As the holiday season nears, professional organizers are getting their homes ready for festive celebrations. Whether it’s decluttering kitchens or creating cozy living rooms, they know how to make homes picture-perfect for guests. Melissa James, owner and founder of Our Happy Hive (a professional decluttering and organizing service), Karianne Wood (interior stylist and author of Thistlewood Farms home living blog), and Jessica Litman (founder and author of The Organized Mama Co., an organizing blog turned podcast and YouTube channel) are experts in the field.
Design a Cozy Holiday Entrance Your entryway is the first thing guests see, so it’s worth some attention. A clutter-free doorstep makes it easy to add holiday decorations if desired. Melissa James suggests adding an inviting mat outside and, if in a cold climate, having one inside for messy boots. A boot tray also adds a functional and homey touch to the entryway. Neaten Your Linen Closet While guests may not rummage in the linen closet, having it neat and tidy makes hosting easier. Karianne Wood asks when the last time your linen closet was cleaned. Clean out cobwebs, wipe down shelves, and use a good-smelling cleaner. Purge the closet and keep only a few sets of towels and linens to avoid indecision. Tidy Up Your Pantry Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas baking can make a disorganized pantry chaotic. Organize your pantry by tossing expired items and grouping like items. Label bins or shelves so family members and guests can find and return things. Clean Out and Refresh Your Fridge The holidays stress everyone, and the fridge takes a lot of the brunt. Clean and reset your fridge before the holiday rush to ensure it functions optimally. Melissa James suggests taking items out and wiping down the refrigerator and using a mixture of dish soap, baking soda, and warm water to clean and deodorize.Pro organizers follow specific decluttering rules to ensure a tidy home before the holidays. Here are 7 essential tips to help you get started: 1. Fridge Organization: Pay special attention to your fridge’s door storage and crisper drawers. Dispose of any condiments that haven’t been used since last holiday season. 2. Guest Room Refresh: As the season for hosting guests approaches, it’s time to refresh your guest room. Focus on big picture details such as upgrading bed linens and taking inventory of closet hangers. If you plan to order new furniture, do it now to avoid backorders or shipping delays. 3. Junk Drawer Triage: The holidays make your junk drawer a catch-all for various items. Start by emptying it, wiping it down, and organizing with drawer dividers. Toss out non-essential items and group like items together for easy access. 4. Holiday Decorations Audit: Before the holidays, give your decorations a thorough review. This allows you to assess their value and decide whether to keep, donate, or sell them. Opt for a clean-as-you-go strategy, as suggested by Jessica Litman, founder of The Organized Mama Co. 5. Cleaning Strategy: Start with emptying the bins that hold holiday items. Decorate your house, then assess any remaining items to decide their worth. If they’re worth keeping, put them back in the holiday box; otherwise, consider donation or sale. 6. Timing is Key: Save tasks like vacuuming and dusting for closer to when guests arrive, ensuring a fresh and clean space without unnecessary clutter. 7. Inventory Check: Take inventory of your guest room’s closet hangers and linens, ensuring you have everything needed for a comfortable stay for your guests.