Pre-Holiday Home Organizing: Quick Guide

Clear It Completely
Start by emptying the space entirely—every drawer, shelf, and bin—to give yourself a clean canvas and create mental clarity before organizing
Sort with Purpose
Group like items together, then sort each into three categories: keep, donate, or toss. Adopt intentional, thoughtful decision-making throughout
Add Smart Containers
Once sorted, choose organizing containers that match both the contents and the space layout. Focus on containment and visibility for easy access
Assign a Designated Home
Everything you keep should have a clearly assigned spot—as in baskets, drawers, or labeled bins—to support long-term maintenance
Maintain the System
Label everything, prioritize daily-use items, and stick to the layout. This helps reduce decision fatigue and keeps the space functional during busy holiday periods

It might feel early to talk about a reset for the New Year, but let me tell you—now is exactly the right time.

I know you're juggling a lot. Maybe your home feels like it’s bursting at the seams, and everywhere you look there’s another pile, another junk drawer, another task undone. Or maybe your schedule is already packed with work, appointments, and obligations, and the idea of organizing anything feels like a luxury you can’t afford. Or perhaps you’re a parent—constantly managing the rotating chaos of toys, laundry, and snacks—and you just need a system that sticks.

Whatever the case, I see you. And I want to offer something better than a quick fix: I want to help you prep your home for a reset before the holidays take over and life speeds up again.

Let’s talk about what that looks like.

Why Now?

Fall is just around the corner. Then it’s Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then the blur of December. Soon you’ll be in the thick of family gatherings, decorations, and travel plans—and organization won’t even make the to-do list. That’s why now—in late summer—is the perfect window. It’s calm enough to plan, close enough to feel the urgency, and spacious enough to set things up so you feel supported all season long.

I’m not talking about a full-blown home overhaul. I’m talking about smart, intentional changes that support how you live every day. Think of it like creating breathing room—for your home and your head.

Edit Your High-Traffic Zones

Let’s start where you live the most: the kitchen, mudroom, living room, or entryway. These spaces take the brunt of daily life. They’re also where clutter builds up quickly—mail, backpacks, snacks, charging cords, the works.

Set aside 90 minutes to do a focused edit in just one of these zones. Ask yourself:

What’s living here that doesn’t belong?
What systems would make this space easier to use?

Remove anything that’s expired, broken, or just not needed anymore. Then group what you use daily into zones—like a bin for grab-and-go snacks, a drop zone for mail, or hooks for jackets.

It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to function.

Prep Your Guest Zones Now

Guest spaces are easy to ignore—until November rolls around and family is suddenly arriving in 48 hours. Whether it’s a full guest room or an air mattress in the office, take some time now to refresh linens, declutter the space, and stock a few guest essentials (like toiletries, towels, and chargers).

You’ll thank yourself later when all you need to do is fluff the pillows instead of move six months’ worth of “stuff” into another room.

Tackle the Toy + Kids Zone with a Rotation System

If you’ve got kids at home or grandkids that come to visit, you know the clutter struggle is real. Toys, clothes, backpacks, craft supplies—it’s endless. The key here isn’t organizing everything—it’s editing and rotating.

Here’s how:

Choose 1–2 bins worth of toys or activities to keep out.
Store the rest in labeled containers in a closet or garage.
Every 3–4 weeks, rotate the toys like they’re brand new.

This does two things: it keeps the clutter manageable and makes your kids more excited about what they do have. (Yes, they will play with something they haven’t seen in a month like it’s the best thing ever.)

Bonus: Involve your kids in choosing what to keep out. It teaches ownership and helps you know what they truly love.

Create a Command Center (or Mini One)

A command center doesn’t have to be a whole wall with a calendar and chore chart—unless that works for you. It can be a small tray near your entry with incoming/outgoing mail, keys, and school papers. Or a magnetic calendar on the fridge with a checklist of who needs to be where and when.

The goal is to give your schedule a home. Because when things have a place, your brain doesn’t have to carry it all.

You can even take this digital if that works better for you. The key is consistency—choose a system that feels realistic, not idealistic. We love to use Shared Google Notes, Google Calendar, and written checklist in our household.

Toss What’s Expired Before the Holiday Rush

This one’s simple but powerful: Go through your pantry, medicine cabinet, and fridge now. Not in November when you’re trying to find the cinnamon and uncover expired soup from 2021.

Clear out what’s expired, make note of what’s running low, and group holiday-specific items (like baking supplies, candles, or seasonal décor) in one place. You’ll feel instantly lighter, and you’ll avoid buying duplicates.

Put Storage Zones to Work

Most of us have a closet, cabinet, or garage corner that’s not pulling its weight. This is a great time to reclaim one of those “dead zones” and make it useful.

Pick one:

An entry closet that could be turned into a drop zone.
A guest room closet that could house off-season décor.
A cabinet that could become a gift-wrapping station or backup pantry.

You don’t need to reinvent your entire home—just make better use of what you’ve got.

Schedule a Power Hour (Or Call In Help)

Here’s a little trick I use with my own clients: a “Power Hour.” Set a timer for 60 minutes, turn off distractions, and tackle just one zone. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you commit to focused time—even if the rest of your home is still a work in progress.

And if that still sounds like too much? That’s when you bring in support. Whether you hire a professional organizer (hi 👋) or ask a friend to help, sometimes you just need another person to move things along and create systems that actually work for your life. Especially if you’re trying to organize in a home with multiple kids, an inconsistent schedule, or too much stuff to sort on your own.

You don’t have to go it alone. And you don’t have to feel behind.

Asheville’s Best Home Organizing Team - 2024 Winner Best of AVL

Give Yourself a Finish Line

This is my favorite tip: set a finish line.

Pick a date—maybe it’s Halloween, or November 15th. That’s your reset deadline. By then, you’ve chosen just a few areas to tidy, edit, and systemize. You’ll head into the holidays feeling prepared, not buried.

And when January rolls around, you won’t be trying to recover from the mess. You’ll already have a head start.

Let’s Get Started—Together

If any part of this felt like I was reading your mind, it’s because I’ve helped dozens of people just like you. People who are overwhelmed by stuff, by time, by the day-to-day management of their home—and who want it to feel better, not perfect.

This fall, you have an opportunity to reset before the chaos hits. You don’t have to wait until the new year to feel better in your space.

Let’s prep now. You’ve got this—and if you need help, we’re here for it.

Want more support?

Green Mountain Space offers customized organizing sessions that fit your home and your lifestyle—whether you're prepping for guests, setting up kids’ systems, or doing a whole-home reset. Reach out now to schedule your pre-holiday organizing session before our calendar fills up.

How to Prep Your Space Before the Holidays Take Over