Fall Decluttering: 6 Areas to Organize Your Home

Ready to transform your home this fall? Discover these 6 areas to declutter and create a more organized space. Just a little time spent in each area can lead to a beautifully clutter-free home. Embrace fall decluttering with these practical tips! As the temperatures drop and the crisp air fills our homes, fall becomes an ideal time for decluttering. The cool weather invites you to open windows and clear out the dusty corners filled with items that have long been untouched. One of the advantages of seasonal decluttering is being able to assess items you’ve recently used (or haven’t used at all) and decide their fate. For instance, if your grill has sat unused all summer, it might be the perfect time to let it go.

Things To Declutter This Fall

Garage (including gardening tools)
Summer & Fall Clothing
School Supplies
Toys
Lunch Items (like Tupperware, water bottles, etc.)

Begin your fall decluttering journey in the garage, where seasonal tools and equipment reside. Next, tackle your summer and fall clothing, eliminating pieces that no longer serve you. Finally, as the kids return to school, take the opportunity to sift through their school supplies, toys, and lunch items, clearing out anything that’s no longer needed. By following this guide, you can ensure your home stays clean and inviting throughout the season.

Fall Clothing

Autumn is the perfect time to reevaluate your wardrobe. Go through your fall clothing collection and part with items that no longer resonate with your style. It’s common to hold onto clothes we dislike but never wear. Try on your fall outfits and let go of anything that doesn’t fit or make you feel good. If you find items you won’t wear again, consider donating them. Once you have your keepers, hang them with the hangers facing backward on the rod. As you wear each piece, return them to the closet with the hangers facing the correct way. At the end of the season, you’ll have a clear picture of what you wore and what can be donated. This process should take no more than an hour, and the result will be a more organized and visually appealing closet.

Yard Equipment

With summer behind us, it’s time to store your lawn and garden tools for the upcoming winter months. Before you tuck everything away, evaluate what you truly need and what can be discarded. Recently, I convinced my husband to part with a tool purchased 15 years ago for a brick patio project we no longer plan to undertake. Now is an excellent time for this task, as you can easily identify what you’ve used over the season and what has just been collecting dust. You’ll likely spend under an hour decluttering, and you’ll create valuable space in your garage for items you frequently use.

Tired of Clutter?

Toys To Declutter This Fall

For those with school-age children, fall is an opportune moment to reassess their toys. I prefer to wait until my child is back in school, allowing me to have uninterrupted time to declutter. Follow these simple steps for an efficient process:

Start by discarding any broken toys. Replace batteries in toys that need them.
Return all toys your child uses and loves to their rightful place.
Create a pile of toys for your child to evaluate and decide what to keep or let go of.

When my son was younger, I reframed decluttering as a chance to share toys with those less fortunate. This approach made him excited about passing along toys he no longer played with. Even young children can participate in decluttering, especially when you’ve already set aside their beloved toys, making the process easier and educational.

Garage

Fall is my favorite season, with comfortable temperatures and minimal rain—making it ideal for garage cleanouts. Select a pleasant weekend to tackle this project. Clearing out the garage is no quick task, but the satisfaction it brings is worth the effort.

Examine cabinets and donate items you no longer need. Don’t forget to look at items hanging on the walls and those sitting around.
Sort through sporting equipment, possibly enlisting your kids in the process. It’s common to hold onto items thinking we’ll use them someday, and that’s perfectly fine!
If you’re unsure about an item, box it up and label it with the date. If it’s still untouched in six months, it’s time to donate.

Once your garage is decluttered and organized, you’ll appreciate the welcoming feeling of coming home and parking in a tidy space.

School Supplies/Office Supplies

With the kids back in school, now is the perfect opportunity to declutter any unused school or office supplies.

Discard any broken or outdated supplies. Check all pens and markers to ensure they’re functional.
Consider donating any school supplies your children have outgrown or won’t use. Schools often welcome donations.

This task takes only about 30 minutes but will significantly enhance your organization and efficiency when searching for necessary items.

Lunch Box Accessories & Tupperware To Declutter This Fall

If your Tupperware drawer resembles a chaotic mess, now’s the time to get it in order. Ensure all your containers have matching lids and discard those that don’t. Similarly, evaluate your collection of lunch box accessories to confirm you’re still using them. For years, I struggled with a disorganized Tupperware drawer, frequently wasting time searching for matching lids. Last year, I reorganized the space, and it has made a world of difference. Decluttering your Tupperware and lunch supplies is a quick task that yields significant rewards.

What To Do With Your Decluttered Items?

By the time you’ve completed your fall decluttering, you’ll likely have a substantial pile of items ready for disposal.

Some items, like broken tools or unusable art supplies, will need to be thrown away.
Other items may be suitable for selling or donating. Personally, I prefer donating items, as it allows me to quickly clear out my home.
Delaying action for a garage sale often leads to keeping items cluttering your space longer.

Spending just a few hours this fall can help you achieve a more organized home. Even short bursts of 30 minutes here and there can significantly reduce clutter. A decluttered home not only saves time but also creates a more serene and organized environment.

Want More Decluttering Tips?

Check out the 7-day decluttering challenge.
Explore 5 Simple Tips to Stop Clutter.
Learn How To Declutter Your Phone and Personal Life.