5 Expert-Recommended Steps to Rapidly Declutter Your Home Before Autumn

As fall approaches, homeowners are busy preparing their spaces for the new season. With kids returning to school, unpredictable weather shifts, and mounting daily tasks, decluttering can feel daunting. If your to-do list seems never-ending, explore these professional tips to efficiently organize your home before fall and maintain its cleanliness throughout the season.

What Makes Decluttering Feel So Daunting?

Our urge to declutter isn’t solely driven by the desire for a tidy home. Diana Rene, a home management expert, explains that it’s also influenced by the current era. “Post-pandemic life has brought significant shifts, leading to widespread self-reflection,” she says. “People are stressed, busy, and overwhelmed, and many are now seeking greater simplicity in their lives.” 

A recent study revealed that 80% of individuals link their stress and anxiety to the clutter in their surroundings. Clutter doesn’t just disrupt your home’s appearance—it also impacts your mental well-being. Fortunately, this is something you can address.

Quick Tips to Declutter Your Home Efficiently

Step 1: Establish a Time Frame

Begin by defining a specific time limit for your decluttering session, particularly if time management is a challenge for you. “Three hours is typically ideal,” advises professional organizer Barbara Brock. “Beyond that, mental fatigue sets in.” When clutter feels overwhelming, setting a timer for a predetermined period can provide a sense of control and help you get started.

Step 2: Carry a Trash Bag and Tour Your Home

Trash is often the primary source of clutter. Rene suggests taking a trash bag and walking through your home. “You’ll probably fill the bag quickly with items like old papers, magazines, empty containers, and more,” she explains. “Don’t overanalyze—just aim to fill the bag as fast as possible with trash.” Completing this task will give you a sense of achievement and inspire you to continue.

Step 3: Take on the “Naked Fridge” Challenge

Refrigerators are often the most challenging and cluttered areas in a home. To tackle this, Rene advises trying the “naked fridge” challenge. “Clear everything from the front of your fridge and store it in a cabinet or drawer temporarily. Keep the front empty for seven days and observe how it changes the feel of your kitchen,” she says. The clean look will provide a mental lift. “This feeling comes from eliminating visual clutter and will motivate you to dive deeper into decluttering.”

Step 4: Establish an Evening Tidy-Up Habit

After dinner, dedicate some time to tidying up. Rene suggests establishing a nightly cleanup habit—perhaps while enjoying a podcast, your favorite music, or a comforting TV show. “Set a timer for 15 minutes. Focus on trash and food first, then move to dishes, countertops, and finally floors. The more you do this, the easier it becomes,” Rene advises. “Allow yourself to stop once the timer rings.”

Step 5: Implement the “One In, One Out” Principle

The “one in, one out” rule is ideal for practicing mindful consumption. This principle means that for every new item you bring into your home, you should donate or discard an old one. For instance, if you purchase a trendy new jacket, consider donating an older one. Adhering to this rule prevents excess accumulation and will yield benefits quickly.

Keeping Your Home Tidy Throughout the Season

Congratulations on your freshly organized home! To keep it this way year-round, Brock recommends a few strategies. Start by assigning storage bins for seasonal decorations. As you get ready to decorate for fall, gather all your decor items in one designated container. When the season ends (hello, Thanksgiving!), store everything in the bin for next year. Having a clear organizational plan ensures your home stays neat, even during hectic seasonal changes and holidays.

To stay organized, establish structured routines and systems. For instance, schedule laundry for Mondays and Fridays, kitchen cleaning for Tuesdays and Sundays, and nightly pickups for Wednesdays and Saturdays. “This approach helps you maintain control over your home, reduces the time spent managing it, and minimizes the chances of clutter accumulating again,” Rene explains.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. While quick decluttering is the goal, take this opportunity to reflect on your past and future self. Does that old dining room curtain still fit the room’s aesthetic? Is that decade-old kitchen appliance still necessary? Regularly asking yourself such questions will keep you focused and motivated.