Organize and declutter home

Declutter & Organize: A Guide to Reset Your Home Before 2026

As another year wraps up, now’s a good time to reset your home and start fresh for 2026! A clutter-free home helps you think clearly, move more easily, and enjoy your day-to-day life. If you’ve been meaning to sort through your things, this guide will help you get started with simple declutter tips and smart tools from ACE Hardware.

Whether you're clearing out drawers, organizing closets, or giving your home a deep clean, these tips will make the process smoother and less overwhelming for you.

1. Start With a Quick Declutter Sweep

Steel Pedal Bin

If you don’t know where to begin, try a 10 to 15-minute sweep around your home. Grab a trash bag and collect items you can toss right away, like old receipts, broken items, empty containers, and random clutter on counters.

A trash bin with a pedal makes the process easier, since you don’t have to touch the lid. The Cascade 12L Stainless Steel Pedal Bin is a good size for kitchens, bedrooms, or workspaces.

2. Sort Your Belongings by Category

One of the best ways to declutter your home is to work by category, not by room. This keeps you from shuffling items around without making real progress.

Start with easy groups like:

  • Clothes

  • Books and papers

  • Toiletries

  • Kitchen items

  • Cleaning supplies

As you go through each group, decide on what you can keep, donate, or throw away. Keep only the things you use and need daily, or truly value. The rest? Better to let them go.

3. Deep Clean While You Declutter

An organized home feels even better when it’s clean. As you empty drawers or clear shelves, take time to wipe surfaces and remove dust from hard-to-reach areas.

A multifunctional cleaning tool helps you do more in less time. The ACE 6-in-1 Multifunctional Cleaning Tool includes attachments for glass, mirrors, floors, walls, and corners. It works as a window-cleaning mop, a floor-cleaning mop, or a wall-cleaning mop—handy for a complete home reset.

4. Give Every Item a Home

A well-organized home stays tidy longer when everything has a “home.” After decluttering, assign a place for your:

  • Keys

  • Bags

  • Shoes

  • Mail

  • Cleaning tools

  • Linens

  • Kids' items

Use baskets, hooks, bins, and drawer organizers to keep things in place. The goal is to make your home easy to maintain, not harder to manage.

5. Create Space for Your Everyday Essentials

Once you’ve sorted your belongings, it’s time to organize things at home in a way that supports your routines. If clothes pile up easily in your bedroom, a garment rack can help keep everything in one place. The ACE Garment Chrome Rack is great for growing wardrobes or small spaces. It provides open storage for hanging jackets, bags, or outfits you plan to wear this week.

If you often find shoes cluttering your entrance or bedroom, a shoe rack or a storage bench can be a great addition. It keeps shoes organized while also providing a place to sit when putting them on or taking them off.

6. Use Drawer Cabinets for Small Items

Megabox Drawer Unit

Small items are often the cause of clutter. These include chargers, makeup, tools, medicine, cables, skincare, and office supplies. The best way to manage them is with a drawer system.

If you need something sturdy and space-saving, a Megabox 4-Layer Drawer Unit works well in bedrooms, offices, or even living rooms. It keeps everything sorted and easy to find. Each drawer gives you room to group similar items, so nothing gets lost.

7. Store Seasonal Items in Clear Boxes

Plastic Storage Box

For items you don’t use every day, like holiday décor, winter clothes, and travel gear, use stackable storage boxes. They keep things dust-free and help free up closet space.

A plastic storage box with a lid is the most practical option. The Megabox Storage Box 15L is lightweight, durable, and easy to label. Using clear boxes also helps you see what’s inside without opening each one. If you’re comparing storage box price ranges, this one gives excellent value for long-term use.

8. Build Simple Daily Habits

Decluttering once is good, but small daily habits help keep your home tidy in the long run. Try these:

  • Do a quick 5-minute cleanup before bed

  • Return items right after using them

  • Empty trash bins daily

  • Put laundry in one basket

  • Wipe counters after meals

  • Do a weekly reset every Sunday

These routines keep clutter from piling up again.

Prepare Your Home for 2026

Starting the new year with a fresh, organized home can make a big difference in how you feel. With the right tools, you can create a space that works better for your lifestyle. Follow these declutter tips and stay consistent, so you’ll welcome 2026 with a home that’s cleaner, calmer, and easier to enjoy!

Ready to get organized? Visit your nearest ACE Hardware store or shop online at Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, or SMAC&SHOP.

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