As we move towards the new year, many of us are itching to get the house organized and prepared in time for a fresh start in 2026.

But what should we ditch and what should we keep? We’ve consulted the experts for their top decluttering advice ahead of 2026.

Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman from The Declutter Hub tell Country Living: “December is a month filled with festivities, fun and family time – which means it’s rarely the moment for hardcore decluttering. Instead, focus on quick, satisfying wins that make your home feel fresher, lighter, and more welcoming for the season ahead. Save the deeper, more transformative work for January – when you’ll have more headspace and a renewed desire to make more radical shifts in your clutter.”

So what are some of the quick and easy areas that are ideal to focus on when decluttering in the final few days of 2025?

Belle Daughtry

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is often the hub of the home at Christmas time, so it’s a good place to start decluttering now. The Declutter Hub team suggested a few key items to be ruthless with andremove from your kitchen. These items can easily be donated to your thrift shop – and many can be recycled, so check with your local council before throwing them away.

• Plastic straws: Switch to reusable and recycle the old ones.
• **Extra bins: **Streamline your waste system. Too many bins may actually become clutter magnets themselves.
• Shot glasses or novelty glassware: They may be nice reminders, but if you don’t use them, let it go.
• Raffle prizes: Unwanted “wins” don’t need to live in your cupboards. Donate or regift them.
• **Papers on the fridge: **Clear expired letters, ancient coupons and visual noise. Keep only what’s genuinely current and think carefully about how you are displaying it.
• **Chopsticks: **Really ask whether you have ever used them. If yes, enjoy. If no, just keep a pair or two.
• **Worn-out placemats: **Peeling or stained mats only add to the clutter. Let them go.
• Cleaning products: Most kitchens have too many. Choose one good multipurpose spray and finish up duplicates.

In the Linen Cupboard

Linen cupboard space is also valuable. Ellie Fife of Holistic Life Organising tells Country Living: “Keep two sets of bedding per bed and two towels per person. Anything worn, mismatched, or saved ‘just in case’ can be given to textile recycling.” Get rid of:

• Old duvet sets with signs of damage or wear: these can be donated to local dog shelters, even if they aren’t in the best of condition.
• Old towels: you could reuse these as cleaning supplies, give them to charity, or ask your local animal shelters if they would like them to use as extra animal bedding this winter.
• Unused napkins and tableware: if you haven’t used these in years, then now is the perfect time for a declutter.

When decluttering your linen cupboard, Ellie recommends: "To keep sets together, use a simple folding method: Fold each piece. Place the fitted sheet and pillowcases inside the folded duvet cover. Store as a neat bundle."

Alternatively, Ellie suggests that bedding organizers work really well, but make sure to label the outside with the size and style so you can see what you have without needing to re-open every time.

In the Closet

Decluttering your closet is a great end-of-year activity, as it can help you to prepare for any festive events – as well as to see what you do and don’t need to purchase in the new year. Ellie suggests keeping clothing that fits well and that feels good to wear. Let go of:

• Clothing in sizes you used to wear: embrace your current shape and style and look for options that make you feel like the best version of yourself. Let go of anything that does not do this.
• Clothing items that feel uncomfortable: if they feel uncomfortable, you are unlikely to wear them again. Release the space and make way for items that bring comfort.

A wardrobe should support the life you are living now. When you look at your clothes, it should be simple to get dressed: everything fits, everything works and everything is worn. Many people find that a slightly smaller wardrobe, made up of pieces they enjoy, creates more ease and confidence than a larger, cluttered space.

However you choose to declutter this season, make sure that you do it gradually and don’t overwhelm yourself. There’s no rush and everything can be taken one step at a time.

Becky is a freelance journalist based in Somerset, UK, specialising in all things home, gardens, lifestyle, and entertainment. With a love of classic rom-coms and a penchant for romanticising her own everyday life, she enjoys embracing cosy, slow living with her family and their crazy Welsh collie, Cookie. Becky has been published in publications such as Cosmopolitan, The Independent, The Evening Standard, The Telegraph, Collider, Happiful Magazine, OK! And many more.