Five Areas to Declutter Before the New Year Starts
Before you start the New Year with the same old clutter, it’s time to clear a few areas. You don’t have to completely declutter and organize. Just a little something that gets you primed for the New Year.
After all, a decluttered space equals a decluttered mind. And if we’re being honest–who doesn’t want that kind of energy? Here are five areas to ditch the junk and make room for what matters.
Table of Contents
1. Holiday Decorations
Holiday cheer is great, but it doesn’t need to overstay its welcome. Now is the perfect time to go through your decorations as you’re taking them down.
Toss broken ornaments, donate decor you didn’t even use, and keep only what you plan to use in the future. Your future self will thank you next December, and you’ll have fewer bins to unpack.
Holding onto too much just in case stuff creates stress. So, be ruthless with the tinsel and garlands you’ve outgrown. Your storage space and your mind deserve better.
2. Your Closet
Holiday parties are over, and you probably noticed a few outfits still in your closet that didn’t make the list to wear.
Let them go if you haven’t worn it in the last 90 days and won’t wear it in the next 90 days. Start with things that don’t fit, feel uncomfortable, or you simply don’t like.
The New Year is a chance to make your space for clothes you enjoy wearing. Don’t let the maybe outfits keep you from enjoying a clutter-free closet today.
3. The Kitchen
After the holiday baking frenzy and feast-making, your kitchen is ready for a reset. Start with expired spices, random gadgets you never use, and those mismatched Tupperware lids.
Clearing your kitchen from clutter today sets the tone for healthier eating in the New Year. A decluttered kitchen makes meal prep easier and more inviting. So, let go of the chaos and embrace simplicity.
4. The Bathroom
Your bathroom might be hiding more clutter than you realize. Half-used products, expired medications, and that one shampoo bottle you never use but don’t want to let go can all go.
Decluttering this space now will create a more serene environment for your daily routines in the New Year. So go ahead and toss anything that’s expired, and consider donating unopened products you don’t want.
A fresh bathroom is a small but impactful way to start the New Year. Image a space where every product is something you actually use and enjoy. It’s a whole new level of self-care.
5. The Entryway
The entryway is the first thing you see when you walk in the door and the last thing you see when you leave. It sets the tone for your entire home. If it’s a cluttered mess of shoes, bags, and random items, it can make your space feel chaotic before you even step inside. Decluttering this area before the New Year creates a welcoming vibe and gives you one less thing to stress about everyday.
Start by clearing out anything that doesn’t belong—seasonal gear, old mail, or items you’ve been meaning to “put away later.” Then, create a system that works for you: hooks for keys, a basket for shoes, or a tray for mail. Keeping this space tidy makes it easier to come and go without feeling frazzled.
An organized entryway also sends a message to yourself and your guests–this is a home with purpose. And isn’t that what a new year is all about? Creating an intentional space right where you begin and end your day can set the tone for everything else in your life.
What Comes Next?
This initial decluttering session isn’t about perfection—it’s about momentum. Set a timer for 30 minutes and tackle one area with focus and intention. The goal isn’t to organize every single thing but to create a noticeable difference that motivates you to keep going.
Starting small makes the process feel manageable and gives you a quick win to carry into the New Year. By taking this simple step, you’ll feel lighter, more in control, and ready to build on this progress.
Decluttering isn’t a one-time event; it’s a habit—and this is the perfect way to start it right.
Theresa Bedford is a lifestyle and relationship writer with a passion for self-development and to live life to the fullest. She writes about relationships, mindfulness, and simple living. Her work has been seen on the AP newswire, MSN, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and more.
