The period immediately following the holidays can often leave homes feeling cluttered and chaotic. Interior designers recommend a strategic decluttering approach to restore calm and order. Here’s what they advise putting away first to refresh your living spaces.
Holiday Greenery: Clearing Visual Weight
While some winter greenery can remain as seasonal decor, heavily decorated wreaths, garlands, and mantel arrangements quickly lose their appeal once the holidays pass.
According to interior designer Lauren Saab, “Leaving greenery up past its moment can make a home feel stuck in the previous season.” Removing these items instantly lightens the visual load, allowing the room’s underlying structure and everyday decor to stand out.
Temporary Seating: Restoring Spatial Flow
During holiday gatherings, extra seating like poufs, stools, or dining chairs are often brought in from other rooms. Once guests depart, these additions can disrupt a room’s natural flow and proportions.
Saab suggests returning these items to their original locations to re-establish balance. A cluttered space feels smaller than it is; decluttering creates the illusion of more space.
Festive Accents: The Power of Minimalism
Holiday-specific decor, such as decorative bowls, extra candles, and sculptural objects, tends to accumulate on surfaces like entryway tables and dining consoles.
To create a sense of order, clear these surfaces of holiday-specific items. Saab recommends focusing on a single, impactful anchor piece instead of a crowded arrangement. This minimalist approach prevents a lingering sense of excess.
Throw Blankets: Intentional Comfort
Extra throw blankets are often brought out for winter entertaining to create a cozy atmosphere. However, leaving them out can contribute to a cluttered look.
“By choosing to return to just one quality throw blanket, you can keep your space looking polished and intentional,” Saab explains. Store excess blankets in linen closets, baskets, or drawers. The key is to maintain a curated, rather than haphazard, aesthetic.
Serving Dishes and Barware: Quiet the Room
Extra serving dishes and barware that appear festive during the holidays become clutter when left out afterward. These items detract from the overall look of your home when they remain in open view.
Saab notes that storing these items instantly creates a calmer atmosphere. A decluttered space feels more intentional and less chaotic.
A post-holiday declutter isn’t about erasing memories, but about restoring balance and allowing your everyday living spaces to breathe. By strategically removing temporary holiday items, you can create a fresh, organized home that feels both welcoming and serene.
