#1. Clothes And Shoes
Right now, you’re in a window of time that gives you an optimized perspective on both seasons–
The things you didn’t reach for during summer, and the things you’re not super excited about grabbing for now that it’s getting chilly.
Fall decluttering will make an inventory audit quicker and easier vs. saving it until Spring.
(Plus, you won’t waste space on things you don’t plan on keeping).
#2. Beauty And Skin
Skincare needs will change with the seasons, making them one of the things to declutter this fall.
We are moving from light-weight (but sunscreen-heavy) products to heavier, moisture-replenishing ones in the cold months.
As for makeup, the colors and hues change to warmer, neutral tones (so remember to wash your brushes before dipping into the new season of colors).
It’s essential to identify the items that aren’t worth keeping, such as the ten different bottles of sunscreen with next-to-no product left.
Take the time to reflect on the items you truly intend on using and part with the “just in case” stash that only gets in the way.
#3. Fridge, Pantry, Etc.🥫
Some foods we consume are season-specific, shifting from diet foods and frozen treats to roasted marshmallows and holiday baking.
Otter pops were a hit for our camping trip, BUT I can promise you that no one is reaching for an otter pop once the cold weather hits! We opted to give them to a family with young kids instead.
Don’t adopt the mindset that the never-ending shelf life of foods will get eaten “one day.” Instead, the extra pantry items can serve as an opportunity to help others and should be one of the things to declutter this fall.
Local food banks are in constant need of non-perishable donations, especially at this time of year!
#4. Fitness Equipment
Summer and fitness go hand-in-hand for many reasons:
- Wedding season
- Preparing for a vacation
- Achieving the ultimate “summer bod.”
- Warm weather allows more opportunity for running, biking, etc.
You may have purchased new fitness equipment that you don’t enjoy or could be a better fit.
When you’re looking for things to declutter this fall, now is a great time to re-evaluate your investments and discard the things that didn’t work out during the summer (while it’s fresh in your memory).
Mindset is key–keep what’s useful and offers value, and part with the rest!
#5. Holiday Decor
Holiday decor is definitely one of the things to declutter this fall.
You’re pulling things out in preparation for the holidays as is, so it makes sense to look through your holiday stash and figure out what should stay and what shouldn’t!
Decide what needs to be replaced, what’s broken, or what you no longer see yourself using, and eliminate the extra clutter! It’ll make the decorating process much smoother now that you’re not having to dig around to find the items you actually want to use.
#6. Crafts/Games And Sporting Goods
Summer is full of fun activities, whether it be games, equipment, or pool toys.
Despite the things you find yourself enjoying during summer, some of them might be cracked, broken, or missing pieces.
Take the items that won’t benefit you in 2023 and kick them to the curb!
#7. Summer Annuals
Plants are beautiful, but only some plants last year-round.
Come to the end of fall, the annuals start turning brown and crumbling all over the place.
You may be in the habit of waiting until Spring to clean up outdoors and make room for new flowers, but that means you’re creating a lot more work for yourself later.
Eliminate the eyesore and save yourself the extra hassle later on! Make annuals one of the things to declutter this fall.
#8. Garage
Since you’re fresh out of gardening season, Fall is the perfect opportunity to evaluate which tools and supplies you used and which you didn’t.
Seeing as the weather isn’t too hot (or cold), it’s one of the most comfortable times to tackle the garage.
You may come across broken items that need replacing, so part with them now and make room to park the cars inside before the snow begins to fall!
Habitat humanity is a great organization that accepts donations to help other families. Consider using them for items you don’t want but are in usable shape! ⚒️
#9. Coats And Jackets
Look in the back of the closet– you might find a stash of jackets you don’t wear or that no longer fit. They’re taking up space!
Jackets are one of the best things to declutter this fall because many people in need could benefit from the ones not being used.
You’ll ease the process of grabbing what you need to run out the door, rather than being late as a result of having to dig around.
#10. Blankets
Winter is a cozy season ❄️
The feeling that comes with wrapping into a warm and soft blanket is like no other, especially after venturing into the cold.
Take a look at your blankets…are they:
Giving off the cozy vibes you’re looking for?
Sticky or gross?
Worn/outdated?
Whether you catch a cold, snuggle in for a movie, or need to regain the feeling in your fingers, you’ll find yourself reaching for a blanket pretty often. Make sure your blankets are cut out for the job!
#11. Summer Linens
Do you have specific sheets you prefer in the summer vs. winter? Maybe you’re switching from the thin breathable sheets to the cozy, soft, flannel ones. If so, sheets are one of the things to declutter this fall.
Whatever the case, if you find yourself switching things up, be sure that the sheets you’re putting away are worth keeping.
If you didn’t enjoy using them or they’re in rough shape, now would be an excellent time to set them free, including your beach towels.
(Most pet shelters accept unwanted towels, so it’s a great place to drop them off!)
#12. Patio Furniture
This may seem unusual if you live in a warm climate all year. However, it’s common practice to store these items away if you live in a winter wonderland for a good chunk of the year.
We take things down before the cold and rainy season starts. That way, they don’t get damaged by the elements.
Before you store these things away, make sure to part with any that are broken or that you don’t see yourself using when the warm weather returns.
#13. School And Office Supplies
By this point, we’ve all wrapped up the back-to-school festivities and the easing back into the work grind. But did you take the time to sort out last year’s school and office supplies in the process?
If not, now is as good a time as any!
Maybe you’ve retired or are a stay-at-home mom. Whatever the case, I’m sure you have a stash of pens, papers, and tape hiding somewhere, and they’re one of the things to declutter this fall.
We invest in new supplies regularly to meet new demands or replace the things we need.
Take the time to evaluate your current situation, decide what you need, and part with the items that linger from the past!
#14. Winter Accessories
Once the cold strikes, It’s time to layer up and protect yourself from the elements!
Be sure to see if you have everything you need before the time comes that you’ll need to use them.
Is your winter gear in good shape? Missing odds and ends?
Make sure you’re fully prepared. Get rid of missing pairs to avoid your time being wasted on trying to “find” the other half, and replace the worn out/too small items so you’re good to go!
#15. Toys
We mentioned summer sporting equipment and floaties but don’t forget you’re also looking right into the holiday season. The BEST way to keep down holiday gift toy clutter is to make space before the gift-giving even starts.
Toys are definitely things to declutter this fall. You’ll save yourself a lot of stress (and space) by getting rid of the excess clutter before the gift dump arrives. In addition, you’ll have a much easier time making room for new belongings to love.
Conclusion
With the “lazy” season ending and the busy months that lie ahead, additional clutter can take away from the ability to enjoy things as we should.
By getting rid of what you don’t need, you can enter this new season with the ability to focus on the fun and eliminate the stress of too much clutter and insufficient space.
Better yet, you’ll be able to jump into next summer with ease, seeing as you’ve conquered half the battle well in advance!
I hope these fall decluttering tips help to ease you into the holidays so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy.
