You’ll need to move mountains of clutter before your Christmas tree fits properly in your living room. Before you even think about hauling out those decorations, you should tackle the items that’re taking up valuable floor space and storage areas throughout your home. From old magazines to broken electronics, there’s plenty you can remove right now. But where should you start, and what specific items will make the biggest difference?

Start With High-Impact Wins: Old Magazines and Newspapers

When you’re preparing your home for the Christmas season, tackling old magazines and newspapers should be one of your first decluttering projects because these items typically take up significant space while providing minimal value to your household. Start by collecting all publications from closets, tables, and storage areas into one designated location, which allows you to see the full volume you’re managing. Next, sort them into two piles: keep and discard, being honest about what you’ll actually read again. Most publications older than three months won’t serve you well. Recycle the discarded materials at your local recycling center or include them in your curbside pickup. This single project frees up substantial physical space, making room for holiday decorations and creating a cleaner environment for your Christmas celebration.

Also read: 10 Velvet Bow Christmas Tree Ideas to Elevate Your Holiday Decor

Remove Broken or Outdated Decorations

As you’ve cleared away magazines and newspapers, you’re now ready to tackle your stored holiday decorations, which often accumulate broken items and outdated pieces that clutter your storage spaces year after year. Examine each decoration carefully, setting aside ornaments with missing hooks, lights that don’t work, or garland with visible damage. Remove decorations you no longer enjoy or that don’t match your current style, even if they’re functional. Consider donating usable decorations to thrift stores, schools, or community centers. Discard broken items responsibly by checking local recycling programs for electronics like faulty light strings. This systematic approach creates space for decorations you’ll actually display, making your storage areas more organized and your tree setup more efficient when the holiday season arrives.

Clear Out Your Living Room: Excess Throw Pillows and Blankets

Your living room likely contains more throw pillows and blankets than you actually need, and decluttering these items will free up valuable space while making your room feel more organized before you set up your Christmas tree. Begin by removing all pillows and blankets from your living room and examining each piece carefully. Keep only the items you regularly use and enjoy, setting aside duplicates and worn-out textiles. Consider the color scheme you’ll create with your Christmas decorations, removing pillows and blankets that’ll clash with your holiday aesthetic. Store your selected keepers neatly in a closet or storage bin, ensuring they’re easily accessible. This systematic approach creates physical space for your tree, reduces visual clutter, and establishes a clean foundation for your festive decorating project.

Donate Unused Furniture and Bulky Items

Many homes contain furniture pieces and large items that don’t serve a practical purpose, taking up considerable floor space that you’ll need for your Christmas tree and holiday decorations. Before the holiday season arrives, you should evaluate every piece of furniture in your living spaces and identify items you haven’t used in months or years. Consider donating oversized chairs, unused ottomans, side tables, or storage units that clutter your rooms. You can also remove exercise equipment, old entertainment stands, or decorative pieces that don’t align with your current lifestyle. Contact local charities, thrift stores, or donation centers to arrange pickup services for bulky items. This process creates essential space for your tree while helping others in need, making your home feel more spacious and welcoming for holiday gatherings.

Dig Into Storage Closets for Forgotten Clutter

Storage closets often harbor forgotten items that’ve accumulated over months or years, creating hidden clutter that prevents you from accessing the space you’ll need for holiday decorations and your Christmas tree. Start by removing everything from your closet systematically, organizing items into categories as you work through the space. Examine each object carefully to determine whether you’ve used it recently or plan to use it in the future. Set aside items you no longer need, want, or use, then donate or discard them appropriately. Once you’ve cleared out the unnecessary items, reorganize your closet thoughtfully, placing frequently used items at eye level and seasonal decorations in accessible locations. This process creates dedicated storage space for your Christmas tree and holiday materials while eliminating the burden of storing things you don’t actually need.

Purge Duplicate Kitchen and Dining Supplies

Because kitchens and dining areas tend to accumulate multiples of the same items—whether it’s mixing bowls, serving spoons, plates, or glasses—you’ll find significant clutter-reduction opportunities by identifying and removing duplicates you don’t genuinely need. Start by opening every cabinet and drawer, laying out similar items together so you can see exactly how many you own. Ask yourself which pieces you actually use regularly and which ones sit untouched for months. Keep only what serves a practical purpose in your daily life or what you’d use when entertaining guests. Donate or discard the excess, giving yourself more cabinet space and making your kitchen more functional and organized before the holiday season arrives.

Discard Broken Electronics and Tangled Cords

Your junk drawers, closet shelves, and storage areas likely harbor broken electronics and knotted cords that you’ve been meaning to deal with but haven’t, and clearing them out will free up valuable space while reducing fire hazards and clutter in your home. Start by sorting through these items and identifying which electronics no longer work and which cords you actually use. Tangled cables create safety risks, especially near your Christmas tree setup, where you’ll need clear pathways for lights and decorations. Dispose of broken devices responsibly by taking them to electronic recycling centers that handle e-waste properly. Organize remaining cords by labeling them with tags or markers, then roll them neatly using velcro straps. This systematic approach eliminates unnecessary items and creates a safer, more organized space for holiday decorating.

Toss Out Stale Candles and Old Fragrance Products

Many households accumulate candles and fragrance products that’ve lost their scent potency, become dried out, or simply don’t match your current preferences, and removing these items will clear shelf space while making room for fresh holiday scents you’ll actually enjoy. You should check expiration dates on air fresheners, perfumes, and body sprays, discarding any that’ve separated or changed color. Examine candle wicks for excessive buildup or damage, and toss candles that won’t light properly or burn evenly. Remove potpourri that’s lost its fragrance and dried-up diffuser refills that no longer provide scent. By eliminating these stale products, you’ll create designated areas for new seasonal fragrances like pine, cinnamon, and vanilla that enhance your holiday decorations and atmosphere.

Sort Through Seasonal Items You’ve Stopped Using

Once you’ve cleared away those stale candles and fragrance products, it’s time to examine the seasonal decorations and items you’ve accumulated over the years but haven’t actually used. Look through storage bins containing holiday lights, ornaments, garland, and themed decorations you haven’t displayed recently. Ask yourself whether each item truly fits your current decorating style and if you’ll realistically use it this season. Consider removing duplicate items, broken decorations beyond repair, and pieces that no longer match your aesthetic preferences. Be honest about storage space constraints in your home, as keeping unused seasonal items takes up valuable room year-round. Donate usable decorations to thrift stores or community organizations that’ll appreciate them, ensuring these items find homes where they’ll actually be enjoyed and displayed.

Open Up Entryways and Coat Closets for Holiday Guests

As you prepare to welcome guests into your home during the holiday season, clearing out your entryways and coat closets becomes an essential step in creating a welcoming environment. Start by removing items you don’t need, such as broken umbrellas, worn-out shoes, and old jackets that take up valuable space. Organize remaining coats and outerwear by category and season, ensuring guests can easily access available hooks or hangers. Wipe down entryway surfaces, including coat closet shelves and walls, to eliminate dust and dirt. Create designated zones for guest belongings by clearing specific areas within your closet or installing additional hooks near your entrance. This strategic organization allows visitors to store their coats comfortably while preventing clutter from accumulating throughout your holiday gatherings.

Conclusion

You’ve transformed cluttered chaos into welcoming space, yet your work isn’t finished—it’s just beginning. While you’ve removed magazines, broken decorations, and tangled cords, you’ve simultaneously created room for festive joy and holiday memories. By clearing magazines and donating furniture, you’re not discarding possessions; you’re making deliberate choices that enhance your celebration. Your decluttered home now stands ready, prepared to showcase your Christmas tree as the centerpiece it deserves to be.