As the holidays approach, many are preparing for large family gatherings and the joy that comes with them. That joy, however, can quickly dissipate if your home is cluttered and unorganized. If you’re feeling holiday stress because your home is a mess, don’t cry in your hot cocoa. NSA Storage has a present for you: our top nine stress-reducing tips for decluttering your home before the holidays! Read on to make this season a clutter-free time of fun, family, and frivolity!

Why is Decluttering Before the Holidays Important?

The holiday season is typically one that’s filled with frenetic activity. There are presents to wrap, food to cook, homes to decorate, and so much shopping! 

If your home is a cluttered mess to start with, adding all the holiday activity can create chaos and confusion. By decluttering, however, you’ll get several benefits before (and after) your guests arrive, including: 

• Less stress- When your home is organized your stress levels will drop (or at least not go up).
• Decorating will be easier- When there’s no clutter in your way it’s easier to put out all your holiday decorations 
• More space for your new stuff- Unless you live with Scrooge, you’ll likely be getting new stuff during the holidays. Having a decluttered home will give you the space to display and store them.
• More space for guests- Guests need some breathing room, and a decluttered house will provide that room.
• A sense of pride- Inviting family and friends into your well-organized home will make you feel good!

1. First, Focus on High-Traffic Spots in Your Home 

High-traffic spots are the spots in your home where guests gather and clutter can be annoying and bothersome. To avoid this, start with those areas first, including:

Entryway

• Put away unused coats, shoes, jackets, bags, and anything else that can get in the way. 
• If possible, add some hooks to hang all the jackets to come.

Mudroom

• Store, toss, or donate anything you don’t need, use, or want.
• Put away detergents, dryer sheets, baskets, etc.

Kitchen

• Clear clutter from all countertops so you’ll have more space for all the cooking to come
• Go through dry goods and toss anything over its date.
• Remember to buy any spices and other ingredients that you’ll use most

Living Room

• Clear off books, magazines, and anything else on coffee and end tables
• Clean and fluff sofa cushions. (Don’t forget to clean underneath the cushions!)
• Store everyday decor that will be replaced by holiday decor
• Clean, dust, and vacuum everything

Guest Room

• Organize closets and dressers to provide extra space for guests
• Clean all linens, especially bed sheets and towels
• Clean up any desks and sitting areas so guests can use them

2. Have Plenty of Containers and Boxes Ready

Decluttering is, essentially, putting away, throwing away, or giving away the stuff you don’t need, want, or use. To do that with less stress, you’ll need containers. They can be boxes, of course, but plastic bins and strong bags also work.

If you have a lot of stuff to store, boxes or plastic bins are best for one reason: they can easily be stacked.

3. Before You Decorate, Un-Decorate

Holiday decorating, for many folks, is one of the most fun and joyful events of the year. Before you start, though, it’s best to take down the decor that’s already there, especially inside your home. That can include things like:

• Pictures and paintings
• Fake plants
• Items on a fireplace mantel
• Throw pillows
• Decorative plates and sconces
• Banners
• Hanging items

4. Prepare a Space for Your Guests

Like you, any guests staying at your place over the holidays will need their space. It doesn’t have to be expansive, but should be at least sufficient. 

A guestroom is best, of course, but not all of us have that luxury. A space in the living room or den works, especially if you have a hide-a-bed. A few things you should have on hand include:

• Fresh sheets
• Bath and hand towels
• Hand soap
• A small table or desk
• A lamp

By the way, if kids are coming, you can always declutter a large closet for them to use. That way they’ll have some space, too, and a place to have some holiday fun!

5. Be Sure to Have Enough Chairs

The last thing you want during a holiday gathering is that some guests have to stand, especially when eating. That’s why making sure you have enough chairs is important. 

These can be regular kitchen chairs, folding chairs, or even bean-bag chairs for the kids. Placing extra chairs in the living room and den is also a good idea. That way, when the after-dinner sleepiness starts, everyone has a place to relax and loosen their belts.

6. Declutter Your Fridge and Freezer Ahead of Time

One last thing about the holidays you need to prepare for is all that food! If you’re like most families, several members will bring their “special” holiday dishes to your gathering. 

Knowing this, it’s best to declutter your fridge and freezer before your guests start arriving. That almost-empty ketchup bottle? Toss it. Leftovers from the last month? In the garbage or the compost pile.

The more space you have before the festivities begin, the better. You’ll find items faster, have room for large serving dishes, and have better access to all those delicious leftovers!

Use NSA Storage for Your Holiday Prep

No matter which holidays you celebrate, having an organized and decluttered home before they begin is extremely helpful. The tips on our list today should help you prepare your home like a pro.

If you find you don’t have enough storage space, a storage unit from NSA Storage can help. Clean, secure, and convenient, we offer storage units in a wide variety of sizes for every need.

Reserve a storage unit online today to start decluttering your home right away. Until then, all of us at NSA Storage wish you the happiest of holidays!