As the year winds down, life seems to speed up so quickly! Between work deadlines, school events, holiday travel, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to feel like the season is happening to you instead of for you.
The truth is, a little preparation now can make a world of difference later. That’s why we love using fall as a little reset season — a time to pause, tidy up, and get grounded before the full-blown holiday whirlwind begins.
These five simple decluttering and organizing steps will help you reclaim your home (and your sanity) before the year’s busiest months arrive.
1. Clear Out the Summer Chaos
Before the first pumpkin spice candle gets lit, take a beat to say goodbye to summer. (Bye Summer!!!)
- Pack away swimsuits, pool toys, and beach towels in clearly labeled bins.
- Use vacuum-seal bags for bulky linens or clothes, they’ll save so much space.
- Donate or toss what didn’t get used this year. (If you didn’t reach for it once, chances are you won’t next summer either.)
By clearing out the old, you make room for cozy layers, holiday décor, and a calmer headspace. As we share in Tidying Up, letting go of seasonal clutter isn’t just about organization, it’s about releasing mental weight, too. Every bin you pack away now is one less thing demanding your attention later.
2. Create Cozy, Intentional Corners
The end of the year often comes with more time indoors, AND more chaos from everyone being home. That’s why we swear by creating little “zones” around your home.
Think: a warm reading nook with your favorite throw blanket, a simple coffee bar for morning rituals, or even a candle-lit spot to breathe for 10 quiet minutes after work.
You don’t need to redecorate an entire room, just layer in comfort:
- Soft throws and pillows in warm tones
- A small lamp or twinkle lights for gentle lighting
- Baskets to hold blankets or current reads
When your environment feels cozy and intentional, it has a grounding effect. These spaces remind you that home is your calm, not your chaos, something we revisit often in our book as a guiding principle for every room.
3. Refresh the Entryway & Drop Zone
This is the season when everything piles up: coats, boots, backpacks, mail, gifts; and somehow, it all lands by the front door!
A few small systems can make that area feel manageable again:
- Add bins or baskets for gloves, hats, and scarves.
- Keep a boot tray or small rug for wet shoes.
- Use wall hooks for coats and bags so they don’t end up on the floor.
- Create a small catchall for keys, mail, or sunglasses.
This zone of order sets the tone for your entire home. When you walk in, you don’t want to feel immediate overwhelm, you want to feel like you can come in, relax and get ready for the rest of the day.
4. Reset Your Closets & Pantry
Between sweater weather and holiday baking season, these two areas do a lot of heavy lifting at the end of the year. A quick reset now will save hours of frustration later.
- Rotate seasonal clothing: Move heavier layers forward and lighter pieces to the back.
- Declutter shoes and accessories: Donate what’s worn out or unloved.
- Restock pantry basics: Think soups, broths, baking supplies, and your favorite comfort staples.
- Label containers: It sounds small, but labeled bins make it easier for everyone in the house to find (and return) things where they belong.
The best part? A well-organized pantry or closet gives you instant peace! That quiet satisfaction of knowing exactly what you have and where it goes. It’s a small act that creates a big sense of control during an unpredictable season.
5. Add Functional Fall Decor
Decorating for fall doesn’t have to mean filling every surface. Instead, look for beautiful items that also serve a purpose:
- A decorative basket that hides remote controls
- A woven tray that corrals mugs or candles
- Neutral pumpkins or wreaths that bring warmth without clutter
As we write in Tidying Up, *a styled space should still serve you*. The goal is to add joy, not more to clean up later. Choose pieces that make you smile and simplify your space at the same time.
Why This Matters: Your Space Reflects Your State
When life feels busy and overwhelming, home should be your anchor, not another stressor in your life. Taking a little time to prepare your environment now sets you up for a calmer, more joyful holiday season.
Each of these steps is simple, but together they help create what we call functional peace: a home that looks beautiful, feels organized, and supports your real life.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, our book Tidying Up: 100 Ways to Infuse Order and Joy in Every Area of Your Home dives into this idea room by room. We show you how small, consistent actions create lasting calm. Whether you’re reworking your pantry, simplifying your laundry room, or just trying to make mornings smoother, the goal is always the same: a home that feels good to live in.
Wrapping It All Up
Each of these decluttering tips is essential for maintaining order.
Before the holidays hit full force, take one weekend to tackle these five easy resets. Light a candle, play your favorite playlist, and treat the process like an act of self-care. Because IT IS!
Your future self (and your December schedule) will thank you. With just a little effort now, you’ll move into the most hectic months of the year feeling ready, refreshed, and genuinely at peace in your home.
And that’s what Tidying Up is all about, creating space for joy, calm, and the moments that matter most!
Ea Fuqua is co-owner of The Tidy Home Nashville, an organizing business she runs with her sister. She passionately combines her love for organization with her expertise in creating inviting spaces. Married to her middle school sweetheart, Ea is a proud mother of a son and a daughter and understands the importance of balance in family life. She manages the social media pages for The Tidy Home Nashville, sharing tips and inspiration to help others create their ideal environments. When she’s not organizing or crafting content, Ea enjoys spending time with her two beloved dogs, Cash and Bowie.
Meg DeLong is co-owner of The Tidy Home Nashville, an organizing business she runs with her sister where she manages all client projects. Meg balances her entrepreneurial spirit with family life, living with her fiancé, their four children (a blended family), and a menagerie of pets, including two cats and a dog. Passionate about creating organized and harmonious spaces, Meg draws inspiration from her experiences as a mother and a business owner. In her spare time, she and her fiancé are busy fixing up their own home in the historic neighborhood of Old Hickory, and Meg enjoys expressing her creativity through fine art.
