10 Things to Declutter Before 2026 for a More Organized Home

coastalhomesolutio
2 days ago
4 min read

As we prepare to step into 2026, many families, seniors, and busy professionals feel the urge to refresh their homes and start the new year with clarity. Decluttering supports emotional well-being, lowers stress, and helps your home function better for everyday life.

Research from the UCLA Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that women who described their homes as cluttered experienced higher cortisol levels throughout the day. According to the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, visual clutter competes for your brain’s attention, making it harder to stay focused and productive.

A clutter-free home does not just look better. It helps your mind breathe.

These common clutter zones tend to create the most stress and inefficiency in a home. Tackling them before the new year helps you start 2026 feeling lighter, more organized, and more in control of your space.

Top 10 Things to Declutter Before 2026 for a Peaceful and Functional Home

1. Expired Pantry and Fridge Items

Refreshing your kitchen by clearing out expired food instantly creates a more organized and functional space. Decluttering your pantry makes meal planning easier and allows you to set up simple organizing zones like snacks, baking items, canned goods, and grab-and-go options. A tidy kitchen helps your whole home feel calmer and more efficient.

2. Paper Clutter: Mail, Bills, and Important Documents

Mail and paperwork pile up quickly and often become one of the biggest sources of stress. Sorting papers into keep, shred, and recycle piles helps reduce overwhelm and sets the stage for better home office organization. If you prefer a simplified system, consider trying digital document organization to streamline tax papers, medical forms, and household files.

3. Clothing You Have Not Worn in a Year

A decluttered closet supports smoother mornings and reduces decision fatigue. When your wardrobe only includes clothing you love and actually wear, your bedroom feels lighter and more organized. A simple closet refresh also helps you identify storage needs and makes seasonal organizing easier.

4. Expired Makeup and Bathroom Products

Bathroom clutter adds visual stress and slows down your routine. Tossing expired skincare, hair products, and makeup not only frees up space but also helps you create a cleaner, safer, and more organized bathroom. Keeping daily essentials grouped makes mornings flow more smoothly.

Organized and clutter-free bathroom in Leland, NC

5. Old Medication and First Aid Supplies

Medication that is expired or no longer needed can create avoidable safety risks, especially for seniors. Clearing outdated medication, organizing first aid essentials, and setting up a designated health drawer or bin supports both safety and efficiency.

6. Kitchen Gadgets You Never Use

An organized kitchen is one of the most impactful spaces in the home. Let go of duplicates, old appliances, and one-use gadgets to create more functional storage. A decluttered kitchen makes cooking less stressful and supports healthier habits throughout the year.

7. Extra Towels, Sheets, and Linens

Overfilled linen closets make it harder to find what you need. Keeping only two sets of sheets per bed and donating extras creates more space and supports better home organization. A streamlined linen closet also makes laundry and preparing for guests easier.

Organized the linen closet with pillows, towels, and baskets organized neatly in Wilmington, NC.

8. Old Toys and Kids' Items

Before holiday or birthday gifts arrive, take a moment to declutter toys that are broken, outgrown, or no longer loved. Organizing toys by category reduces daily messes and helps kids maintain a calmer, more functional play area.

9. Digital Clutter

Digital clutter is just as draining as physical clutter. Clearing your downloads folder, organizing important files, and deleting duplicate photos creates a smoother digital workspace. A few minutes of digital decluttering each week can greatly reduce mental load.

10. Garage, Attic and Storage Areas

Storage areas often become catch-all spaces for postponed decisions. Decluttering your garage or attic helps you reclaim valuable square footage and reduces hazards. Keeping only what you use or truly need is a major step toward a more organized home.

Research-Backed Benefits of Decluttering Before the New Year

Lower stress: UCLA found that cortisol levels rise when clutter is present.
Better focus: Princeton research shows clutter disrupts mental clarity.
Improved sleep: Bedrooms stay more restful when free from clutter.
More productivity: Decluttering reduces decision fatigue and boosts motivation.
Safer homes for seniors: Removing clutter lowers fall risk and supports aging in place.

⭐ Free Printable: 2026 Declutter Checklist

Your checklist is the perfect tool to stay motivated and simplify your home step by step.

👉 Download the Free 2026 Declutter Checklist

Not sure where to start or how the process works? Our FAQ page answers the most common decluttering and organizing questions.

Ready to Create a More Organized Home Before 2026?

Decluttering does not have to be overwhelming or something you tackle alone. Whether you need hands-on help organizing your home, creating systems that last, or making your space safer for aging in place, I am here to support you every step of the way.

As a Professional Home Organizer and Certified Senior Home Safety Specialist serving Leland, Wilmington, Southport, and surrounding Coastal North Carolina communities, I help families, seniors, and busy professionals create calm, functional homes that truly support everyday life.