How to Create a Cozy, Clutter-Free Home for the Holidays

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The holidays have a way of sneaking up — one minute it’s pumpkin spice season, and the next it’s twinkle lights and to-do lists. But what if this year, we approached it differently?  Instead of chasing perfection, what if we aimed for peace — a home that feels cozy, welcoming, and uncluttered enough to actually enjoy?

Here’s how we’re creating a calm, cozy, and clutter-free home for the holidays (and how you can too).

1. Start with a Gentle Declutter

Before pulling out the bins of holiday decorations, take an hour or two to reset your spaces. Clear surfaces, donate what you no longer love, and make space for what’s to come.

We love keeping a few woven storage baskets by the door and in the living room — perfect for tossing in toys, extra blankets, or those random “catch-all” items that pile up fast.

Tip: Ask yourself, “Would I buy this again today?” If not, it’s time to let it go.

Woven basket: 

Woven basket with handles: 

2. Use Scent to Set the Mood

You don’t need a full home makeover to make it feel like the holidays. Sometimes all it takes is scent.

Light a candle that smells like cinnamon or pine, or use a diffuser with essential oils like orange, clove, and vanilla. Those little sensory touches create instant warmth and calm — especially after a long day.

Diffuser:

Christmas scented oils: 

Holiday scented candles: 

3. Choose Décor That Feels Calm, Not Cluttered

It’s easy to go overboard with decorations — but simplicity often feels more peaceful.

Try focusing on one or two key spots in each room (like the mantel or dining table), and choose pieces that make you smile. Think neutral holiday garlands, wooden bead ornaments, and soft throw blankets that bring texture without the chaos.

Neutral holiday garlands: 

Wooden bead garlands: 

Soft throw blankets:

4. Make Storage Beautiful and Functional

Clutter often creeps in when we don’t have homes for our things.

Use clear storage bins with labels for holiday items so you can actually find them next year. Keep extra décor neatly stacked in baskets or lidded containers that double as part of your home aesthetic.

Some of our favorite storage bins:

Bonus: Store gift wrap, tags, and tape in a rolling cart or a single bin, so wrapping gifts becomes fun, not frantic.

5. Focus on Moments, Not Stuff

When your space feels peaceful, your mind follows.

Put on soft music, pour something warm, and take a few minutes to notice what matters most — your people, your memories, and the joy tucked inside quiet moments.

We’ve found that the coziest homes aren’t the most decorated — they’re the ones filled with intention.

Final Thoughts

This season, let’s trade overwhelm for ease. Let’s decorate with heart, not hurry. And let’s fill our homes with warmth that comes from presence, not perfection. Because when we make space for simplicity, the holidays feel a whole lot more magical.