Is your home is ready for every sun-soaked moment?

Summer is about simplicity, elegance, and ease, which is difficult when surrounded by seasonal clutter.

Eliminate what no longer serves you, clear space

for what does, and help ensure your home is ready

for every sun-soaked moment.

I’m Carol Appelbaum, founder of Luxury Pro Organizer in Houston, Texas https://www.luxuryproorganizer.com/

As one of the leading high-end organizing services for affluent homeowners in Houston, I’ve seen firsthand how clearing often-overlooked items creates physical space and restores peace so people can enjoy what they have to the fullest. It feels freeing and more luxurious when there’s less clutter. I hope some of the suggestions below will motivate your readers.

1.       Plastic Pool Glass Sets That Are Yellowed or Cracked
Those “shatterproof” tumblers and wine glasses may have been a good idea once, but if they’ve turned cloudy, warped, or cracked, they diminish your hosting game. Replace with elegant acrylic or insulated outdoor glassware.

2.       Old Citronella Candles & Bug-Repelling Gear
That half-used citronella candle from last year? It’s likely lost its potency. Swap it out for fresh candles, lanterns, or modern repellents that actually work, smell better, and blend with your outdoor décor.

3.        Damaged Garden Tools
Dull shears, broken or tangled hoses, gloves you don’t want to put your hands in, or bent rakes can accumulate. Choose tools that feel good to use and store beautifully. A luxury home deserves an equally refined garage or shed.

4.       Yard Games No One Plays Anymore
Croquet sets with splintered or missing mallets, warped bocce balls or tennis rackets, tangled volleyball nets, or that oversized Jenga game faded from seasons past. If it’s collecting dust instead of creating memories, let it go. If the fun has faded, it’s time to clear the space.

5.       Outdated First Aid Items
Expired ointments, bandages with poor adhesive, or half-used travel kits tossed in a drawer “just in case” need a refresh. Summer activities call for ready-to-use, well-stocked kits. Check expiration dates on sunscreens, bug sprays, and ointments.

6.       Expired Sunscreen & Bug Spray
Sunscreens lose effectiveness after their expiration date—leaving your skin unprotected. Bug sprays can also lose potency or become unsafe. Check labels and restock smartly.

7.       Old or Broken Fishing Gear
Rusty reels, brittle lines, rusted crab traps, and dented, dusty tackle boxes aren’t worth holding onto, even if you keep telling yourself they’ll be “fixed next year.” Let them go and make room for tools you’ll enjoy using on the water. Unless it’s a collector’s item, it’s time to replace or retire it; luxury leisure deserves top-quality equipment.

8.       Boating and Crabbing Equipment
Whether it’s frayed ropes, cracked buoys, or rusted traps, these items pile up in garages and dockside storage. If it didn’t get used last year and isn’t in condition to be used this year, it’s time to let it go.

9.       Unused Water Bottles & Travel Mugs
That cabinet of mismatched bottles and mugs with lost lids. You only use a few favorites. Keep the high-quality ones, and donate or recycle the rest for a cleaner, more functional space.

10.    Dated Beach Gear and Sand Toys
That once-adorable mesh bag now full of cracked pails, mismatched shovels, and faded floaties? If your children have outgrown them or you’ve upgraded your beach setup, give yourself permission to toss or donate.

11.   Old Pool Floats
If it smells like mildew, has a slow leak, or is a pealing sun-damaged foam float, it will probably not be used much, if at all. Instead, let it go and invest in versions that elevate your poolside look.

12.   Worn Beach Towels
Towels with frayed edges, fading, or that haven’t seen sunlight in years should be donated or discarded. Replace with fresh, plush ones that feel like a resort.

13.   Swimwear With Stretched-Out Elastic
Toss swimwear and workout gear with stretched-out elastic—it won’t perform well, and it definitely won’t flatter. Replacing them now means you’re ready for beach days and workouts without the sag.

Preparing and uncluttering the old items will create simplicity, elegance, and ease, which is difficult when surrounded by seasonal clutter. Eliminate what no longer serves you, clear space for what does, and help ensure your home is ready for every sun-soaked moment. My clients and my family are ready. I’m here for you if you need assistance. Remember, “That feeling you get when you walk into a luxury hotel lobby or spa is because there’s NO CLUTTER.”