Top 10 Areas to Keep Your Home Clean and Organized in the New Year 🎉
- Amy
- Nov 16, 2024
- 6 min read
As the New Year approaches, it’s time to embrace a fresh start. An organized home helps create a sense of calm and control, setting the tone for the year ahead. But let’s be honest—keeping up with every corner of the house can feel like a daunting task. The key to success is making the goals obtainable. With small, manageable steps, you’ll be surprised at how much progress you can make!
This guide will walk you through 10 essential areas to clean and organize, giving you simple strategies to create a home that feels peaceful and functional. And don’t forget to download my free New Year Resolution Tracking List to stay on track with your home goals all year long! (see end of post!)
1. Entryway: Set the Right Tone at the Door 🚪
Last year, I realized that my entryway was driving me nuts. Every time I came home, I had to dodge a pile of shoes and bags, which made me feel overwhelmed as soon as I walked through the door. One day, I spent just 20 minutes reorganizing it—added a simple shoe rack, hung some hooks, and placed a small basket for mail.
It felt like magic. That small change made my daily routine easier, and now coming home feels like a relief instead of a hassle.
Tips to Try:
Use a shoe rack or basket to prevent floor piles.
Install hooks for bags and jackets.
Keep a small tray for mail or keys to avoid losing them.
Quick Win: Spend 5 minutes tidying the entryway each evening. It’ll make you feel better every time you walk through the door!
2. Kitchen: The Heart of the Home ❤️
My friend Emma loves cooking, but last year, her kitchen was a disaster. She could never find spices when she needed them, and expired food lurked in the back of her pantry. “I avoided cooking because the mess stressed me out,” she confessed.
Emma tackled it in stages—one drawer at a time. She threw out expired spices, donated unopened canned goods, and added bins for easy-to-reach snacks. Now, she cooks more at home and says, “It’s so much easier to enjoy my kitchen when everything has a place.”
Tips to Try:
Declutter your pantry and fridge—start with one shelf.
Use clear containers for easy access to snacks and spices.
Develop a habit of cleaning as you cook to avoid overwhelming messes.
Quick Win: Dedicate just 10-15 minutes each day to one drawer or cabinet—you’ll feel a big difference by the end of the week.
3. Closet: Streamline Your Wardrobe 👗
Last spring, I stood in front of my closet, staring at clothes I hadn’t worn in years. I kept thinking, “What if I need these someday?” But that someday never came. I finally decided to let go. I sorted everything into three piles: keep, donate, and toss.
After donating two big bags of clothes, my mornings became so much easier. Now I only keep things I actually wear, and getting dressed feels simple and stress-free.
Tips to Try:
Donate clothes you haven’t worn in a year—it feels great to lighten the load.
Use matching hangers for a clean, streamlined look.
Store out-of-season clothing in bins or vacuum bags.
Quick Win: Start with one clothing category—shirts, pants, or shoes—and tackle the rest later.
4. Bedroom: Create a Restful Sanctuary 🛌
A few months ago, my bedroom had become a dumping ground for laundry and random clutter. It was hard to relax with stuff everywhere. One Sunday, I decided enough was enough. I cleared off my nightstand, folded the laundry, and tidied up my dresser.
The result? My room instantly felt more peaceful. Now, I make the bed every morning—it takes two minutes, but it sets the tone for the day.
Tips to Try:
Keep only essentials (lamp, book, alarm clock) on your nightstand.
Store extra items in baskets or under the bed.
Make your bed every morning—small effort, big reward!
Quick Win: Clear off one surface (like your dresser) today—you’ll notice an instant sense of calm.
5. Living Room: Declutter High-Traffic Zones 🛋️
My cousin Jen used to feel embarrassed when guests dropped by unexpectedly. Her living room always looked cluttered, with magazines, remote controls, and kids’ toys scattered everywhere.
She decided to add a couple of decorative baskets for quick clean-ups. Now, when visitors come over, she can gather everything in seconds. “The baskets saved my sanity,” she laughs. “And they look nice too!”
Tips to Try:
Use baskets to store throw blankets, remotes, or toys.
Keep surfaces like coffee tables clear of unnecessary items.
Set a 10-minute timer in the evening for a quick tidy-up.
Quick Win: Declutter one shelf or table today—you’ll love the new look.
6. Bathroom: Keep It Simple and Clean 🚿
I used to have so many half-used bottles and expired beauty products in my bathroom, I couldn’t find anything when I needed it. Last New Year, I decided to toss everything I didn’t love or use regularly.
Now, I keep things simple with only the essentials—and it feels so good not to waste time digging through clutter every morning.
Tips to Try:
Toss expired products regularly.
Use drawer dividers for makeup and toiletries.
Keep counters clear—store items in trays or baskets.
Quick Win: Sort through your products today—get rid of anything expired or half-empty.
7. Home Office: Organize for Productivity 💻
When I first started working from home, my desk was a disaster. Papers were everywhere, and tangled cables made it impossible to concentrate. I set aside an hour to sort through my paperwork and bought a few cable organizers.
It changed everything. Now, I feel more focused and less stressed, knowing everything is in its place.
Tips to Try:
Sort papers into “keep” and “toss” piles—digitize what you can.
Use cable ties or organizers to tame wires.
Maintain a “clear desk” rule at the end of each day.
Quick Win: Spend 15 minutes organizing your desk—it’ll improve your productivity instantly.
8. Garage: Create Order Out of Chaos 🚲
My friend Tom dreaded cleaning his garage, which had become a dumping ground for everything from tools to holiday decorations. One Saturday, he finally tackled it with his family. They installed shelves and labeled bins to store items neatly.
Now, Tom’s garage is functional again, and he no longer avoids going in there!
Tips to Try:
Install shelves or use pegboards for tools and equipment.
Label bins for easy identification.
Dedicate one weekend to this task—it’ll be worth it!
9. Laundry Room: Manage the Never-Ending Chore 🧺
For years, I hated doing laundry because it always felt overwhelming. But when I added separate hampers for lights, darks, and delicates, it became easier. Now, laundry day is no longer a dreaded chore.
Tips to Try:
Use multiple hampers to pre-sort clothes.
Keep supplies organized on a shelf or cart.
Set a regular laundry schedule to avoid piling up.
10. Digital Declutter: Clear Your Devices 📱
Digital clutter is just as stressful as physical clutter. One day, I spent an hour deleting old photos and unsubscribing from junk emails. It was surprisingly satisfying, and now my phone feels lighter!
Tips to Try:
Delete unused apps and files.
Organize photos into folders.
Unsubscribe from emails you no longer read.
A Fresh Start for a Great Year 🎆
Cleaning and organizing your home isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a space that works for you. With small, obtainable changes, you’ll build habits that stick all year long. Remember, the key is consistency, not pressure. It’s okay to go at your own pace!
As you embrace the New Year, stay motivated with my New Year Resolution Tracking List—designed to keep your goals realistic, achievable, and easy to track.
This planner features a SMART goal-setting framework, habit trackers, milestone progress bars, and weekly/monthly reflection pages to help you stay on top of your progress throughout the year. Whether you prefer a printable version or a digital format, this tracker makes it simple to build lasting habits and celebrate small wins along the way.
🎉 Special Offer: Use coupon code TRACK2025 at checkout for a discount on premium templates and tools!
Click below to download your free copy and make this year your most organized and productive yet!
Keywords: New Year resolution tracker, free goal planner, habit tracking, SMART goals, printable resolution tracker, achieve goals 2024, goal-setting tools, milestone tracker.
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