Where to Start When Decluttering Your New Orleans Home
Decluttering your home in New Orleans can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to begin.
Between the humidity, limited storage in many homes, and spaces lived in for years (or even generations), it’s easy for things to build up over time.
Professional organizers don’t usually begin with the most difficult decisions. Instead, they start with the simplest, most obvious items to help you make progress quickly and feel less overwhelmed.
Here are 10 things New Orleans home organizers often recommend decluttering first. We hope these tips help!
1. Expired Items
In a warm, humid climate like New Orleans, items tend to expire or break down faster than people expect. Heat and moisture can affect everything from food and medication to skincare and household products, even if they’ve been stored away.
Some of these items might include:
- Pantry food and old spices that have lost flavor or gone stale
- Expired medication or vitamins
- Skincare and beauty products past their shelf life
- Cleaning supplies that are no longer as effective
- Pet food or treats that have been sitting for too long
These are usually the easiest places to start because the decision is already made for you. If something has expired or is no longer effective, you can’t realistically use it, and it’s only taking up space.
Going through these items first can really help right away. You’ll free up room in your kitchen, bathroom, or storage areas, and it often helps your home feel cleaner and more manageable almost immediately.
P.S. If you could use help decluttering and organizing your pantry, check out our pantry organizing services.
2. Broken Items
Most homes have a handful of items that stopped working and got set aside to fix later. It’s a normal habit, especially when you don’t have time in the moment or think you’ll get to it eventually.
Examples might include:
- Chipped mugs or glassware
- Small appliances that no longer work
- Old electronics that don’t work anymore
- Torn belts, damaged bags, bent hats
- Cracked storage totes, broken hangers, etc.
Over time, these items pile up and take up space without being used. In a place like New Orleans, where storage can already be limited, holding onto things that aren’t functional can make areas feel more crowded than they need to be.
A helpful way to approach this category is to be honest about what you realistically plan to repair. If something has been sitting untouched for a while, or would cost more to fix than replace, it may be worth letting it go.
Starting here can feel easier because the decision is usually clear. If it’s not safe or usable, it’s a good candidate to remove, and clearing these items out can quickly create more space in your home.
3. Items Creating Odors
Humidity in New Orleans can cause certain items to hold moisture and develop odors more quickly, especially in spaces with limited airflow, like closets, cabinets, and storage bins. Even items that seem clean can start to smell if they’ve been sitting in a damp environment for a while.
You might notice:
- Musty towels or linens that never fully dried
- Damp items in closets or storage bins
- Shoes with lingering odors
- Forgotten food in the fridge or pantry
These are often easy to overlook because they’re tucked away, but they can affect how your entire home feels. Addressing them early not only clears out clutter, but it can also make your space feel noticeably fresher and more comfortable.
As you go through this category, it can help to separate what can be washed or refreshed from what’s better to let go of. In a humid climate, some items are difficult to fully restore once they’ve developed a strong odor, so being selective can save you time and effort.
Starting here is a simple way to improve both the function and the overall feel of your home right away.
4. Clothes That No Longer Fit
Clothes that no longer fit, or that you just don’t love anymore, are mostly taking up valuable space in your closet. If you aren’t wearing them, they can make it harder to see what you actually have and find what you need, especially if your closet is already packed.
If you know you won’t wear something again, letting it go can make the whole closet easier to use. And if the clothes are still in good condition, someone else may be able to use and enjoy them.
Clearing out pieces you don’t wear also makes room for clothes you actually like, feel good in, and wear regularly.
5. Items You No Longer Use or Enjoy
Over time, it’s completely natural for your interests, routines, and priorities to change. What made sense a few years ago might not fit your day-to-day life anymore, and that’s okay.
You might find:
- Hobby supplies you no longer use
- Books you don’t plan to revisit
- Games or activities that aren’t being used
- Older electronics that have been replaced
These items tend to stick around because there’s no clear moment when you decide to let them go. They just slowly become part of the background.
As you go through this category, it can help to think about how you actually spend your time now, not how you used to or how you hoped to. If something hasn’t been used in a long time and doesn’t realistically fit into your current routine, it may be ready to move on.
Letting go of these items isn’t about getting rid of things you once enjoyed; it’s about making space for how you live today. In homes around New Orleans, where storage can be limited, clearing out items that no longer serve a purpose can make a noticeable difference in how functional and comfortable your space feels.
6. Holiday & Seasonal Decor You Don’t Use
Seasonal items can take up more space than people expect, especially when they’ve been sitting in bins, attics, closets, or storage areas for years without being touched.
This might include:
- Decorations you haven’t put out in years
- Items that no longer match your current style
- Extra or duplicate decor
- Boxes or bins you haven’t opened in multiple seasons
In many homes, these items get packed away with the intention of using them “next year,” but over time, they’re easy to forget about. Before long, you may have multiple bins of decorations without really knowing what’s inside them.
In a place like New Orleans, where storage space can be limited (especially for shotguns), holding onto seasonal items you don’t use can take up valuable room that could be used for things you actually reach for throughout the year.
And in New Orleans, we love celebrating. Holidays, Mardi Gras, football season- there’s always something going on. Because of that, it’s easy for decorations to build up over time. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep everything you’ve ever collected.
As you go through these bins, it can help to focus on what you realistically use and enjoy each season. If something hasn’t been put out in a few years, there’s a good chance it’s no longer something you need to keep.
Clearing out unused seasonal items can free up surprising space and make it easier to access the decorations you actually enjoy using.
P.S. If you could use some help either decluttering or organizing your holiday items, check out our holiday organizing services.
7. Mardi Gras Decor & Keepsakes You Don’t Need
In New Orleans homes, it’s very common to collect beads, throws, and parade items over time, especially after seasons like Mardi Gras, where it all adds up quickly.
You might look at:
- Old Mardi Gras beads
- Parade throws or trinkets
- Items stored away without a clear use
Many of these items get brought home with good intentions, maybe to decorate, reuse, or save for memories, but they often end up sitting in bags, bins, or closets without ever being used again.
Over time, it’s easy for these collections to grow without really noticing, especially when they’re stored out of sight. Before long, they can take up more space than expected.
Keeping a few meaningful or decorative pieces is great, especially ones you actually display or enjoy. But clearing out the excess can free up surprising room and make it easier to store the items you truly want to keep.
In homes around New Orleans, where space can already be limited, being a little more intentional with these items can go a long way in keeping things manageable.
If you’re not sure what to do with the extras, donating them is a great option.
Several local organizations collect and reuse Mardi Gras beads each year. We put together a guide on where to donate Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans, so you can clear them out without just throwing them away.
8. Items Missing Parts
These tend to quietly build up in drawers and storage areas.
Examples include:
- Single socks or gloves
- Containers without lids
- Appliances missing key pieces
- Toys or items that are incomplete
A lot of these items get held onto with the intention of replacing the missing part, but that doesn’t always happen. Over time, they can take up space without actually being usable.
If a replacement part is hard to find, costs almost as much as a new item, or hasn’t been purchased after a long time, it may be a sign you don’t really need the item anymore.
If the missing piece hasn’t turned up by now, and you haven’t gone out of your way to replace it, it’s usually a good indication that it’s okay to let it go.
9. “Just in Case” Items
These are the things we hold onto, thinking they might be useful someday. And to be fair, sometimes they are, which is why this category builds up so easily.
Common examples:
- Extra cords or cables
- Free promotional items (from Pelicans or Saints games, cups, etc.)
- Samples that haven’t been used
- Items saved “just in case”
Of course, if you genuinely know you’re going to use something, it makes sense to keep it. The goal isn’t to get rid of things you actually need.
But it helps to be honest about what will realistically get used. If something has been sitting in a drawer or bin for a long time without being touched, there’s a good chance it’s not as useful as it once seemed.
In homes around New Orleans, it’s especially common to hold onto items from events, games, or giveaways. These can add up quickly without really noticing, especially when they get tucked away.
A simple approach is to keep a few items you truly use or enjoy, and let go of the rest. That way, you’re not holding onto clutter “just in case,” but you still have what you actually need when it matters.
10. Paper Clutter
Paper can accumulate quickly and often goes unnoticed, especially when it’s spread across counters, drawers, and random piles around the house.
This may include:
- Old mail and junk mail
- Outdated documents
- Manuals you can access online
- Notes that are no longer needed
A lot of paper clutter builds up simply because it’s easy to set something down and deal with it later. Over time, those small stacks can turn into larger piles that feel more overwhelming to go through.
Sorting through paper can help clear both physical and mental space. Even going through a small stack at a time can make a noticeable difference.
Another helpful way to reduce paper clutter long-term is to cut it off at the source. Unsubscribing from mailing lists, catalogs, and promotional mail can significantly reduce how much paper is coming into your home in the first place. Many companies make it easy to opt out online, and doing this once can prevent the same clutter from building back up again.
In homes around New Orleans, where counter space and storage can be limited, keeping paper under control can make everyday areas feel a lot more open and manageable.
Why Starting Here Helps
Starting with these categories is exactly how professional organizers approach a full-home declutter. They’re the easiest decisions to make, which helps you build momentum and see progress right away.
In a place like New Orleans, where space can be limited and the climate can take a toll on what you keep, clearing out these items first can make your home feel lighter, more functional, and easier to manage day to day.
If you’re ready to get started but don’t want to tackle it all on your own, that’s where we can help.
How Professional Organizer New Orleans Can Help
At Professional Organizer New Orleans, we work with you to declutter, organize, and create systems that actually make your home easier to live in, whether you need help with one space or your entire home.
FAQ
Should you declutter sentimental items first or last?
This really depends on the person. Everyone declutters at a different pace, and sentimental items can often be the hardest things to sort through.
If you tend to feel overwhelmed, have trouble getting started, or struggle to make decisions, we usually recommend saving sentimental items until later. By first making progress in easier areas of your home, you’ll build confidence and momentum before tackling the more emotional items.
However, if you’re feeling motivated and know you want to start with sentimental belongings, there’s nothing wrong with doing that either. The best approach is the one that helps you keep moving forward.
Which areas take the longest to declutter and organize?
Every home is different, but the areas that typically take the longest to declutter are the ones that hold the most belongings.
Some of the most time-consuming spaces include:
- Large walk-in closets
- Garages
- Home offices with lots of paperwork and files
- Attics
- Kitchens with many cabinets and drawers
- Storage rooms
- Basements
These areas usually contain a high volume of items, making them take longer to sort through and organize.
Which areas are the hardest to go through and declutter?
The hardest areas to declutter are usually the ones that contain emotional or sentimental belongings.
For many people, these include:
- Childhood keepsakes
- Family heirlooms
- Old photographs
- Memorabilia
Garages and storage areas filled with items collected over many years
These spaces often require more time because the decisions are more personal.
How much time does it take to declutter a whole room?
There isn’t one answer that fits every room. The amount of time depends on several factors, including:
- The size of the room
- How many belongings need to be sorted
- How organized the space already is
- How quickly you’re able to make decisions about what to keep, donate, or discard
Generally, the more items you have to go through, the longer the process will take.
Where are the best places to donate clothes in New Orleans?
There are several great places to donate clothing in the New Orleans area, including organizations such as Vietnam Veterans of America, the Salvation Army, and Bridge House/Grace House.
To make donating easier, we’ve also created a local New Orleans donation directory that includes places to donate clothing, furniture, electronics, household goods, and more.
What’s the best time of year to declutter my home in New Orleans?
Honestly, any time of year is a great time to declutter your home. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to get started, we’ve put together a guide on the best time to declutter your home in New Orleans.
However, some areas are much more comfortable to work in during certain seasons. For example, garages and attics can become extremely hot during New Orleans summers, so spring, fall, or winter are often better times to declutter those spaces.
For indoor areas like closets, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms, there really isn’t a bad time of year to get started. The best time to declutter is whenever you’re ready to begin.
