Summer Simplified: 5 Easy Decluttering Projects to Kick Off the Season
The summer often marks a shift in your daily routines; you might have more time off work, your kids are home from school, and the warmer weather means you have greater opportunity to spend time outside and work on projects that winter chills put on pause. Sunny weather is also a great mood lifter and motivator for many, which makes it the perfect time to start tackling some of your lifestyle and household goals. If you’re looking to declutter and organize but aren’t sure where to start, make the most of this season with these five easy decluttering projects to kick off the summer season.
Revisit Holiday and Winter Decor
Now that the winter and major holiday season is over, you’re bound to have a better idea of what holiday and winter decor you used and what was left in a bin collecting more dust. Take a look at what you used over the past season and see if there’s anything you’re ready to part with; you might donate it, sell it, or upcycle it into something new. This could include decorations, clothes, and other supplies. Organizing this now will save you time later when you’re looking to prepare for the holiday season again.
Closet Clean-Out
It’s fairly common for closets to get cluttered throughout the year, whether you’ve been gifted clothes or collected new items over the year, and by the time the summer hits, you might not even remember what you wore last summer. The start of the season is a great time to go through your wardrobe and sort through what you own. Some beloved items will get put back immediately, but you might find that shirt you’d forgotten about and haven’t worn in a couple years. This is also a good time to switch your wardrobe out for the new season; you can sort through and put away your winter clothes while pulling out clothes for the summer season. You can do this for yourself, but it can also be a family affair. This is a great time to work with your kids and their closets to get rid of clothes they’ve outgrown or don’t want anymore, making room for new ages and styles.
Summer Cleaning
You’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but what about summer cleaning? The summer provides great weather and extra time to start more deep-cleaning projects and open up your house after it’s been shut during the cold seasons. This is your time to give your house some much needed TLC. This can include vacuuming under furniture, dusting some higher shelves, and cleaning appliances like your oven or your washing machine. This is also a great time to check the batteries on any smoke or monoxide alarms and switch out filters around your house.
Clean Out Storage Spaces
Storage spaces are an oft-neglected part of an organization to-do list. Cabinets, junk drawers, and garages are notorious for collecting clutter and chaos. The summer is a great time to start sorting through these parts of your home and seeing what can stay and what needs to go. You can also use this as an opportunity to organize and put things that have migrated back to their original home. This doesn’t have to take one day - you can work on this over a weekend or chip away at it as you find time over the summer. It might seem like a lot to tackle at first, but you’ll find steady work will give you glowing results that’ll help your home feel neater and more manageable for everyone.
Host a Garage or Yard Sale
After you’ve done all your sorting and decluttering, the summer is the perfect time to host a garage or yard sale. Once you know what you’re ready to be done with, you can use a yard sale to help those items find a new home and make some extra cash on the side. Some communities hold sales around the same time, but you can hold yours whenever it works for you. Post signs around your community and double check the weather beforehand, and you’ll be all set. This is also another great opportunity to get your family involved and have some fun!
The summer season is a perfect opportunity to take some time for you and your household. Decluttering and organizing will not only help your space look nice, but it’ll feel more comfortable and livable as well. Let the sunshine motivate you and spring (or summer) into action!