The Smart Way to Declutter This Fall: Getting Your Home Cozy for Winter

You know that feeling when the air gets crisp and all you want to do is curl up at home? It’s a natural instinct to “nest” as the days get shorter. But let’s be honest, it’s hard to feel cozy and relaxed when you’re surrounded by clutter. It’s like a low-grade hum of stress that just drains your energy.

For years, I’ve helped people tackle this exact problem. And I’ve learned that fall, not spring, is the most important time to get organized. It’s about preparing your home to be a true sanctuary for the colder months ahead. This isn’t about a frantic cleaning marathon; it’s a smart, step-by-step process to make your home functional, safe, and genuinely supportive.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Start with a Quick Win.

Before you even think about tackling a whole room, let’s get some momentum going. Pick one, small, manageable space. I’m talking about a 15-minute project.

The medicine cabinet is perfect for this. The decisions are usually easy—expired stuff is trash, duplicates can be combined. Another great option is the infamous junk drawer. A quick victory here will give you the confidence boost you need to keep going. Trust me, it works.

The Sorting System That Actually Frees Up Space

Okay, ready to dig in? First, you need a system. The biggest mistake I see is people just moving piles from one spot to another. It feels like you’re doing something, but nothing ever actually leaves the house. So, let’s get prepared.

You’ll need a few supplies: some heavy-duty trash bags (a good roll costs about $15), a Sharpie for labeling (maybe $5), and five containers. These can be cardboard boxes, laundry baskets, or just designated zones on your floor.

The Five-Category Method

Label your containers clearly. This simple setup is the key to making decisive choices and preventing overwhelm.

• Keep: Simple enough. These are items you love and use, and they belong right here in this room.
• Relocate: This is for stuff you’re definitely keeping, but it’s in the wrong place. Think coffee mugs in the bedroom or books in the bathroom.
• Let Go: This box is for anything in good condition that you no longer need. Clothes that don’t fit, gadgets you never use, books you won’t read again.
• Trash: For the truly broken, expired, or unusable items. Be ruthless here.
• The Memory Box: Ah, the sentimental stuff. This is what paralyzes most people. It’s okay! Put those few, truly special items in this box. We’re not making a final decision on them today. The goal is to get them out of the way so you can finish the room. You can revisit this box later when you’re not in the middle of a big project.

Work in one small area at a time—a single shelf or one drawer. Touch every single item and put it in one of the five categories. Once a box is full, take immediate action. This part is critical. Put the ‘Keep’ items away. Walk the ‘Relocate’ box around the house and put its contents where they belong. And that ‘Let Go’ box? Put it straight in your car.

Okay, the ‘Let Go’ Box is Full. Now What?

Don’t let that box of good intentions die in your trunk! Schedule the next step right now. For clothing and housewares, look up your local Goodwill or a nearby women’s or homeless shelter. For more niche items like old electronics or designer clothes, try listing them on Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark. The goal is to get it out of your life within the next 48 hours.

The Wardrobe Swap: Protect Your Clothes and Sanity

Switching out your summer clothes for winter ones is more than just a chore—it’s how you protect your clothing investment and make your mornings easier. There are two things you absolutely have to get right.

First, wash or dry-clean every single item before it goes into storage. I can’t stress this enough. Even if you only wore that shirt once, invisible body oils and tiny sweat stains are a buffet for pests like moths and silverfish. This one step will save your clothes.

Second, choose the right containers. For your nice sweaters, especially natural fibers like wool or cashmere, you want something that can breathe. Canvas bins, which you can find for between $15 and $30, are perfect. Please, whatever you do, avoid those vacuum-sealed plastic bags for these items. They crush the natural fibers, and if there’s any moisture at all, you’re basically creating a mildew science experiment. I’ve seen beautiful clothes completely ruined this way.

On the other hand, for things like t-shirts, athletic gear, or other synthetics, a clean, opaque plastic bin is totally fine. The opacity is key—sunlight can fade colors over a season, even through a translucent lid.

Heads up! Don’t use traditional mothballs. They contain nasty chemicals, and that smell is nearly impossible to get out of fabric. Instead, opt for natural deterrents like cedar blocks (about $10 for a pack) or sachets of dried lavender. They smell great and work by masking the scent of the wool that pests are attracted to. Just give the cedar a light sanding each year to refresh its aroma.

The Kitchen & Pantry Reset for Health and Savings

Fall cooking means stews, roasts, and baking. Your pantry is about to become a major work zone. A quick reset now will save you money and prevent waste later. Plus, it’s a critical safety check.

When you restock, use the “First-In, First-Out” (FIFO) method that restaurants use. Just put new groceries behind the older ones. This ensures you use things before they expire. Once a season, take everything out and give the shelves a good wipe. As you do, check the dates. “Best By” is about quality, not safety. But if a can is dented, bulging, or rusted, toss it immediately. It’s not worth the risk of botulism.

By the way, this is a great time to check your spices. A quick tip: If you’re unsure how old a ground spice is, rub a little between your fingers. If you don’t get a strong, clear aroma, it’s dead. It won’t make you sick, but it won’t flavor your food, either.

Your Bathroom: More Than Just Decluttering

The bathroom is a small space, but the heat and humidity can wreak havoc on products. Most people don’t realize that makeup and skincare have expiration dates. Look for a tiny symbol of an open jar with a number like “12M” on it. That means the product is good for 12 months after opening. Using expired products, especially on your face or eyes, can lead to nasty infections.

And ironically, the medicine cabinet is the WORST place to store medicine. The heat and steam can make them less effective. They’re much better off in a cool, dry place like a linen closet or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove.

When you find old prescriptions, please dispose of them safely. Don’t flush them or just throw them in the bin. Many pharmacies and police stations have secure drop-off boxes. You can easily find a location by searching online for “DEA drug take back near me.” It’s the safest way to get them out of your house.

A Final Word on Holiday Decor

As you pull out your fall and winter decorations, you have the perfect chance to declutter them. We often pack things away in a rush, which means we’re storing broken ornaments, tangled lights, and decor we don’t even like anymore. As you unpack, make a quick decision. If it’s broken, toss it. If you haven’t used it for the last two seasons, donate it. This way, when it’s time to pack up again, you’re only storing items you truly love and will use next year. It makes the whole process so much more joyful.

Galerie d’inspiration

The clutter is gone, the surfaces are clear… but how do you infuse that true, cozy autumn feeling into your newly organized space?

Think beyond visual tidiness and create a