
Time to Tackle Winter Clutter: Organize Your Home in the New Year
The holidays are over, the New Year’s came and went, and now we’re stuck in the long stretch of winter. It’s cold, dark, and we know spring is just around the corner—but it feels so far away. So, why not use this time to get your home organized?
January and February are perfect for decluttering and organizing because, guess what? January is National Get Organized (GO) Month! It’s a nationwide initiative to help people clear the clutter and set themselves up for a stress-free year.
Ready to jump in? Here are some simple tips to help you get your home in tip-top shape for the New Year. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Make a Plan—Visualize Your Dream Home
It’s easy to say, “This is the year I’m going to get the whole house organized!” But the truth is, without a plan, it can feel impossible. You might tidy one drawer and then be totally overwhelmed by the thought of tackling the rest.
That’s why a little bit of planning can go a long way. Here’s how:
Set aside 15 minutes to think about how you want your home to look and feel. We all have a vision in our heads, but if you take the time to really imagine it—like, what does it feel like when everything is organized?—you’ll be way more motivated to actually get there.
Write down every space you want to tackle. Don’t worry about the details for now; just jot down the big areas (kitchen, living room, bedrooms, etc.). No need to list every drawer and closet unless that’s your style!
Prioritize your list. Start with the most used areas (kitchen, living room) and put the scary spaces (garages, attics, the under-the-stairs junk zone) lower down.
Pick one space to start with—let’s say, your kitchen. Pick a smaller area like the countertops, junk drawer, or fridge. Focus on that one thing first.
Visualize your ideal space. Take a minute to think about how you want it to feel when it's organized. Do you want clear counters at the end of each day? Or are you okay with a few things out as long as the dishes are done? Get clear on your goals for that space.
Once you’ve got that down, ignore the rest of your to-do list and just focus on that one space. We’ll go over how to tackle it below. Once you finish, move on to the next!
Step 2: Sort & Declutter—It’s About to Get Messy!
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” – Barbara Hemphill
Once you’ve made your plan, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start sorting through your stuff. This is where it gets a little chaotic, so don’t be alarmed!
Here’s how to keep it all under control:
Pull everything out from the space you’re working on. Don’t be afraid to make a mess—it’s part of the process!
Set up categories for your items:
Keep
Donate
Garbage/Recycle
Elsewhere (for items that don’t belong in this space)
Place each item in a pile that makes sense. If you come across something you want to keep but doesn’t belong in that room, pop it into the “elsewhere” box so you don’t get distracted.
It’s totally normal for things to look worse before they get better, so don’t get discouraged! Once you’ve sorted everything, take out the trash, move the donations aside, and move on to the “Keep” pile.

Step 3: Categorize & Contain—Things Are Starting to Look Better!
Now that you've sorted everything, it’s time to decide how to arrange the things you’re keeping. Keep it simple, and ask yourself: Do I really need this? Is it serving a purpose?
Here are a few tips for organizing:
Group like items together (e.g., all your utensils, bakeware, pots, pans). This makes things easy to find.
Shop your home before heading to the store for storage bins. Check your closets, cupboards, or even the pantry for baskets or boxes you can repurpose. If you need to purchase bins, be sure to measure the space before making a purchase.
Use containers that fit the space you’re working with. If it’s a drawer, find a container that fits perfectly without losing too much space. It’s all about balance!
Store frequently used items where they’re easiest to reach, and tuck away the things you rarely use.
Leave a little wiggle room so you’re not cramming things in. You want to be able to easily grab and replace things without everything falling apart.
Step 4: Label Everything—Trust Me, It Helps!
We organizers love our label makers. It may seem over the top, but trust me, labeling makes a huge difference in keeping things organized in the long run.
Labels are your friend—they tell everyone (including you) exactly where things go.
If you have kids or roommates, labels are especially helpful. No more excuses for not knowing where to put stuff!
Having a label for every bin, shelf, and drawer will help you stick to your system. It’s all about creating a place for everything and making sure everything stays in its place.
Step 5: Create Daily Habits—Keep the Clutter at Bay
It’s easy to fall back into old habits, so maintaining your organized space takes a little effort each day. But it doesn’t have to be hard!
Set aside 10 minutes a day for a quick tidy-up. It can be as simple as putting things back in their spots.
Encourage everyone in the household to pitch in, and with your neat, labeled bins, they won’t have any excuses!
By building these small daily habits, you’ll avoid the clutter pile-up, and your home will stay organized without a lot of extra effort.

Step 6: Ask for Help—There’s No Shame in That!
Let’s face it: organizing isn’t for everyone. If you’ve tried to get organized on your own but keep hitting roadblocks, maybe it’s time to get some expert help.
I offer professional organizing services in the greater Houston area including Conroe, Cypress, Katy, Kingwood, Klein, Magnolia, Montgomery, Spring and The Woodlands, and sometimes just having someone by your side can make all the difference. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, let’s chat and see if we’re a good fit!
Ready to get started? Let’s make this the year your home stays organized all year long. You got this!
Here’s to a more organized, and joyful year ahead!
Nicole
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