Start 2026 With a Fresh Start: Cleaning & Decluttering Your Home After the Chaos of the Holidays
The holidays are full of joy, gatherings, gifts, and memories, but they also tend to leave behind clutter, chaos, and a home that feels anything but calm and collected. If your space feels heavier and messier than it did a few weeks ago, that’s completely normal, but this is your sign that it’s time for a new year reset. (You can grab my free Post Holiday Home Reset Checklist here, which includes the 10 simple steps discussed in detail in this blog post, in a simple printable checklist format)
Starting off the new year with a clean, organized home isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating breathing room and space for all that’s to come. This post-holiday cleaning and decluttering guide will help you clear the mess, refresh your space, and step into the new year feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control.
1) Take Down Holiday Decor With Intention
Before you start cleaning, remove the visual clutter.
Holiday Decor Packing Solutions
To-Do:
Pack away holiday decor, wrapping supplies, and seasonal textiles (here are my favorite holiday packing solutions)
Sort decorations into keep / donate / discard (this is KEY - you’ll thank yourself later)
Toss broken lights, messy greenery, and decor you didn’t use this year
Label bins clearly so next year’s setup is easier - and these days there are amazing tools, like this, to help you!
Tip: If you didn’t put it out this year, you probably don’t need to store it for another year and can probably donate or discard it.
2) Reset the Main Living Areas First
My Favorite All-in-One Cleaner at the Moment
Start where the chaos lived the most: most likely your living room, dining room, and entryway.
To-Do:
Put everything back where it belongs (or give it a home)
Remove excess decor, trays, and surfaces that collected clutter
Wipe down coffee tables, shelves, baseboards, and light switches (this is my favorite all in one cleaner at the moment)
Vacuum rugs and sofas (especially under cushions)
Mindset: Clear surfaces = a clear head.
3) Declutter Gift Overflow & Holiday Extras
New gifts often mean old items need to go.
To-Do:
Go through toys, games, beauty items, and kitchen gadgets
Donate duplicates, unused gifts, or items still in packaging
Recycle excess boxes, gift bags, and packaging
Create a donation box and get it out of the house immediately
Good Rule of thumb: One new item in should mean one old item out.
4) Deep Clean the Kitchen After Holiday Cooking
The kitchen works overtime during the holidays—it deserves a reset.
To-Do:
Empty and wipe down the fridge (toss expired leftovers and items you will not use again)
Clean the microwave, oven, and stovetop (see reel to the right for inspiration - and here are all the products I used)
Declutter drawers and cabinets—especially the “junk drawer” (I tend to toss a lot of extra things in there during the holiday season just to get it out of my way quickly)
Wipe cabinet fronts, handles, and appliances
Quick win: An organized kitchen instantly makes your whole home feel cleaner.
5) Refresh Bathrooms From Top to Bottom
Bathrooms are small but powerful when it comes to feeling “reset.”
To-Do:
Toss empty or expired products
Wipe counters, mirrors, and faucets (perfect cleaner for this)
Clean tubs, showers, grout, and drains and start to streamline your cleaning process with daily or weekly shower/tub cleaning products that save you a significant amount of time
Wash bath mats, shower curtains, and towels
Restock only what you actually use
Tip: Fewer products = faster cleaning all year long.
6) Declutter Closets & Bedrooms for the New Year
This step is key for mental clarity going into 2026.
To-Do:
Pack away/donate (if it will not fit next year - i.e. kids) holiday outfits and special occasion wear
Donate clothes you didn’t wear in 2025
Organize shoes, bags, and accessories
Wash bedding and rotate mattresses if needed
Clear nightstands and dressers of clutter
Ask yourself: Would I buy this again today? If not, chances are you should donate it or discard it
7) Do a Whole-House “Hidden Spots” Clean
These are the areas that get ignored during busy seasons.
Cleaning out your trash bins doesn’t have to be hard!
To-Do:
Dust ceiling fans, vents, and light fixtures (this reaches super far/high to clean hard to reach places)
Wipe baseboards and door frames
Clean under beds and furniture
Sanitize remotes, phones, keyboards, and switches (this disinfectant is what hospitals use)
Clean out trash cans (the BEST of the BEST - no scrubbing, gets RID of odors)
When cleaning, don’t just clean around, clean under (i.e. appliances, toasters, toiletries, etc.)
This step makes your home feel professionally cleaned.
8) Organize Storage Spaces (Just the Essentials)
You don’t need to tackle everything, only focus on what matters most.
To-Do:
Straighten pantry shelves, donate what you don’t want or can’t use and toss expired food
Reorganize under-sink cabinets (these bins are perfect)
Consolidate cleaning supplies
Create zones (paper goods, backstock, seasonal items)
Reminder: Organization should support your life, not complicate it.
9) Create Simple Daily Reset Habits for 2026
The secret to a tidy home isn’t CONSTANTLY deep cleaning, it’s consistency.
To-Do:
10-minute nightly reset (dishes, counters, clutter)
One load of laundry per day
Weekly or monthly donation bag
Monthly declutter of one small area
Small habits now prevent that overwhelmed feeling later.
Tip: Set a recurring reminder in your phone for these new simple resets until they become habits that are second nature
10) Set the Tone for a Fresh Start
Once your home is clean and decluttered, make it feel inviting again.
To-Do:
Open windows and let in fresh air
Light a candle or use a subtle home fragrance (my FAVORITE candle and scent)
Add a plant or fresh flowers
Style one area that makes you happy (coffee bar, entryway, nightstand)
Your home should support the life you want in 2026.
A Fresh Home for a Fresh Year
Cleaning and decluttering after the holidays isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about creating space for what matters most. When your home feels calm and intentional, it’s easier to focus on goals, routines, and joy in the year ahead.
Here’s to starting 2026 with less clutter, less stress, and a whole lot more peace.
Need A Checklist to Help You Get Started?
Don’t worry, I have you covered! Grab my free Post Holiday Home Reset Checklist here, which includes 10 simple steps to get your home ready for the New Year.
