use it or lose it
After placing your holiday decorations in place, look at the bottom of your storage bin. Are there holiday decorations that you don’t use and just sit at the bottom of your bin year after year? If so, donate these unused decorations to someone who will truly appreciate them. – Clean Slate
10. Create fall activity kits
A key home organization hack for fall is to set up kits for activities that you want to do with your family — so when you’re ready, they’re ready. A few ideas for fun fall activity kits include:
- A “bored board” with a list of fun ideas so the family never can say, “I’m bored.”
- A smores kit with all the necessities.
- A bonfire kit with blankets, bug spray, and fire starters.
- A movie night kit with plenty of candy, popcorn, and other snacks to enjoy. – CRUX organizing
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