5 summer items to declutter in your home now to free up space this autumn

After a hot summer filled with fun, holidays and quality time in the garden, it's only natural that our homes reflect that now. This can mean lots of things lying around and taking up much-needed space. That's why now, as the seasons change, is a great time to declutter.

With autumn arriving, experts recommend a few home 'reset' rituals to get yourself and your space ready for the new season. There are so many reasons to declutter your home, whether to free up valuable loft or garage space or if you're looking to make room for extra cosy layers – the transition from summer to autumn is a perfect excuse to get organised.

Much of what we use and have around the house in summer no longer serves us once the seasons change because our plans change along with it. So, with this in mind, decluttering experts have shared a list of things they'd recommend storing, donating, or getting rid of ahead of the new season.

5 Summer items to declutter this autumn

Just as there are many things you should clean before autumn, it's a good idea to go around your home and sort out summer items you won't be using in the new season.

Not only will this free up lots of space, but it'll help you mentally prepare for the coming months too.

1. Suitcases and travel accessories

Even if you're not trying to organise a small space, suitcases take up far too much room, and it's all too easy to put off storing them away properly.

“Rather than leaving them in bedrooms, on top of wardrobes or taking up valuable cupboard space, September is a good time to pack away suitcases along with travel pillows, luggage organisers, beach bags and other holiday accessories,” explains Max Wilson, storage expert and Co-founder of Pocket Storage.

“Suitcases take up a surprising amount of space for something most households only use a few times a year. If you know you’re not travelling again soon, there’s little reason for them to be occupying prime storage space at home," he adds.

2. BBQ equipment and outdoor dining essentials

If you've been enjoying your outdoor kitchen this summer, you'll no doubt have the cooking tools to show for it. And while there might be some chances for al-fresco dining this autumn, it's a safe bet to start putting these things away.

“Large utensils, serving trays, outdoor tableware, barbecue accessories and other seasonal extras can therefore be moved out of kitchen cupboards and everyday storage areas,” says Max.

“You don’t necessarily need to put the barbecue itself away immediately, especially if you still use it, but all of the accessories around it can take up a lot of useful kitchen and utility-room space," he continues.

It's also a good idea to clean your BBQ and any tools thoroughly before storing it away. Not only will this keep the BBQ in good shape, but it'll save you hassle when you get it back out next year.

3. Fans and cooling systems

With summers getting hotter and hotter, you no doubt by now have one of the best fans in every room. And while they're a saviour during the heat, they're not only an eyesore in autumn, but they're also pretty bulky and imposing.

“As temperatures fall, however, floor fans, desk fans and portable cooling equipment are unlikely to justify the space they occupy," Max points out.

“Fans are one of the easiest wins in a September reset. They tend to be bulky, awkwardly shaped and left sitting in rooms long after people have stopped using them," he says.

4. Summer clothing

You may already be a master at wardrobe organising techniques, but the yearly clothing swap of your summer clothes to your winter ones is upon us. Whether we like it or not, it's time to bid farewell to flip-flops and cooling linens.

Max explains, “Wardrobes work much better when they reflect what you’re actually wearing now. If half the space is taken up by beachwear and holiday clothes in November, finding the things you use every day becomes unnecessarily difficult.”

It's time to welcome that autumn capsule wardrobe back for another cosy yet stylish season.

5. Summer sporting equipment

Whether you fancy yourself a sportsperson during any of the seasons or not, it's quite common to have unnecessary leisure equipment lying around. Whether that's an inflatable paddle board you take on the canal or a pair of flippers that got some use on a snorkelling holiday.

“September is a useful point to decide which items will genuinely continue to be used during autumn and which can be moved elsewhere,” Max says.

“Large leisure equipment is often responsible for a disproportionate amount of clutter. You might only have three or four items, but because of their size, they can make an entire garage or hallway feel full," he finishes.

If you need to declutter your shed to fit these things in, now's the best time to do it before the wet weather properly arrives.

Once you've taken all the summer items away from your everyday space, you'll be free to fully embrace the new season and perhaps try out some new autumn decor ideas.