Decluttering your home can seem like an overwhelming, never-ending task and there isn’t a one size fits all approach but we’ve curated a list of our favourite tips for keeping your space & your mind clutter-free.

1. Don’t start by looking for storage solutions

We’ve all been there, you set yourself the task of organising a space, maybe it’s the linen cupboard… so you set off to the shops to buy countless organisers, plastic boxes, shelf separators, tiny baskets and even labels for all your new containers. All before you have even culled those towels with holes in them that you keep “just in case”. Consider the kind of storage you’re investing in and make sure it works for your home & your families needs. You won’t know what type of storage you need until you declutter, during the process you might find boxes or baskets that you can repurpose now you have disposed of or donated the contents. Once you have culled your items you can assess space by space the storage buys you need.
 

2. Keep it simple (Simplify your spaces)

If you don't use it, love it or want it… it’s time for it to go. If Marie Kondo’s “sparking joy” doesn’t help and you think a little more practically - narrow down your selection of similar items by distinguishing which items are your favourite, the best or a necessity. Ask yourself what items you actually use and ditch anything you don’t. This is potentially the most important step, moving clutter around & sorting things into pretty labelled tubs of things you will never need isn’t really decluttering.

Don’t keep things “just in case” you know as well as we do that you’re not going to use them.Our favourite methods on deciding what to keep or let go of are;
 

• The ex test, would you really contact an ex to get the item back?
• The moving test, everyone knows what a nightmare moving can be would you really take it with you?
• The one in one out rule, If you buy something new, you have to get rid of one you already have (this is a good one for clothing), or of course the tried and true
• KonMari Method, does it spark joy? Or is it a random item you forgot existed?

3. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint (Start small)

There is no point in doing every single job all at once, start with a small space that you use often and start clearing things out. You will end up overwhelmed and out of time. Designate one space per Saturday if that is all you have time for. Doing a huge cull of all the items you have acquired will not only declutter your space but you will be less likely to re-buy items if you spend a designated amount of time mindfully going through each section. You’ll know that you don’t in fact need another moisturiser, because you have two unopened ones in your drawer at home.

4. A place for everything & everything in its place. (Think strategy)

Once you have begun purging, think about where the best places to store your items are. The things you use on a daily basis should be easily accessible, the kids' toys have baskets that are easy for them to throw toys into, a hook where you put your keys everyday somewhere for the shoes you wear everyday to go… where do you want things to go and what will make your life easier?

5. Where does it go? (Start with decluttering your storage spaces)

Start with the spaces where you stash everything, your garage, the attic or that cupboard at the back of the house that has everything in it. If you clear these areas first you’ll have enough space to tidy and store the things you actually want to keep.
 

6. Simple as 1, 2, 3… (Create a decluttering checklist)

Keep track of what can or needs to be reduced in your home and go through your list one by one. You will be surprised how quickly momentum builds up. What items do you have lots of, maybe tupperware or craft supplies, linen or baby items. What is building up and what can you go through methodically?

Photo courtesy of @simplyciani

7. A little goes a long way (Work decluttering into your everyday)

Put your organising items in places you use everyday, somewhere for your daily skincare, a place where your paper clutter is stored until you have the time to file, a bag in your closet for donating so the clothes in your immediate reach are the ones you always wear. If everything has a place, you’re less likely to end up with those random piles of mismatched items that you have acquired slowly.

8. Maximise your surface area (Keep your flat surfaces clear & tidy)

An easy way to maintain a clear space is to keep your surfaces clear. Unless you use it everyday - it doesn’t need to be on display, with the exception of course of your favourite decor items. Think less is more; for example, unless you use your blender everyday - you don’t need it sitting on the bench. Watch your mindset transform when the spaces around you are clear and clean.

Our favourite decluttering tips for each room;

Kitchen

Group the items in your pantry and position things so you can see them. You will find you have less food wastage as you know what you have and you won’t have to dig through endless shelves for that one baking ingredient you know is buried in there… somewhere.
 

Photo courtesy of Kitchen Warehouse
 

Living Room

Have a designated space for each family member, a basket for the kids toys or maybe the fur babies, a place for the remotes. You don’t have to throw away every item you own to declutter - simply creating spaces for the items will go a long way.

Laundry

This room is so easily cluttered, it's busy and often out of sight. This room is meant to be practical in nature. Only have what you need in there; keep your detergent, scent boosters, stain remover and dryer balls handy, a spot for dirty clothes and maybe your cleaning supplies like the mop or broom. Don’t use your laundry as an overflow for other rooms, implement your other rules in this space like you would your kitchen, a clear surface & a space for everything.

Bedroom

Declutter your bedside table, it so easily becomes a junk drawer full of items that have no place, keep it for the items you use before bed and nothing else. Invest in a tray for the jewellery you wear every day, your phone, hand cream and reading glasses.
 

Kids Room

Try a toy rotation - limiting the number of toys and clothes your child has will make such a difference in how much time you spend asking them to clean their room. Have one or two plastic tubs and fill them with the toys your kids aren’t into currently and rotate them into storage. You’ll find the kids are excited about their ‘new’ old toys as they will likely have forgotten about them for a while.

Bonus - Wardrobe

Implement the six month rule - when you’re going through your clothes, look at each item individually and consider whether you have worn it in the last six months, this works well seasonally too. As you head into Spring and you start to transition to your warmer weather clothing, go through your Winter clothes and think about whether you wore them at all in the last few months. If not - you know you’re unlikely to next Winter and so on.

Bathroom

Once you have decluttered the expired or almost empty/forgotten items. Group your remaining items by what makes sense. Maybe each family member needs a container or maybe it makes more sense for items to be stored by type.

Home Office

Split your office into distinct areas, a work zone, a supply zone and an activity zone. Particularly if you share your home office, keeping your work zone clear will help you focus. Struggling with paper clutter? Within your work zone; establish an immediate filing system for things you currently need & a permanent file system for things you need to hold onto but not reference often.