Whether you're downsizing or just want to make more room for living, a real spring clean-out could be just what you and your home need.
The idea of deep clean–windows thrown open, all dust busted–feels enticing this time of year. But where to even begin? For empty nesters and others considering downsizing, or right-sizing, to a new home, the first step is often to get rid of some of that stuff.
“When people think of clutter impacting an individual’s life, they immediately think of a hoarder, but that isn’t really the case for most individuals,” observes Jennifer Pastore Monroy, Executive Director of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). “In my experience, people have different levels of tolerance for disorganization in their lives, and what is acceptable for one person may be intolerable for another.”
Combine spring cleaning with decluttering, and you have the opportunity to give your home a fresh, minimalist (or close) new look. Don’t aim to refresh your whole house in one day. But take some inspiration from the tips below, and by the time summer hits, you could be living in a space that feels easier to navigate, easier to maintain, and easier to love.
Hiring a Decluttering ProfessionalThere are many decluttering professionals in the community that can help remove any sense of overwhelm associated with downsizing or decluttering. NAPO is a great place to start; visit their website to find a professional organizer in your area. According to Angi, expect to pay about $530 on average for a professional organizer’s services. |
- Start with safety. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to make your home easier and safer to live in. Clear hallways and other high-traffic areas of anything that doesn’t belong. Consider if any furniture is blocking easy exit routes in the case of an emergency–if it is, move or remove it. Would a basket near the front door help collect items that tend to end up on the floor? Aside from keeping your home clear and clean, you’re also reducing the risk of falls.
- Focus on one area at a time. Downsizing or decluttering can feel emotional and overwhelming, but small wins matter. Choose one drawer, shelf, or corner per day to tackle, and stop when you’re feeling done.
- Keep your “why” in mind. There are lots of good reasons for putting in the real effort it takes to declutter. Some people might want to declutter for their mental health. Studies have found that a high level of clutter correlates with a decreased sense of “psychological home”--in other words, people tend to feel less at home when their homes are messy. Others are preparing for a move, and others might want to have more company over. If the process starts to feel arduous, remind yourself of the goal.
- Select for meaning. Many of us have internalized Marie Kondo’s genius question by now: “Does it spark joy?” When deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away, this question can be the key to bypass tortured decision-making. The point is that objects are as meaningful as the stories they hold. If “sparking joy” doesn’t resonate with you, ask yourself–what’s one item in this room that I would love to never have to dust again? Maybe its day on the “donate” pile has arrived.
- Let space do the decorating. Employ empty space as a design principle. Just like empty wall space in an art gallery allows each work of art to breathe, let the walls and floors of your home highlight the furniture and other items that deserve to be highlighted.
- Take gentle steps toward right-sizing. Minimalist spring cleaning can be a low-pressure way to prepare for a future move. As early as feels right, begin imagining what would come with you to a smaller space. Notice which items you use every day, and which ones go months or years without being picked up.
As Heather Margaret (writing under the pen name Messie Condo) puts it in her straight-to-the-point guide Nobody Wants Your Sh*t: The Art of Decluttering Before You Die: it’s time to live in the moment without the mess. From all of us at Senior Spirit, good luck with your spring clean!
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5580582/vern-yips-secret-to-better-home-decor-stop-scrolling-for-inspiration
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/5/132
https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/spring-cleaning-made-easy-pictures
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.napo.net/resource/resmgr/press_kit/women_vs._men_december_2019.pdf
