TL;DR
A Veranda report published in November 2026 gathers advice from organizing professionals and designers on clearing 12 kinds of household clutter before the holidays. Their recommendations focus on guest-facing spaces and practical items, while experts caution against a whole-home purge or discarding meaningful possessions.
Organizing professionals and designers interviewed by Veranda recommend clearing or sorting 12 categories of household clutter before holiday guests, cooking and decorations arrive. The November 2026 report focuses on practical steps in frequently used and guest-facing rooms, not a whole-house purge.
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The recommendations include excess decorative accessories, old magazines and books, unused coats and boots, worn winter accessories, surplus or damaged gift-wrap supplies, and worn-out towels and sheets. The list also covers clearing a guest room, discarding food-storage containers that are stained or missing matching lids, and reviewing old candles and strong home fragrances. The supplied excerpt begins the candle advice but cuts off before giving its full guidance or all 12 list entries.
Experts advise setting a limited scope and checking what is already in the home before buying or discarding supplies. Laura Kinsella, founder of Urban OrgaNYze, says to inventory wrapping paper, bags and ribbon, recycle scraps or damaged items, and store usable supplies together. Amelia Meena, owner of Appleshine, Organization + Design, recommends getting done what is manageable rather than turning the effort into a larger project.
The suggested priority areas are the entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, powder room and guest bedroom, according to Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio and NKBA 2026 National Board Chair. Kelly suggests spending 20 or 30 minutes per space and deciding what to donate, discard or relocate. The source also advises checking with animal shelters before donating old linens, since acceptance policies can vary.
Making Room for Holiday Guests
The advice addresses a common seasonal squeeze: holiday visitors, gifts, food and decorations can compete for space in already crowded rooms and storage areas. Clearing a coat closet or guest-room surface ahead of time may make those spaces more usable, while checking gift-wrap supplies can prevent duplicate purchases. These are practical suggestions from the experts quoted by Veranda, not evidence that decluttering produces a measured benefit for every household.
The report also connects sorting with seasonal donations. Ann Lightfoot, cofounder of DDH Home Organizing & Move Management, says donation centers, coat drives and shelters need gently used items. Readers should check whether a local organization accepts a particular item and in what condition before dropping it off; the source specifically recommends calling animal shelters about linens.
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A Short, Targeted Pre-Holiday Sort
The article frames the work as a brief round of preparation rather than an extensive cleanout. Lightfoot says the holidays bring more guests, gifts, food and decorations, while Meena recommends doing one or two decluttering sessions before the rush. Kelly’s room-by-room approach directs attention to spaces household members and visitors are likely to use.
The report also cautions against treating age or mismatched style as a reason to discard something. Kelly says family china, inherited linens, collected ornaments and other meaningful objects can contribute to a home’s character. Her stated aim is to remove clutter while preserving items that matter to the household.
“I like to think of it as making room for the experience rather than simply getting rid of things.”
— Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio
The Full Twelve-Item List
The supplied source text ends partway through its section on old candles and overpowering home fragrances. It does not include the remainder of that advice or the complete set of 12 categories, so the missing recommendations cannot be reliably reported here. The article also offers expert opinions rather than a formal standard for what households should discard; choices depend on a home’s needs, the condition of belongings and local donation rules.
A Practical Room-by-Room Check
Readers following the advice can start with one frequently used room, set a short time limit, and sort items into those to keep, relocate, donate or discard. Before shopping, they can check existing wrapping supplies and storage containers; before donating, they can confirm an organization accepts the items. The source gives no deadline or follow-up announcement, so the next step is a household decision rather than a scheduled development.
Key Questions
What is the main recommendation in the report?
The experts recommend a limited pre-holiday sort in practical and guest-facing spaces, rather than trying to declutter the entire home.
Which rooms should people prioritize?
Kerrie Kelly identifies the entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, powder room and guest bedroom as spaces to consider, with attention guided by how the household and guests use them.
Should meaningful or inherited items be discarded?
No. Kelly says family china, inherited linens, collected ornaments and other meaningful possessions can give a holiday home character. Her advice is to remove clutter, not meaningful belongings simply because they are old or do not match.
Can old towels and sheets be donated?
The report says animal shelters may welcome some linens, but advises calling first. Acceptance policies and condition requirements can differ by organization.
Source: veranda.com
