New Year Decluttering Tips for a Fresh Start (With Help from Self Storage)

Rose Verdi
January 5th, 2026

Cardboard boxes labeled keep, donate, and trash used in a home decluttering system before moving items into storage.

A new year always feels full of possibility—new habits, new goals, and hopefully a home that feels calm instead of chaotic. But it’s hard to feel “refreshed” when you’re stepping over boxes in the hallway, digging through overstuffed closets, and wondering where on earth you’re going to put the holiday décor you just took down.

If you’re looking around your home and thinking, We’ve simply got too much stuff, you’re not alone. Life is busy, families grow, hobbies change, and before you know it, every corner has become storage space. The good news: decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to get rid of everything you love. With a clear plan—and smart use of self storage—you can reclaim your space and start 2026 feeling lighter and more organized.

Below are practical New Year decluttering tips you can actually stick to, plus ideas for when a self storage unit can help you maintain that fresh start all year long.

1. Start With a Simple, Realistic Plan

One of the biggest reasons decluttering efforts fizzle out is because we try to do too much at once. Instead of tackling the whole house in one weekend, set a plan that fits your schedule and energy level.

Pick a decluttering style that works for you

Choose one approach and commit to it for at least a month:

15-Minute Daily Declutter Set a timer for 15 minutes a day and focus on one small area: a single drawer, one shelf, or the top of a dresser. When the timer goes off, you’re done. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in short, consistent bursts.
Room-by-Room Reset Give each week a dedicated space: Week 1 is the bedroom, Week 2 is the kitchen, Week 3 is the living room, and so on. This gives you a clear focus and a sense of accomplishment as each room is “finished.”
Category Clean-Out Instead of working by room, work by item type: clothing, books, papers, kids’ toys, tools, holiday décor, etc. This is helpful if your items are spread across multiple rooms and you want to see everything in a category at once.

There’s no right or wrong method—the best plan is the one you’ll actually follow. Put it in your calendar like any other appointment, and treat it as a commitment to your future self.

2. Use the Four-Box Sorting System

Once you’re ready to dive into a space, keep your decisions as simple as possible. Grab four boxes or bins and label them:

Keep (Use Regularly)
Store (Seasonal or Seldom Used)
Donate/Sell
Trash/Recycle

Every item you touch should go into one of those four categories. No “maybe later” piles—those almost always turn back into clutter.

Keep: Items you use weekly or monthly and want quick access to at home.
Store: Items you still need but don’t use often—holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, sports equipment, family keepsakes, extra furniture, archived files, business inventory, etc.
Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that just don’t fit your home or lifestyle anymore.
Trash/Recycle: Broken, stained, expired, or unusable items.

That “Store” box is where self storage becomes part of the solution. Instead of letting your basement, garage, or closets carry the weight of items you don’t use year-round, you can move them into a secure self storage unit and reclaim valuable living space.

3. Declutter High-Impact Spaces First

If you’re not sure where to begin, start with the areas that affect your daily life the most. Seeing quick wins will motivate you to keep going.

Entryway or mudroom

This is the first space you see when you come home and the last space you see when you leave. Clearing it out sets the tone for your whole day.

Remove out-of-season coats, shoes, and sports gear.
Limit each person in the household to a small, reasonable number of coats and shoes in the entryway.
Consider using self storage for bulky seasonal items like heavy winter boots or large outdoor gear when they’re out of season.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should feel restful—not like a laundry room with a bed in it.

Clear off your nightstands and dressers so surfaces are mostly empty.
Sort through clothing and ask: Did I wear this at all last season? Will I wear it this one?
Store off-season sweaters, coats, or warm-weather clothes so your closet only holds what you can wear right now.

A decluttered bedroom can improve sleep quality and help you feel calmer as you start and end each day.

Kitchen

The kitchen tends to collect duplicates and “someday” gadgets.

Pull items out of cabinets and group similar things together.
Donate duplicate pots, pans, utensils, and small appliances you’re not using.
Keep everyday items within easy reach and store special-occasion dishes or entertaining pieces off-site if you only need them a few times a year.

4. Make Thoughtful Decisions—Not Guilt-Based Ones

We keep a lot of things out of guilt: gifts we never loved, clothes that no longer fit, items we spent money on but never use. The New Year is a perfect time to shift that mindset.Ask yourself:

Do I use this?
Do I truly love it?
Would I miss it if it were gone?
Is it worth the space it takes up in my home?

If the answer is no, it’s a strong candidate for donating, selling, or moving to storage if it still holds sentimental value.

Remember: your space has value, too. Clutter takes up mental and emotional energy, not just square footage. Letting go of items that no longer serve you is a way of making room for the life you want now.

5. Use Self Storage Strategically, Not as a “Junk Drawer”

Self storage is at its best when it’s part of a long-term organization strategy—not just a place to stash things you don’t want to deal with. Think of your storage unit as an extension of your home, carefully arranged and easy to navigate.

Great candidates for self storage

Holiday and seasonal décor – Trees, lights, yard displays, and seasonal tableware.
Outdoor and sports equipment – Bikes, kayaks, camping gear, baseball or hockey equipment, etc.
Seasonal clothing – Bulky winter coats, boots, or summer wardrobes that don’t need to live in your closet all year.
Furniture and home décor – Extra chairs, tables, rugs, or décor you like but aren’t currently using.
Business storage – Inventory, promotional materials, files, tools, and equipment for small businesses or side hustles.
Memorabilia and keepsakes – Childhood items, family heirlooms, photo albums, and special collections you want to protect but don’t need on display every day.

By moving these items into a self storage unit, you instantly free up room in your home without having to part with belongings that still matter.

6. Organize Your Storage Unit Like a Pro

A storage unit that’s jammed full of random boxes isn’t very helpful. With a little planning, you can make your unit work smoothly for you all year.

Label everything

Use large, clear labels on all sides of your boxes—“Winter Clothes,” “Camping Gear,” “Holiday Décor – Fall,” “Business Inventory – January Stock,” etc. The more specific, the better.

Create a simple layout

Keep frequently accessed items (like seasonal clothing or business supplies) near the front of the unit.
Place heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on top.
Consider using sturdy shelving to keep boxes off the floor and easy to reach.

Make an inventory list

Keep a simple list on paper or on your phone of what’s in your unit and which section it’s in. This avoids duplicate purchases and helps you remember exactly where things are when you need them.

7. Build New Habits to Stay Clutter-Free All Year

Decluttering in January is amazing—but what keeps your home feeling light and organized in March, July, and beyond?

Adopt a “one in, one out” rule

For every new item you bring into your home—whether it’s clothing, décor, or tools—choose one thing to donate, sell, or store. This keeps clutter from creeping back in.

Schedule seasonal check-ins

At the start of each season, check both your home and your storage unit:

Rotate seasonal clothing and décor.
Donate items you didn’t use at all last season.
Re-pack and re-label boxes if things have shifted.

A quick seasonal refresh is easier than waiting until things feel overwhelming again.

Make storage part of your ongoing plan

Instead of cramming your garage full of totes every time the holidays roll around or a project starts, plan to use your self storage unit as your go-to overflow space. It keeps your home feeling open and livable, even as life changes and your needs evolve.

8. Start Small—Your Future Self Will Thank You

It’s tempting to think you need a dramatic, weekend-long decluttering marathon to “fix” your space. But real, lasting change usually comes from smaller, consistent efforts:

One drawer each night.
One closet each week.
One car-load of donations or storage items each month.

Every bag you donate, every box you move to storage, and every newly cleared surface is a step toward a calmer, more comfortable home.At A-Verdi Self Storage, we’re here to make that process easier. Whether you’re storing a few seasonal boxes or creating space for a major life transition—moving, renovating, growing your family, or launching a business—we offer convenient, secure storage solutions so your home can work better for you in the new year and beyond.Ready to make 2026 your most organized year yet? Start with one drawer, one box, one decision—and know that you don’t have to do it alone.

For more decluttering tips, storage ideas, and updates from our team, be sure to follow A-Verdi Self Storage on Facebook!