Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning and decluttering. Even if big cleaning isn’t part of your plan, it’s very important to prioritize these 5 areas of your home to declutter this spring.
By focusing on these areas and implementing some of my declutter tips, you can dramatically improve your space’s functionality.
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As we talk about decluttering different areas of your home, remember… this isn’t about perfection. It’s about making your home serve you better. So let’s roll up our sleeves and start this season on the right foot, one freshly decluttered area at a time.
Tackle the Pantry: A Spring Declutter Must-Do
First up is the pantry. This is a great place to start because it’s often one of the most cluttered areas of the home.
The pantry is kind of like a magical place where food items disappear into the abyss, never to be seen again until they’re well past their prime. It’s supposed to be the heart of the kitchen, yet often becomes a neglected catch-all for half-empty bags of pasta, cans from that amazing sale several years ago, and an impressive collection of spices you swore you’d use.
Why focus on the pantry this spring? As we move away from the heavy meals of winter and start craving the lighter, fresher fare of spring and summer, our pantry needs to reflect that shift. Clearing out the old, expired, or just plain forgotten can help you rediscover what you have, make healthier eating choices, and maybe even inspire you to try new recipes.
The most impactful tip for the pantry:
Categorize and Containerize. This approach involves grouping like items together — baking supplies, snacks, canned goods, etc. — and then using clear storage containers and bins. This does wonders for several reasons:
- First, clear containers and bins make it easier to see what you have at a glance, reducing the chance of overbuying. (It honestly drives me a little nuts when I see ‘perfect pantry’ images where everything is hidden in closed boxes or wicker baskets!)
- Second, clear bins to corral smaller items keeps items from getting lost in the back of shelves.
- Third, clear airtight storage containers can help maintain freshness longer for items like pasta, rice, and other dry foods.
Now, I’m not talking about filling your pantry and fridge with a gazillion containers to ‘decant’ every.single.food and giant boxes of prepackaged snacks into after every shopping trip. (Yeah… that’s another pet peeve.) Be reasonable and purposeful with your container use in a way that makes sense for you and your family’s needs.
Related: 25 Things To Declutter In The Kitchen (And 3 Unexpected Items To Keep)
Clear Out Your Bedroom Closet
Your bedroom closet really deserves a spotlight this spring. Throughout the year, it’s easy to toss in clothes, shoes, and accessories with the vague promise of ‘I’ll sort it later.’ Spring presents the perfect opportunity to tackle this area head-on.
Decluttering your closet is not just about reclaiming space; it’s about reevaluating what items truly serve you, making your daily routine smoother, and perhaps even uncovering some lost treasures (or at least that shirt you thought you’d lost to the laundry monster).
This process not only clears physical space but can also have a surprisingly uplifting effect on your mood.
Here are three simple tips for decluttering your closet this spring:
1. Seasonal Swap:
Start by removing out-of-season items. If it’s spring, pack away heavy winter clothing to make room and make daily choices easier. Store them away in a labeled container. This helps to immediately reduce clutter and makes your closet feel more manageable.
2. The One-Year Rule:
Simply put, if you haven’t worn it in the past year, it’s time to let it go. This rule helps cut through the hesitation and excuses we often make with our clothes. It forces us to confront the reality of our wardrobe: what we actually wear versus what we think we’ll wear. By focusing on this principle, you not only streamline your closet but also refine your personal style to what truly suits your current life.
3. The Hanger Trick:
If you don’t have time for a complete wardrobe declutter, at least turn all your hangers in one direction. Each time you wear an item, hang it back facing the opposite way. After a few months, you’ll clearly see which clothes you actually wear and which ones might be ready to find a new home.
By giving your bedroom closet some attention this spring, you’re not just tidying up; you’re setting the stage for a more serene start to your day. Knowing what you have and where it is can save time and stress, making your morning routine a breeze.
Related: Best Clothes Storage Ideas For No Dresser Bedrooms
Optimize the Family Entry Area
The family entryway: it’s the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you see when you leave. Over time, this area can become THE landing place for shoes, boots, coats, mail, and everything in between.
With spring’s arrival, there’s a renewed energy for tidiness and order, making it the perfect season to tackle this often-overlooked space. Decluttering the entryway isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a smoother transition from the hustle and bustle of the outside world to the comfort of your home. A cluttered entryway can make for a chaotic welcome or departure, whereas a tidy, organized space sets a calm and collected tone for the day.
My most important tip for the entryway:
Designate a Spot for Everything. The key to keeping your entryway clutter-free is to ensure that everything has a designated place. Install hooks for coats and bags, a shoe rack for footwear, and a small table or shelf for keys, mail, and sunglasses.
This simple strategy encourages everyone in the household to consistently put things where they belong, significantly reducing clutter accumulation. When each item has a home, it’s easier to maintain order and keep the entryway welcoming and functional.
Related: Our DIY Farmhouse Style Entryway – My Favorite Home Improvement Project
Conquer the Clutter in Your Garage
It’s time to declutter the garage! We all know that the garage is often the final resting place of almost-successful home decluttering efforts. The stuff might leave the main living space, but then the garage is where we tend to stash items until the space no longer serves its primary function.
Come spring, the urge to purge and organize hits full force, making it the perfect time to tackle the garage. Why? Because this is usually a big project, and we need all the spring-fueled energy we can get to complete it.
The single most important organizing tip for the garage AFTER you’ve gotten rid of the excess clutter:
Zone Your Space. Think of your garage as a series of zones based on activity or category — tools in one area, sports equipment in another, seasonal decorations in yet another spot, and so on. This approach can help during the decluttering process by giving you a clear idea of what goes where.
More importantly, it makes keeping things organized much simpler moving forward. When each category of item has a designated spot, it’s easier to find what you need when you need it and to keep track of what you have.
Related: How to Organize a Cluttered Garage
Gear Up the Garden Shed for Spring
This spring, take some time to declutter your garden shed so that you can enjoy your gardening hobby to the fullest.
When spring whispers its arrival, it’s not just our gardens that beckon for attention — our garden sheds do, too. This space, often a hodgepodge of everything from lawnmowers to leftover pots and tangled hoses, can become a chaotic jumble that hinders our gardening efforts rather than helps.
Spring is the season of planting, pruning, and preparing, activities that demand easy access to tools and supplies. A cluttered shed means precious time wasted searching through and moving piles, potentially overlooking or damaging valuable equipment. The onset of spring’s warmer weather is the perfect trigger for organizing the shed, as it aligns with the gardening season’s kickoff.
The most critical tip for your garden shed:
Prioritize Accessibility. The aim is to arrange your gardening tools and supplies in a way that makes them easy to find and reach. This might mean installing wall hooks and racks for hanging larger tools, using clear, labeled boxes for smaller items, and ensuring that frequently used items are at the front.
By focusing on creating a functional space, you ensure that every item has its place, and you can spend less time searching for what you need and more time actually gardening.
More Spring Decluttering and Cleaning Resources
9 Simple Tips For Stress-Free Spring Cleaning
Spring Decluttering: 18 Things To Toss Before You Spring Clean
24 Spring Cleaning Quotes That Might Actually Motivate You To Clean
What Home Area to Declutter First?
Determining which of the 5 areas of your home to declutter this spring might feel overwhelming if you have very limited time for the process.
Which one is the most important to declutter first? That truly depends on your lifestyle and priorities.
For example, if you have a busy schedule and need to make the most of your time in the kitchen during the spring and summer, then I would recommend decluttering the pantry first.
However, if your chaotic closet is a constant source of stress and you don’t even know what clothes you have for the upcoming season, then you’ll probably want to set aside some time every day to start dealing with that situation.
What you should NOT do is split your focus by working on every area, every day. Also, don’t try to do all 5 areas in a very limited time like a single Saturday. Is it possible? Maybe. But you’ll be extremely stressed, exhausted, and probably disappointed when you can’t finish everything.
Instead, take a few minutes to decide on your focus area, and then ONLY worry about that area until you’ve finished. Then move on and keep doing what you can.
You’ve got this!
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definetly sounds like a plan to me. YOu are so right there are definite jobs that must be done. Thanks for sharing and giving me a plan to follow
When it comes to seasonal clothes I usually have a “try on” day in the spring and one in the fall. I try on all my spring and summer clothes. If they don’t fit or may be out of style etc then they get recycled. Offer to a friend but usually they go to a local goodwill. The same goes for fall and winter. By giving in the appropriate season it is more likely to be snapped up by some who is appreciative. Happy decluttering. Love your column.