Why Decluttering in Fall is the New Spring Cleaning
Photo by Blue Bird
Sure, spring cleaning gets all the glory, but what about the rest of the year?! As big fans of organization, we’ve decided “fall decluttering” deserves a real place in our lives. With the pumpkin spice lattes flowing and cozy sweaters making a comeback, it’s the perfect time to give your home a fresh start before winter hibernation kicks in. Plus, if you’re hosting for the holidays (or just trying to find your favorite fuzzy socks), a little fall declutter might just save your sanity.
So, before you light that cinnamon-scented candle, let’s talk about why fall is the ultimate season for a declutter refresh—and how it can make life way easier.
Why Fall is the (second?) Best Time to Declutter:
Get Ahead of Holiday Madness: Before your home becomes ground zero for holiday gatherings, take time to clear out unnecessary items. A fall declutter gives you space for guests, decorations, and everything that comes with the season.
Routine Reset: Fall often comes with a change in schedules—kids are back in school and routines inevitably shift. It’s the perfect time to align your home with these new rhythms, ensuring things run smoothly as life gets busier.
Cozy Vibes, Clear Spaces: Fall is all about getting cozy, but clutter can quickly ruin the vibe. A decluttered space makes your home more relaxing, which is key as we spend more time inside.
Seasonal Swap: Cooler weather means it’s time to switch out summer gear for fall and winter essentials. Decluttering helps you streamline the process, ensuring only what you really need sticks around.
Set Yourself Up for Winter: With winter approaching, we naturally spend more time indoors. Decluttering now makes sure you’ve got a peaceful, organized space to relax in once the cold hits.
The Benefits of Decluttering (Backed by Stats!)
Decluttering isn’t just about making your home look tidy—it can also have a huge impact on your mental and physical well-being. Here are some quick facts on why decluttering is worth the effort:
Less Stress: Clutter increases cortisol levels (the stress hormone), especially in women. Research by the HuffPost found that 84% of people worry their homes aren’t organized enough, and 55% say it’s a big cause of stress.
More Productivity: A clutter-free space helps you focus better. Even the earliest studies on stress and wellbeing found that physical clutter competes for attention, lowering productivity.
Save Time: Did you know that an average of 3,680 hours (153 days) of our lives are spent looking for misplaced items?! Decreasing your inventory = finding what you need with better ease. In fact, you may be able to save up to 40% of housework in your home by keeping a clutter-free space!
By decluttering, you’re not just tidying up—you’re reducing stress and boosting your productivity. Now THAT’s a win!
Photo by RDNE
How to Declutter Your Home this Fall
Now that we know why fall is the time to declutter, let’s dive into how you can do it efficiently—and without the stress. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your fall decluttering as easy as a pumpkin pie:
1. Start Small (But Think Big)
No need to declutter everything all in one day. Start decluttering in one room or one area, like your closet or kitchen. As you tackle each section, keep the bigger picture in mind: you’re creating space and breathing room to make life flow better! Set realistic goals for yourself and use eeva to keep track of your progress. You can even set deadlines and reminders, so you don’t forget what needs to be done next!
2. The Seasonal Swap: Wardrobe Edition
This is the perfect time to transition your wardrobe for the cooler months. As you pull out your sweaters and jackets, take a moment to assess what you really need. If something didn’t make it out of the closet all summer, it might be time to let it go.
DONATE, TOSS, KEEP: Donate what’s still in good shape, toss anything past its prime, and make space for the cozy, functional pieces you’ll actually wear this fall and winter. Track your donation lists and set reminders in eeva for your yearly seasonal clothing swaps!
Photo by Sarah Brown
3. Declutter for Guests: Pre-Holiday Edition
Before the holiday season kicks off, tackle areas like the living room, guest bedrooms, and kitchen—the places where family and friends will gather. Clear out the clutter to make space for decorations, extra seating, and (let’s be honest) all those snacks and leftovers.
PRO TIP: this is also a great time to deep-clean spaces that get overlooked, like pantries, linen closets, or entryways. With eeva, you can organize your cleaning tasks into manageable steps and even share your to-do list with family members to make it a team effort!
Want more tips on leveling up your family gatherings? Here you go!
4. Tackle the Paper Pile-Up
Fall is often a time when paperwork piles up—whether it's school forms, holiday cards, or bills. Take a day to declutter your desk and organize important documents. Sort through what you no longer need, and create a system for the papers you want to keep.
Digitize as much as possible and store important docs in secure, easy-to-access locations. eeva can help by digitally storing your docs for you, reminding you to follow up on any outstanding tasks, and creating a digital checklist for your paperwork cleanup.
5. Set a Routine for Maintenance
Decluttering isn’t a one-time job. Once you’ve gone through the process, it’s all about maintenance. Set a weekly or monthly routine to keep the clutter from creeping back in. Use eeva’s home management features to schedule regular check-ins, tackle tasks as a team, and create a sustainable system to keep your space clutter-free.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Life is messy—but a little planning and regular decluttering can go a long way in keeping things manageable.
Photo by Ron Lach
Let eeva Help You Declutter with Ease
Decluttering can feel like a mountain of a task, but it’s one that pays off big time. With eeva, you’re never tackling it alone! Whether it’s creating to-do lists, setting reminders, or tag-teaming your home management tasks, eeva takes the mental load off your shoulders so you can focus on the fun parts—like making your home feel cozy and stress-free for fall.
Ready to start? Grab your favorite fall drink, throw on some comfy clothes, and let’s declutter together. By the time winter rolls around, your home (and your mind) will feel so much lighter!
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