When it comes to decluttering your home, that doesn’t mean emptying every cupboard in one weekend.
A better way to declutter your house is to work through the whole home with a clear purpose: decide what you use, what items you really want to keep or need, and what can leave.
If you are feeling overwhelmed when just thinking of decluttering, begin somewhere manageable.
Decluttering doesn’t happen overnight, and trying to tackle everything at once can turn the job into another source of stress.
What is decluttering?
Decluttering means removing things you no longer need, use or want so your space is easier to live in and organise.
It is different from a quick tidy. Tidying puts things back; decluttering asks whether they still need a place in your home at all.
Why declutter your home? By House Clearances Specialists
The benefits of decluttering are mainly practical.
Less clutter gives you more storage space and makes drawers and cupboards easier to organise.
A decluttered home can also feel calmer because you are no longer working around things you rarely use.
Decluttering can also be useful before larger clear-outs.
If you are moving or downsizing, professional house clearances can help with the furniture and belongings you decide you no longer want.
How to declutter your home step by step
There is no single approach that works for everyone.
The decluttering process is easier when you start with straightforward decisions and leave harder ones until later.
A fully decluttered home is not going to happen instantly, but getting rid of items you no longer need will make your life so much easier and less stressful in the long run. Give yourself time to complete the task.
Follow these decluttering tips to keep your home organised and tidy and completely change how your home looks.
Decide what to keep
When getting started, ask whether you use an item, whether it has a clear place and whether you would choose to keep it today. Broken belongings and duplicates are usually easier decisions.
It can be harder to let go of things with sentimental value.
Getting rid of sentimental items just to make faster progress can lead to regret, so give yourself time to decide when it’s time to let go of things you no longer need.
Marie Kondo has a method called KonMari.
It is built around asking whether items “bring you joy”. It should help you identify items to declutter and make it easier to get rid of things that no longer make you happy.
You do not need to follow one organiser’s system, but the question can help you declutter when you are unsure why you are holding on to something.
Declutter room by room
Work around your home in a sensible order. You do not need to clear every nook and cranny in one go.
In the kitchen for example, check duplicate utensils, unused appliances and the interior of each drawer or cupboard.
In bedrooms, look through clothes, shoes and drawers.
A living room or home office may have paperwork, cables or furniture that no longer earns its space.
For guidance on what to declutter room by room, read our guide on our declutter your home checklist.
The order is different for everyone. Start with one room that feels manageable and keep making progress from there. That makes decluttering easier.
Declutter first, then organise what is left
The simplest approach is to declutter and organise in that order.
Buying boxes or shelving too early can turn organising your home into finding better storage for clutter.
Once an area is decluttered, find a place for what remains based on how you use the room. Keep the easiest-to-reach storage for everyday items.
What should you do with unwanted items?
Getting rid of things does not automatically mean throwing them away.
Donate usable belongings to a charity shop, recycle what you can, give them to a friend or family member, or sell things you no longer want if they still have value.
Be realistic about anything you plan to sell. A “sell later” pile can easily become permanent clutter.
You can also donate larger furniture if it is suitable.
If you have too much to move yourself, or if the items are too large or heavy, our guide on how to prepare for junk removal can help with the next step.
How to keep your home clutter-free
Maintaining a clutter-free home is easier when the things you keep have a clear place.
Keep on top of high-clutter areas instead of waiting for cupboards or drawers to overflow. This will help you build an anti-clutter habit.
Whole house to clear after decluttering? Talk to the Junk-It team today
If decluttering has left you with bulky furniture, bags or boxes that are difficult to move yourself, Junk-It can take care of the removal.
Tell us what needs to go and we’ll quote for the job, collect and load the items, then sweep up before we leave.
Call us on 0131 228 3848 for a free quote with no obligation.
