Declutter To Reinvent: Cat Coluccio
Ready to declutter your home for fall?
While you might still be feeling the heat of the summer sun, the first hints of crisp autumn air are definitely starting to be felt of a morning – a reminder that it’s time to start thinking about making your home a cozy haven for the cooler months ahead.
The days of sandy beach towels and poolside flip-flops will soon be replaced with soft blankets and hot drinks by the fireplace as you enjoy my favourite season. Before you can fully embrace the coziness of fall, however, it’s important to let go of any clutter that has accumulated over summer, which makes now the perfect time for a seasonal declutter.
Tips To Declutter Your Home For A Cozy Fall:
Decluttering can seem like a daunting task – especially when you’re transitioning between seasons – but with a little bit of organisation and a smidge of motivation, you can easily transform your home from a summer escape to a fall retreat. Read on for my five tips to help you declutter your home and get it ready for the cozy season ahead.
1. Pack Away Summer Essentials:
First things first: it’s time to say goodbye to summer essentials that you won’t be needing until next year. This includes beach towels, swimsuits, sandals, and any outdoor gear that’s specific to summer activities.
Start by assessing each piece. Will it last another season, or should it be tossed or donated? There’s no point packing away swimming gear that your children will have grown out of by next year. Likewise, if your towels are looking threadbare, there are plenty of animal shelters that will happily accept donations for bedding.
Make sure to wash everything thoroughly you are keeping or donating, then separate the items accordingly. The box of to-be-donated items can go straight to your car, while the items to be stored for next summer can be grouped according to type, eg: swimming gear, camping gear.
“Make sure to wash everything thoroughly you are keeping or donating, then separate the items accordingly.“
Consider using clear bins with labels to keep everything organised and easy to find, and store them in a place that’s out of the way but still accessible, like a high closet shelf or under the bed. This will free up space in your everyday living areas and help you mentally shift gears from summer fun to fall comfort.
2. Refresh Your Linens:
As the temperature drops, you’ll be soon wanting to swap out your lightweight summer bedding for something a little cozier, and this is the perfect time to declutter your linen closet. Go through your sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, and decide what you really need and use. If you come across anything that’s worn out, stained, or hasn’t been touched in ages, it’s time to send it off to the animal shelter with those worn towels.
Once you’ve pared down your collection, make sure everything is clean and neatly folded. You can even add a few scented sachets to keep your linens smelling fresh. Then, bring out those heavier blankets and flannel sheets, and make up your bed. There’s nothing quite like crawling into a bed with fresh, cozy linens when the air is crisp outside!
3. Declutter and Reorganize Your Entryway:
Your entryway is the first thing you see when you come home, and tends to become the family dumping area, which isn’t ideal when it’s also the first part of your home your visitors experience. Chances are, you now have a collection of beach bags, flip-flops, and sunscreen which have accumulated over summer, so the change of session makes it the perfect time to declutter and reorganize this space.
Start by clearing out any items that are no longer needed, then store the items you want to keep with your other summer essentials. Next, consider making your entry more welcoming and practical for fall, by adding a few hooks for jackets and scarves, a mat for muddy boots, a basket for gloves and hats and a container for umbrellas.
If you have a bench, make sure it’s clear and ready for sitting as you put on or take off your shoes. A tidy, well-organized entryway will set the tone for the rest of your home and make coming in from the cold a much more pleasant and welcoming experience for you as well as your guests.
4. Create a Cozy Living Space:
As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, you’ll be spending more time indoors, making your living space the perfect place to add some extra coziness. Before you start piling on the blankets and lighting the candles however, it’s important to declutter the area.
Firstly, remove any items that don’t belong, like random toys, magazines, or summer decorations that are still hanging around. Go through your coffee table, bookshelves, any other areas where clutter tends to accumulate, and get rid of anything that’s no longer needed.
“Consider adding a few fall-scented candles or a basket of firewood by the fireplace to really set the mood.“
Once the clutter is gone and you’ve given all surfaces a good wipe down, it’s time to add in some gorgeous fall touches. Swap out bright summer colours for warm, earthy tones, and layer on soft throws and cushions.
Consider adding a few fall-scented candles or a basket of firewood by the fireplace to really set the mood. The goal is to create a space that invites you to curl up and relax, making it the perfect place to spend a chilly evening.
5. Simplify Your Kitchen:
Fall often means more time spent in the heart of the home – the kitchen, whether you’re baking pumpkin bread, (or in my case, my mum’s famous pumpkin scones!) or simmering a huge pot of pumpkin soup. To make your kitchen a more enjoyable space to cook and gather in, start by decluttering your countertops and cabinets.
Remove any appliances or utensils that you don’t use regularly, and put them in storage or donate them. As well, every change of season is the perfect time to clear out your pantry. Now’s the time to toss expired items, take inventory of what you have and create your shopping list of what to stock up on for the next season ahead.
Once your kitchen is decluttered, and your pantry organised, you’ll find it much easier to whip up those comforting fall recipes without feeling overwhelmed by clutter.
Create The Right Environment:
Decluttering your home as summer turns to fall isn’t just about tidying up – it’s about creating an environment that feels warm, welcoming, and ready for the cozy months ahead.
By taking the time to pack away summer essentials, refresh your linens, reorganize your entryway, cozy up your living space, and simplify your kitchen, you’re setting the stage for a fall season filled with comfort and joy.
Feeling inspired? Grab a blanket, brew yourself a cup of tea, open your planner and start thinking through when you can embark on your ‘get ready for fall’ decluttering adventure. After all, there’s no better feeling when the air is crisp and the sun setting earlier, than coming home to a home that is cozy, warm and welcoming.
Fed up with feeling overwhelmed with all of the “stuff” in your home, on your devices and in your schedule Want to simplify your life but aren’t sure where to begin?
Additional resources can be found in Cat’s bio below.
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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 <<<<
