Interior Designers really love space and the idea of being able to place things just so, but this only works in a perfect world. I realise my clients live in real homes that contain children, dogs, cats, fishbowls, muddy shoes, and lots of other things that are just ordinary parts of everyday life.
Decluttering doesn’t mean you have to become minimalist, it’s all about simplifying what you do have and keeping it more organised.
First steps to decluttering
The best way to begin is to start small, clear out one wardrobe or even a single drawer. If you have an area that bugs you or a item of furniture stacked to bursting, start with that and it will give you an immediate success.
When you begin to lighten your load, always remember there are three very simple piles to put everything in:
- Keep
- Throw away
- Give away
A good idea for children (and another storage solution) is to rotate what is available every now and then. It’s almost as good as Christmas when they see a toy again after a few months. If you have a little extra loft space bundle some things up and put them away, it will work wonders.
Once you have made some progress on sorting out your initial problems you need to keep on top of things and make sure that all the ‘bits’ that turn up on a daily basis in your home have a ‘home’ of their own:
- Buy a set of hooks or a bowl to keep keys, wallets and phones near the front door
- Assign a rack for newspapers and magazines
- Get a proper filing system (not fridge magnets!)
- Rotate summer and winter clothes in your wardrobe
- Look for pieces of furniture which include good storage e.g. footstools
