Seasonal shifts are a great time to declutter. As winter sets in and temperatures drop, so do our needs at home. Heavy coats, snow boots, winter skin care, and holiday decor are just a few things that come out of hiding—which can be the cause of a good redo. You can also explore the things you know and love, and the things you might be ready to part with. Ahead, I talked to a few professional planners to get their recommendations on things to unpack before winter. Read on for the only checklist you’ll need this season!
Refresh Your Linen Closet
Cool, light summer bedding can be moved for the next few months as you pull out the flannel sheets and extra blankets. Carol Appelbaum, founder of Luxury Pro Organizer in Houston Texas, recommends organizing your linens as you transition into colder weather. “Winter is a great time to declutter and donate gently used towels, sheets, and blankets that no longer fit your needs,” she shares. “Rearrange your wardrobe so your favorite winter linens are within easy reach, making it a breeze to create a cozy and comfortable bed on a cold night.”
You want to improve your bed more cozy in the middle of your spending sesh? “While you’re changing your linens, take the opportunity to wash or dry your bedding in the dryer!” Appelbaum suggests.
Check In With Your Medicine Cabinet
Winter brings not only cold air, but also the start of cold and flu season. Appelbaum suggests decluttering your medicine cabinet. This can bring you peace of mind, just in case you or your family members get sick. “Safely dispose of expired medicines, cough medicines and supplements. After that, get cold care essentials like pain relievers, decongestants, and throat lozenges and rehydrate as needed,” she shares.
A well-stocked medicine cabinet will save you from a last-minute trip to Target during inclement weather. Also, I don’t want to go anywhere where I feel bored. Get ready now to be ready when illness hits you!
Declutter Vacation Items
You should totally consider holiday decorating as things to spend before winter. Now is the time to sort through your decorations, and put away any decorations you’re ready to part with. If you’re getting rid of your belongings in December, Sarah Dunn of Ready Set Organize suggests donating your belongings as soon as possible. “Most non-profit organizations and churches would like to receive these donations as soon as possible, so they can go home to use this season,” he shares. Since there can be an influx of holiday donations in January (and the opportunity to turn donations around), put aside your wasted holiday items and wait until next year to donate them in November. Just be sure to throw away anything broken like decorations or string lights.
Letting go of older holiday items will create more space for the decorations you love, which will make decorating for the season more fun. Not to mention, keeping it all will be easier too!
Decorate Your Coat Clothes
Coming and going can look different when it’s cold outside. Your entryway is probably full of things that will be disposed of before winter, and your coat closet will finally be put to good use again. Take the time to sort through all of your winter outerwear. “Consider donating coats, scarves, or sweaters that no longer fit or are no longer used,” says Aaron Traub, owner and lead organizer at My Professional Organizer. “Taking out the trash makes it easy to grab your favorite pieces on a cold morning without unnecessary extra planning.”
Dunn recommends taking your own ice packs with you, especially if you have kids. “Most kids outgrow their winter gear every one to two years, so be sure to donate or sell what’s no longer useful to make room for the new gear you’re going to buy,” she shares.
Organize Your Pantry
Pairing up with a bowl of soup and a slice of crusty bread is one of my favorite parts of the season. An organized pantry will make winter meal prep and holiday hosting fun. “Evaluating expired or unused food makes for valuable holiday baking and staple foods,” says Traub. “A quick update can save you time and frustration during the busy months ahead.”
As you organize your pantry, throw out anything that is out of date and set aside food that can be donated. “The holiday season is a great time to donate unused, non-expiring, non-perishable items to local food banks,” notes Appelbaum. As you put things back in your pantry, be sure to categorize your items to make things easier to find. There is nothing more satisfying than an organized pantry!
Sort by Toys & Games
“With the holidays approaching, it might be a good idea to get rid of the toys and games,” says Traub. As this is the time of year to prepare gifts, preparing your home for the influx of new things will help you stay organized. Get rid of anything broken, lost, or things your children have outgrown,” Traub continued. “This will free up space for new gifts and prevent things from getting messy after the holidays.”
Like adults, children can become overwhelmed with clutter or have too many options in front of them at once. Stick to toys that you and your children love. As you organize things and find yourself on the fence about a toy or game, put it in the bin, and put it away for a month. If the toy is in question, you can prepare it, but if not—it’s probably safe to donate.