The holidays are full of fun and celebration, but once they’re over, what’s left behind isn’t always joyful. Wrapping paper on the table, decorations that never got packed away, dishes stacked sky-high—all signs of post-holiday clutter. That punch of joy can quickly turn into a pinch of stress when your home feels cramped from weeks of activity.
You might be ready to reset for the new year, only to be stopped in your tracks by the leftover mess. It’s hard to start fresh when your living spaces still carry the weight of the season. But don’t worry. The path to getting organized again doesn’t need to be difficult. With a few steps in the right order, your home can feel thoughtful, welcoming, and back under control.
Evaluate the Clutter Spots
Before you start sorting through piles or tossing things into bins, step back for a moment. Look around and try to spot the areas that feel the most crowded. Often, certain spots see the most activity during the holidays and end up the messiest.
Here are a few usual suspects:
– Living Room: Where you gathered, unwrapped gifts, or just watched movies in a sea of blankets. You might still find string lights or new items without a home.
– Kitchen: It was probably working overtime. Leftovers, extra groceries, specialty tools, and more dishes than usual all add up.
– Dining Room: Whether you hosted guests or not, it may still have serving dishes, used decor, or linens that weren’t returned to their spots.
– Entryway: Gift bags, delivery boxes, jackets that were only for special occasions—all of that tends to stack up near the door.
Walk through each room and make notes. What items look out of place? Which areas make everyday movement harder? You’re not decluttering yet. Assessing the clutter honestly gives you a clear idea of what needs attention and where to focus first.
Start small. Even noticing what feels off helps shift your mindset toward change. Recognizing clutter hotspots early will guide the actions you take next, so it’s worth taking a slow, deliberate scan of your space.
Create a Decluttering Plan
Once you know where the mess lives, it’s time to make a plan. Jumping in without direction tends to lead to half-finished piles or more frustration. Instead, choose a place to begin and decide what you want it to look like by the end.
Try this approach to keep it manageable:
1. Set small, clear goals. Want the living room clear so guests can visit again? Aim to reset it by the weekend. Hoping to clear your kitchen counters? Make that this week’s project.
2. Break tasks down. Instead of cleaning the whole kitchen, start with one drawer or one section of the counter. Bite-sized chunks make it easier to stay motivated.
3. Choose your schedule. Some people prefer to work in long sessions, while others benefit from daily 15-minute checks. Use your calendar if needed to keep things moving.
4. Focus on where it matters most. Hitting high-traffic areas first brings quick relief and sets the tone for the rest of the home.
Make a checklist so you can see your progress over time. Whether it’s room-based or grouped by item types like decorations, paper, or unused gifts, writing it down helps.
Think about how you’ll handle each item. Create decision piles—keep, donate, throw out, or store. Have donation bags, trash bins, and containers ready. Organizing day becomes much easier when the process includes clear next steps for each category of stuff.
Trust the pace that works for your schedule and home. This plan isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress that makes your space feel better each day.
Implement Effective Storage Solutions
Now that you’ve sorted through the mess and made decisions about what stays, the goal is giving everything left a proper place. Smart storage isn’t about hiding things—it’s about making your home easier to live in every day.
Begin with seasonal items. Organize things like holiday lights, wrapping paper, or special serveware into labeled bins or clear containers. Find a spot away from high-traffic areas, like a closet, garage, or attic shelf. Grouping these items together now saves time whenever the next event or holiday rolls around.
Then turn to everyday storage. Ask yourself these questions:
– Are the items you use daily stored where they are easiest to reach?
– Is anything overflowing or hard to access?
– Do you have storage systems that already help—or do they cause more clutter?
You don’t need to shop for all-new pieces. Most people find practical solutions with what they already have. Keep it simple and repeatable.
Here are easy ideas to try:
– Stackable bins make smart use of vertical space.
– Use labels—handwritten is just fine.
– Store rotating items like returns or reminders in open baskets.
– Clear bins let you see what’s inside quickly.
– Assign storage locations for gift wrap, partyware, and other less-used supplies.
Let’s say your family pulls out certain board games only in December. Instead of stashing those on the living room shelf, tuck them into a labeled bin you can store in a closet. Next year, they’ll be easy to locate, and your shelf stays neater the rest of the year.
Giving your storage a little thought now sets you up for smoother routines later. The items you use regularly should add ease, not stress.
Maintain an Organized Space
Getting your space in order is a great accomplishment. The next step is keeping it that way without feeling like you’re constantly cleaning. The trick lies in building easy routines and making organization part of daily habits.
Here are some simple upkeep tips:
– Do a five-minute tidy-up each evening.
– Walk through weekly to pick up misplaced items or spot new clutter.
– Check active areas like drawers and surfaces every Friday to clear excess.
– Mark your calendar once a month to donate or discard unused things.
Make it a habit to return anything out of place during regular parts of your day. Resetting the living room before heading to bed or emptying the car after coming home from errands can keep clutter from piling up again.
Everyone in the home should be part of the process. When a system works for everyone, it’s easier to stick to. Label bins, assign tasks, and keep things flexible. What keeps your space working should feel natural, not forced.
Clutter usually creeps back in when life gets busy, so don’t beat yourself up. If things get off track, just pick one task and move forward from there. Consistency always wins over perfection.
Step Back and Enjoy Your Space Again
Once the decorations are boxed up, surfaces are cleared, and your rooms invite calm instead of chaos, take a moment to pause. You’ve made your home easier to live in, and that gives you the chance to relax fully.
Post-holiday organizing isn’t about aiming for spotless. It’s about realigning your space with the way you live today—not how it looked during the rush a few weeks ago. When everything works better, you feel better too.
Clearing the clutter now helps you enjoy what matters more in the coming months. If getting everything done feels like too much, that’s not something to handle alone. There’s value in having a professional guide the process and create systems that actually last.
After a season of contributing so much to others—gifting, hosting, welcoming guests—it’s okay to focus on your own comfort and routines. Your home should feel like it’s supporting you again.
You’ve earned peace and ease in your space. Let’s help make that happen.
Transform your home into a functional and inviting space by clearing out the clutter for good. If you’re looking for guidance that actually makes a difference, our expert declutterers are ready to help. Explore our pricing options at Where Style Meets Order and take the first step toward a home that finally feels easy to live in.