5 things professional organisers always do in January
After the holiday rush, when decorations are packed away and routines return to normal, the blank slate of a new month provides a golden opportunity to declutter. January is the perfect time to tackle forgotten areas like kitchen cupboards and reclaim space that may have been overtaken by seasonal clutter.
Need a helping hand? We spoke to a handful of professional declutterers — including members of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) — for their advice on how to start 2025 off on the right foot.
Whether you decide to finally tackle that junk drawer or sort out your finances, read on for the five things professional organisers always do in January to start the new year in a productive way.
Declutter Christmas decorations
Professional organiser and APDO Member, Victoria Clark, kick-starts January by downsizing her Christmas decorations.
'I use January to edit anything that didn't impress me this year and donate or sell it on Vinted. I also label decoration storage boxes so it's easier to find them next Christmas,' Victoria tells House Beautiful UK. 'Remember don't put anything back you aren't going to use again. If you don't need them, then the attic doesn't need them either!'
Sabbah Berrebha from Voilà! Professional Home Organising swears by a simple three-step trick for organising Christmas decor.
'Sort decorations into "keep, donate, discard" piles. Store items you want to keep in clear, labelled bins for easy access next year, and consider utilising less accessible spaces, like attics or high shelves, for these rarely used items.
'For bulky decorations like garlands and tree skirts, vacuum-seal bags are great for maximising space. This ensures your everyday storage areas stay free for frequently used items.'
Take stock of finances
Rather than diving straight into decluttering cupboards and messy drawers, Ellie Fife from Holistic Life Organising prefers to use January as a planning period to get smart with money.
'January is the perfect time to organise your finances. I recommend setting up savings "pots" for known expenses like weddings or holidays, auditing your subscriptions to cancel any you no longer use, and reviewing bills to find better deals,' she says.
'Tools like the Snoop app make this easy by categorising expenses, flagging savings opportunities, and tracking renewal dates to keep everything on track with minimal effort.'
As you prep and plan for 2025, set aside time to review your spending habits. 'Look for patterns or habits that aren't serving you and set goals to adjust them,' says Ellie. 'Whether it's too many takeaways or unused memberships, identifying trends can help you make smarter choices moving forward.'
It's also a good chance to track and reduce monthly bills. 'Create a spreadsheet to note renewal dates. Set calendar reminders to renegotiate rates or switch providers when the time comes, helping you save money throughout the year.'
Have a digital declutter
For APDO President Sian Pelleschi, this is the month for a digital declutter. 'Tidy up email inboxes, digital files, and phone photos to reduce mental clutter and improve efficiency. Digital spaces are often overlooked, but clearing them out sets a tone for the year ahead,' she explains.
The notion of digital minimalism is not to rid ourselves of technology but rather to be clear about what we use and why. You may want to limit the apps you use (including social media), deactivate dormant email accounts, and track down space-wasting documents eating into your storage.
Sort through paperwork
Many of us tackle drawers stuffed with letters, documents and unopened post on a regular basis. For professional organiser Victoria Clark, January is the month for eliminating paper clutter.
'The start of a new year pushes me to organise my paperwork and check if I've got anything that needs addressing. Shred anything you don't need, then make sure you have folders for receipts. I suggest this regularly to my clients but doing it for myself seems so much harder! Make sure you know where all your important documents are and also use this time to check expiry dates. Don't forget to check passports and driving licenses.'
Victoria Fearnley from Surrey Decluttering agrees: 'January is the ideal time to tackle paperwork for the previous year as well as setting up a good system for the year ahead,' she tells us.
'Start by sorting it into "keep", "shred," and "recycle" piles. Then categorise the "keep" in a way that makes the most sense to you. Wherever possible, take the time to request to go digital with your bills – it will save you time in the long run.'
Clear kitchen drawers and pantries
January is also a great time to sort through kitchen drawers, says Sabbah. 'Empty one drawer at a time, group similar items together, and purge anything unused or broken. Modular trays or bamboo organisers create a clean and elegant look that makes everyday cooking more enjoyable,' she tells us.
Pantries can quickly get cluttered, especially after Christmas when festive foods may still be lingering. 'Discard any expired food and replace mismatched packaging with clear, stackable containers and add labels for a cohesive and functional pantry. This not only minimises waste but also ensures you can quickly find what you need, saving time during busy weeks,' Sabbah adds.
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