How to Declutter Your Space, Season-by-Season

Winter
When it comes to storing (fragile) festive favorites like ornaments, you should always look for specific pieces, like The Container Store’s handy ornament storage bin. And if you go faux for Christmas wreaths and trees–no judgment, far less mess–you’ll need specialized storage for those, too: these are our favorites.

Summer
For summer storage, items like outdoor furniture also warrant special treatment. We think it’s worth splurging on protective equipment like these sun umbrella covers (though there are more budget-friendly options, too) and feel strongly that outdoor cushions should be stored properly in bags, not stuffed in a corner.

This isn’t a season-specific tip–it’s more of a tip for all seasons. You know the drawer. We all have one; it’s the place where, no matter how hard you try, endless amounts of junk seem to pile up.

Our philosophy? Don’t fight it; but do contain it. You’re bound to get wedding invites and holiday cards you want to keep, and you’ll need a space to store random household items you don’t use on a daily basis, but might need eventually. That way, you can ensure the rest of your space stays clean, while not stressing about the fact that accumulating a random household item is going to send your storage system into chaos.

Summer
Lighter and less bulky, summer clothes are easier to store than winter–that is, until you accumulate too many of them. If you live in a temperate climate, you’re likely familiar with the fact that clothing like bathing suits, sundresses, and denim shorts somehow end up taking up way more space than you thought they would. Then there’s the added issue of not knowing when to bring them out or put them away–it always seems like there’s a surprise snowstorm the day after we decide to start wearing our shorts, or a heat wave just when we think we’re safe to move into sweater weather.

If you can relate, you’re in luck. Because our recent obsession with vacuum-packed storage bags means we can squeeze all of our summer clothing into an airtight space and see it all, so if we need to grab an item for a warm day that comes out of nowhere–we know where to look.

The even better news? Vacuum-packed bags are also ideal for storing bigger items like comforters and quilts when the weather warrants a change in bedding.

Winter
With regards to winter storage, the most important thing to do is ensure your wardrobe is ready, and the good news in that department is that we’ve done an entire article on winterizing your closet with tips from a professional organizer, so you’ll be as prepared as possible.