How decluttering these 5 areas of your home before the holidays will enhance the holiday magic
Hey there! The holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of the year—full of laughter, decorations, festive meals, and precious moments with family and friends. But if your home is cluttered, it can sneakily drain the joy out of even the most festive season. Messy countertops, overflowing toys, and stacks of papers can make your home feel chaotic instead of magical.
The good news? A little pre-holiday decluttering can transform your space, creating calm, functional, and joyful areas for you and your family. Not only does decluttering make your home more visually appealing, but it also frees up mental space, reduces stress, and gives you the energy to truly enjoy the festivities.
In this blog post, we’ll focus on five key areas of your home to declutter before the holidays—and show you practical steps to do it in a way that’s manageable, even for busy families. We are here to hold you hand through all these steps with our Done-for-you home organization service!
1. The entryway: your first impression
The entryway is the first thing guests—and your family—see when they walk through the door. A cluttered entryway can feel chaotic and stressful, even before the holiday celebrations begin.
Why it matters:
Sets the tone for the rest of your home
Prevents stress when people are arriving or leaving
Helps kids and adults know exactly where to drop off and pickup everyday items
How to declutter:
Remove everything: take out shoes, bags, coats, and random items that have accumulated. Seeing the entire space empty gives you a clean slate
Sort into categories:
Keep: items your family uses daily
Donate or store: items you don’t use or need immediately
Discard: anything broken, worn or beyond repair
Add functional storage:
Install hooks for coats, hats and bags
Use a shoe rack or cubbies to keep footwear off the floor
Create a drop zone with a small basket or tray for keys, wallets or mail
Make it festive: once the area is cleared, add a small seasonal touch—like a decorative wreath, festive mat, or a bowl for holiday cards. A little holiday decor goes a long way in creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Pro tip: Encourage everyone to drop items into their designated bins immediately after entering. This simple habit keeps the entryway neat throughout the season and gives children a sense of responsibility.
2. The living room: make space for togetherness
The living room is the heart of holiday gatherings, where friends and family come together to chat, play games, exchange gifts, or simply relax. Decluttering this space ensures it’s comfortable, inviting, and ready for celebrations.
Why it matters:
Maximizes seating and walking space for guests
Reduces stress and visual clutter
Makes decorations and gifts easier to display and manage
How to declutter:
Clear surfaces: remove magazines, old toys, and miscellaneous items from coffee tables, side tables, and shelves. A clean surface instantly makes the room feel larger and more inviting
Sort and store: identify items that don’t belong in the living room. Store them in the appropriate rooms, donate, or recycle what’s unnecessary
Optimize storage:
Use decorative baskets to store blankets, remote controls, or children’s toys
Invest in furniture with built-in storage, like ottomans or side tables with drawers
Label bins or baskets to make it easy for everyone to know where things belong
Arrange for festivities: plan the placement of decorations and gifts ahead of time. Ensure there’s space for a Christmas tree, menorah, or other seasonal display. Clear areas where guests may gather or children may play games.
Pro tip: rotate toys or games from storage to keep children engaged without overwhelming the room. This also reduces mess and helps maintain an organized living space during the holiday rush. This is where our mesh pouches come to the rescue! Now in both black and white, we think the pouches are essential to maintain an organized space.
3. The kitchen: a functional holiday hub
The kitchen is the heart of your home during the holidays, whether you’re preparing family meals, hosting parties, or baking treats. A cluttered kitchen can make even simple tasks feel stressful, so taking the time to declutter before the festivities is essential.
Why it matters:
Creates a stress-free environment for cooking and entertaining
Ensures countertops and surfaces are functional
Makes it easier to find utensils, appliances and ingredients when you need them
How to declutter:
Pantry purge: check expiration dates and remove items that are expired or unused. Group similar items together—baking supplies in one area, canned goods in another
Control countertop clutter: keep only essential appliances out, like a coffee maker or toaster. Store rarely used appliances to free up workspace
Organize utensils and tools: use drawer dividers, jars, or labeled containers to keep utensils, knives, and cooking tools neatly arranged. This makes prep and cleanup faster and more efficient
Plan for holiday cooking:
Create a “holiday essentials” zone for ingredients you’ll need for seasonal recipes
Store trays, mixing bowls, and baking sheets in a convenient location
Keep recycling and compost bins easily accessible for quick cleanup
Pro tip: use clear containers for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, or pasta. Not only do they look tidy, but they also make it easy to see when you’re running low. Use our Guide to Organizing Products for ideas and tips on how to set up your kitchen for success!
4. Bedrooms: restful retreats
The holidays can be a whirlwind of activity, so creating calm, organized bedrooms is crucial for rest and relaxation. Cluttered bedrooms can make it harder to wind down at night, which affects the mood and energy of everyone in the family.
Why it matters:
Encourages better sleep during a busy season
Reduces stress and frustration
Gives children and adults a peaceful place to recharge
How to declutter:
Closet clean-out: sort through clothes and remove anything your family no longer wears. Store out-of-season clothes separately to free up space
Tidy surfaces: clear nightstands, dressers, and shelves of unnecessary items. Keep only daily essentials within reach
Organize personal items:
Use bins for toys, books, and personal belongings
Rotate items your children no longer use to storage or donate
Keep a small basket for miscellaneous items that need attention later
Encourage kids to participate: involving children in decluttering their rooms teaches responsibility and gives them ownership of their space. Offer guidance and gentle reminders, but let them make choices about what to keep and what to let go
Pro tip: Encourage children to participate in decluttering their rooms—it’s a great habit and helps them feel ownership of their space.
5. The holiday prep zone: decorations and gifts
Finally, create an organized space for holiday-specific items. This zone can make decorating, wrapping gifts, and managing festive traditions far smoother—and far less stressful.
Why it matters
Prevents last-minute stress
Keeps decorations, cards and gifts easily accessible
Makes decorating and gift prep more enjoyable for the whole family
How to declutter and organize:
Sort decorations: Check for broken or missing pieces, and donate or recycle items you won’t use this year.
Organize gift supplies: keep wrapping paper, ribbons, tape, and tags in a single container or basket. Label gift supplies for easy access, especially if children are helping
Store decorations properly:
Use clear bins labeled by room or type of decoration
Stackable containers save space and keep items visible
Keep fragile items cushioned and separate
Create a “ready-to-wrap” spot: keep a small basket or tray for gifts that need wrapping each day. This prevents last-minute chaos and ensures your holiday prep remains calm and organized
Pro tip: rotate decorations each season and review storage solutions annually. Over time, you’ll develop a system that’s quick, efficient, and stress-free.
Why pre-holiday decluttering matters
Decluttering these five areas of your home has multiple benefits:
Less stress: you won’t scramble to find space or dig through clutter
More holiday magic: open, organized spaces feel calm and inviting, perfect for festive energy
Family participation: decluttering can be a bonding activity for kids and adults alike
Easier setup & cleanup: decorations, gifts, and meals are easier to manage when your home is organized in advance
Even dedicating **15–20 minutes a day** over a week or two can transform your home from chaotic to calm before the holidays begin.
The holidays are meant for joy, connection, and celebration—not battling clutter. By focusing on the entryway, living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and your holiday prep zone, you can create a home that’s calm, functional, and ready for magic.
And remember, The Happy Space Co. is here to help. From decluttering and organizing to setting up holiday-ready systems, we guide families through every step—so you can focus on what really matters: creating memories, enjoying loved ones, and savoring the season with less stress and more joy.
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We invite you to experience the joy of a tidy and organized home. Let's create a living space that sparks your creativity and brings you peace. Contact us today for a free consultation!