Fall Reset: How to Declutter Before the Holiday Season Sneaks Up on You
A warm cup of coffee. A crisp breeze. The leaves start turning and the cozy soups fill our Pinterest boards. It’s officially fall — that sweet spot between back-to-school chaos and the holiday hustle.
This season offers a natural reset - a chance to simplify before the glitter, tinsel, and gift wrapping take over. Think of this as your Fall Home Reset: your guide to decluttering, organizing, and creating calm before the holiday whirlwind begins. By the end, both you and your home will feel lighter, cozier, and ready to welcome guests with ease.
By the end, both you and your home will feel lighter, cozier, and ready to welcome guests with ease — whether you’re here in Lubbock, Texas, or anywhere the fall breeze brings that urge to reset.
Why Fall is the Best Time to Reset
We see it all the time with clients: fall is the season of refresh. It’s the perfect time to let go of what no longer serves you – from cluttered closets to mental overwhelm.
Whether you’re swapping summer clothes for sweaters or pulling down the holiday décor bins, autumn invites us to release and reset. As the leaves change, nature reminds us of the beauty in letting go.
And let’s be honest — the holidays bring their fair share of chaos: overnight guests, themed parties (bring on the tacky Christmas sweaters!), and to-do lists galore. A Fall Reset gives you the breathing room to enjoy it all with less stress and more sparkle.
(If you loved our Summer Reset: 7 Ways to Declutter When It’s Too Hot for the Garage — this Fall edition takes it to the next level!)
The Kitchen: The Heart of your Fall Reset
Our kitchen is the hub of the home, especially this time of year. Whether it’s a crockpot of my husband’s famous chili on game day (Wreck ’em Tech!) or Thanksgiving lunch surrounded by friends and family, everything seems to happen here.
With guests constantly helping in the kitchen, I like to keep things streamlined, labeled, and easy to navigate — so anyone can help without having to ask where everything goes.
Fall Kitchen Declutter ChEcklist
Work in zones. Start at one end of the kitchen and move clockwise until every cabinet is complete.
Declutter like reading a book: left to right, top to bottom.
Purge unused items. If your family hasn’t used it in 12 months, donate it to a local nonprofit.
Watch for duplicates. Keep your favorite or best-condition version — donate the rest.
Check the fridge. Toss expired or unwanted condiments and sauces (those fridge-door items go funky fast!).
Refresh your pantry. Use the same top-to-bottom strategy for food and spices — expired spices can ruin a meal fast.
Label everything. Add cabinet and pantry labels so guests (even kids!) can help put things away correctly.
Combine open baking goods. Half-used bags of flour or sugar can be combined in airtight canisters for freshness and visual appeal.
🛍️ Shop Our Favorites:
Label Maker – Our go-to label maker keeps everything consistent.
Label Tape - Needed to complete any organization project!
Airtight Canisters – These modern pantry canisters keep ingredients fresh and look beautiful.
✨ Pro Tip: Use matching baskets or turntables in your pantry for a Pinterest-worthy, functional design.
(Need more ideas? Check out our Pinterest for Gorgeouse AND Functional Pantries.)
Give your guests the gift of rest and relaxation
There’s nothing better than arriving after a long trip and walking into a calm, clutter-free guest room. This season, give your guests the gift of a cozy, restful space to land.
Guest Room Refresh Checklist
Before your guests arrive, take the time to declutter and simplify.
Clear surfaces and closets. Remove excess décor, out-of-season clothing, or storage overflow.
Create space for luggage. Leave open floor space or a luggage rack for convenience.
Restock guest toiletries. Add travel-sized essentials to a cute basket.
Refresh linens and towels.
2 towel sets (bath, hand, washcloth) per household member
1 towel set per guest
2 sheet sets per bed (rotate between guest stays)
Donate old linens. Retire anything stained, bleached, or torn.
If you are local to Lubbock, here is our favorite non-profits to donate to!
Add cozy touches. Layer throw blankets, pillows, and maybe a fall-scented candle.
Leave a Wi-Fi card. A cute notecard with your password goes a long way toward making guests feel at home.
🛍️ Shop Our Favorites:
Linen Storage Bags – These breathable linen organizers make storing extra sheets easy.
Guest Basket Starter Set – Travel-size toiletry bundle to keep in stock.
Tackle Organizing Holiday Decor After Fall
There’s something magical about swapping pumpkins for bows and ornaments — but before diving into Christmas mode, take time to declutter and systemize your décor.
Interior Storage Tips
Start with any indoor closets or cabinets that store décor.
Pull out anything you didn’t use this year — donate or discard it.
Use matching bins with locking lids to protect from dust and bugs.
Store fabric décor (like linens and pillows) in indoor closets to prevent temperature damage.
Exterior Storage Tips
Wipe or vacuum dusty, glitter-filled boxes before storing (if you know, you know).
Test and label all lights, inflatables, and wreaths before putting them away.
Replace broken bins with cohesive, color-coded ones for easy identification.
Add large printed labels for each season or holiday.
Take photos of each bin’s contents and store them in a digital album for easy reference next year.
✨ Pro Tip: Number your bins and name your folders the same way. You’ll thank yourself next October!
🛍️ Shop Our Favorites:
Holiday Storage Bins – Stackable latch-lid bins that keep décor protected.
Final Recap: Embrace Simplicity Before the Holidays
Before the holidays take over, give yourself the gift of calm. Each space you reset brings you closer to a stress-free, joy-filled season.
Start with one drawer, one shelf, one room — it’s about progress, not perfection. Then go enjoy the things that make this season magical: pumpkin patches, hot cocoa, hayrides, and cozy evenings without clutter stealing your peace.
Ready to Skip the Stress? Let Us Handle Your Fall Reset
If the thought of decluttering before the holidays feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Minimize then Organize specializes in creating calm, beautiful spaces that actually work for your lifestyle.
Whether you need help streamlining your kitchen, preparing your home for guests, or packing away seasonal décor, we’ll take care of it for you—so you can focus on what really matters this season.
✨ Book a Fall Reset Consultation today and let us bring the peace, order, and simplicity your home deserves.
🌟 Looking for more seasonal inspiration?