4 min readPictured Above: A mudroom in a Washington, Connecticut home, designed by Jennifer Hunter
Spring is the perfect season for a refresh, and what better way to bring new life into your space than giving it a good clean? After months of winter hibernation, dust, clutter, and forgotten odds and ends can start to pile up around the house. While the idea of organizing your entire home might sound motivating at first, it can quickly become overwhelming once you start looking at everything that needs attention.
Instead of trying to tackle every closet, drawer, and cabinet at once, experts recommend starting with a few strategic areas. Focusing on high-traffic, high-visibility spaces can instantly make your home feel lighter, calmer, and more put-together—without requiring a full weekend of decluttering. Small wins can also build momentum, making it easier to continue organizing other parts of your home later on.
Professional organizers say that targeting the spots you use most often—like entryways, kitchen counters, and everyday storage zones—can have an outsized impact on how tidy your home feels overall. When these areas are streamlined and functional, daily routines tend to run more smoothly, and clutter is less likely to accumulate.
If you’re ready to kick off your seasonal reset, start with these five organizing tasks first. According to professional organizers, they’ll make the biggest difference in your home right away.
Organize the “Drop Zone”
Your entryway drop zone takes a beating over the winter, says Ashley Murphy, NEAT Method cofounder, CEO, and author of The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book. It’s important to get this area back under control.
“A functional drop zone keeps clutter from creeping into the rest of your home and makes everyday routines feel less hectic,” Murphy says. She suggests giving each family member a limit for what they can keep in the area moving forward, and making seasonal swaps like beanies for ball caps and scarves for sunscreen.
Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, recommends donating winter gear you didn’t use this year (and won’t use next year), then giving everything in the entryway a wipe-down from all the dirt, salt, and snow that was brought in.
Clean Out the Pantry
“A refreshed pantry makes meal prep smoother and grocery shopping more intentional,” Murphy says. To start, she recommends pulling everything out, tossing what’s expired, and wiping down all the shelves. Then take stock of what you actually use.
Lenora O'Keith, professional organizer, certified KonMari Consultant, and founder of Aronel Home, suggests creating zones for different item categories. This way, the pantry (or fridge) will stay organized moving forward as well. You can try one of these clever pantry organization solutions to keep things grouped.
Declutter the Kitchen
This is a highly visible area of your home where you likely spend a lot of time if you cook often. Keeping it clear of clutter has an immediate impact on your ability to relax in your home since you likely look at it every day. But don’t get overwhelmed thinking you have to deep clean the whole room at once!
“When tackling the kitchen, focus on one area at a time. Most people can finish a single area in under 30 minutes rather than committing to the entire kitchen, which can take a lot longer,” O’Keith says.
Comb through all of your items and only keep the things you love or use often, she says. Once you’ve decided what to keep, think strategically about placement and pathways through the room. “For example, most people store plates near the dishwasher, sink, or stove rather than in a random cabinet farther away. When you finish one cabinet, move on to the next,” O’Keith recommends. “By keeping each task simple, you can go at your own pace and help prevent feeling overwhelmed.”
Edit Your Wardrobe
Shifting from winter to spring often means you and your household are more on the go. Streamline your closet to make getting dressed easier and set the tone for the rest of your day, Murphy says. The transition between seasons is an opportune moment to assess what makes the most sense in your wardrobe now.
“Use that momentum to pull everything out and assess what you actually wear. Donate what no longer fits, feels outdated, or hasn't been worn in over a year. Then, rotate your seasonal pieces so what's relevant is front and center,” Murphy suggests. For example, you can store your sandals on easily accessible shelves and tuck boots onto those that are more tucked away, since you won’t be reaching for them as often.
Get Your Patio Warm-Weather Ready
You’re about to start spending a lot more time outside, and you’ll want a clean, comfortable area to enjoy the sunshine. Whether you have a backyard, patio, deck, or balcony, start by clearing away any winter debris. Then get rid of old, broken toys, planters, or furniture that didn’t make it through the last year, Hord suggests.
Wipe down your outdoor seating or dining area so it’s usable again, and consider what new outdoor furniture or decor items you need to make the most of your time in the warmer weather.
