Q. The holidays are around the corner and I still have clutter from spring cleaning. Help! How can I de-clutter before I break out the holiday decorations?

I find myself in many homes across the western suburbs and “de-cluttering” comes up a lot! My number one rule is to take it a step at a time, so that you’re not overwhelmed. I also like to share a few tips that will help speed things up. Start with one room and pretend you’re about to list your home for sale. Leave the furniture, but clear everything else from the room. Then only add back items that are absolutely needed. Everything leftover should be sorted into “toss,” “donate” and “pack” piles. Toss and donate piles are self-explanatory, but “pack” is really the fun one. These are the items you really love, but you don’t want re-cluttering the room. Put some of these out as decorative objects, but keep the rest packed away. Every once in a while pull a few out to display. However, for every new object taken out, one gets packed away! You’ll love the breathing room on your tables and shelves, and will enjoy rotating the fun stuff.

Work on it a bit each day, doing sections of larger rooms, one closet or a small bathroom, each day. If you have 30 minutes to quickly clean out a closet, consider that a victory. In no time you’ll have a house that is clutter-free and ready for holiday decorating!

THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OF GLANCER MAGAZINE

ask an expert Susan Fisher has been an interior designer for Roseland Draperies & Interiors for almost 30 years. She specializes in residential and commercial interior design, including window treatments, bedding, table linens and reupholstery. She welcomes your questions at 630-355-1565 or susan@roselanddraperies.com.