6 of the Most-Overlooked Spots You Should Declutter This January

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to purge, reorganize, and refresh. As the chaos of the holiday season winds down and you get back into a routine, you’ll likely have the time (and mental space) to turn your focus to getting organized.

By tackling specific problem zones in January, you’ll set up a foundation for better habits and keep the momentum going all year long. Here are six areas that often become clutter hotspots, and the best way to declutter each so you can kick off a better year.

1. Your Bedroom Closet

January is the perfect time to tame the most personal (and usually most overwhelming) space in the house: your closet. Between the articles of clothing you never wear, shoes that are uncomfortable, and accessories that fall out of fashion, the closet is filled with unnecessary clutter. Jumpstart the new year by giving it an overhaul. Pull everything out first so you can actually see what you own. As you go through each item, ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I feel good wearing it?
• Have I worn it in the last year?
• If I were shopping right this moment, would I buy it again? 

Create piles for keep, donate, repair, and seasonal (particularly if you plan to store off-season clothes elsewhere). Take your organization up a notch (and maximize space!) by adding matching slim-line hangers, shelf dividers, and a shoe rack or boxes. When your closet is organized and only contains pieces you love and wear, your mornings instantly feel smoother.

2. The Linen Closet

If your linen closet is like most, it’s probably stuffed with mismatched bedding sets, old mattress protectors, seasonal hand towels, and toiletry overflow. It’s also likely looking even more worse for the wear after the holidays if you host guests in your home. Start your decluttering project by pulling everything out and sorting items into categories. Donate linens (animal shelters are often in need) that are stained, thread-bare, or no longer fit (such as a twin-sized fitted sheet when your youngest just upgraded to a bigger bed).

Fold the remaining items neatly and group by size or usage (bath towels, hand towels, sheets, etc.). Freeing up space and streamlining what’s inside makes it easier to access what you use regularly. Plus, now you’ll have a spot to store the new throw blanket you received as a Christmas gift.

3. The Junk Drawer

Despite the rumors, a junk drawer actually can get (and stay) organized. Sure, yours may currently be stuffed with spare keys, old batteries, pens, rubber bands, receipts, and a slew of mystery objects, but it’s not too late to salvage it. It might even feel messier post-holidays, as you likely tossed random items into it as a last-minute attempt to clean before company. Again, it’s all fixable!

As with closets, start by emptying the drawer and sorting categories. (Now is also a good time to wipe down the inside of the drawer!) Decide what goes back into it, what needs to be recycled or discarded, and what should be relocated elsewhere in your home. Use divided organizers to give each item its own place, and label if it helps.

4. The Entryway

The moment you step inside, your entryway should feel like a welcome sight, and not a stressful one. However, many households have a drop zone right inside the door where backpacks, mail, shoes, umbrellas, and sunglasses pile up. January is a good time to remove seasonal items you won’t need (such as holiday decor, or coats if they’ve been replaced), and create a clear storage system for the things that need to stay. If you don’t have one already, add a shoe rack and a simple basket or tray on a console table for items you need to deal with soon, like outgoing mail and keys (or try a purse bowl!).

Encourage all household members to use designated zones rather than dumping things elsewhere (like shoes scattered on the floor). An organized entryway calms your mind the minute you walk in and gives you peace of mind each time you leave.

5. The Pantry

After the holiday rush, your pantry likely looks messier than usual. Try to tackle it as early in January as possible so it's streamlined for work and school. Toss expired or stale products and group what you’re keeping, such as breakfast, snacks, and pastas. Now is also an ideal time to make a shopping list of the items you need to restock.

Use baskets, food storage jars, lazy Susans, or any other containers you have on hand to corral categories and add labels so they’re clear to everyone. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to make healthier food choices, make sure the pantry goods that align with that goal are front and center. Remember, a decluttered pantry makes meal planning easier to accomplish.

6. Under the Sinks

The space under sinks—both in bathrooms and the kitchen—can easily become cluttered throughout the year. This is usually because these cabinets are small, cramped, and dark, making it easy for items to get lost. But, like with any other space in your home, it’s not a lost cause. Begin by emptying each, checking for expired or unused products as you go. If something is out of place, such as grocery bags hastily tossed under the kitchen sink, return it to its proper place. Then, reorganize only what you wish to keep in each cabinet, using containers and labels if helpful. Removing items you no longer need not only makes the space look neater, it also makes locating essentials easier and faster.