With Thanksgiving and Christmas just ahead, now is the time to make sure your home is ready for the holidays and the months after. Even if you don’t have a lot of time for organizing — or if you just hate the thought of using your free time to clean — you can still make a big difference by tackling a few key areas in your home.

But which ones will give you the most bang for your organizing buck?

Here are five spaces to consider organizing this fall and winter to make your home into a cozy sanctuary (and the perfect venue for gatherings).

1. Declutter Your Shoe Closet

Shoes are a bit like rabbits, one pair can turn into dozens before you know it. If your shoe closet is overrun, take the time to sort through everything and decide what to keep and what to donate. Once you’ve thinned the herd, invest in a shoe tree so that things stay organized. You’ll be thankful for the extra room once it’s time to break out your boots!

2. Organize Your Kitchen Drawers

Save yourself time searching for the turkey baster and the fancy soup spoons at the holidays by getting your kitchen drawers in order now. Collect all those special occasion items that tend to end up buried under your everyday utensils and store them in a place of prominence for the coming celebrations. We like repurposing a pretty pitcher or a vase on our kitchen countertop for things like spatulas, thermometers, whisks, and slotted spoons.

3. Clear Out Your Garage

An outdoor chore that’s a breeze in the summer can be a nightmare come winter, and organizing the garage is the perfect example of this. Do yourself a favor and clear out your garage now, while the weather is still nice and you don’t have to worry about icy patches and numb fingers. As a bonus, this is an awesome time to dig out your Christmas and Hanukkah decorations so you’re ready to deck the halls on the stroke of December 1.

4. Overhaul Your Home Office

So many more of us have been working from home over the past year, which means a lot more of us now have desks piled high with papers, pens, and other office stuff. Don’t let your work encroach on the cleanliness and comfort of your home. Grab your recycling bin and toss out any stray papers that you no longer need. Or, set up a proper filing system so you can store everything out of sight — and keep it out of mind when office hours are over.

5. Consider Your Closets

We know it’s hard to put your warm weather clothes away and accept the fact that summer is gone, but this is an important step in getting ready for winter. So gather up all those shorts and tops that you won’t need until spring rolls around and put them in storage. If you have some items you no longer love, consider donating them. You’ll be surprised how much faster and easier it is to pick an outfit when your closet isn’t stuffed with off-season items.

More Ways to Upgrade Your Home

After cleaning and organizing, keep the momentum going by looking at ways to upgrade your home. A fresh coat of paint, for example, can totally transform a space. So can the addition of barn doors. Check out our collection of rustic and modern options for a simple way to spruce up your space.