Post-holiday home organisation tips
As the new year begins, many of us find ourselves surrounded by the aftermath of holiday celebrations – from scattered wrapping paper, to piles of unused toys and post-vacation mementos and knick-knacks. Luckily, with just a bit of planning and organising, you can start the new year with a clean and clutter-free home.According to Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, some homeowners might even be able to put off the need to sell if they were to organise and declutter the home. “Often, a property has more floorspace than we realise if we simply utilise all available spaces and integrate clever storage solutions,” he suggests.
To help homeowners start the year fresh and clutter-free, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares the following post-holiday home organisation tips:
1) Sort, pack and store holiday décor
To make it easier to locate these items next year, designate one specific space in your home in which to store any seasonal decorations. Be mindful of the climate of the storage space to ensure the longevity of your decorations. As you take down decorations, assess each item's condition. Streamlining your holiday décor can help free up space and ensure that you only keep the items that you love. For the items that are still in good condition, donate to a local charity that can use them as decorations for next year.
2) Organise home stationery supplies
From wrapping gifts to wrapping textbooks and school workbooks, this time of year tends to bring with it a ton of messy stationery supplies. It is better to get on top of this before the school and work year starts. Set aside some time to pack away all holiday wrapping and get organised. Purchase that 2024 diary and desk calendar and spend some time setting up your home office space so you can stay on top of all the year’s big events – the nicer you make this space, the more likely you are to utilise it and keep it clutter-free.
3) Deep clean
After a month of at-home get-togethers and festive celebrations, the home is likely in need of a thorough cleaning. This includes clearing out the fridge and sorting through the kitchen cupboards to pack out any holiday leftovers. Arrange to have the carpets deep cleaned to keep them looking in pristine condition. Hire a high-pressure hose to clean up the home’s exterior, including paved driveways and dirty roof tiles. Regularly maintaining these aspects of the home will double as a way to protect the resale value of the home and will also (hopefully) prevent the need for costly repairs later down the line.
“Post-holiday home organisation is an excellent way to kickstart the new year with a sense of order. By decluttering and investing in clever built-in storage solutions, not only will you ensure that your home remains a haven of tranquillity throughout the year, but you will also be safeguarding the resale value of your home – keeping it sale-ready for if the need to sell ever suddenly arises,” Goslett concludes.