Every year around this time, I start hearing the same thing from clients: “I don’t know what happened, but my house suddenly feels cluttered.”

Summer has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute life feels relatively routine, and the next there are pool bags by the door, sunscreen on the kitchen counter, vacation plans in full swing, kids home more often, and outdoor entertaining popping up on the calendar.

It’s not that your home suddenly became disorganized. It’s that the way you’re living in it has changed.

Before summer gets into full swing, I always recommend taking a little time to reset your spaces. Not with a massive organizing project or a weekend spent labeling bins, but with a few thoughtful adjustments that make everyday life feel easier.

1. Create a Poolside Drop Zone

If your family uses the pool regularly, chances are wet towels, goggles, sunscreen, and flip-flops are making their way inside. Instead of fighting it, create a dedicated pool station near the pool or somewhere in the garage!

Include:

• Hooks for towels
• A basket for pool toys
• Storage for sunscreen and bug spray
• A waterproof bin for goggles and floaties

The closer these items are stored to where they’re used, the less likely they are to end up scattered throughout the house. 

2. Reclaim Your Lanai

In Florida, the lanai often becomes an extension of the home. Over time, it’s easy for outdoor cushions, pool accessories, planters, and entertaining items to accumulate.

At the start of summer:

• Remove anything broken or unused.
• Consolidate outdoor serving pieces.
• Store extra cushions.
• Refresh planters.

A clean lanai immediately makes your entire home feel more organized.

3. Give Every Family Member a Summer Basket

This is one of my favorite tricks for keeping everyday summer essentials from taking over your kitchen counters, entryway, and dining table.

Assign each family member their own basket, bin, or tote and make it their designated spot for the items they use most often. Think water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, camp schedules, sports gear, sunglasses, and anything else that seems to constantly end up scattered throughout the house.

Don’t have a mudroom? Most homeowners don’t.

Instead, look for underutilized spaces such as:

• The bottom shelf of a coat closet
• A corner of the garage
• A basket tucked beneath a console table
• A cabinet near the kitchen or garage entry
• A bench with storage inside
• A section of a laundry room shelf
• A dedicated spot inside a pantry

The goal isn’t to create a picture-perfect organizing system. It’s simply to give these everyday items a consistent home.

One of my favorite solutions for smaller homes is using matching woven baskets with labels. They can easily be stored on a closet shelf, under an entryway bench, or even inside a cabinet while still looking intentional and cohesive.

When everyone knows where their things belong, those “out-the-door” items are far less likely to end up covering every available surface in your home. And as a bonus, you’ll spend a lot less time searching for sunscreen five minutes before heading to the pool.

4. Simplify Summer Entertaining

Summer often means more guests, more gatherings, and more opportunities to enjoy your home. Unfortunately, it can also mean serving trays stacked on countertops, extra glassware scattered throughout cabinets, and outdoor entertaining supplies taking over valuable storage space.

One of my favorite tricks is creating an entertaining station. Choose a single cabinet, buffet, or storage area where you keep:

• Serving platters
• Drink dispensers
• Outdoor dishes
• Cloth napkins
• Candles
• Hosting essentials

By keeping everything together, you’re able to set up and clean up more efficiently, and your kitchen stays organized even during busy hosting seasons.

In Florida, the entryway works overtime during the summer months. Between pool days, beach trips, golf outings, sports practices, and everyday errands, it’s often the first place clutter begins to accumulate.

Think of your entryway as the home’s first line of defense against chaos. When it’s functioning well, the rest of the house tends to stay more organized. A few simple updates can make a significant difference:

• Place a decorative tray nearby for keys, sunglasses, and mail.
• Add a bench where family members can easily remove shoes.
• Use baskets underneath for flip-flops, sandals, and pool shoes.
• Install hooks for beach bags, hats, and tote bags.

6. Clear the Kitchen Counters

The kitchen is often the first place clutter shows up. Mail, water bottles, snacks, school papers, and small appliances can quickly make a beautiful kitchen feel chaotic. A simple exercise I recommend to clients: Remove everything from your counters.

Then only put back:

• Items you use daily
• One or two decorative elements
• Functional pieces that contribute to the overall design

The goal isn’t empty countertops. The goal is intentional countertops.

7. Rotate Heavy Winter Textiles Out for the Season

One of the easiest ways to make a Florida home feel lighter and less cluttered is by editing your textiles. Even in Florida, many homeowners still have chunky knit throws, heavier pillows, and darker accessories lingering long after winter has passed.

As summer arrives, consider storing:

• Heavy throw blankets
• Faux fur accents
• Dark velvet pillows
• Winter-inspired decor
• Extra bedding not being used

In their place, introduce:

• Linen textiles
• Cotton throws
• Lighter neutral pillows
• Natural woven textures
• Fresh greenery

Not only does this create visual breathing room, but it also helps your home feel more connected to the season.

8. Don’t Neglect Smaller Spaces

One of the best summer organization projects is editing your closet. In Florida, where warm weather lasts much longer than in other parts of the country, many homeowners hold onto winter clothing that’s taking up valuable space.

When Organization Isn’t the Answer!

If you’ve worked through these tips and your home still feels cluttered, don’t be too quick to blame yourself. Sometimes the issue isn’t a lack of organization. Sometimes it’s the way your home functions.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many homeowners who felt frustrated because they were constantly trying to stay organized, yet their spaces never seemed to work for their daily routines. More often than not, the problem wasn’t their habits. It was the layout, storage solutions, furniture placement, or overall flow of the home.

Maybe your entryway doesn’t support the way your family comes and goes. Maybe your kitchen lacks functional storage. Or perhaps your home simply hasn’t evolved alongside the season of life you’re currently in. The truth is, even the most organized homeowner can struggle when the bones of a space aren’t supporting the way they live.