The Summer Decluttering Guide

This post has been written by our newest team member, Leslie Sawmiller! Leslie is a mom of 3, a business manager, and an expert at home organization and decor. Welcome, Leslie!

Call it a guide, call it a bucket list. Either way, we’re going into some of the deepest darkest places of our homes and getting them decluttered this summer! There’s no time like the present to create the organized home you’ve always dreamed of!

The Summer Decluttering Guide

Closets

Coat closets, linen closets, bedroom closets, you name it! Chances are if there’s a closet in my house, it probably needs to be cleaned out. Get rid of the old coats and shoes you don’t wear anymore.  The easiest way I have found to do this is to clean one closet a day. Hopefully, within a week, your closets will be the most refreshing part of your home.

The junk drawer

If you have expired coupons, old business cards, or broken rubber bands, just toss it! Get rid of the pens that don’t work and keep them organized with a box lid.  This battery organizer helps keeps those batteries from rolling around your drawer.

The pantry

An organized pantry is essential! Take your chaotic, unorganized pantry and transform it into the ideal space you need to save time in the kitchen. For pantry organizational tips, check out this post, 20 Brilliant Pantry Organization Ideas. 

Bathroom cabinets/drawers

Let’s face it, there are never enough cabinets in a house. So we need to utilize the cabinets we have. Less is more in a bathroom cabinet. How many towels do we REALLY need? Invest in a few baskets for toiletries and other bathroom essentials.  Apothecary jars are super cute in a bathroom and are functional as well.

Hair accessories and Makeup

Did you know that makeup has an expiration date? If your makeup is past it’s prime, it’s a good idea to toss it! Here’s a general guide to follow:

• Mascara-3 mos
• Liquid liners-6 mos
• Sponges- 6 mos
• Foundation- 6-12 mos
• Concealer-1 year
• Eyeshadow & blush-2 years
• Lipstick-2 years
• Perfume- 8-10 years

Nightstands

Nightstands can be a breeding ground for clutter. Throw away those used tissues and remove anything that you are no longer using. Use baskets to keep items together and organized. If you’re a night reader, your books can be used for decor.

Corners

Take a quick scan around your house and collect anything that’s tucked away in a corner. Find a place for it and move on to the next item on your list!

Your computer

Clean up that desktop, delete and organize those files, and organize those pictures!

Paper and magazines

Mail, old receipts, unused magazines…they are all taking up unwanted space and making you feel disorganized. If you don’t need it, recycle it!

Garage

Your garage is the first space you see upon entering your home. An organized garage can give you a sense of peace. Garage shelving is a great idea. Bike hooks are also an excellent way to maximize garage space.

Books

Give me all the books…just organize them! Books are fun to organize!

You can organize them by:

• color
• genre
• alphabetically
• author

Just don’t forget to donate the ones you no longer need!

Home Decor

Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s constantly changing up my home decor. I love changing things up in my house, but lots of change means extra decor. Use large storage bins with labels to store away unused or seasonal home decor. Have a garage sale for any unwanted or unused decor.

Laundry room

Try to keep only laundry room essentials here. My laundry room is literally a closet, which makes it easy to try and hide unwanted items when guests come over but it’s a decision I always regret!

Craft supplies

Clear plastic bins with labels make finding and organizing craft supplies a breeze! Be sure to check the paint, markers, and glue for anything that’s dried out. If it’s not usable anymore, it’s just clutter!

Medicine cabinet

Toss that old prescription bottle and expired box of allergy medicine.  Checking expiration dates alone will help eliminate a good portion of your medicine cabinet!

Movies

If you never watch that old movie, why keep it? Having a DVD organizer is great for compacting those movies and creating more space.

Extra bedding, blankets, and sheets

Blankets and bedding seem to be common gifts for our family every year for Christmas. It makes me laugh but there’s no need to keep accumulating more bedding and blankets year after year.  Keep only your favorites and essentials and donate the rest. We have an ottoman like this at the end of our bed. It’s great for blankets and bedding.

Exercise Equipment

If your treadmill is no longer in working condition, it’s probably time to get rid of it!

Gift bags and wrapping paper

Are you even an adult if you don’t have a large gift bag stuffed with more gift bags in your home? HA! I love to save money on recycled gift bags but I also need to organize and declutter this part of my life. This gift bag and wrapping paper organizer is genius!

Office Supplies

I kind of have a thing for pretty cards, paper, and makers. If I’m not careful, I get carried away easily and my neat office supplies area gets overcrowded with unnecessary sticky notes!  I use a plastic cup or coffee mug to organize my pens and markers. I also use small baskets to keep my cards and stationery upright.

Jewelry

Jewelry is in and out of style SO FAST! Having this jewelry organizer helps keep my jewelry in view. It makes it easier to see what I wear and what I no longer need.

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