If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you are looking to get rid of some excess or unused items in your home. This post is about 10 things to declutter before summer starts.
Summer is the season of less. Less layers, less clutter, less chaos. It’s the time of year when our homes should feel as light and breezy as a linen sundress.
But after months of cozy nesting, winter layering, and spring cleaning that may or may not have actually happened (*raises hand), there’s often still some lingering clutter weighing things down.
A pre-summer declutter isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space—for movement, for sunlight, for impromptu happy hours and barefoot mornings.
So if your home still feels more “cold weather cozy” than “sun-soaked sanctuary,” now’s the time to do a quick edit.
Let’s break down 10 things you can declutter and organize before summer kicks off—so your home feels fresh, functional, and ready for the season of fun.
This post contains affiliate links from which I may make commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Winter Clothing & Bulky Outerwear
Start with the stuff you know you won’t need for at least four more months. Those puffer coats, snow boots, chunky scarves, and fleece-lined leggings? They can all be cleaned, folded, and packed away.
Use vacuum-seal bags or labeled bins to store them in the closet, under the bed, or up high on a shelf. This 20 pack of vacuum-seal bags comes with 5 different sizes and a hand pump to remove the air.
As you pack, take stock: if you didn’t wear it this past winter, ask yourself why. If it doesn’t fit, doesn’t suit your style anymore, or just didn’t get used, donate it now.
You’ll thank yourself in November when your winter wardrobe is already curated and clutter-free.
2. Expired Sunscreen & Toiletries
You’d be surprised how many people are still slathering on SPF from 2021. Sunscreen loses effectiveness over time—and when you’re relying on it to protect your skin from sun damage, that matters.
Go through your medicine cabinet or bathroom drawers and check expiration dates on sunscreen, aloe vera, bug spray, and any other seasonal skincare.
Toss anything old, crusty, or half-used beyond recognition. Then take stock of what you actually need to replace.
Here are some crowd favorite sunscreens for the entire family:
3. Old or Unused Towels
Beach towels. Pool towels. Guest towels. They seem to multiply every summer, but somehow the same four end up in rotation.
Take a few minutes to declutter your towel stash. Keep the ones that are in good shape—no rips, frays, or fading—and donate or repurpose the rest.
Pro tip: animal shelters and rescue centers love old towels. Give them a second life instead of letting them take up shelf space.
4. Outdoor Gear You Don’t Use
Time to be brutally honest about your patio setup. Do you actually use that rusted fire pit? What about the folding chairs that pinch your fingers every time you try to set them up?
Clear out broken, unused, or outdated outdoor gear from your garage, shed, or balcony.
Make room for the things you do use—like your favorite lounge chair, hammock, or outdoor dining setup. Summer is short. Make it easy to enjoy it.
5. Pantry Clutter That Doesn’t Fit Summer Life
There’s a good chance your pantry still has some random winter baking leftovers—half-used bags of almond flour, stale marshmallows, or pumpkin spice everything.
Before your next big grocery run, do a deep clean of your dry goods.
Toss expired items, organize what you’ll keep, and make space for summer-friendly ingredients like lemonade mix, BBQ rubs, pasta salad essentials, and popsicle molds.
6. Entryway Junk You Don’t Need
Your entryway sets the tone for your whole home. If it’s still stacked with boots, umbrellas, or heavy jackets, it’s time for a seasonal shift.
Clear out cold-weather gear, return rogue winter items to their proper homes, and create a lighter, more functional summer zone.
Try sticking to one sunhat, one light jacket, a tote bag, and maybe a bin for sandals or flip-flops. Your future self will thank you every time you dash out the door stress-free.
7. Old Paperwork, Catalogs & Mail Piles
We all have a “dump zone” for paper clutter. If yours has been quietly building since February, it’s time to address it. Sort through the stack.
Recycle catalogs, junk mail, and expired coupons. Shred old bills or sensitive documents you don’t need anymore.
If you’re feeling ambitious, set up a mini paper station with a tray for incoming mail, a shred pile, and folders for important documents. It takes 10 minutes and keeps the clutter from reappearing by next weekend.
8. Kids’ Outgrown Toys & Summer Gear
With summer break around the corner, now is a great time to assess your kids’ gear.
Go through bikes, helmets, scooters, sports equipment, and outdoor toys. Do they still fit? Are they in working condition? Are they even interested in them anymore?
Donate or sell what they’ve outgrown, and make space for items that’ll actually get used this summer—water balloons, sidewalk chalk, or that new soccer ball they’ve been eyeing.
9. Your Car (Seriously)
Your car might not seem like a priority for decluttering, but in the summer it becomes a mobile living room.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, visiting friends, or just doing school pickup, a clean car makes a big difference.
Empty out trash, extra jackets, rogue toys, and winter emergency gear. Give it a quick vacuum, wipe down the dash, and add a fresh air freshener for an instant summer glow-up.
If you have kids and need space to store their car essentials (extra pair of clothes, toys, sunscreen, etc.), this car seat organizer works wonders to prevent crowding the legroom space.
Or you could also get one of these foldable organizers to keep all the extras in the trunk.
10. Seasonal Decor That Feels Too Heavy
If your shelves are still rocking faux snow globes or dark moody candles, it’s time for a refresh.
Swap out heavier winter décor for light, natural textures—wicker trays, greenery, seashells, glass vases, linen runners.
You don’t need to buy anything new. Just edit what’s on display and rotate in a few things that feel lighter and brighter. It’s the simplest way to breathe new life into your space without spending a dime.
Declutter to Make Room for New Seasons
Decluttering before summer isn’t about achieving Pinterest perfection—it’s about creating breathing room.
You’re setting the stage for slower mornings, spontaneous BBQs, and afternoons that stretch on forever.
Start with one category, take your time, and don’t be afraid to let go of things that don’t serve your current season of life.
Because the best summer memories are made in homes that feel lived-in, loved, and just the right amount of light.
So grab a laundry basket and start the decluttering process. Summer’s waiting!
