5 Clutter Hotspots to Clear Ahead of Hosting for the Holidays − According to Professional Organizers
From holiday decor to gift wrap, don't neglect these spots
A cluttered home leaves little room to relax and enjoy the season. Between decorating the tree, hosting friends and family, and finding time to put your feet up, your home has to work harder between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than at almost any other time of year. That's why it's worth making a little breathing room before the festivities begin.
Decluttering now also means you can reap the benefits come January, without waiting for the usual 'new year, new you' reset. Instead, you can welcome 2027 with a home that feels calm, considered, and ready to enjoy, rather than one that's already crying out for attention.
Here, experts share their decluttering methods and tips for streamlining your space ahead of a steady influx of holiday guests. Rest assured, there's still plenty of time to make a real difference to your space ahead of December festivities.
1. Part With Outdated Holiday Decor That No Longer Works With Your Style
Decluttering old decorations makes room for new.
It might seem counterintuitive to declutter your Christmas decorations right before the holidays, but think of it as a way to make room for decor that fits the way your home and style have evolved.
Start simply by removing anything that's broken, including string lights, which can be plugged in one by one and checked over. Then, go through each item and use the pile decluttering method to sort each item into keep, discard, or donate. Place any items for donation directly into a box, available at Amazon, or basket, which will help you promptly get them out the door.
It can be understandably difficult to part with sentimental items, like decorations that may have been passed down by relatives, so give yourself grace to hold on to these items. If you are determined to clear them, though, using tips to declutter sentimental items can make it easier to let go.
Then, when buying decorations and festive supplies going forward, Professional Organizer and Founder of Heartwork Organizing, Darla DeMorrow, suggests making eco-friendly choices. ‘This will result in less clutter and waste at the end of the season, not to mention less guilt! As a general rule, bypass plastic and always opt for durable items over disposable ones,' she recommends.
2. Rehome Preloved Toys To Make Space for New
Clear space in your playroom before the influx of Christmas toys.
I don't have any children, but I've seen firsthand just how bountiful Christmas is for my niece. That's why it's always a good idea to declutter toys before Christmas.
‘I like to encourage my children to be part of the decluttering process’, says Lucy Mansey, Organizing Expert and Founder of Organised by Lucy. ‘We go through their toys and decide what they do and don’t play with, and what they want to give to charity.
'I then bag the items up,' the Mainstays Heavy Duty Storage and Moving Bags, available at Walmart, are helpful for this, 'and they help me take them to the store. If they have ownership of the process, they’re far more likely to want to declutter, and they’ll feel good about it, too.’
That said, decluttering toys can often be easier said than done. If you are struggling to declutter toys when your children aren't on board, be flexible, supportive, and never tackle too much at once to avoid overwhelm.
3. Clear Your Kitchen Cabinets to Create a Clutter-Free Cook Zone
Your kitchen is the heart of the holidays.
It's never too early to begin organizing your kitchen ahead of the holidays. It's the heart of any festivities, and also the room you'll retreat to for a comforting meal as temperatures drop.
Start by getting any seasonal cookware and serveware out of storage (you can leave it on display on your dining table if you don't have anywhere else to keep it). Then, free up space by decluttering your kitchen cabinets and drawers, getting rid of any unwanted, broken, or duplicate items. Anything usable can be donated or rehomed to a friend or family member.
'It sounds counterproductive,' says Kate Ibbotson, Professional Organizer, member of the Association of Professional Declutterers & Organizers and Founder of A Tidy Mind, 'but if you want to clear space on your counters, start by decluttering hard-to-reach cupboards.
'Items you find in there are often bulky and less-used; getting rid of or moving them outside of the cooking zone will then free up temporary space for those countertop items you use more regularly.'
During the decluttering process, it’s a good idea to make an inventory of what utensils, cookware, and crockery you have, too, making a quick note on a memo pad, available at Anthropologie. That way, you can work out if you have enough to accommodate extra guests.
If you don’t, consider borrowing or renting items rather than buying them – you won’t need them in the long run, and they’ll likely wind up as clutter.
4. Go Through Your Gift Wrap
Challenge yourself to use your gift wrap before buying more.
Before you know it, it will be time to wrap presents − one of my favorite parts of the festive season. Before you start wrapping, though, declutter your existing gift supplies. Discard small offcuts that won’t get used, or repurpose them to make your own gift tags, and ensure you’re stocked up on essentials such as sticky tape, available at Amazon, as these can be harder to come by as the big day nears.
In order to reduce wastage, Professional Organizer and Founder of Ready Set Organize, Sarah Dunn, suggests, 'Give yourself the challenge of using up all of your holiday wrapping paper, ribbons and gift bags before you buy more.'
Keep your collection neatly organized to prevent damage in a Wrapping Paper Storage Container, available at Walmart.
5. Declutter Your Entryway to Set a Good First Impression to Guests
Finally, your entryway is the first sight that greets your guests when they enter your home, so it pays to ensure it's clutter-free and inviting for a warm welcome. It's also an easy way to make your entryway more relaxing.
Brenda Scott, Professional Organizer and Founder of Tidy My Space, recommends you tackle your entryway closet or mudroom storage first, decluttering and adding extra hangers, available at Amazon.
'Doing this will ensure guests feel at ease and appreciated,' she explains. 'There's nothing less welcoming than seeing your jacket crammed into a space that's already overstuffed.
‘Next, remove all of your personal products from the cloakroom to make it a neutral, luxurious space that’s easy to use – the same goes for guest bathrooms, too. You could even decorate it with a few pieces of holiday decor for an extra personal touch,' she says.
Then, just before guests arrive, light your best candle to fill your space with a seasonal scent. The Gather Candle by Anthropologie, in the Fresh Noël Pine scent, will look beautiful on an entryway side table and smell just as good.
What to Shop
Below, I've handpicked six essentials to help declutter your home and get it ready for guests.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Meet the Experts
Darla DeMorrow is a certified Professional Organizer, specializing in home offices and home organizing, certified Photo Organizer, Decorator, and Speaker.
Organised By Lucy has tackled more than 400 spaces. Lucy's aim is to help clients make difficult decisions confidently and create spaces that truly support how they live.
Kate founded a Tidy Mind in 2015. She's a trained Professional Organizer, and aims to help those who are overwhelmed by clutter and disorganisation.
Ready Set Organize is based in San Diego, CA, with an 11-strong team of women who specialize in professional organizing. Sarah started the company after realizing how deeply our physical environments affect our energy and well-being.
Brenda is passionate about home organizing, decluttering, and creating a safe home. At Tidy My Space, she helps people to keep their homes tidy when life gets busy. Brenda shares useful tips and gives practical help with sorting and editing her clients' spaces, leading them to feel less stressed and bringing the luxury of time to be spent with family, friends, or on themselves.
This four-week decluttering method quickly banished chaotic clutter ahead of the holidays.
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