How to declutter your home for a post-summer reset

As golden summer days fade and autumn creeps in, your focus naturally shifts indoors to home organisation. The change of season presents an opportunity to reset your living space, clearing the remnants of a busy summer and resetting in time for shorter days. If you’ve been wondering how to declutter your home, this post-summer window is your ideal starting point.

The seasonal wardrobe swap

While you pack away your shorts and sundresses, take this chance to reassess and reorganise your entire wardrobe. You can curate a suitable autumn wardrobe while clearing out and donating anything you no longer want or need.

Start by taking everything out of your wardrobe. Yes, everything! Create three piles: Keep, Store and Donate/Sell. Be honest with yourself about the summer items you’re putting away. If you didn’t wear it this year, will you really wear it next? Once you’ve curated your summer collection, make sure everything is clean and dry before packing it away in vacuum bags or storage boxes.

Now, welcome back your autumn and winter clothes. As you unpack them, check for any items that need mending or cleaning. Arrange them back in your wardrobe in a way that makes sense for you. This is where excellent home organisation begins. A well-designed, fitted cupboard or wardrobe, with dedicated rails for long coats, shelving for jumpers and drawers for accessories, can make this seasonal swap feel less like a chore and more joyful.

Preparing the hallway

The hallway is the first space you enter after a bracing autumnal walk, and it can quickly become a chaotic dumping ground for muddy boots or damp coats. To prepare it for the new season, consider fitting boot room cabinets to store away footwear and big coats.

Ensure you have robust doormats, both inside and outside, to catch the worst of the mud and leaves. Designate a specific spot for wet umbrellas and a tray for damp shoes to protect your flooring. If space is tight, consider a slimline console table with baskets underneath for hats and scarves. Understairs storage can be transformative in a hallway, providing a hidden home for coats and shoes, keeping the entrance tidy and welcoming.

Out with the old, in with the cosy

A thorough living room declutter is most effective as the seasons change. Begin with surfaces. Reduce clutter by filing away paperwork, recycling old magazines and rehoming any objects that don't belong.

You can also fit cupboards into your living room to provide discreet storage for everything from electronics to board games. With the clutter concealed, you can focus on introducing warmth and texture. Swap light cotton cushions for rich velvet or chunky knit throws. Bring in the scent of the season with spiced candles and arrange a few carefully chosen autumnal decorations, like a vase of russet-toned branches.

The secret to staying organised

A seasonal declutter is refreshing, but the real question is how to stay organised in the long run. The secret isn’t a one-off deep clean, but the implementation of simple, daily habits.

·         The ‘One In, One Out’ rule: For every new item you bring into your home, whether it's a jumper or a book, try to let one old item go.

·         The 15-Minute tidy: Spend just 15 minutes before bed putting things back in their proper place. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

·         Everything needs a home: The foundation of good home organisation is clever storage. When every single item has a designated home, tidying up becomes an effortless, automatic process.

How to stay organised with Hammonds

The foundation for home organisation is storage that is designed for your life and your belongings. At Hammonds, our beautiful, bespoke fitted furniture is crafted to maximise every inch of your space, from awkward alcoves to sloping ceilings.

Whether it’s bedroom furniture with tailored rails and drawers for your clothing collection, clever fitted cupboard units for your living room to conceal media and clutter, or streamlined hallway storage to keep outdoor wear under control, our expert designers work with you to create the perfect solution.

Ready to create a calm, clutter-free home for good? Book a free design visit today and let our experts show you what’s possible.