After spending much of the winter indoors, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of sunshine and spring in the air. It’s the perfect time to refresh—to declutter, deep clean, and reorganize your home—especially if you’ve been busy keeping kids entertained during those long, sub-zero days. Refreshing your space can help you feel lighter, brighter, and ready for the new season ahead.

Here are a few simple, effective tips to get started: 

Start Small

Choose one room, one space, or even a single cabinet. Begin by decluttering. To help, ask yourself a few questions:

• Have I used this item in the last six months?
• Do I have a duplicate of this item?
• Is this item worth the space it takes up?
• Is the item working or is it broken?
• Do I enjoy seeing it often?
• Does it have sentimental value?

Remove items that no longer serve you. Focus on areas you use most often—these will have the biggest impact on your daily routine and give you a quick sense of accomplishment.

Use the Keep, Donate, Store Method

As you go through your items, create three piles: keep, donate, and store. Don’t pressure yourself to get rid of items unnecessarily. Use the decluttering questions above to help with pile determination. Additionally, for items going into storage, use labeled bins so everything is easy to find later on.

For a list of where to give your gently used items a second life, take a look at our article Where to Donate Used Items in Rochester.

Bonus tip: For storage, write a list of what’s inside each bin and tape it to the outside—future you will thank you!

Put Away Seasonal Items

Pack up heavy blankets, boots, and fleece pajamas to lighten your space. Undoubtedly, Spring is a great time to review wardrobes—for both you and your kids. Use the keep/donate/store method to simplify the process.

Use Simple Organizers

Cabinets and drawers are perfect places to add baskets, shelf inserts, or dividers. These don’t have to be expensive or perfectly matched—second-hand finds work just as well.

Bonus tip: Label shelves, baskets or sections so everything has a clear home. No label maker? Masking tape and a marker work perfectly.

Refresh Décor and Art

Winter décor tends to feel cozy, warm, and often dark. Swap those pieces out for lighter, brighter, and more airy accents. This could be as simple as changing throw pillows, blankets, or wall art. Store holiday and winter items away so they’re ready when the seasons shift again.

Bonus tip: If you didn’t use certain items this past season, consider donating them. You’ll create space—and make room for something new next year.

Do A Toy Audit

Take a look at the toys on shelves and in storage. Have your kids outgrown any of them? If they are still useable, set those in the donation pile. Some kids enjoy being part of this process and feel proud donating items. Others may find it harder, so decide what works best for your family. 

Bonus tip: Rotating toys (inspired by Montessori-style organization) can also help reduce clutter and keep things feeling fresh. For inspiration, see our article Montessori Method at Home: Simple Tips That Build Independence)

Make It Enjoyable

Put on a favorite podcast, audiobook, or playlist and make the process fun. Decluttering doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it can be a satisfying and even a relaxing activity.

Need More Inspiration?

Books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and The Home Edit Life by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin offer great tips and motivation.

It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming to refresh your home. Start small, stay consistent, and before you know it, it will become a seasonal routine you actually look forward to.