7 Things Professional Organizers ALWAYS Do in January
After the chaos of holiday season, the new year means a fresh start. It's a motivating time to set goals, whether it's trying a new hobby, eating healthier or getting more organized. If the new year has you re-evaluating your lifestyle, decluttering the house is one way to improve your daily routine — and, professional organizers swear January is the best time to do it.
"January is the perfect time to refresh and reset after the busy holiday season," says Lindsay Melvin, owner and lead organizer of Orchid Organizing. "I recommend starting with areas that have accumulated post-celebration mess — the kitchen, living room and entryway." Keep in mind: Starting small, like with a single drawer, will help you avoid getting overwhelmed.
Not sure where to begin? From packing away seasonal decor to purging the pantry, here are the things professional organizers always do around the house in January.
1. Seasonal decor
As you take down your holiday decorations, assess your collection. Are there items you didn't use this year that could be given away or donated? Most thrift stores will accept seasonal decor. Once you decide what to purge, "consolidate remaining decor into clearly labeled bins or totes," says Melvin.
If you want holiday decorating to be easier next year, take note from Beata Kozlowski of Tidy Step by Step, who always takes photos of what worked well, so she can easily recreate it.
2. The kitchen — namely, your fridge and pantry
Over the holidays, you spent a lot of time in the kitchen — cooking and hosting — and chances are, it's accumulated clutter. "After the influx of holiday treats, pantries and refrigerators can become cluttered with gifts, expired items and half-used ingredients," says Gretchen Moen, chief clutter cutter of Cut the Clutter.
Make room for healthier eating habits in 2025 by streamlining the pantry, fridge and kitchen cabinets. Donate any unopened, unexpired items to your local food pantry. It's also a great time to check your specialty appliances, utensils and gadgets — give away any unused items.
Expert Tip: "Declutter one drawer or cabinet per day to make the task more manageable." — Gretchen Moen
3. The entryway
The entryway is a high-traffic area — especially when you're hosting, so it can quickly become a catchall for coats, shoes and outdoor gear. "Consider setting up organized drop zones for each member of your family with functional pieces, like benches with storage," says Victoria Tran, founder of Sorted.
Bring in systems for shoe storage, hooks for jackets and sort through piles of mail. "January's colder weather makes it a great time to organize the entryway, ensuring that coats and shoes are easily accessible," adds Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.
4. Toys and kids' items
Your kids probably received a lot of new toys and clothes last month. Get them involved in deciding what to keep and what to purge. "With the 'one in, one out' rule in mind, ask your children to consider letting go and donating some of their toys and clothes to make room for the new items they received over the holidays," says Emily Mass, owner of Spaces by Emily.
5. Your desk
Returning to work after the holidays can be challenging — but an organized desk can put you more at ease. "A clean workspace can help boost productivity and reduce stress," says Tomlin. "January is a great time to sort through paperwork, files and office supplies that have piled up throughout the year."
6. Paperwork, including important tax documents
The new year is an excuse to get your finances in order — especially with tax season coming up. "Winter weather often keeps us indoors, so you have the time," says Kozlowski. Sort through old doctor bills, tax documents and other financial paperwork, creating organized folders (whether digital or physical).
7. Digital devices
Once you've organized your physical spaces, consider a digital declutter — think emails, photos, apps and cloud storage. "Technology decluttering takes priority this year," says Kozlowski, who also suggests consolidating streaming services and digital subscriptions.
"Many people start the year by organizing their digital files and emails," adds Tomlin. "This helps reduce digital clutter, making it easier to find documents and stay organized in a tech-heavy world."
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