Finally Master Home Storage with These 5 Organizing Resolutions for 2026

As another year rolls around, many of us include getting organized on our lofty list of resolutions. It’s wise, considering an orderly home can help us be more productive, reduce stress levels, and give us more mental bandwidth for the things that truly matter. As with most resolutions, actually completing these goals is a different story. To help you stick to your organizing goals, we’ve compiled a list of five things you can realistically achieve in 2026.

Unlike random decluttering projects here and there, these commitments will help you build long-term habits. Whether you're learning to use your space more wisely, upgrading your organization systems, or adopting more sustainable solutions, these resolutions will set you up for success in 2026. 

1. Create a Seasonal Rotation System

Items you don’t need year-round, such as holiday decor, off-season clothes, or sports gear, can be one reason your home feels cramped. If you haven’t already, consider creating a system that lets you swap the seasonal stuff to a more logical storage spot, like the garage or under the stairs, when not in use. Early January is an especially good time to tackle this project as you’re likely putting away decorations anyway. Here is a checklist for getting a seasonal rotation system up and running:

• Choose a designated seasonal storage location. Ideally, it should be climate-controlled and have enough space to hold everything you want to store off-season.
• Gather storage supplies. For example, you can use vacuum-seal bags for clothing and lidded bins for decor.
• Store seasonal items away. Go through the house and collect the things that don’t need to be accessible year-round. Sort them into storage bins or bags and add clear labels.
• Set reminders to swap. Some things, such as Christmas decor, can stay in storage most of the year. But be prepared to swap other things, like clothing, roughly twice per year. Create calendar events to remind yourself to put away sweaters and pull out bathing suits sometime in the spring.

Storing seasonal items away minimizes your everyday clutter and ensures your long-term gear stays safe and accessible when you’re ready for it.

2. Assess Your Current Storage Systems

With your off-season things out of the way, now is the perfect time to determine if the home organization systems you have in place are working as well as they can be for your current lifestyle. For instance, if you acknowledge that your kitchen cabinets or your closet don’t flow with your routine, that’s a sign to tweak them. If piles of paperwork and packages tend to constantly collect in one spot, whether it be on the island or in your entryway, it’s an eyesore. Come up with a different solution, such as a simple filing box or basket to collect them until you’re able to address them.

It’s also a good idea to note underutilized storage spots throughout the house, such as vertical space, under beds, or the top shelves in your closets. While not every square inch of your home needs to be filled, if you are short on space, it’s important to know what you have available to you that you may have overlooked in the past. Tip: If you’re lacking in climate-controlled storage for your seasonal things, these awkward or unused areas can come in handy.

3. Consider a Modular Storage System

Rather than buying one-off bins or baskets whenever your clutter gets a little out of control, consider installing a modular system—whether it be in the closet, pantry, or garage—that adjusts as needed. Adjustable drawers or shelving allow you to reconfigure as your storage needs evolve and swap in (or add on) new compartments without overhauling the whole thing. Aside from the spaces already mentioned, modular systems can also be particularly helpful in multipurpose areas like “everything closets,” which are likely to undergo a good deal of reorganization throughout the year.

4. Select Sustainable Storage Solutions

In 2026, aim to align your storage goals with environmental mindfulness by adopting more eco-friendly organizing habits. A few simple ways to do this include:

• Using bins made from recycled or organic materials, such as seagrass, jute, bamboo, wood, and wicker.
• Repurpose items for storage whenever possible. For example, clean and reuse food jars, pick up crates or decorate trays at the thrift store, and use jewelry boxes as drawer organizers instead of buying new ones.
• When decluttering, donate or recycle whenever possible. If something is still in good working condition, give it to someone in need, whether through your local charity or a buy-nothing neighborhood app. If it’s not, find out if your town allows you to recycle (or even compost!) it instead.

This resolution helps reduce waste and encourages you to be intentional about what you bring into your home—a win-win.

5. Plan for Storage Maintenance Sessions

Getting organized is not a one-and-done task; it’s an ongoing practice. True, it becomes more natural the more you practice doing it. But that’s the key—you have to commit to keeping it up. Resolve to schedule regular storage maintenance sessions throughout 2026 (and no, your seasonal swap doesn’t count).

How often you schedule these sessions is up to you, your schedule, and how much stuff you own. It may mean reassessing your systems monthly, quarterly, or biannually. No matter what, make sure you stick to a plan so you stay on top of the clutter all year long. During each session, focus on the following:

• Straighten up containers, drawers, cabinets, and closets.
• Evaluate whether certain zones still function efficiently. If not, come up with a new system.
• Get rid of duplicates, expired items, or things you’ve stopped using.
• Relabel bins, baskets, and shelves as necessary.

Much like a nightly reset, these maintenance sessions prevent clutter from creeping up over time and keep your home looking tidy and running smoothly.