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That first cold snap has come through and you went to pull out that big cozy sweater and realized you still have all your summer clothes in your closet! Oh no! Just take a deep breath and don't panic! This holiday season, get a head start on organizing so your focus can be on enjoying time with family and friends.
Below is the ultimate home organization checklist that will get you fully prepared for the chilly seasons ahead!
- Snow Zone Preparedness
- Deal with Those Drafts
- Plan Your Holiday Decorations
- Organize Cabinets & Shelves
- Sort Your Summer Clothes
- Clean that Closet Out!
- Organize Your Winter Gear
Envisioning what your house will look like this year decorated in twinkly lights and holiday cheer? Grab a cup of hot chocolate and see how a little organization will help keep your sanity this holiday season!
Snow Zone Preparedness
Do you live in an area that gets a lot of snow during the winter? What about ice? If you’re new to your area, check with friends or the local police station to find out what type of winter weather you should expect. This is also a great way to get advice on what you need to be prepared for. The best way to be prepared and organized is to stock up on rock salt or anything else that might be handy to remove ice. This includes a snow shovel or a snowblower.
Deal with Those Drafts
One of the most common places for the outside weather to come in is the space that runs between the bottom of an outside door and floor. During the winter, this can mean letting in cold air and making it harder for your heater to keep your home warm. The solution? Make sure that any and all cracks and repairs are made so your home stays nice and toasty!
Plan Your Holiday Decorations
It’s that time to start pulling out festive holiday decorations. Eliminate the clutter and wow your guests at your next party! You can store your everyday throw pillows in a multipurpose bin or ottoman & bring out the festive decor. This will allow you to save space and avoid buying even more containers! Break out those cute hand towels, soap dispensers and cheesy mugs.
Organize Your Cabinets
You might not think that organizing your shelves is a way to prepare for winter. However, do you have glass front cabinets? Do you have open shelving (cabinet) space? These are perfect areas to display all kinds of fun holiday decorations. It's also time to get them decluttered, organized, & looking as festive as possible!
Looking for some inspiration? Check out this gallery from Real Simple. They have some great tips on organizing your shelves and while it might not be holiday-themed, it’s applicable to every season!
Sort Your Summer Clothes
The cold weather is moving in, and you keep sorting through your short-sleeved shirts and impressive collection of shorts to find that super comfy wool sweater you want to wear when you’re curled up drinking your favorite cup of hot chocolate. Don’t stay frustrated! Get ahead of the cooler weather that will be moving in and sort through your summer clothes.
Are there things that you have worn out? Are there things you haven’t worn in years? Go through your summer attire and donate items that you don’t wear anymore but are gently used. Be brave and throw away things you have worn so much they are starting to look threadbare. Think of it as an excuse to shop for a brand new wardrobe next summer!
If no room is available in your closet, store your summer pieces in either breathable baskets, bins, or in a spare closet. If there is additional space available, move your summer clothes to the back of your closet or store them in drawers. 21 Oak has some additional tips and suggestions for storing summer clothes.
Organize that Closet
Now that you've made space, pull out all of your winter clothes. If they are stored in a separate location, bring everything into your bedroom and start organizing! The same principles apply. Check to make sure you'll still wear the majority of items. Donate or throw away pieces as needed.
Depending on where your winter clothes were stored, it might not be a bad idea to wash your pieces before placing them back inside your closet. Use a tie hanger to store heavy scarves so they're quick and easy to access on those really cold winter mornings.
Sort through Your Winter Gear
The neighborhood snowball fight has just started, and you cannot find your left glove, again. No worries! Organize your winter gear into smaller and easier-to-manage containers or drawers. Keep your gloves – preferably in pairs – in a small basket within reach of the front door. Clutter is eliminated and you'll always be prepared for that next snowball fight!
Don’t stop with just your gloves though. Winter boots? Maybe you don’t want them in the house? Organize a space outside the garage door that will allow you to keep them within easy access, but out of the house. Use hooks to hang your heavier outside jackets and scarves to be readily accessible as you enter and exit the house. Got a bunch of those cute knit ponytail hats? Grab a second basket and keep those stored near the gloves.
Don’t stop with clothes! Do you snowboard, ski, or snowshoe? Now’s the time to inspect your gear and make sure that it's stored in an easily accessible location.
Final Thoughts
Whatever your favorite winter activities are, now is the time to get organized so that you spend less time searching for that second snowshoe and more time out enjoying your family and friends. Think through what you like to do during the winter season. Maybe it’s reading in your favorite chair? Grab a stack of books from your local library or bookstore to keep on hand. Above all, make sure to tackle the necessary tasks so your home is well-prepared for the frosty weather ahead!