Declutter & Refresh: Mid-Year Home Organization Tips

It’s the perfect time for a reset! These mid-year home organization tips will help you declutter, refresh, and bring new energy into your space. Whether you’re prepping for back-to-school season or just ready to clear out the summer chaos, a little organizing now can make your home feel calmer, cleaner, and easier to manage. With quick wins and smart storage solutions, you can take control—one room (or drawer) at a time.

1. Know Your Clutter Style 🧠

Understanding your “clutter personality” can make the organization process feel less overwhelming—and way more effective. Everyone has different habits and reasons for holding onto stuff. Identifying your style helps you choose the right tools and strategies that work for you.

Here are 5 common clutter types:

🧳 The Sentimental Saver

You keep things because they remind you of people, places, or memories—even if they no longer serve a purpose.
Traits: Emotional attachment, difficulty letting go, boxes of keepsakes or “just in case” items.
Tips:

• Take photos of items before letting them go.
• Keep one memory bin per family member.
• Use labeled keepsake boxes or file folders for sentimental papers.

📦 The Overwhelmed Accumulator

You’ve gathered a lot over time, and now it’s hard to know where to start. You want to clean up, but the project feels too big.
Traits: Multiple junk drawers, overstuffed closets, clutter in every room.
Tips:

• Start with one small space (like a drawer).
• Set a timer for 10–15 minutes each day.
• Use a “keep / donate / toss” system with color-coded bins or bags.

🙈 The Out-of-Sight, Out-of-Mind Organizer

If it’s not visible, you forget you own it—so you tend to keep things in piles or visible clutter zones.
Traits: Countertop stacks, visible clutter “stations,” overflowing baskets.
Tips:

• Use clear storage bins or labeled containers.
• Try open shelving where you can see items easily.
• Avoid solid-colored bins that hide what’s inside.

📚 The Information Hoarder

You save instructions, papers, magazines, or digital clutter “just in case” you need them later.
Traits: Stacks of unopened mail, old receipts, paper piles, overflowing email inboxes.
Tips:

• Digitize what you can (apps like Evernote or Google Drive help).
• Sort mail daily with an inbox/outbox system.
• Shred or recycle outdated papers weekly.

🛍️ The Aspiring Minimalist (with Good Intentions)

You love the idea of being organized and clutter-free but struggle to maintain it long-term.
Traits: You’ve bought baskets and bins, maybe even labeled them—but the clutter creeps back in.
Tips:

• Create a maintenance plan (weekly resets, monthly purges).
• Be honest about what you use regularly.
• Avoid “organizing shopping” before decluttering.

Which one sounds most like you? Once you know your type, it’s easier to build systems and habits that actually stick. If you’re not sure, start small and see what feels hardest—your clutter personality might reveal itself as you go!

2. Declutter Before You Buy

Many organizers warn against buying containers before decluttering. If you buy first, you might end up with bins that don’t fit what’s left—wasting time and space.

Tip: Declare a “Donate Later” box. Keep it in a closet and add items as you discover them. Empty it monthly to donate gently used items.

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3. Quick 10-Minute Sessions ⏱️

Short on time? No problem. Ten minutes is all you need to make a noticeable difference. The key is picking spots that are small in size but big in impact. Focus on areas that get used daily or that tend to collect clutter fast. You’ll feel accomplished quickly—and that motivation will help you keep going.

💥 High-Impact 10-Minute Zones:

1. Kitchen Junk Drawer
Toss expired coupons, broken pens, or random batteries. Use a drawer divider to keep essentials like scissors, tape, and chargers organized.

2. Entryway Drop Zone
Clear out shoes, mail, or bags that collect near the front door. Add labeled baskets or trays to keep it under control.

3. Bathroom Counter or Cabinet
Sort expired products and toss empty containers. Use stackable trays or bins to organize skincare and daily items.

4. Bedroom Nightstand
Get rid of old receipts, wrappers, or items you never use. A small basket or drawer insert can keep books, chargers, and eye masks tidy.

5. Refrigerator Door Shelves
Check for expired sauces and dressings. A quick wipe-down and rearranging by category (condiments, beverages, snacks) makes a huge difference.

6. Purse, Work Bag, or Diaper Bag
Clear out old receipts, snack wrappers, and unused items. Restock only what you really need.

7. Car Console or Glovebox
Remove trash, stash essentials like hand sanitizer and tissues, and use a mini organizer to keep it all in place.

8. One Shelf in a Closet or Pantry
Choose a single shelf, toss what’s expired or not used, and group like items together. Clear bins can make it easy to maintain.

These micro-decluttering wins are especially helpful for building momentum. Once you feel how satisfying a 10-minute reset is, you’ll want to tackle more!

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4. Room-by-Room Deep Dive 🏡

When it’s time to tackle a full room, use these five core tasks as your foundation—and layer in smart, room-specific strategies to make the space work better for your everyday life.

✅ Top 5 Must-Do Tasks for Every Deep Dive

1. Remove Everything – Take items out of drawers, cabinets, bins, or shelves so you can see what you’re working with. Wipe down all surfaces.
2. Declutter Ruthlessly – Toss or donate anything that’s expired, broken, unused, or doesn’t belong in that space.
3. Sort by Category – Group like items together so you know how much of each thing you have.
4. Contain & Label – Use baskets, bins, or trays to assign items a proper “home.” Label where it helps.
5. Reset with Purpose – Only put back what’s useful or brings joy. Keep high-use items front and center.

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🏠 Room-by-Room Quick Tips:

Kitchen

• Toss expired pantry goods and mystery fridge sauces.
• Use stackable bins, turntables (lazy Susans), or pull-out trays for pantry and under-sink storage.
• A tiered drawer organizer is perfect for utensils and saves space.

Closet

• Replace bulky hangers with slim velvet ones to instantly free up space.
• Store off-season clothes in labeled bins or vacuum-sealed bags.
• Use a shoe rack, hanging organizer, or over-the-door system for smaller accessories.

Bathroom

• Check expiration dates on medications and toiletries.
• Use clear acrylic bins or stackable drawers under the sink to prevent clutter creep.
• Group items by category (hair, skincare, dental) so you can find what you need fast.

Entryway

• Keep shoes in baskets or a tiered rack to avoid tripping hazards.
• Set up a tray or wall hook system for keys, sunglasses, and mail.
• Add a labeled bin for each family member to drop essentials.

Kids’ Areas or Toy Rooms

• Purge broken or outgrown items.
• Use cube storage with bins that are easy to grab and put away.
• Rotate toys—store some away and swap them out monthly to reduce overwhelm.

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5. Smart Storage Solutions

Here are some top-rated, ready-to-buy items to help your readers tackle clutter efficiently:

• Joseph Joseph Modular Drawer Organizer — Customizable trays that clip together, non-slip feet, and over 1,000 rave reviews for versatility across drawers.
• Vtopmart Clear Plastic Drawer Organizer (25‑pc set) — Cheap and clear, making everything easy to find.
• OXO Good Grips Expandable Drawer Divider — Highly rated for adaptability and staying put.
• SpaceAid 12‑pack Drawer Dividers – Includes 12 flexible dividers to sort underwear, socks, or small items. Readers love how easy it is to configure and store.
• ClearSpace Plastic Pantry Bins – Clear and sturdy containers that transform pantry shelves; ideal for snacks or pantry staples.
• Stackable Storage Baskets – Stackable, ventilated baskets perfect for closets and wardrobes to keep clothing neat and accessible.
• SlidingSusan Pull‑Out Drawer Organizer – Pull-out drawer system that turns hard-to-reach cabinet space into easy-access storage.

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6. Keep It That Way: Your Maintenance Routine 🔄

Getting organized is one thing—staying organized is where the real magic happens. A few easy habits can keep your home feeling refreshed and clutter-free all year long.

🗓️ Weekly Tasks:

• 10-Minute Reset: Pick one space (a drawer, basket, or shelf) and do a mini declutter. Set a timer so it doesn’t become overwhelming.
• Tidy-As-You-Go: When putting things away, take an extra 30 seconds to straighten or group similar items.
• Sunday Basket Check: Have one spot where random papers, mail, or items land. Sort it every Sunday.

📅 Monthly Reminders:

• Mini Purge: Choose one area each month—like under the kitchen sink or the top shelf of the closet—and do a fast refresh.
• Donation Drop-Off: Keep a “donate” bin in a closet and empty it once a month. This helps decluttering become part of your normal routine.
• Label + Refresh: Take 5 minutes to relabel any bins or adjust systems that aren’t working well.

🧺 Seasonal Suggestions:

• Reevaluate your storage needs as the seasons change. Store away out-of-season items and bring forward what’s needed now.
• Rotate kids’ toys, pantry staples, or closet items to keep things fresh and functional.

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7. Final Steps 🏁

You don’t need a massive overhaul to feel better in your space—you just need a few wins and a system that works for your lifestyle. Whether you’re an Overwhelmed Accumulator or an Aspiring Minimalist, the key is to start somewhere, build momentum, and make organizing part of your everyday rhythm.

✅ Ready to take action?

• Start with one 10-minute session from our checklist
• Pick a room and follow the 5 must-do steps
• Grab one of our recommended products to simplify the process
• Don’t forget to celebrate your progress—even the little stuff counts!

👉 Let’s keep going!

• Follow us on Instagram for more quick organizing tips
• Bookmark this post and share it with a friend
• Drop your favorite tip—or your “clutter personality”—in the comments!

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🏡 Looking Ahead

A well-organized home doesn’t just look better—it feels better. Whether you’re staying put or starting to think about a future move, using these mid-year home organization tips to declutter and refresh your space now will make everything easier down the road. At Team Longenecker, we believe your home should be a place of comfort and clarity—and we’re here to help, whether you’re ready to sell, settle in, or simply enjoy where you are.

Looking for more homeowner tips or thinking about your next move? Reach out anytime—we’d love to connect!