5 Quick Decluttering Projects to Tackle Before Summer Ends
I don’t know about you, but once August hits, I always find myself wondering—where did summer go?! If you’re a parent or caregiver, your brain is probably already shifting into back-to-school mode: juggling kids’ schedules, carpools, and everything in between. Or maybe you don’t have kids and have been living your best life outside all summer—meanwhile, the inside of your home feels like it’s in shambles.
Whatever your situation, now is the perfect time to knock out a few quick decluttering projects. These don’t take long but can make a huge impact. Most of us fall into the trap of thinking we have to do things perfectly, all in one go—but here’s the truth: you don’t. Progress beats perfection every time. Focus on one small task at a time. Pick one or do them all—and get ahead of the game for fall.
THE INFAMOUS JUNK DRAWERS:
We all have one or three right? Probably in your kitchen. Take 15 mins and empty it all out. That’s right all of it.
Throw out anything that is broken or goes to an item you no longer use.
Take out menus? Gone. You know we just look them up online anyways.
Broken pens, pencils with no erasers. Toss them.
Once the trash is gone, separate into categories.
Relocate items that should live elsewhere.
Reorganize. This doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest board, function first! Use whatever you have to contain items- little jars for paperclips, repurpose boxes you have on hand. If you need to, hit up the dollar store for pen/pencil organizers and the like.
2. MEDICINE CABINET REFRESH
This are often goes unchecked longer than it should.
First start by going through and checking expiration dates. If it is expired toss it.
Then categorize by type- cold/flu, allergy, stomach, pain relief or kids medicine.
If possible put each category in their own bin and label to make grabbing what you need easy.
Turntables are great for items used daily or awkward shaped bottles.
A little refresh here goes a long way, especially when you’re scrambling at 2 a.m. for children’s Tylenol.
3. BEAUTY PRODUCTS: MAKEUP, SKINCARE & HAIRCARE
Another area that is easily cluttered is all things beauty.
Check expiration dates and toss anything that is past its prime.
Recycle any empty bottles and containers.
Makeup that you have no clue when you purchased? Please throw it away. You have no idea what’s living on that palette.
Now comes the hard part. Be honest. Do you use it? It’s really hard to let go of something that we spent good money on but it’s just taking up space and mental energy. Letting go of unused products can feel wasteful, but clearing them out makes room for what actually works for you.
Separate into categories.
Keep what you use daily at your fingertips.
Use a countertop tray or organizer to keep your surface tidy.
Prefer out of sight? Organize items in drawers or easy to pull out bins under your cabinet.
4. CAR CLEAN-OUT
My car is a hot mess. The trash. The dirt. The sand. The Starbies cups from the tweens. It’s been a fun summer but my car is not the best representation of my professional skills. So take a deep breath and dive in.
Start with trash because honestly that’s what most of it is. Floor, side pockets of door, door handles, you name it. If a piece of trash can fit in it there’s a very good chance it’s filled.
Gather all the items that don’t belong in your car- shoes, water bottles, sporting equipment. Bring it all in and disperse to it’s proper location.
Invest in a trunk organizer for those items that you keep in there all the time.
Coral trash with a simple over the seat trash receptacle. It doesn’t need to be fancy. A plastic grocery bag hooked over the headrest will do just fine.
You can stop there if that’s all you can do. But if you have extra time wipe everything down and give it a good vacuum. Maybe treat yourself to a yummy car freshener or run it through the car wash. Go on. You deserve to uber in style.
5. COAT CLOSET
This may not be the quickest on the list but it is totally worth doing now.
Do a quick pass and check that all sizes of coats and shoes currently fit their owners and are still something they will wear.
Are hats and gloves in good shape? Were they worn last season? Do you have matches?
Donate anything outgrown or unused.
Coat closets also tend to be the dumping ground for items that have no home. Pull out anything that doesn’t belong and relocate to a spot that makes more sense. Once you’ve gone through everything, assess your organization in the closet. Are you utilizing the space you have?
Make sure anything you need regular access to is within easy reach.
High shelves are a great place to store off season or lesser used items. Think labeled bins and baskets.
Can you add anything to the back of the door like hooks or an over door organizer to maximize storage?
Is there space on the floor for a shoe rack or some large bins?
Decluttering isn’t a one-and-done deal—it’s an ongoing process. But even small wins can have a big impact on how you feel in your space. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to start. Just start. Need help getting going? We’re here for any project—big or small.
Reach out when you’re ready. Let’s make space for what matters most.