Autumn truly has a magical feeling with the cool air, colored leaves, and pumpkins. Fall is upon us, which means it's time to get cozy! Let's face it, it's hard to feel safe and snug in our home with summer leftovers spilling out of the fridge, random clutter, and gear we don't need.
That's why autumn is the perfect season to declutter. Get rid of junk before the holidays arrive. Before you trade in your tank tops for sweaters, before you stock up on candles and soups, it's good to declutter what no longer serves you. This isn't about perfection. Creating space for comfort, joy, and other lovely things.
Here's your ultimate fall decluttering guide that is long, detailed, and full of hacks. Every section goes into what to evident, why it is important, and how you can do it without overwhelm.
✨ Why Declutter in Autumn?
- The heat of summer makes it chaotic- beach bags, travel bags, sports kits. Autumn gives you a chance to reset before the holidays.
- Get ready for cozy season: When your space is clutter-free, the candles glow brighter, the blankets feel warm, and family nights are less stressful.
- Be ready for the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas bring more things. Clear out now to make space later.
- Shorter days can feel heavy on mental clarity. A tidy home lifts your mood.
🧹 List of All the Autumn Essentials for Decluttering
1. Summer Clothing Swap 👗
That drawer is still holding swimsuits and tank tops? It's taking up prime space.
Put away your summer stuff in a closet. Donate what you didn't wear at all. If it's stretched, faded, or uncomfortable — let it go.
Tip: Make sure to have only 1-2 transitional items (denim jacket). Everything else can rest.
2. Sandals & Worn-Out Shoes 👟
Flip flops, beach sandals, and battered sneakers don't belong in a fall closet.
Declutter move: Toss anything broken. Donate pairs in good shape. Keep sturdy boots ready for cozy season.
Store shoes seasonally in labelled bins so they rotate each year.
3. Swim & Beach Gear 🏖️
They sneakily occupy storage. Towels, floaties, sunscreen bottles.
Get rid of leaky pool floats, expired sunscreen, and old towels. Keep one set of beach towels; donate extras.
Instead of letting summer gear clutter up the rest of the house (and stay on the floor until fall), toss it all in a clear bin labelled "BEACH."
4. Expired Sunscreen & Summer Skincare ☀️
Sunscreen actually expires — and loses effectiveness. The same goes for aloe gels and summer-only lotions.
Declutter step: Check dates. Toss anything expired. Keep lightweight moisturizers if you'll use them indoors.
Time to switch things up—your autumn skin deserves full-face creams for effective results.
5. Outdoor Toys & Sports Gear ⚽
Pool noodles, inflatables, bats – autumn is not their season.
Store things you need to move in a bin in the garage. Donate what kids have outgrown. Toss the broken gear.
Switch your toys around to limit indoor clutter and get outside.
6. Summer Decor 🌺
Seashell garlands, lemon-pattern pillows, beachy wall art. They looked cute in June, but now they're visual noise.
Please tidy up and store summer decor. Donate what you no longer love. Make space for autumn tones.
Keep it simple — a few pumpkins or a fall wreath are enough.
7. Picnic & Outdoor Dining Supplies 🧺
Your kitchen drawers are packed with plastic plates, picnic blankets, and barbecue tools.
Get rid of stuff that ain't broken. Recycle warped plastics. Donate duplicates.
Use one tote that says "outdoor dining" to keep picnic items from mixing with everyday kitchenware.
8. Old Candles 🕯️
That half-melted watermelon candle doesn't scream fall.
If you don't like the scent or it has burned out, throw it away. Save jars for DIY storage.
Get some autumn candles for yourself. Rotate them for variety without excess.
9. Garden Tools & Supplies 🌱
Summer gardening gloves, half-used fertilizers, empty pots. They pile up fast.
Lighten your load: Put away unnecessary items.. Toss broken ones. Donate extras.
Make sure to wipe your tools with vinegar before you store them.
10. School Paper Clutter 📚
Back-to-school season = paper explosion. Get rid of permission slips, old notebooks, and kids' art. Rinse and Repeat move: Recycle old worksheets. Keep only meaningful art. File important papers in a folder.
Take pictures of your kids' art instead of keeping it.
11. Rain Gear Check 🌧️
Old umbrellas, leaky boots, broken ponchos.
Declutter move: Test everything. Toss what doesn't work. Keep one umbrella per person.
To keep your rain boots from spilling dirt and water inside the house, place them on a tray at your door.
12. Kitchen Pantry Reset 🍲
Cooler weather means soups, stews, and baking. Time to clear expired spices, old pasta, or stale snacks.
Declutter step: Toss expired food. Donate unopened cans to food banks.
Make a basket filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, broth, beans, and other things you'll be using often.
13. Mug Cabinet ☕
Fall = hot drinks season. But too many chipped or unused mugs create clutter.
Declutter move: Keep favorites. Donate extras.
Store mugs within reach, move wine glasses up. Seasonal priorities!
14. Blankets & Throws 🛋️
Fall invites cozy blankets. But do you need 12?
Keep two to three of each item per room. Donate the rest.
Put blankets in a basket to make your room look cozy.
15. Put Sweaters in Your Closet and Take Tanks Out
Pull forward your sweaters, cardigans, scarves. Pack away tanks and shorts.
Clean and put away things before you store. Donate items you skipped last year.
Trick: Use lavender sachets to keep your storage clothes fresh.
16. Board Games & Puzzles 🎲
Cozy season = family game nights. But broken, missing, or dusty games? Clutter.
Declutter move: Toss incomplete sets. Donate games no one plays. Keep family favorites front and center.
17. Digital Declutter 💻
Shorter days = more screen time. Digital clutter matters too.
Declutter step: Delete unused apps. Clear old emails. Organize photo albums.
One solution is to instate a "Friday reset" and spend just ten minutes a week clearing out your inboxes.
18. Guest Room Prep 🛏️
Fall often brings visitors. Guest rooms hide clutter.
Remove the unnecessary clutter from the surface of your dressers and tables.
Have a throw blanket and a scented candle to make things cozy.
19. Halloween Stash 🎃
Costumes, decorations, candy buckets.
Declutter move: Toss broken decor. Donate costumes kids outgrew. Keep only what you'll use.
Mark one of the bins as Halloween for easy access
20. Winter Gear Check ❄️
Yes, it's early, but check now before the snow hits.
Get rid of broken gloves, boots that do not fit, and ripped coats. Donate extras early so others can use them.
Make a basket for your hat and gloves near the door.
💡 More Tips to Declutter in Autumn
- Keep a "donate" basket in your closet all season to create a basket trick.
- New sweater in, old sweater out is the rule.
- Everyday mini challenge–pick up 10 items from your home; toss or donate.
- Becoming cost aware: Note down the money you waste on unnecessary things to inspire you to buy less.
- After each session, end it with tea or cocoa.
🙋♀️ Faq: Autumn Decluttering
Why declutter in fall instead of spring?
How long should each session take?
Do I need to buy storage bins?
What do I do with donations?
How do I handle sentimental summer items?
Can kids help?
What if my partner resists?
Should I deep clean while decluttering?
How do I avoid re-cluttering before winter?
What's the #1 fall clutter culprit?
🌸 Final Thoughts
Decluttering in autumn isn't just about making space. It's all about creating surroundings for comfy nights in, family get-togethers, and quiet moments as life moves at a slower pace. By getting rid of summer waste and seasonal junk, you invite warmth and simplicity into your home.
Visualize it as Candles are flickering in the soft light; a blanket envelops you; tea rests in your hand; there is no mess to bother you. That's the gift of an autumn declutter. 🍁.
