Starting the new year has a way of making all of us look around our homes with fresh eyes. After the holidays, the extra stuff feels louder, the closets are fuller, the counters are crowded, and suddenly that one messy corner feels impossible to ignore. It’s no surprise that decluttering is one of the most popular resolutions for the new year.
Decluttering doesn’t have to mean getting rid of everything. In fact, the best kind of organizing makes space for the things that bring you joy, including your hobbies. For puzzlers, that can sometimes feel tricky. Boxes stack up, pieces spill, and suddenly your relaxing hobby starts to feel like clutter instead of comfort.We want to talk about decluttering differently this year and we’re bringing in expert advice to help!
We reached out to professional organizer Audrey at Organized Chaos to get her best tips for creating a more organized home without overwhelm. Audrey shares daily organizing ideas on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Good news for us, she generously answered a few questions to help us all start the new year on the right foot!
One of the biggest misconceptions about decluttering is that there’s a single “right” way to store everything. According to Audrey, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“The type of storage solution completely depends on the item itself,” she explains. “I always recommend different organizers for different hobbies.”
When it comes to puzzles specifically, Audrey has a clear favorite: a puzzle board with drawers and swivel functionality. Not only does it keep pieces contained, but it slides easily under furniture when not in use, making it ideal for small spaces or shared rooms. Having a designated place for puzzling instantly reduces visual clutter and makes it easier to enjoy the process without taking over your entire space.This idea of intentional storage is key. When everything has a home, clutter stops feeling chaotic and starts feeling manageable.
Decluttering once is one thing. Keeping your home clutter-free is another. Audrey recommends two simple habits that make a big difference over time.
First, “The Daily 6.” These are six small, easy tasks that are part of her 6/10 cleaning system. They’re designed to keep your home from reaching that overwhelming “where do I even start?” stage. (You can learn more about it on her website at organizedchaos4.com.)
Second, her basket method. This one is refreshingly realistic. Place small baskets around your home and toss in visual clutter as you go throughout the week. When the basket is full, or when the weekend comes, take a few minutes to return everything to its proper place.
No massive clean-out. No all-day organizing marathon. Just steady progress.
For puzzlers, this can simply mean being mindful about how many puzzles are in your space at one time, keeping your current puzzles contained to a designated area, and allowing completed puzzles to move on - which is a mindset that naturally aligns with Completing the Puzzle and helps keep your hobby feeling calm instead of cluttered.
One of the most helpful insights Audrey shared is about the way we think during decluttering.
“The most common mistake people make is asking, ‘Do I need it?’” she says. “Instead, ask, ‘Can I live without it?’”
That shift is powerful. If you’ve ever found yourself justifying why you should keep something you never use, you know exactly what she means. Asking whether you can live without an item forces clarity and makes letting go a little easier.
If you’ve ever tried to declutter your entire home in a weekend and ended up frustrated, you’re not alone. Audrey’s advice is to stop trying to do it all at once.
Decluttering is a part of life, not a one-time project. Her solution is what she calls the “Chuck It Bucket.” Keep a donation basket in a central spot. As you move through your day, toss in items you no longer need, a shirt that doesn’t fit, a utensil you never use, something you’ve mentally outgrown. When the basket is full, drop it off for donation. Little effort. Big results.
At Completing the Puzzle, we know how meaningful puzzling can be. Decluttering doesn’t mean giving that up, it means rethinking how you enjoy it.
Our subscription was created with decluttering in mind. Instead of accumulating puzzle boxes, subscribers receive puzzles right through the mail. When you’re finished, you send it back and receive another. No stacks. No storage stress. Just space to enjoy your hobby.
For puzzlers looking to simplify their hobby space in the new year, it’s an easy way to stay organized without sacrificing what you love.
Decluttering isn’t about perfection. It’s about making room for the things that matter most.
With expert advice from organizers like Audrey Barton and small habit changes that fit into real life, creating a calmer and more intentional home is completely achievable.