Before I get into decorating, I go through our home and declutter it, it makes decorating for Christmas a lot easier and less stressful. The holiday season is a joyful time filled with family gatherings, Christmas decorations and making memories. But as wonderful as it is, it can also be overwhelming if your home is cluttered and chaotic. Before the whirlwind of the Holidays begin, take some time to declutter your living spaces, creating room for decorations, guests and the holiday spirit. Here’s how to get started on clearing the clutter and preparing your home for a smooth, stress-free holiday season.

This week we are gonna talk about two areas of the home. 

Start with the Entryway

I don’t know about you but when I walk in a store either makes me want to walk in or wants me to run. I can’t stand stores that are so cluttered when I walk in, it’s so uninviting and very overwhelming.Your entryway is the first thing guests will see when they arrive, so making it welcoming and organized is essential. If your home is anything like ours, the entryway tends to become a “drop zone” for shoes, coats, bags, mail and everything else we toss down when we walk through the door. When our entryway is cluttered, it drives me crazy! That’s why this is the first area I tackle.

Here’s how we declutter our entryway:

• Clear it out: Store off-season coats and shoes and remove any items that don’t belong.
• Limit what’s hanging: We went through all the shoes and limited the number of sweatshirts and coats that can be hung in the entryway.
• Add storage solutions: Use baskets, hooks or cubbies to keep shoes, bags and coats organized. Only do this if needed. 
• Make room for guests: Be sure to leave some space for visitors to hang their coats and place their shoes. We have a coat closet we can use. But let’s be real we live in North Carolina, it doesn’t get that cold. 

This simple decluttering will create an inviting space that welcomes you and your guests as soon as you walk through the door.

Living Room Declutter

The living room is another place where holiday memories are made, whether it’s gathering around the tree or having a cozy family movie night. Decluttering this space will create a warm, inviting atmosphere for your family and guests during the holiday season.

Here’s what I did to prepare our living room:

• Store unnecessary items: Put away non-essential decor, books or knick-knacks to make room for holiday decorations. Items I want to keep will go in the crate I have for Christmas decorations. 
• Organize toys, books, games and media: Use bins or shelves to neatly store these items, keeping them accessible but tidy.
• Create open space: Clear a space for holiday decorations, whether it’s for the tree, candles, or other festive items. This is the perfect time to rearrange the furniture and clean behind everything too. 

A decluttered living room sets the perfect scene for holiday gatherings and cozy moments with family. We use our living room more during this season than any other time of the year. 

In next week’s blog, we’ll dive into decluttering the kitchen, organizing holiday decor, and making space for guests. Stay tuned as we continue to prepare our homes for a festive and stress-free holiday season!