6 things to declutter in January
The end of festive season signals the perfect time for a household reset. As well as clearing out your fridge, decluttering areas like your wardrobe, bathroom, and home office will ensure you start the New Year on a high note, feeling organised and in control.
"January is the perfect time for a fresh start, and clearing out clutter can do wonders for your mindset," Adam Oakley, a decluttering expert from Door to Store, tells Country Living.
"When you declutter, you’re not just tidying your home. You’re creating space for new energy and opportunities to flow in."
Adam adds: "It’s like hitting the reset button for your living space and your life. Plus, there’s something empowering about taking charge of your environment. It helps reduce stress, gives you a sense of control, and even boosts your mood."
Below are six key spaces to declutter for a more streamlined 2025. Either set aside a weekend in January to clear your space or, if you really want to feel organised, give it a go on New Year's Day.
Your wardrobe
When it comes to decluttering your wardrobe, the expert recommends starting with the "one-year rule." He explains: " If you haven’t worn an item in the past year, it’s time to let it go." Adam suggests donating clothes that are still in good condition to charity and responsibly recycling any worn-out pieces.
To make the process a bit more interesting, Adam advises turning it into a game. "Flip all your hangers in one direction. When you wear something, hang it back the other way. By next January, you’ll clearly see what hasn’t been touched."
The kitchen (and fridge especially)
After the festive season, you'll want to start by clearing out leftovers and anything left from the previous year that's expired. Adam advises going through every cupboard and checking for spices, sauces, or packets past their prime: "They take up space and do nothing for your cooking, so it’s time to bin them."
“Next, take a look at your utensils and gadgets. If you’ve accumulated multiples, such as three can openers, but only ever use one, consider donating the extras. The same goes for any gadgets that have been gathering dust. If you haven’t used them in years, you’ll unlikely need them now."
Finally, Adam recommends organising the spaces into zones to make cooking more enjoyable and efficient. "Group similar items together, keeping all your baking supplies in one area and your snacks in another," he suggests. "Creating clear sections will streamline your kitchen and make meal prep a breeze."
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Your home office
Hit the ground running in the new year with a clear out of your work space. Even if you don't have a home office, going through folders and any paper documents can be useful.
When it comes to the home office, Adam emphasises the importance of dealing with paper clutter first. “File what’s important and shred what isn’t," he suggests. "If a document hasn’t been touched in six months, it’s probably not essential and can be safely discarded. Next, focus on organising your desk by keeping only the items you use daily within arm’s reach."
File everything away in a folder and store it out of the way in a cupboard or on a shelf. Digitising anything you can will also help minimise paper.
Your bathroom cabinet
Like cleaning out the fridge, it can be satisfying to go through your bathroom cabinet and clear out anything past its sell-by date or products with only the dregs left.
It's also a good time to donate unused and unopened products you don't think you'll use. "Your bathroom cabinet or makeup bag may harbour expired lotions, lipsticks, or skincare products. Dispose of anything past its expiry date or items you haven’t used in the past year."
Dead or dying plants
"Plants are supposed to bring life to your home, but dead or struggling greenery does the opposite," Adam explains.
"Rather than holding onto wilting plants, replace them with fresh, low-maintenance ones that are easier to care for and more likely to thrive." Of course, sometimes some plant food and water might revive them.
"Great choices for plants that are easy to maintain include peace lilies, succulents, pothos, and snake plants."
General household clutter
This one applies to the whole house. "Stacks of old bills, magazines, or manuals can quickly accumulate and create visual chaos," Adam explains. Be ruthless with things you no longer need to create some space in your home.
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