Fall Quick Fixes

As summer ends, long, lazy days give way to shorter days and more time at home, nesting. The air turns crisp, the routines of school and work return, and vacation becomes a memory. Fall is the perfect season for short, satisfying projects—quick decluttering and organizing wins you can tackle between school drop-off and pick-up or while dinner roasts in the oven.



These four, fast start-to-finish projects are remarkably gratifying, and the ease and organization they bring into your life give you the one thing you’re craving just a little more of: time and space to breathe.

Coat Closet Reset

Coats change with the seasons. Reset your coat closet in 30 minutes with a quick refresh:

• Sort through your jackets and pull out the coats your kids have outgrown and the jackets you’ve replaced with something new. All items in good condition are perfect for donation.

• Set up a basket for gloves and beanies.

• Use hooks for umbrellas.

• Whether on the floor or on a rack, rotate sandals and summer shoes to the back, boots and rain shoes to the front.

Your clothes closet can undergo a similar seasonal rotation, with summer fabrics giving way to cosy knits and pants. Always declutter and donate as you go. Easy access to your favorite fall clothes and coats will get you in and out the door more quickly.

Desk Drawer Cleanout

You’ll find yourself getting much more done when you don’t have to search through letters, loose paperclips, and pennies to find your favorite pen.

• Remove everything from the drawers.

• Throw out broken pens, pencils, and erasers.

• Collect all coins, clips, odds and ends.

• Recycle and file loose papers and receipts.

• Make a list of needed supplies.

• Relocate, trash and donate things that no longer belong.

• Use drawer inserts to help keep items contained and organized.

• Use cable ties to help tame unruly cords.

Undersink Upkeep

No one wants to think too much about the area under a sink. What’s in there and how did it get there? But a quick pickup will not only solve the mystery of what lurks in the dark, but make the space friendlier, more functional, and more accessible.

• Grab a trash can and pull everything out.

• Wipe down everything, from the bottom of the cabinet to sticky bottles and boxes.

• Throw out supplies that you haven’t used in over a year, or that have become grungy.

• Relocate non-kitchen supplies to the laundry room, basement or garage.

• Keep trash and compost bags easily accessible.

• Restock needed supplies.

• Consider either a bin, pullout drawers, or a lazy susan at the front of the cabinet for frequently used cleaning supplies. If there’s room, a second lazy susan can be used in the back for less frequently used items.

• Install a small bin for sponges, gloves and rags. Keep pipes in mind when measuring.

Car Clutter Clean out

Over busy summer months with visitors, kids and friends, your car can become a moving storage bin. Time to clean it up!

• Grab a garbage bag and some totes.

• Gather items from the console, door pockets, and under the seats.

• Trash wrappers, empty containers, and broken toys.

• Return beach bags and other out-of-season items to the house.

• Return library books.

• Tidy reusable grocery bags in the trunk and consider a storage bin to keep everything in the trunk in order.

• File vehicle registration and proof of insurance in the glove compartment.

When you're done, treat your car to a wash and wax!

Making Time & Space to Breathe

Clearing out even the spaces only you can see makes life easier and less stressful. These four high-utility spots may not be in plain sight, but being able to navigate them and find what you need is a big time and stress saver.

You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy tidy closets and drawers, even the one under the sink!

Best,