By the time August rolls around, my home is crying out for an autumn reset. Whether it's unwanted holiday souvenirs shoved in a drawer, or crispy plants that didn't survive the heat, a huge de-clutter is in order to get me set for the next season.
You might think of spring as the best time to get your ducks in a row, but I think the end of summer is just as important. With the excitement of summer plans front of mind, chores and cleaning are often left as an afterthought. But, as August progresses and thoughts start to slowly return to the months ahead, it's the perfect time to get things sorted before spending more time indoors.
If like me, you're keen to get your home in tip-top shape sooner rather than later, these are the five things you should prioritise decluttering, according to professional organisers.
1. Holiday souvenirs
Souvenirs can be a wonderful way to reminisce on summer adventures abroad, but if your drawers and cupboards are becoming clogged up with unwanted magnets, bottle openers and home decor that looked good on holiday – but doesn't quite fit in with your living room ideas now you're back at home – it might be time to have a rethink.
“If you’ve brought any gifts back for family or friends, make sure these get to the recipients as soon as possible to avoid cluttering up your own drawers and storage space," says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
“With souvenirs for your own home, ask yourself ‘does this fit into my living space?’ or ‘does this remind me of my time on holiday?' If the answer to both is no, it’s most likely just clutter," she advises.
Top tip: If you hate the idea of your trinkets ending up in landfill, try repurposing them into something new – a postcard could become a bookmark, or a tea towel could be displayed in a frame and become artwork.
If you can't bear the thought of throwing smaller souvenirs away, commission a personalised memory box to keep them neatly stored in one place instead.
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
2. Clean out your wardrobe
With the change in weather imminent, it's often time to switch out summer for winter clothes – particularly if you only have a small bedroom with limited storage. Not only will this prevent your wardrobe ideas from becoming crammed with items you won’t be using, but it’s also a good opportunity to see what you already own – potentially helping you buy less in autumn.
"Start by completely clearing your wardrobe or drawer space. Use a duster to get rid of any lingering debris that inevitably will have collected since your last clean. After that, wipe both the interior and exterior of your wardrobe with a damp cloth and anti-bacterial spray to ensure its completely fresh in preparation for your autumnal attire," says Melissa Denham.
"Once all your clothing is out of your wardrobe, look through your items and decide if it’s time to say goodbye to that pair of jeans you haven’t worn in years. Stick to the rule: if you haven’t worn it in a year, donate or sell it; if you want to wear it but it’s broken, fix it; and if you wear it every year without fail, keep it!"
Shop these wardrobe decluttering essentials
These space-saving vacuum bags are perfect for storing unused summer clothes.
Fed up with bulky jumpers taking up wardrobe space? These six-tier hangers are the solution.
3. Sort your garden furniture, toys and equipment while you can
Before you put your garden to bed this autumn, you'll want to check whether your outdoor toys, picnic equipment, camping gear and furniture are in good condition, recommends Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning with Meaning.
“Clean and store anything you’ll use again, and donate good-quality items you don’t need anymore,” she adds.
Take a look at what garden storage you have and assess if you need to buy more. Or, perhaps your shed storage isn't up to scratch and is need of an upgrade. While the weather is still warm, it's the perfect time to upgrade what you have before the cold and damp return, and potentially damage your garden furniture.
If you’re not sure what to do with broken furniture, you could also try fixing it, upcycling it into something new, or recycling parts of it. Make sure you understand the rules for disposing of garden waste though before you pop it in your closest wheelie bin.
Protect your garden furniture from the elements with this heavy-duty cover, made from waterproof and windproof material.
Kelly Moore is the Founder of Cleaning With Meaning, a Kent-based eco-cleaning business committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services without toxic chemicals or single-use plastics.
4. Free up bathroom storage by checking expiry dates
If your bathroom storage is feeling more cluttered than normal, the chances are, like most of us, you've stocked up on suncream and holiday-specific items over the years but never actually used them all up.
And, while it's easy to fall into the habit of buying new products every time summer comes around, throwing out old items isn't just about regaining space. Did you know that most toiletries need to be used within six to 24 months after they’re first opened? This is particularly important to follow when it comes to products such as sun protection and insect repellent. All products will have a little open jar icon on the back with a number in the middle – this number tells you how many months they can be used for after opening.
"Recycle packaging where possible and dispose of expired or unsuitable products responsibly, according to local guidance," says Kelly Moore. "Check around when you do, because some shops have recycling programmes for beauty products," she adds.
5. Refresh your kitchen cupboards
Whether it's leftover barbecue sauce or iced tea syrups you're never going to use come autumn, now is the best time to use them all up, says Kelly Moore.
While you're organising your kitchen pantry and fridge, take the opportunity to give the surfaces a wipe down and donate anything unopened and sealed to your local food bank.
"Once you've decluttered, give shelves, cupboards and storage areas a thorough clean using refillable or plant-based products. It leaves your home fresh for the new season while reducing unnecessary plastic waste," she says.
I swear by Aksoy’s white vinegar for all-natural cleaning throughout the home – simply dilute it 1:1 with water and you’re good to go!
By following these five decluttering tips, your home will be refreshed and organised when autumn officially arrives, and you’ll be ready to take on the next chapter of the year.
For more expert tips, read things people with an organised porch always have to make sure you can get in from the cold quickly and efficiently once winter comes. And, if this advice has inspired you to do more, find out how the 80/20 decluttering rule helped me streamline my home.
