The New Year Decluttering Checklist

As the clock resets to January 1, so do we. The New Year is more than just a date–it’s a new start.  And that new beginning should extend to your home.

After the chaos of the holidays, clutter can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to reset your space and mindset. Starting the year with a clean, organized home creates a calm foundation for your goals and priorities. It’s the first step to clearing mental clutter and focusing on what really matters.

This new year decluttering checklist will help you simplify your home, reclaim your space, and create an environment that feels peaceful and intentional. It’s not just about tidying up—it’s about setting the tone for the months ahead. Let’s get started and make this year your most organized yet.

Living Room: Refresh Your Gathering Space

The living room is considered the heart of the home–the place where family and friends come together and create memories. After the holiday season, this space can feel cluttered and chaotic. Refreshing it can create a calm and inviting environment for the months ahead but it takes a little work.

Start by clearing the surfaces. Remove unnecessary items and unused decor. Keep only what adds to the room’s aesthetic or serves a purpose.

Next, focus on organizing excess blankets and rearranging throw pillows for a polished look. Consider rotating in pillows or blankets that reflect a cozy winter vibe to keep the space feeling fresh.

Then, declutter the media center and remove any holiday decorations you still have out. Donate or recycle anything extra to create more space in the room. Don’t forget to organize remotes, cables, and devices for a streamlined setup.

Living Room Checklist:

• Clear and wipe down coffee tables, side tables, and shelves.
• Fold and store excess blankets. Rearrange throw pillows.
• Declutter the media Center. Sort and donate or recycle unused books, DVDs, and games.
• Organize remotes, cables, and electronic devices.
• Remove and store holiday decorations; clean the space.

Kitchen: Simplify for the Year Ahead

The kitchen is often the busiest space in your home, especially during the holidays. It’s where meals are prepared, gatherings happen, and clutter accumulates.

In our quest to become world-class chefs, we have tons of unused appliances and cooking tools that don’t help, along with expired goods as the result of poor planning.

Begin with your pantry. Take everything out and assess what you have. Toss expired goods and donate unopened items you know you won’t use. Organize staples like grains, canned goods, and snacks into categories for easy access.

Next, turn to the countertops. Remove appliances or items you rarely use, like seasonal gadgets or duplicate tools. Only keep the essentials within reach to create a clean, open workspace that inspires productivity.

Then, focus on the refrigerator. Clear out expired food, condiments, and leftovers. Wipe down shelves and drawers, and organize the contents by category: dairy, produce, proteins, and beverages. 

Move on to mugs and drink supplies. Sort through your collection, checking for chipped or unused mugs. Organize your coffee and tea essentials in a dedicated spot so everything is easy to find when you need it.

Finally, declutter your utensil drawers. Go through each drawer and remove duplicates or tools you haven’t touched in months.

Kitchen Checklist: 

• Pantry: Toss expired goods, donate unused items, and organize staples.
• Refrigerator: Clear out expired food, wipe shelves, and organize by category.
• Cabinets: Declutter, remove unused items, and organize cookware and dishes.
• Countertops: Clear unused appliances and create an open workspace.
• Mugs and Drink Supplies: Sort and organize coffee, tea, and mugs.
• Utensil Drawers: Remove duplicates and streamline your tools.

Bedroom: Set the Stage for Restful Nights

Your bedroom should be a calm, relaxing retreat, free from distractions and clutter. Start by refreshing your bedding. Replace old or worn linens with cozy, seasonal options like flannel sheets or a heavier duvet for the colder months. Add decorative touches, such as a soft throw or accent pillows, to make the bed the room’s centerpiece.

Move on to the nightstands. Clear off outdated books, loose papers, and anything that doesn’t belong. Keep the essentials like a lamp, your current book, and maybe a small plant to maintain a serene and functional space.

Next, do the dresser. Empty out each drawer and go through your clothing, removing items you no longer wear or need. Fold and organize what you’re keeping by category, such as shirts, pants, or undergarments, to make getting dressed simpler and more efficient. Use drawer organizers or dividers to keep everything tidy and accessible.

Finally, address the space under your bed. Clear out anything forgotten or unnecessary. Use storage bins or boxes for items like seasonal clothes or extra bedding. You need this space to remain neat and functional.

Bedroom Checklist:

• Refresh Bedding: Replace old linens with cozy, seasonal options.
• Nightstands: Declutter and keep only the essentials.
• Dresser: Empty drawers, sort clothing, and use organizers for neat storage.
• Under the Bed: Clear out forgotten items and use bins for storage.

The Closet: Maximize Space and Simplify Your Wardrobe

Your closet is often one of the most cluttered spaces in the home, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. A well-organized closet saves you time getting dressed and creates a sense of calm and control every time you open the door.

Start by removing everything from the closet. Yes, everything. This lets you see exactly what you own and helps you decide what’s worth keeping. 

Use the 90-90 Rule to make decisions: If you haven’t worn something in the last 90 days and won’t wear it in the next 90, it’s time to let it go. 

Once you’ve sorted your clothes, organize them in a way that works for you. Group similar items together—like shirts, pants, and dresses—and consider arranging by color or season to make finding things easier.

Make the most of your space with smart storage. Slim hangers free up room, shelf dividers keep stacks neat, and bins or baskets are great for smaller items like scarves. Use a shoe rack or cubbies to keep footwear tidy and easy to access.

Closet Checklist:

• Remove everything and sort items into keep, donate, and discard piles.
• Apply the 90-90 Rule: Let go of items you haven’t worn in the last 90 days and won’t wear in the next 90 days.
• Group similar items together and organize by color or season.
• Use slim hangers, shelf dividers, and bins for efficient storage.
• Store off-season clothing elsewhere to free up space.
• Arrange shoes neatly with racks or cubbies.

Bathroom: Clean and Streamline

Your bathroom is a busy space, and clutter can make it feel anything but relaxing. Organizing it will help you create a calm, functional area that makes daily routines easier.  

Start with the countertops. Clear everything off and decide what you actually use every day. Stick to the basics—soap, toothbrushes, and skincare. Use trays or organizers to keep things tidy and in their place.  

Next, go through the medicine cabinet. Check expiration dates on medications and first-aid items, tossing anything expired or unnecessary. Group what’s left into categories like pain relief, skincare, or cold and flu supplies so it’s easy to find what you need.  

Then, tackle the drawers. Empty them out and sort through toiletries, makeup, and grooming tools. Get rid of duplicates, expired items, or anything you don’t use. Use dividers or small bins to organize what stays.  

Finally, address the shower and tub. Throw out empty bottles and products you don’t use anymore. Keep it simple with just the essentials—shampoo, conditioner, and body wash—and use a caddy or shelves to keep everything organized.  

Bathroom Checklist:  

• Countertops: Clear clutter and use trays or organizers for daily essentials.  
• Medicine Cabinet: Toss expired medications and group items by category.  
• Drawers: Purge unused or duplicate toiletries and makeup; use dividers for neat storage.
• Fold towels, straighten bath mats, and clean mirrors.
• Shower/Tub: Discard empty bottles and keep only the essentials.  

Entryway: Welcome the New Year

Your entryway is the first thing you see when you walk in and the last thing you pass on your way out. A tidy, functional space can set the tone for the rest of your home.

Start by organizing coats and shoes. Keep only what you currently use, like jackets for the season and your go-to pairs of shoes. Store out-of-season items elsewhere to free up space and make the area feel less crowded.

Next, declutter mail and keys. Go through any piles of old mail and toss what you don’t need. Set up a small tray or hooks for keys and wallets so you always know where to find them.

Create a drop point for daily essentials. Use a small table, shelf, or wall-mounted organizer to hold items like bags, umbrellas, or sunglasses. This keeps everything you need in one convenient spot and reduces clutter elsewhere.

Finally, tidy up seasonal gear. Use bins or baskets to store gloves, scarves, and hats. Keep everything in one spot so it’s easy to grab as you head out the door.

A clean and organized entryway makes leaving and returning home much smoother. It’s a small area that has a big impact.

Entryway Checklist:

• Coats and Shoes: Keep current-season items and store the rest elsewhere.
• Mail and Keys: Sort through old mail and set up a designated spot for keys and wallets.
• Drop Point: Use a table or organizer for bags, umbrellas, and daily essentials.
• Seasonal Gear: Use bins or baskets to organize gloves, scarves, and hats.

Garage: Start Fresh 

The garage often becomes a catch-all for everything you’re unsure what to do with. Starting fresh here can free up valuable space and give you better access to the items you actually use.  

Begin with your holiday decorations. Pack them neatly in labeled clear bins to make them easy to find next year. While at it, check for any broken or outdated items and discard them. Keeping only what’s useful and meaningful will save you time and space in the future.  

Next, look at your tools and equipment. Group similar items together—like gardening tools, power tools, and car supplies—and store them in designated areas. This makes everything easier to find and prevents duplicates. Donate or discard anything you haven’t used in years. 

Finally, clear out old boxes and sort through what’s inside. Keep only what serves a purpose or holds genuine value. Use shelves, bins, or storage racks to keep things off the floor and maximize space.  

Garage/Storage Checklist:  

• Holiday Decor: Pack decorations in labeled bins and discard broken or outdated items.  
• Tools and Equipment: Group similar items together and remove what you don’t need.  
• Storage Areas: Clear out old boxes, organize contents, and maximize space with shelves or bins.  

Digital Decluttering: A Fresh Start Online

Decluttering isn’t just for physical spaces—it’s time to tackle your digital life, too. A clutter-free digital space makes it easier to find what you need and creates a sense of calm whenever you log on.

Start with your photos. Go through your gallery and delete duplicates or blurry shots. Back up important memories to cloud storage or an external drive for safekeeping. Organize the rest into albums to easily find and enjoy them later.

Next, go through your inbox. Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails that no longer serve you. Then, delete old or irrelevant messages. If your inbox is overwhelming, set up folders and filters to keep things organized moving forward.

Finally, clean up your devices—sort files into folders so you can find them easily. Delete apps you no longer use and refresh your home screen for a clean, streamlined look. Take a moment to clear your desktop or phone wallpaper, giving yourself a fresh digital start.

Digital Decluttering Checklist:

• Photos: Delete duplicates, back up important memories, and organize albums.
• Inbox: Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters and delete old emails.
• Devices: Arrange files into folders, delete unused apps, and refresh your home screen.