8 Things Professional Organizers Never Do in October
Plus, all the things you should do first instead.
Fall is here, and you’re likely decorating for Halloween, raking leaves, and deep-cleaning before the end-of-year craziness kicks in.
If you’re also looking for ways to optimize your organization ahead of the holiday season, then you might not be sure exactly where to begin. Unlike spring cleaning, which usually involves ditching clutter and dusting overlooked spaces, fall organization can feel more daunting, especially when it coincides with back-to-school and holiday shopping.
To help you get started, professional organizers shared some of the tasks they tackle first this time of year—including what you should never do in October if you want a smooth next several months.
Put away outdoor furniture without cleaning it
Before you store outdoor items you used throughout the summer, take a quick inventory of what you have and clean the items you know you want to keep.
“Don't simply pack away outdoor cushions, furniture, décor and pool toys at the end of the season,” says Wendy Trunz, partner and head organizer at Jane's Addiction Organization. “Before anything goes into storage, you should toss broken or damaged items and clean off dirt, leaves and debris.” That way, everything is ready to use when spring arrives.
Pile cold-weather gear on top of summer clutter
Do a seasonal changeover before coats, boots, and cold-weather accessories take over the mudroom, entryway, or closets, says Trunz
"Flip-flops, bathing suits, beach bags, pool gear, and camp bags should be sorted and put away first,” she says. “One season should go out before the next one comes in.”
Store summer clothes without thinking about next year
It might seem easier to just fold your shorts and tank tops when the temperatures drop, but before you take up prime real estate in those bags under your bed, think about how much use you think you’ll get out of them, says Trunz.
"You should ask yourself ‘will this actually fit or be used next year?’" she explains. "Stained, ripped, or worn-out pieces should be discarded and outgrown items should be donated. Only store away and label what will realistically be used again."
Wait until January to start fresh
This time of year is busy, so it’s tempting to push off your organization until the new year, but there's no better time than the present.
"Fall can be the new January,” encourages Trunz. “Don't wait for New Year’s resolutions to tackle the spaces or habits that aren’t working. Start now with one space and one project at a time. Make a date, plan, and get the support you need."
Small accomplishments build momentum and the consistent, little things you do now can lead to the meaningful changes you’re after later.
Buy a bunch of bins before decluttering
It might seem tempting to go to purchase plenty of storage bins before you start decluttering, but you want to reverse that order of operations, says Trunz.
"October often inspires people to run out and stock up on storage bins, but you'll purge first and shop second," she says. "Edit the space, determine exactly what needs to be stored, and then choose the right number and size of containers. Buying bins before decluttering can simply give you prettier places to store things you don’t need."
Go holiday shopping without pulling out the holiday boxes
It’s exciting when you spot the new holiday decor on your favorite stores’ shelves, but you don't want to do more shopping without taking inventory of what you already have boxed up at home.
Otherwise, it's easy to forget what you have, so you might accidentally purchase duplicates, says Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer at Nola Organizers.
Purchase a Halloween costume without assessing your closet
It's easy to go to the local Halloween pop-up superstore and spend more than $100 on a new costume. But the truth is, you might already have the makings of an even better, more creative costume at home.
"I like to see if there's anything I can reuse, repurpose, or put together to make a fun costume," says Parks. "Of course, some people want a new costume every year, but I always see what I already have first before adding something new. I recommend doing this so that your Halloween bins don't start overflowing, and it makes it easier to keep your Halloween decorations and costumes organized."
Buy fall ingredients without checking the cupboards
October is a fun time to try out new, cozy autumn recipes. However, before you start buying things for fall soups, baked goods, or even Thanksgiving, take stock of what’s buried in the back of your pantry and kitchen cupboards first, says Parks.
"You should check on what you already have, look at expiration dates, and get rid of anything that's expired or that you aren't going to use," she explains. "Then you can organize what you're keeping so you can actually see what you have. This prevents you from buying duplicates and also makes room for the extra food and ingredients that tend to come into the house during the fall and holiday season."
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
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