Season's cleanings: Five tips to organize your home for the holidays

For many, the holiday season can feel like chaos. But it doesn’t have to be that way. As parties, friend gatherings and family visits approach, we have several tips to help you transform your space into a serene haven.

1. Start with your closet

Purging your closet is the easiest way to start your home organization. We recommend separating your clothes by season and selecting the items you want to remove from your wardrobe.

If you’re uncertain about the garments you want to clear out, go for the ones you haven’t used in a year or more. No matter how much you want to convince yourself you’ll wear them, you won’t.

So, get them in the donation bin and think about how they may become someone else’s favourite garment.

2. Be aware of your Christmas decor

Thousands of stores sell irresistible Christmas ornaments. Our advice? Know exactly what you have before buying anything new, and set a budget.

There are many options to choose from, but as much as we like to get creative and into the holiday spirit, it’s important to resist accumulating too many of them.

If you have any ornaments you no longer need or like, consider donating them to a local charity.

3. Declutter your kitchen

Whether you’re baking cookies for Santa or roasting a turkey, having a tidy kitchen makes each cooking session more enjoyable. Make the most of your available space and expand your cabinet storage by tossing broken kitchen items and removing utensils, small appliances, and other items you no longer use.

4. Don’t underestimate your garage, basement and playroom

Every year, these spaces can often fill up fast.

You can keep them clear by going through your children's toys and consider getting rid of the ones they haven't played with in ages. You can also clear out tools and items you no longer use or need from the garage and basement.

5. Prepare for your guests

Welcome your loved ones to a tidy home by clearing out some space and organizing and cleaning commonly used areas.

For example, you can organize your entryway and clear out your shoe mat and coat rack for a successful first impression.

If you have guests spending the night at your home, having a guest bedroom prepared will save you time and energy. You prep a few days before the event by decluttering the area, putting on some fresh sheets and including folded bath towels.

Tagged: holidays | Home | home organization