Spring Decluttering: Create a Home You Love Through Right-Sizing!
- Cathy Borg
- Mar 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
For me, spring starts when the first crocuses emerge from my garden. I start opening windows and clearing space in my home. In my experience helping hundreds of clients transform their spaces, this seasonal instinct isn't only about cleaning but also about creating new possibilities.
Spring is the sweet spot for real, lasting decluttering.
Winter is full of resolutions (that fade fast). But when spring arrives? That's when we finally commit to clearing out the clutter and making space for what truly matters.
Why Spring is Perfect for Decluttering
I've been helping people organize their homes for over 10 years, and I've noticed something remarkable: Spring is when the real change happens.
The holidays are over, and the guests have gone home.
Longer daylight hours boost energy and motivation.
Spring brings a natural urge for a fresh start.
The pressure of New Year's resolutions has faded.
There's something magical about watching someone walk into a room that's finally clear. It's like seeing them put down a heavy suitcase they've been carrying for miles. The relief is visible on their faces.
Clutter isn't just physical stuff—it's like having too many browser tabs open in your brain. Close some tabs, and suddenly you can think again.
What Is Right-Sizing?
First off, you don't need to purge everything. The goal isn't to have an empty house—it's to create a home that fits your life now. That's why it's called right-sizing.
The Philosophy of Right-Sizing
Right-sizing isn't just about getting rid of stuff. It's about:
✔ Keeping what supports you—not what you feel guilty getting rid of.
✔ Letting go of "someday" items (Have you used it in the past three years?).
✔ Creating a home that works for you today!
Right-Sizing in Action
One of my clients, Margaret, had a dining table for eight—but she only ever used two seats. We moved the table to the side, added a cozy reading chair, and suddenly, her space fit her real life. That's right-sizing.
5-Step Right-Sizing Plan for Spring Decluttering
1. Start With the Easy Wins
Don't start with sentimental stuff—start with the easy clutter. Try these:
Expired medications and pantry items
Holiday decorations sitting in corners
Old magazines and unread newspapers
Kitchen gadgets you haven't touched in years
My client laughed when she found cold medicine from when her grandchildren were toddlers. "They're in college now!" That quick fifteen-minute task gave her the confidence to keep going.
📌 Quick Tip: Use a "maybe box" for things you're unsure about. Set a reminder—if you don't touch it in 30 days, you don't need it.
Pro Safety Tip: Use a sturdy step stool, never a chair. Better yet, collect items in a basket, then sort while seated comfortably. I learned this after a client tried reaching her top shelf using a rolling office chair. We spent that afternoon in urgent care instead of organizing.
2. Set a "Goodbye" Goal That Honors Your History
One item per day equals 30 gone by month's end. That's a whole drawer reclaimed!
Before packing away winter clothes, ask:
Seasonal Transition Questions
As you swap out winter clothes for spring wardrobes, ask:
Did I wear this winter coat this season? If not, why keep it for another year?
Were these boots comfortable and useful during the cold months?
Which winter accessories did I use?
As you prepare garden spaces and patios, remove items you don't use.
💡 Body-Friendly Reminder: Don't lift heavy bins all at once. Sort items while seated and take breaks. Small steps beat big weekend purges every time. In all my years, I've never seen anyone successfully organize their entire home in one weekend.
3. Keep the Best, Not the Most
Sentimental clutter is the hardest. But keeping everything honors nothing. It's like saving theater tickets for a show that's already closed.
The Art of Curating Memories
When you find things connected to precious memories, pause. Consider what Eleanor, a recent widow, did with her late husband's fishing lures that had sat untouched for eight years. She chose three favorites to frame in a shadow box, photographed the rest, and then gave the collection to her grandson who had taken up fishing. "Now when he visits, we have something meaningful to talk about," she told me.
📌 Quick Tip: Take photos of sentimental items before letting them go. The memories stay, even if the stuff doesn't.
4. Fix One High-Impact Space a Day
Spaces to Target
Entryway: Put away winter boots.
Kitchen Counter: Make space for a fruit bowl.
Bathroom Cabinet: Swap winter skincare for lighter spring products.
Winter Gear: Decide what to store until next season.
Gardening Area: Get organized for planting time.
Progress Over Perfection
Set your timer. When it rings, take a break. Progress, not perfection. Even half-organized is better than chaos! And even small improvements make daily life easier.
I still remember when David, newly retired, finally cleared out his home office after a year of putting it off.
"I was afraid if I packed up my work life, I'd disappear too," he admitted. "But now I have space for my woodworking. Turns out I didn't disappear—I just changed.
5. Stop Clutter Before It Starts
The easiest spring decluttering happens before you bring things home. Before buying anything, ask yourself:
Do I need this, or am I shopping from habit?
Where will this live in my home?
Will this make life easier or create more to manage?
Would this be a burden if I needed to move?
Real Results
One of my clients started asking herself these four questions before shopping—and figured she'd saved over $1,200 last year just by avoiding impulse purchases.
Eco-friendly Disposal Choices
Donate good items to shelters or community groups.
Sell quality clothes at consignment shops or online.
Give useful things to friends or family.
Recycle properly—check for special collection days.
Compost paper and natural fabrics if they can’t be reused.
My client Teresa found it easier to let go by donating her extra kitchen items to a program that helps formerly homeless people set up their first homes. "Knowing my things would help someone start fresh gave me the motivation I needed," she said.
This Spring, Make Room for What Matters
Your goal isn't a perfect house that looks like a magazine. Your goal is a home that works for your real life—not the life you had before, not the life your neighbor has, but YOUR life now.
Let go of what no longer serves you, and create a home that reflects who you are today.
📞 Need help? Let’s chat! Book a free call, and we’ll help you get started.
Start today—just one small area—and feel the difference.
I always feel like by the time spring comes, we're bone tired and fed up with all the little annoyances of winter-long clutter. Spring is the perfect refresh, and right-sizing makes your feel like you can breathe again and that your space accommodates you, rather than the reverse.
Spring is just a great time of year to "start fresh." Everyone can right-size, no specific age or situation matters. We have a couple of charities that take household items to help others who need help setting up a home. That is truly a win/win!
These are terrific tips! I love the way you explain right-sizing. It's important for everyone to understand that the goal is not to empty the house but to make it functional for the way they are living their life now.