Declutter To Reinvent: Cat Coluccio
March can make us all a little crazy, yes?
One day cold, grey skies, endless puddles and muddy footprints tracked through the house. The next one bright blue. By this point in the year, we’re all usually itching for more warmer days, but they still feel so far away.
4 Ways To Declutter Your Outdoor Space For Spring:
The good news however? Spring is around the corner. And while we might not be lounging on the patio just yet, now is actually the perfect time to start getting your outdoor space in order. That way, when the first warm day finally rolls around, you can sit back, soak up the sunshine, and actually enjoy it—rather than spending your whole weekend frantically trying to clean up.
If you’re ready to shake off winter and breathe some life back into your garden and patio, here are four simple steps to get started.
1. Imagine Your Ideal Outdoor Space:
Before you start hauling things out of the shed or tossing old flower pots, take a step back and picture what you actually want from your space.
- Do you dream of having a little morning coffee spot on the patio?
- Are you planning to grow your own herbs and veggies this year?
- Do you want to host more BBQs and backyard catch-ups?
Grab a notebook (or just your phone) and jot down some ideas. I find it helps to break things into two lists:
🔹 For Relaxing & Entertaining – Think furniture, lighting, a fire pit, fresh cushions.
🔹 For Gardening & Growth – Things like garden beds, planters, soil, and tools.
Having a clear plan makes it so much easier to declutter with purpose—rather than just shuffling things around at the last minute like I used to do every year!
2. Declutter First, Shop Later:
It’s always tempting to rush out and buy new outdoor decor the second we start dreaming of summer—but resist the urge (for now). First, we need to clear out the clutter.
Start with the areas you can get to, whether that’s:
✔️ The patio or deck
✔️ The garage or garden shed
✔️ That neglected pile of broken plant pots in the corner
Go through everything and sort it into three piles:
✅ Keep – Only the things you actually use and love.
❌ Toss – Anything broken, rusted, or beyond saving.
💛 Donate – Old planters, tools, or decor that someone else might use. You’ll be amazed at who give your “clutter” new life!
3. Organize Like a Pro:
Once you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to get smart with storage. Because let’s be honest—if we don’t have a proper home for the items we own, the mess has an amazing gift for growing (and fast!)
Check out some of these simple storage ideas:
🛠️ Hang tools on the wall – A few hooks in the garage can save so much space.
📦 Weatherproof storage boxes – Perfect for cushions, kids’ toys, swimming gear and garden bits.
🔖 Label things – Future you will thank you when you’re not digging through a mystery bin looking for gardening gloves or last year’s fabulous patio cushions.
4. Show Your Outdoor Furniture Some Love:
Now that your yard is looking better, it’s time to refresh those items you are keeping.
- Give outdoor furniture a good scrub.
- Wash (or replace) cushion covers.
- If you have wooden furniture, a quick sand and repaint can make it look brand new.
- If you have a patio or deck, a pressure wash can instantly brighten up the space – trust me on this one. My husband hit our blackened deck with the water blaster early spring last year and the transformation was incredible!!
- “Elevate” your space with little décor items such as candles, a she shed, we behaving pets and of course – plenty of festoon or twinkle lights. They’re not just for Christmas!
Now You’re Ready To Enjoy It!
Imagine this: It’s the first warm, sunny day of the year, and instead of scrambling to tidy up, you step outside, take a deep breath, and get to actually enjoy your space.
That’s why we do this now—so when spring arrives, we’re ready to make the most of it.
Have you been inspired to start thinking about decluttering and getting your outdoor areas ready for spring? What’s the first thing you’re going to tackle this month? Let me know—I’d love to hear what you’re planning!
Happy decluttering!
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About the Author:
Cat Coluccio is a qualified Educator, Personal Trainer and Life Coach – and a champion of midlife women. She is the host of the Rocking Midlife® Community and Podcast, and the author of a number of books, including 21 Hacks to ROCK your Midlife. Join my FREE 30 Day Love your Home Decluttering Challenge for 30 days of email prompts to help you fall in love with your home once more!
Cat is passionate about helping midlife women create fulfilling and purposeful lives yet understands how challenging it can feel to consider reinvention when your world is already so incredibly full. Hence she firmly believes that the first step to building the life that you desire in your next season, is to declutter and create space right now – be that physically, mentally or digitally.
10 Tips to Simplify your Life is a workbook Cat wrote to help break the feeling of overwhelm that clutter brings – and even better, it is her FREE gift to you. Download your copy and start simplifying your life today! Available >>>> HERE <<<<
