January marks peak home organization season, with storage bins and containers on sale as households tuck away holiday decorations and Christmas gifts. Proven strategies focus on purging first—assess what sparks joy or utility—then storing smartly to maintain order through 2026.​

Start with holiday decorations: Before boxing up, purge broken ornaments, unused lights, or duplicates by sorting into trash, donate, or keep piles; photograph heirlooms for digital memories if space is tight. Use clear, labeled plastic bins, often discounted after the holidays, stacked in garages or attics, wrapping fragile items in tissue paper and grouping similar items together—for quick setup next year.​

For clothing closets, empty everything and try on items not worn in six months; discard any damaged clothing and donate unworn styles, boxing “maybes” for 30-day review before a final purge. Organize by category (shirts, pants) or season, using slim hangers and drawer dividers; vacuum-seal off-season apparel for under-bed storage to free closet space year-round.​

Papers overwhelm fast—use the RAFT system: Read (articles), Act (bills), File (tax docs), Toss (junk mail, expired flyers); shred sensitive items immediately and scan keepers to a digital folder like Evernote. Designate one inbox for incoming mail and weekly 15-minute sorts to prevent piles, setting up labeled file boxes for household warranties and receipts.​

Sentimental items demand emotional boundaries: Gather in one spot, keep only a few  favorites per category (e.g., childhood photos), photograph the rest, and release guilt-tied gifts; enlist the help of a friend for objectivity. Store treasures in acid-free boxes with silica packets, rotating display to enjoy without clutter.​

Daily resets—like a “clutter-free zone” per room and nightly 5-minute tidies—lock in success, preventing rebound chaos into 2026. For built-in organization without the purge hassle, new homes in Hidden Cove Stuart or Saddle Ridge Davie from 5 Star Developers feature thoughtful storage from pantries to flex rooms, designed for lasting Florida functionality.​