Summer is one of the busiest times of year, and all that activity can leave our homes feeling more cluttered than usual. From holiday souvenirs and overflowing wardrobes to half-used toiletries, now is the perfect time to clear the excess and head into the new season with a home that feels organised and ready for autumn.
Below, we share five things worth decluttering before autumn arrives, along with expert advice on how to tackle each one.
1. Unwanted summer holiday souvenirs
Fridge magnets, ornaments, and other holiday mementoes can be lovely reminders of a memorable trip, but that doesn't mean every souvenir needs to earn a permanent place in your home.
‘If you’ve brought any gifts back for family or friends, make sure these get to the recipients as soon as possible to avoid cluttering up your own drawers and storage space,’ says Melissa Denham, design expert at Hammonds Furniture. ‘Even with souvenirs for your own home, ask yourself “does this fit into my living space?” or “does this remind me of my time on holiday?”’
If the answer to both is no, it’s most likely just clutter. Either sell them on, or gift them to other family and friends – don’t feel guilty for having second thoughts on items if they don’t fit seamlessly into your home.
2. Paperwork and digital files
Before autumn gets into full swing, take some time to go through the paperwork and digital files that have accumulated over the summer.
‘Although your phone will have captured memories to last a lifetime, you’ll likely forget a large majority of these images and videos exist,’ explains Melissa. ‘Make sure to go through your camera roll and decide which can be deleted to free up some space on your device.’
Delete blurry images, duplicates, and videos you know you'll never look back at, keeping only the memories that really matter. From here, you can then consider framing these images to display around your home.
It's also worth sorting through any physical paperwork from your travels. Travel documents, receipts, and tickets can easily end up shoved into drawers, so file away anything you need to keep and recycle or discard anything that's no longer useful.
3. Clothes you no longer wear
The transition from summer to autumn is one of the best times to declutter your wardrobe. As you bring out knitwear, coats, and other cooler-weather pieces, you'll have the perfect opportunity to assess what you actually wear.
‘Start with a completely empty wardrobe or set of drawers – give the space a thorough clean before putting anything back, removing dust and debris and wiping down the inside and outside,’ Melissa explains. ‘Once all your clothing is out of your wardrobe, look through your items and decide if it’s time to say goodbye to that pair of jeans you haven’t worn in years.’
Divide everything into three categories: donate, fix, and keep. If you haven't worn something in a year, consider donating or selling it. If you still want to wear it but it's damaged, put it in the fix pile. Anything you wear year after year can go back into your wardrobe.
4. Bathroom toiletries
Bathrooms can quickly become cluttered with half-used products, old skincare and toiletries that seemed like summer saviours but were never fully used. This is especially true of travel-sized items and products put out for guests or left behind after their stay.
‘After summer plans, when visitors tend to come and go, restoring order makes a world of difference,’ says Soma Pillay, bathroom specialist at Bathroom City. ‘Even taking a few minutes to fold spare linens or reorganise a busy cupboard neatly can help the space feel more intentional and ready for autumn.’
Go through cupboards and bathroom shelves, getting rid of products you no longer use and checking expiry dates where applicable. Then group similar items together, neatly fold spare towels, and keep everyday essentials within easy reach for a more organised space.
5. Out-of-date medicine
With colder weather soon approaching, now is a good time to check that your medicine cabinet is stocked with products that are safe and effective to use.
‘It's very important to remove all expired cold and flu products, as well as any product that has been damaged due to exposure to heat or other environmental factors,’ explains Ana Li, organising expert and director at Linq Kitchen. ‘It's also crucial to dispose of expired fever reducers and any type of antiseptic wipe that may be dry or have lost effectiveness.’
Dispose of expired medicines safely and take stock of what you have left – this will help you identify anything that needs replacing.
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The Clutter-Free Edit
