The Pre-Holiday Declutter Reset: How to Get Your Home Ready for the Season (Without the Stress)

The holiday season is right around the corner, and if your home feels a little (or a lot) chaotic right now, you’re not alone. November always brings that moment when we realize guests are coming, winter gear is multiplying, schedules are filling up, and we still want our homes to feel welcoming and calm.

If you’ve ever wished your home could feel “holiday-ready” before the rush begins, this is the perfect time for a gentle reset—not a full overhaul. Not ripping apart every closet. Just a thoughtful, strategic refresh that makes the next two months run more smoothly.

At Simply reDO, we’ve already been busy helping clients prepare for the holidays. And we can confidently say: a small-but-mighty pre-season reset goes a very long way.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Begin with the Spaces That Impact You Most

Every home has those spaces that quietly (or very loudly) affect your daily stress level.

For most of our clients, that includes:
• The kitchen and pantry
• Mudrooms and entryways
• Kids’ former bedrooms or study areas
• Paper piles
• Closets that catch everything
• Guest spaces
• Bathrooms

Recently, we worked with a client to help her prepare her home before her adult children and extended family visit for the holidays. Together, we focused on:

• A hard-working laundry room/office
• A packed mudroom closet
• Her everyday foyer closet
• Two upstairs desks still holding years of her kids’ school papers and belongings (even though they’re now fully grown and out of college)
• Her daughter’s bedroom, closet, and bathroom — an adult daughter who hasn’t lived at home for more than five years

By tackling these high-impact areas first, the entire home immediately felt more manageable—even though we didn’t touch every room. That’s the power of a focused pre-holiday reset.

2. Clear the Surfaces You Rely On Most

As the holidays approach, surfaces tend to become landing zones for everything. Resetting them now brings instant calm.

Focus on clearing:
• Kitchen counters
• Dining tables
• Mudroom benches
• Bathroom counters
• Desk tops
• Coffee tables
• Dresser tops

Whether you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner or simply trying to get out the door with coats and boots, clear surfaces make daily life smoother during this busy season.

3. Prep Your Storage Zones Before Winter Gear Piles Up

Minnesota winter means boots, hats, scarves, gloves, AND the annual mystery of why there are always single gloves with missing partners.

Spend a few minutes in:
• Coat closets
• Mudrooms
• Entry drop zones
• Linen closets
• Bathroom cabinets

A 20-minute edit—pulling out extra items, outdated products, or things your family no longer needs—creates valuable breathing room before bulky winter gear makes its appearance.

If you’re hosting, this is also a great time to open up shelf or drawer space for guests. Small touches go a long way in making visitors feel comfortable.

4. Reset Former Kids’ Spaces Before Holiday Traffic

If you have adult children who come home for the holidays (or if their belongings still live with you long after they’ve moved out), November is the perfect time for a light reset.

Simple, meaningful edits include:
• Sorting through old school supplies, papers, and keepsakes
• Reclaiming desk surfaces
• Editing closets holding clothing they haven’t worn in years
• Making space for guest use

In the client project mentioned earlier, simply clearing and resetting these long-neglected spaces made the entire upstairs feel fresh and usable again.

5. Create Guest Spaces That Feel Welcoming — Not Perfect

If guests are coming, remember: hospitality is about warmth, not perfection.

A thoughtful guest space might include:
• Fresh bedding
• A cleared drawer or closet section
• A basket for toiletries
• Hooks for towels or overnight bags
• Easy-to-access outlets
• A tidy nightstand

A few intentional touches make guests feel cared for and make hosting far less stressful.

6. If It Feels Overwhelming, Bring In Support

One theme we hear every November is:

“I want to enjoy the holidays instead of feeling behind.”

If you’re short on time, energy, or simply don’t want to tackle the prep alone, we genuinely love stepping in to help.

Our home organizing packages are designed for exactly this moment—hands-on support that helps you:

• Declutter faster
• Make smart, strategic decisions
• Clear the most important areas first
• Prepare your home for guests
• Reduce stress leading into December

Whether it’s a kitchen refresh, mudroom reset, guest-ready setup, or a whole-home pre-holiday reboot, we’ll guide every step.

7. A Pre-Holiday Reset Is a Gift to Your Future Self

Imagine walking into a home that feels calm, clutter-free, and ready to welcome family and friends.
Imagine cooking without hunting for ingredients.
Imagine not tripping over boots and bags.
Imagine actually enjoying your holiday season.

That feeling is absolutely within reach.

And it starts with a thoughtful November reset.

If you’d like help preparing your home before things get busy, we’d love to support you.

Learn more about our organizing packages:
www.simply-redo.com/services

Or schedule a complimentary consultation:
www.simply-redo.com/contact

Warmly,
Dawn & Team
Simply reDO Decluttering & Organizing