There’s something about a fresh start that just feels good. So we’re setting the tone for the year ahead with a solid home reset – decluttering, organizing, deep cleaning, kids rooms – all the good stuff! I usually try to stay on top of the house by decluttering and organizing regularly, but since I haven’t been able to get to it in a while, we gotta get back on track. If you’re feeling the same way, join me with a home reset to start the year off right!
After significantly “reduced activity/modified bed rest” for the last few months before the twins were born, then the newborn stage, and the holidays, the house kind of feels like it’s falling apart around us. As much as I’d love to jump right back into the kitchen renovation, 1) I’m not quite feeling up for it yet and 2) I feel like I need to put the house back together before I start tearing it apart again. Renovating the kitchen is already an overwhelming task and we don’t want the added stress of the rest of the house being a total nightmare around it. Plus, we need to make some room for the twins. Fitting five kids into two bedrooms was the least of the surprises when we found out we were expecting twins, but what a fun challenge. 😂
A Few Tips
Before I just dump a checklist in your lap, here’s my basic process for tackling a home reset. Because, let’s be real, sometimes it feels “too far gone” and can be intimidating to get started. You’re not alone! That’s where I’m at too. We got this.
Step 1: One Room at a Time
To avoid overwhelm (or at least not be paralyzed by it), I like to break the reset down by focusing on one room at a time. This way, I can give each space the attention it deserves without feeling burnt out. Starting with the most used or most cluttered areas first helps build momentum and keeps me motivated to continue throughout the rest of the house.
I typically start in the kitchen. It’s a big one and always feels good to have done. Though, this year, I think the kids’ rooms are the most cluttered and overwhelming, especially with doing a whole room switcharoo as well. But I’m still starting in the kitchen – habits.
Step 2: Declutter First
Before I even think about scrubbing anything, I start by decluttering. There’s no point in organizing things you don’t actually want or need, right?
Pro tip: If decluttering feels overwhelming, set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on one small area at a time. It makes a huge difference without feeling like a massive project! This is especially helpful in the kitchen. The kitchen, at least ours, can get overwhelming fast. It’s the same thing I try to teach the kids when they’re overwhelmed cleaning up their toys: “Just start with one piece, then the next one, then the next. The only way to get through it is one piece at a time. And, before you know it – you’ve done it!” I was just telling our third kiddo this this morning after he threw all the play food all over the living room. Sometimes I need the reminder too. 😉
Step 3: Deep Clean
Once the clutter is out of the way, it’s time to clean! Wipe down all the surfaces, vacuum and mop the floors, and give those neglected spots (like baseboards and light switches) some love.
I also like to wash bedding, vacuum the furniture, and add a fresh scent to each room—whether it’s diffusing essential oils or lighting a clean, cozy candle. And how about those windows, huh? I think we’re just used to looking through the kids’ handprints, mouth prints, stickers. But, dang, that view is so nice once they’re clean!
Side note – I finally caved and bought myself the Dreame H12 Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum for Christmas. LOOOOOVE. I wasn’t sure how we’d like it, or if it would just feel like another thing to clean. But, oh my goodness. It’s probably our new favorite household item. Both Joseph and I use it all day long. Then, after the final dinner/evening cleanup, we give the floors a good clean, run the self-cleaning cycle, and wash the used-water tank as part of the nightly dishes. After it runs its self-clean cycle, it dries the brush roller as well so it doesn’t get stinky nasty. Game changer. Honestly, it just makes it so much easier to keep the floors clean because you don’t have to sweep and then mop. Not to mention cleaning the mop and bucket. You can do it all at the same time. For us, it’s been totally worth the hype and worth every penny. I went with the Dreame because it has edge-to-edge cleaning on both sides so I can run it right up to the baseboards from either direction.
Step 4: Organize
Now for the fun part—putting everything back in a way that makes sense. I try to focus on function over perfection. Bins, baskets, and drawer organizers are my best friends for keeping everything in its place. It’s all about making our home work for us, not against us!
For the kids’ stuff, I make sure toys have designated spots so they’re easy to clean up quickly. In the kitchen, normally I rearrange cabinets to make everyday items more accessible and store away things I don’t use often. Since the kitchen is in a half-way state right now, I didn’t tackle organization yet. But that will be the final piece of the renovation!
Step 5: Set Up for Success
There are two things we do regularly that make a huge difference in staying on top of the house and not letting it get to the point that it’s overwhelming. Of course, we weren’t able to maintain that last year, which is why it’s all overwhelming right now. But typically we do a nightly clean up and a bi-annual kids’ rooms declutter extravaganza.
The nightly cleanup includes: cleaning the kitchen, picking up the living room, and putting kids’ toys away. If there’s one that we let slide, it’s the kids’ rooms. But we always get the kitchen and living room to a clean slate so we have a fresh start in the morning. The kids room declutter extravaganza includes: swapping out clothes that no longer fit, organizing hand-me-downs, decluttering and organizing toys. I aim for twice a year – spring and before Christmas. Those two routines make all the difference in keeping the house somewhat under control without constant effort.
Everything else is a free-for-all. 😂 Ok, ok. We do try to stay on top of laundry (as much as possible) and clean the bathrooms regularly. Everything else is a free-for-all. I’m looking at you, refrigerator.
Home Reset Checklist
If your home is feeling a little chaotic, let’s reset, refresh, and get it back to a space that feels calm and inviting. I put together a simple checklist to help you work your way around this home reset room by room.
I love the idea of doing a home reset week-by-week or day-by-day, but the reality is – there’s no such thing as schedules right now. So rather than try to tie myself to any sort of schedule, it’s just a simple checklist. If there’s a day I can get to a few things, awesome! If there are days I don’t get to anything and spend the whole day snuggling babies and wrestling toddlers, also awesome. There’s no pressure of “falling behind” or trying to get this done on a timeline. Maybe the timeline is motivating for you – then, by all means, challenge yourself and put it to a schedule! Or just take it one task at a time with me.
Head over to my YouTube to clean your way through this checklist with me! And don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there. I’d love to take you along on all our home adventures. Leave a comment and let me know your favorite organizing or cleaning tip—I’m always looking for new ideas!
| Tylynn |
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