As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, our homes become cozy retreats. Before embracing autumn decor, it's time for a fall refresh.
We often accumulate more items than necessary. Clearing out duplicates from drawers and storage can lighten your space and prepare you for a joyous season of gatherings with minimal fuss.
Begin by removing these common duplicates that tend to build up during summer.
20 Items to Purge This Fall
Keep what matters, but let unnecessary duplicates go. This simple action is recommended by organizers to ease stress and ready your home for the holidays.
1. Summer Gear
Edit your summer items, get rid of duplicates, and store what you'll need for next year.
Pack away or discard summer-related items you won't use for months, like pool floats and worn sandals. Instead of a broad decluttering session, focus on duplicates—think beach towels and picnic utensils.
To simplify the process, try this method:
- Choose Favorites: Keep two favorite beach towels and a quality picnic blanket, and part with the rest.
- One-Year Rule: If you didn't use an item this summer, it's likely time to let it go.
- Sort into Three Piles: Create a 'keep' pile for favorites, a 'donate' pile for quality duplicates, and a 'toss' pile for damaged items.
2. Expired Pantry Items
Review your pantry and discard expired goods now.
With fall cooking around the corner, now's an ideal time to purge expired spices, baking mixes, and leftover summer food items. Consider a thorough sweep of your kitchen to streamline efficiently.
Airtight containers, like OXO pop food bins from Amazon, help keep pantry items fresh.
3. Outdoor Tools and Supplies
Clear out your garage and shed of unnecessary duplicates before winter.
As gardening winds down, it's time to clean out your shed or garage. Start with easy wins by collecting expired chemicals and consolidating half-used bottles.
Dispose of any expired or unknown chemicals responsibly. Next, declutter your tools by discarding broken items and organizing what you keep. Hang tools on a pegboard from Walmart and store smaller items in labeled airtight bins from Walmart.
4. Old Holiday Decorations
Get rid of broken decorations and make space for new favorites.
Before the holiday rush, take time to sort through your decor. You might find worn-out Halloween decorations or unlit string lights.
Sort everything into toss, donate, and keep piles. If something is broken or doesn't bring you joy, let it go.
This will make your future decorating much more enjoyable and refreshing.
5. Guest Bedroom Clutter
Make your guest room welcoming by removing clutter.
If hosting guests, clear out piles in the guest room, from boxes to extra bedding. Start by removing personal items.
Organize the closet and tidy under the bed, moving out any long-term storage items. Check linens, keeping two fresh sets and donating old or mismatched ones.
6. Old Cold and Flu Medicine
Clear out expired medicines from your cabinets.
Check your medicine cabinet for any outdated or unused medications and dispose of them safely. Ensure you have room for seasonal supplies.
Keep medications in a cool, dry place, ideally in a lockable storage box from Amazon.
7. Mugs and Bottles
The kitchen is often cluttered with mugs and bottles. Many accumulate over time from gifts or promotions.
Evaluate how many you actually use. Keep only those that fit comfortably in your cabinet.
Consider donating extras or using a space-saving mug holder to streamline your collection.
8. Plastic Food Containers
Time to recycle containers without matching lids.
Plastic containers accumulate quickly. Gather them all, match lids, and recycle any that are stained or broken.
Decide how many you truly need and donate the rest. This habit keeps your kitchen organized year-round.
9. Kitchen Utensils
As you gear up for cooking, check your utensil drawer for duplicates. You likely don't need multiple sets of measuring cups or spatulas.
Sort through what you have, keep the best, and organize them with drawer dividers. We recommend the Joseph Joseph cutlery organizer from Amazon.
10. Unused Cooking Gadgets
Let go of gadgets that collect dust.
If you have kitchen gadgets that rarely get used, it's time to part with them. Evaluate their usage and let go of anything you haven't used recently.
Consider multifunctional tools that save space. If you haven't used it lately, it's okay to let it go.
11. Reusable Bags
While reusable bags help reduce plastic waste, they can accumulate quickly, especially during sale seasons.
Ensure each has a purpose and sparks joy. Consider using a wall-mounted holder to keep bags organized.
12. Old Towels
Let go of old towels that are worn or musty.
Towels can pile up, especially when repurposed. Decide how many you truly need and recycle those that are worn out.
Donate extras and use a towel organizer from Amazon to keep your collection neat.
13. Books
Assess your book collection and let go of those you won't read again.
Many people hold onto books they'll never read. Keep only your favorites and those you'll revisit.
Donate or sell any that no longer serve you.
14. Empty Jars
Keep jars to a minimum to reduce clutter.
While saving jars can seem eco-friendly, they can pile up. Retain a few versatile sizes and recycle the rest.
Consider creative uses for extra jars, like vases or candle holders.
15. Bedsheets
Limit your collection to a few favorite sets.
Keep only two or three sets of bedsheets to avoid clutter. Donate or discard any that don't match.
16. Home Documents
Organize important paperwork to prevent mess.
As the year ends, sort through paperwork. Gather important documents in a filing system that works for you.
Consider digitizing to reduce physical clutter.
17. Makeup and Bath Products
Discard old or duplicate beauty items.
As gifting season approaches, evaluate your makeup and skincare collection. Get rid of anything expired or that you won't use.
Use clear bathroom organizers from Amazon to keep your collection tidy.
18. Socks with Missing Pairs
Clear out solitary socks that have lost their mates.
If you have a drawer full of unmatched socks, take time to pair them up. Discard or repurpose any singles.
19. Cords, Cables, and Old Electronics
Organize cords to reduce visual clutter.
Old electronics often take up valuable space. Let go of anything outdated or unnecessary.
Label cords to keep them organized. Recycle what you don't need.
20. Shoes
Keep your entryway tidy by managing your shoe collection.
As the season changes, assess your shoe collection. Remove worn-out pairs that you no longer wear.
Sort into three piles: keep, donate, and toss. This creates space for new fall footwear.
FAQs
Why Does Clutter Accumulate?
Clutter builds up when supportive practices aren't in place. Implement a one-in-one-out strategy to prevent future accumulation.
Meet Our Experts
Juliana Meidl has extensive experience as a professional home organizer, emphasizing effective organization for families.
Brenda Scott specializes in decluttering and organization, helping clients maintain tidy spaces amidst busy lives.
Raychel Klein founded her organizing business to assist individuals in breaking the clutter cycle.
Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson is an author and professional organizer focused on practical advice for home organization.
Robyn Reynolds has helped hundreds of clients achieve organized spaces since starting her professional organizing business.
With a decluttered home, you can fully embrace the season. Letting go of unnecessary items creates a cozy, functional space just in time for fall and the upcoming holidays.
