As the new year draws nearer, you are also closer to having that much-awaited downtime to reset, rejuvenate, and reimagine your space.
Whether you’ve been tackling home organization all year or are just starting the decluttering process, it’s a great opportunity to prepare your forever home for the year ahead.
With a little planning and a few strategic steps, you can make your home a more manageable, clutter-free space where you and your family can thrive.
Below are the 7 steps to prepare your home for the new year
1. Plan Your Decluttering Process
The secret to a clutter-free home begins with an organized decluttering process. Before you take your arsenal of cleaning supplies and turn your house inside out, try to set clear and realistic decluttering goals first.
It could be something focused on pain points like:
- Rearranging a closet
- Tackling unwanted items in a specific area
- Tidying up your laundry room
- Sorting your kids’ closets
- Organizing a space that stresses you out
Once you have decided on what to prioritize, break the task into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. It is always best to begin with your most cluttered spaces, be it the pantry, the closet, or the space under your bed.
Try to sort through stuff by categorizing it into keep, donate, and discard piles. As you go, focus on creating more space by eliminating anything that no longer serves a purpose.
Some decluttering tips:
Implete the “one-year rule,” that is if you haven’t used it in the past year, it’s time to get rid of it. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the volume of stuff in your home, making it easier to maintain a clutter-free space in the long run.
This will also ensure you don’t exhaust all your time next holiday season reorganizing.
2. Set Realistic Year’s Resolutions
However you want your home organization to go, making this a New Year’s resolutions can help you create a more efficient living space.
Setting realistic goals not only makes these resolutions achievable but also sustainable. Instead of completely overhauling your entire home, focus on smaller, more manageable tasks.
For example, commit to organizing one room each month or dedicate 10 minutes a day to decluttering. By setting clear, attainable objectives, you’re more likely to stay motivated and on track.
It goes without saying that it should be be specific and aligned with your lifestyle—whether it’s improving kitchen organization, creating a command center, or simply getting rid of unnecessary items.
Remember, being organized in the new year is about progress, not perfection. With realistic goals in mind, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of achieving an organized home that supports your daily routines and reduces stress.
3. Organize One Room at a Time
When it comes to home organization, thinking about cleaning your entire house at once can feel overwhelming. Instead of doing that, focus on one room at a time. Here’s how you can break down your tasks:
- Start removing all the clutter in your living spaces by removing any items that don’t belong there.
- Clear out unnecessary furniture or objects that take up valuable floor space and create a more functional layout.
- Once you’ve decluttered, organize what’s left by assigning a designated space for everything like baskets or shelves to keep items tidy and accessible.
A clean, organized room dictates the overall flow of your home. By turning chaotic areas into an organized space, you also improve the overall energy inside your house.
By breaking your home organization goals into smaller, manageable steps, you can make steady progress, one room at a time.
4. Arrange the Kitchen Cabinets
It is no secret that the kitchen is often the most cluttered room in the house. But with a few strategic steps, you can bring order and efficiency to your kitchen cabinets. Here are new year tips to staying organized:
Start with your cabinets
Get rid of expired food, duplicate items, and anything you don’t use regularly.
Implement smart storage solutions
Use storage solutions like plastic containers and shelf risers to maximize space and keep things easily accessible.
Use clear containers to store dry goods
Clear containers makes it easy to identify contents while keeping your pantry neat.
Group similar items together
Gather similar items together and designate a spot for everything to help you organize things more effectively.
Arrange based on use and purpose
For better kitchen organization, arrange items based on frequency of use, placing everyday essentials at eye level and less-used items on higher shelves.
With these changes, you’ll enjoy a less cluttered, more organized kitchen that works for you, making meal prep and cleanup quicker and easier.
5. Set Up a Filing System
If you’re working from home or just keep a lot of documents in your home office space, consider setting up a filing system. A well-organized filing system can help you manage even an entire year’s paperwork and maintain a clutter free home. Here’s how you can set up one:
Sort documents by catergories
Begin by sorting your documents into categories such as bills, medical records, and receipts.
Invest of binders for categories
Create folders or binders, preferably with color codes for each category and label them clearly before storing them.
Keep only what’s relevant and what you need
Organization experts recommend keeping only what you need, so be sure to shred outdated or irrelevant paperwork. Consider a digital backup for important documents to reduce physical clutter.
Give importance to time-sensitive documents
For important dates like tax deadlines or insurance renewals, create a separate folder for time-sensitive items or use a digital calendar with reminders.
Store in an accessible spot in the house
Store your folders in an accessible location—whether in a filing cabinet or a dedicated desk drawers—so you can quickly find what you need without creating more chaos.
By implementing a filing system for your year’s paperwork, you’ll reduce clutter, keep track of important documents, and maintain a more organized, stress-free home.
6. Maximize Your Storage Space
Better utilization of available space
The key to maintaining an organized home and reducing clutter is optimizing how you store things. Start by assessing your available storage areas, from closets to under-bed spaces, and consider how you can better utilize them.
Storage boxes and baskets to for seasonal items, extra linens, or household supplies is also a great idea. Also, label each box for easy identification and stack them efficiently to save space.
Vertical storage goes a long way
For closets, install extra shelves or hanging organizers to create more space for shoes, bags, or clothing.
Lastly, don’t forget about vertical storage—use wall-mounted hooks or shelves for items like coats, keys, or kitchen utensils.
By thinking creatively and organizing your storage areas strategically, you can free up more room throughout your home, making it easier to keep things clutter free and within reach.
With a little effort, you’ll maximize storage space, helping maintain a neat, organized environment year-round.
7. Create a Command Center for a More Organized Home
You may have heard people say that a command center is the heart of an organized home. But what exactly is it?
By definition, a command center houses all the things you need daily that you need to be easily accessible. It can include calendars, to-do lists, key rings, and even storage. To create one, follow these steps:
- Select a high-traffic central location in your home like the kitchen or entryway.
- Add wall-mounted shelves or use storage solutions like hooks and baskets to store keys, bags, or mail. Have storage boxes also ready for papers, bills, and documents that need attention.
- Designate specific areas within the command center for various family members’ responsibilities. For example, assign a slot for each of your calendars or to-do list.
- Incorporate a whiteboard or bulletin board to track important dates and upcoming events.
With these simple steps, you can easily create an organizing hub in your home that helps reduce clutter and increase efficiency in your day-to-day.
Live the life you want in Camella
By following these simple steps, you can welcome the new year with a refreshed and organized home that supports your lifestyle and goals.
If you’re dreaming of a forever home where you can create wonderful memories and implement these ideas, consider Camella.
With thoughtfully designed homes and communities that prioritize comfort, convenience, and modern living, Camella offers the perfect foundation for your ideal lifestyle.
Explore Camella today and discover why it’s the perfect place to start your next chapter.
