Post-holiday organisation & decluttering guide

You’ve probably thought about having a holiday declutter before heading off somewhere sunny. But, have you experienced the joy of a holiday declutter after the event? Okay, hear us out. We know post-holiday energy levels aren’t exactly sky-high, but that’s precisely why it’s the right time. Before the return to routines, alarm clocks and school runs, a bit of post-holiday organisation can help smooth the transition back to real life and make your home a haven in the process.

Whether you’re prepping for the break, just back from a trip, or trying to declutter for the new year — we’ve got holiday decluttering tips you didn’t know you needed. Let’s break it down into before, during and after.

School holiday declutter guide: during

This is one of the few times you’ll have the whole family at home, and crucially, available. No homework, no after-school clubs and nowhere to hide. It’s also the perfect time to teach some life skills. Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be a battle – with the right rewards and music, school holiday organisation can basically be a (very productive) party.

What to do:

- Establish a routine: pick a time everyone agrees on – Saturday mornings, Wednesday afternoons... and stick to it.
- Make if fun(ish): music on, sleeves up. Turn it into a rave. Bonus points for school holiday organisation playlists.
- Assign rooms: divide the house – one person takes the bathroom, another the living room, and so on. That way responsibility is clear, so you know exactly who to side-eye if it’s not been done properly...
- Reward effort: the tidiest room wins a prize. Simple, effective and surprisingly motivating.
- Keep it up: tidying the home for the school holidays should be a regular tradition, not a flash in the pan. This is a great lesson in consistency and good habits.

These tips also help keep your home clean and tidy for school holidays without the endless reminders (or eye-rolls).

School holiday declutter guide: after

You’ve had the summer of dreams – barbecues, water fights, camping in the garden, or gaming marathons. But now it's time to tidy up the memories, using these school holiday organisation tips.

This part of the school holiday declutter guide is for those precious few days before everyone’s back to reality. And trust us, it’s worth the effort.

What to do:

- Start with summer-only items: pool inflatables, garden games, paddling pools, etc. Clean, dry and pack them away somewhere sensible.
- Sort semi-regular stuff: bikes, footballs, scooters. They're probably still in use but they don’t need to live in the hallway. Keep them accessible but tucked away.
- Make a list: note what you’ve stored and where on your phone. It’ll be a lifesaver when summer rolls back around.

Christmas declutter: before

Christmas is a wonderful time of year – and an extremely messy one. With people, presents and pigs-in-blankets everywhere, you’ll want to take a tactical approach.

A little holiday home organisation goes a long way when your house becomes mission control for guests, cooking and chaos.

Kitchen
You don’t need to declutter the kitchen completely, but you do need to be smart. Plan meals, stock up on essentials (washing up liquid, sponges, bin bags) and make space for your festive showstoppers.

Hallways
First impressions matter – especially when guests arrive in packs. Clear the clutter. Hoover like you mean it. Stash letters, keys and receipts in a chic little storage basket. And make sure coat racks and shoe racks are ready for the influx.

Living room
Dining space is king. Pack up the WFH and homework stuff, store the tech and pens, and prep your space for crackers and chaos. Store remotes somewhere obvious, add fresh batteries and fluff up those throw pillows.

Bedrooms
Time for a Christmas declutter. Guest rooms need fresh sheets, clean towels and ideally, a bit of space in wardrobes or drawers. Need the kids’ rooms? Use that ‘new toy’ anticipation as a bartering tool to help declutter your home, and donate anything they’ve outgrown. We're pretty sure it’s what Santa would do.

Christmas organisation: after

Once 6 January rolls around, it’s time to get serious about post Christmas organisation. Don’t leave decorations to linger. Take them down, shake off the glitter and store everything in sturdy containers so nothing’s squashed come next year.

Tips:

- Label everything. Tree lights, mantle garlands, baubles – it’ll save hours next time.
- Keep similar items together in stackable boxes.
- Make a phone list of where things are stored – the ‘you’ of next year will thank you.

Bonus? This counts as both a holiday declutter and a head-start on new year organisation.

New Year declutter

Hosting a New Year’s Eve bash? Then it’s time to declutter for the New Year before the guests arrive. Clear any precious or breakable items, stock up on bin bags, biodegradable plates and cups, and have a designated area for waste and recycling. Think of it as pre-emptive holiday organisation with a party twist.

Before

The magic kit:

- Marigolds, wipes, dishwasher tabs, bin liners – all set aside before the night kicks off.
- A designated post-party team. Pay them, thank them, bribe them – just book them in advance.

After

The party’s over, time to declutter for the new year, properly. Now begins the real reset. Windows open, playlist on, Berocca at the ready – let’s go!

What to do:

- Rinse and recycle anything disposable (cups, straws, paper plates).
- Wash and dry anything reusable – glasses, cutlery, serving bowls.
- Once you’ve caffeinated, tackle the floors: hoover, mop, wipe and scrub your way to serenity.

Even just a bit of post holiday decluttering can help you walk into January with a clean slate (and a cleaner floor).

Summer holiday declutter: before

If you’ve got a holiday planned, show your post-trip self some love. Decluttering your home before means less chaos when you come back.

Before you go:

- Put away laundry, tidy up rooms, and change your sheets.
- Clear out the fridge and stock a few comfort meals in the freezer.
- Dust everything, fluff the cushions and leave your house looking like a boutique hotel suite.

Basically, the future-you will thank you as they slump on the bed and sleep off the jetlag.

Summer holiday organisation: after

The suitcase explosion. The dirty laundry mountain. The beach sand everywhere. Post-holiday life comes at you fast, but a quick holiday declutter right after landing keeps the stress at bay.

Get it done:

- Unpack immediately – yes, even the toiletry bag.
- Wash the lot – towels, swimsuits, and that sarong you meant to wear.
- Put summer clothes into storage if it’s looking chilly again.
- Prep for back-to-school or work with a tidy workspace and a full snack drawer.

It’s the best kind of post holiday organisation – fast, effective, and deeply satisfying.

Final thoughts: declutter now, thank yourself later

Whether it’s your first school holiday declutter guide or you’ve mastered the art of how to declutter for the school holidays, the trick is to act while the energy’s still there. Tackling mess before it builds means fewer stressy Mondays and more chill Sundays.

This year, let your home be clean and tidy for school holidays, ready for guests, parties and quiet nights in. A good holiday declutter is more than just clearing space – it’s clearing your head, too.

Quick ‘declutter your home’ checklist

- Clean and tidy for school holidays? Check.
- Holiday organisation before AND after? Done.
- Christmas declutter ticked off? Sorted.
- Declutter for the new year? Finished.
- Declutter kitchen and every other zone? Nailed it.