TL;DR
A Veranda report published ahead of the 2026 holiday season lists 12 categories of household items that organizers and designers recommend sorting before guests arrive. Their advice focuses on high-use spaces, donating usable goods and avoiding a whole-house purge; the list is expert guidance, not a formal study.
Veranda has published a 12-item decluttering guide based on advice from organization experts and designers, recommending that households sort busy areas before the 2026 holiday season. The suggestions cover entryways, guest rooms, kitchens and other spaces likely to see extra use as people host, cook and store gifts.
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The report recommends clearing out excess decorative accessories, old magazines and books, coats and boots nobody wears, and worn winter accessories such as gloves, hats and scarves. It also advises reviewing gift-wrap supplies, worn-out towels and sheets, guest-room clutter, and food-storage containers that are damaged, stained or missing matching lids.
The remaining categories are old candles and strong home fragrances, unused or unwanted items that could be donated, and other belongings taking up space in the areas used for holiday gatherings. The source article’s supplied text cuts off during its discussion of candles and fragrances, so the full wording of that section and the complete itemization of the final recommendations are not available here.
Rather than urging readers to clear every room, the experts quoted in the report suggest working in short sessions and focusing on spaces guests are likely to use: the entry, living and dining rooms, kitchen, powder room and guest bedroom. The article presents this as practical seasonal advice, not as a measured finding or a requirement for hosting.
Making Space for Holiday Hosting
The advice addresses a common seasonal pinch point: more coats, food, decorations and gifts entering homes that may already have limited storage. Sorting a crowded entry closet or kitchen cabinet ahead of time can make those everyday areas easier to use when household activity increases.
The report also links decluttering with reuse. Ann Lightfoot, cofounder of DDH Home Organizing & Move Management, says donation centers, coat drives and shelters need gently used items during this period. That suggestion comes with practical limits: donors should check whether an organization accepts a particular item, especially used linens, rather than assuming every center can take it.
The recommendations are deliberately selective. Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, says the aim is to make room for people gathering at home, not to discard possessions simply because they are old or do not match. That distinction matters for readers deciding what to keep: usable space is the goal, not a stripped-down home.
Products Worth Considering
Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Corded Vacuum
Levoit Core 400S-P Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Short, Targeted Seasonal Sort
In the Veranda report, organizer Amelia Meena, owner of Appleshine, Organization + Design, advises people to make one or two passes before the holiday rush rather than attempt a full-house cleanout. Kelly recommends setting aside 20 or 30 minutes per space and deciding what can be donated, discarded or relocated.
Lightfoot says early sorting can keep items from being buried under holiday purchases, wrapping supplies, leftovers and guests’ coats. She also points to the entry closet as a timely place to make room, since coat drives are collecting donations during colder months. Her comments are professional advice quoted by the publication; the report does not provide survey data or quantify the effect of decluttering on holiday stress.
The article also cautions against removing meaningful belongings just to create a more uniform look. Kelly names family china, inherited linens, collected ornaments and other personal objects as items that may contribute to a home’s character. The focus is on things that are unused, damaged or taking up needed space.
“The goal is to remove the clutter, not the character.”
— Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, quoted by Veranda
Limits of the Published Advice
The supplied source text ends partway through the section on candles and home fragrances. Although the headline promises 12 recommendations, the available excerpt does not show the complete description of all 12 categories. The full list beyond the material supplied here cannot be confirmed from this text.
The report does not identify a survey, research method or data supporting its recommendations; they are attributed opinions from named organizing and design professionals. It also does not specify which local charities accept particular household goods. Readers should check donation rules and the condition requirements of each organization before dropping items off.
Sort the Rooms You Use
The experts’ suggested next step is a brief review of the home’s high-traffic rooms, starting with the entry, kitchen and guest areas. Separate items into what should be kept, relocated, discarded or donated, and set a limit on the time spent in each space.
Before donating, confirm that the receiving organization accepts the item and that it is in usable condition. The Veranda report offers no scheduled follow-up or additional milestone; its advice is intended for readers preparing for the approaching holiday season.
Key Questions
What is the Veranda report about?
It shares seasonal decluttering advice from organizers and designers, identifying household categories to review before holiday hosting. The supplied excerpt does not include the complete text of all 12 recommendations.
Which areas should people sort first?
Kerrie Kelly recommends focusing on spaces guests are likely to use: the entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, powder room and guest bedroom. She suggests working in short sessions rather than attempting a whole-house purge.
Should people discard old or inherited belongings?
Not simply because they are old or do not match. Kelly says meaningful items such as family china, inherited linens and collected ornaments can give a holiday home character. The advice is to address clutter, not erase personal history.
Can worn towels and sheets be donated?
Lightfoot says animal shelters may welcome linens, but the report advises readers to call around first. Acceptance policies vary, and items should meet the receiving organization’s condition requirements.
Source: veranda.com
