Declutter Fast: 5 Things to Toss Before Fall Arrives

As we prepare for the air to turn crisp and the days to grow shorter, many of us naturally shift into nesting mode. We reach for woolly socks, make hearty stews, and light candles scented like cinnamon and pine. It’s the season of comfort, but it’s hard to truly feel cozy when our homes are overwhelmed by clutter. That’s where fall decluttering comes in.

5 Things to Declutter This Fall for a Simpler, Cozier Home

Just as spring has its signature cleaning frenzy, autumn is the perfect time for a fall reset. As we settle into our homes for longer evenings and prepare for the holiday bustle ahead, now’s the moment to get organized, pare back, and create a space that feels warm, calm, and inviting.

With that in mind, here are five essential areas to tackle in your seasonal cleaning routine, a thoughtful declutter checklist to help you welcome fall with open arms and clear shelves.

1. The Bathroom

Start with the bathroom, where old products tend to linger longer than they should. That half-empty sunscreen from July? The bug spray that leaked in your travel bag? This is the time to let it go.

Create a simple bathroom decluttering checklist: 

• expired toiletries

• duplicate products

• items you never use

• almost-empty bottles that have sat untouched for months 

Lay everything out by category so you can clearly see what you have. Then, clean the shelves, recycle what you can, and restock with items that you actually use.

A streamlined bathroom means more space to breathe and less visual clutter, which is especially helpful as the cooler weather invites long, luxurious baths.

2. The Pantry

A pantry full of expired goods and dusty cans of forgotten ingredients won’t serve you well during soup and stew season. Fall is a natural time to reevaluate what’s been hiding in the back of your shelves.

Toss anything past its prime and take stock of what staples you’ll want on hand for cold-weather meals. Think oats, lentils, canned tomatoes, baking supplies, and broths. The same goes for your fridge and freezer. Make room now for comfort food essentials like apple pie fillings and slow cooker ingredients.

Consider it a complete reset to match the seasonal shift in cooking. The goal isn’t just to clear space, but to create a kitchen that supports your cozy autumn routines.

3. The Wardrobe

As summer fades, it’s time to put away swimsuits and sandals and make space for sweaters and scarves. This is also the moment to get honest about what you’re really wearing.

Pull everything out of your closet, lay it on the bed, and assess: 

• What didn’t get worn this summer? 

• What doesn’t fit anymore? 

• What’s worn beyond repair?

Donate or discard anything that no longer serves you. You can also use vacuum-sealed storage bags for out-of-season items if you’re tight on space.

Organizing a small closet is much easier when it isn’t packed to the brim. Add moth-repellent sachets to protect winter coats and knits, and resist the urge to add anything new until you’ve cleared out the old.

4. The Entryway

The entryway is your home’s first impression and, in the fall, it becomes a high-traffic zone. This space can quickly spiral into chaos as boots, coats, scarves, umbrellas, and backpacks start piling up.

Start by decluttering shoes that are too worn to wear, coats you haven’t reached for in years, and accessories that no longer serve their purpose. 

Add baskets, hooks, or a bench with storage to keep things tidy. A seasonal cleaning here will make daily life smoother and keep your home from feeling overwhelmed the moment you walk in the door.

Think of this as the first checkpoint on your journey to a calm space: a welcoming, organized landing zone that makes coming home feel great.

5. Seasonal Decor

Fall is all about ambiance – cozy lighting, plush textures, and a touch of festive charm. But, if your seasonal decorations are scattered, broken, or out of style, they can create more stress than joy.

Before adding anything new, go through what you already have. Pull out your fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and holiday decorations, and assess what still brings you happiness. Let go of anything that feels tired, overly worn, or no longer aligns with your taste.

Create a staging area so you can swap items in and out throughout the season without cluttering your home. This way, you’ll have room for soft throws, pumpkin-scented candles, and little nods to the holidays without the weight of unused or unloved items taking up space.

Embrace a Fall Decluttering Mindset

Fall decluttering doesn’t need to feel like a chore. With a little intention, your home organization project can be a breeze. By focusing on key areas like the bathroom, pantry, wardrobe, entryway, and seasonal decor, you can create a space that feels calm, cozy, and truly ready for autumn.

Minimalism doesn’t mean stripping your home bare. It means surrounding yourself with what you need, what you love, and what helps you feel at ease. Light a candle, turn on your favorite playlist, and start your fall reset, one clutter-free corner at a time.