How to Declutter Your Home and Keep it Tidy
Need help to reclaim your space? Discover the tricks of the trade with this expert advice
Sophie Baylis
16 September 2020
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
Clutter isn’t just unsightly, it can waste time and deplete energy as we search through it. It can have an emotional impact, too. “Our brains are continually processing what they see, and if we constantly have to process clutter in our home, we’re overloading our brains with unnecessary work,” Hannah Young of Revive Your Space explains.
“Linked to this is the fact that each item of clutter represents a delayed decision – it’s clutter because it hasn’t been thrown or put away,” she says. “Facing these unmade decisions each day can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious and stressed.” We asked a panel of experts to explain why clutter builds up, how to tackle it, and what you can do to help yourself.
Professional advice from: Hannah Young of Revive Your Space; Kate Abbotson of A Tidy Mind; Sarah Reynolds of Organised Chaos Ireland
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
“Linked to this is the fact that each item of clutter represents a delayed decision – it’s clutter because it hasn’t been thrown or put away,” she says. “Facing these unmade decisions each day can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious and stressed.” We asked a panel of experts to explain why clutter builds up, how to tackle it, and what you can do to help yourself.
Professional advice from: Hannah Young of Revive Your Space; Kate Abbotson of A Tidy Mind; Sarah Reynolds of Organised Chaos Ireland
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Why do I have a problem dealing with clutter?
Clutter builds up because of deferred decision making. Just a few instances of “I’ll leave this here for now” or “I’ll come back to that later” can lead to overflowing surfaces, piles of papers and bags stuffed with homeless items.
“It’s a choice not to decide what to do with a paper clip, hair bobble or empty sunglasses case,” Sarah Reynolds of Organised Chaos Ireland says. “The more you avoid the decision, the more the clutter builds. Then, not only is the clutter hard to deal with, but the decisions around it are harder, too.”
Perfection also gets in the way. Many people don’t want to tackle mess until they feel they can do it once and for all. “They want to wait until they have the right storage, or remodel the kitchen, or when their partner can help,” Sarah continues. “The big one is that they won’t put it away until it has a proper home. However, you can always put things in the room where they belong, even if that room needs sorting.
“The reality is, circumstances will never be perfect,” Sarah adds. “Perfection doesn’t exist. Aiming for perfection leads to a stressful state of mind and, for me, getting organised should make life easier, not more stressful.”
Clutter builds up because of deferred decision making. Just a few instances of “I’ll leave this here for now” or “I’ll come back to that later” can lead to overflowing surfaces, piles of papers and bags stuffed with homeless items.
“It’s a choice not to decide what to do with a paper clip, hair bobble or empty sunglasses case,” Sarah Reynolds of Organised Chaos Ireland says. “The more you avoid the decision, the more the clutter builds. Then, not only is the clutter hard to deal with, but the decisions around it are harder, too.”
Perfection also gets in the way. Many people don’t want to tackle mess until they feel they can do it once and for all. “They want to wait until they have the right storage, or remodel the kitchen, or when their partner can help,” Sarah continues. “The big one is that they won’t put it away until it has a proper home. However, you can always put things in the room where they belong, even if that room needs sorting.
“The reality is, circumstances will never be perfect,” Sarah adds. “Perfection doesn’t exist. Aiming for perfection leads to a stressful state of mind and, for me, getting organised should make life easier, not more stressful.”
Why can’t I let go?
Throwing items away or moving them to new homes can be painful, particularly if they’re associated with a sad time. Kate Abbotson of A Tidy Mind helps her clients through the process by identifying why they feel the way they do. She aims to explore the logic of these emotions and the benefits of living a clutter-free life.
“Some people simply need permission from an objective party,” she explains. “Others need creative ideas on how to display a few mementos, so they can discard the rest. Many need advice on recycling and selling, or for me to donate to the right place.”
Hannah Young encourages all her clients to create a memory box of special items. “Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything, it’s about empowering people to make decisions about all the things they’ve ended up with,” she says.
Find professional organisers in your area on Houzz.
Throwing items away or moving them to new homes can be painful, particularly if they’re associated with a sad time. Kate Abbotson of A Tidy Mind helps her clients through the process by identifying why they feel the way they do. She aims to explore the logic of these emotions and the benefits of living a clutter-free life.
“Some people simply need permission from an objective party,” she explains. “Others need creative ideas on how to display a few mementos, so they can discard the rest. Many need advice on recycling and selling, or for me to donate to the right place.”
Hannah Young encourages all her clients to create a memory box of special items. “Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything, it’s about empowering people to make decisions about all the things they’ve ended up with,” she says.
Find professional organisers in your area on Houzz.
Why can’t I finish the job?
The secret of successful decluttering is to go into battle with a clear plan. Without one, you won’t know where to start or how to structure the time.
“People may try to do too much in one day and feel so overwhelmed, they give up, which means they’re more likely to procrastinate further,” Hannah says. “They may not even know where to donate or recycle items, so this can cause them to delay dealing with them.”
The secret of successful decluttering is to go into battle with a clear plan. Without one, you won’t know where to start or how to structure the time.
“People may try to do too much in one day and feel so overwhelmed, they give up, which means they’re more likely to procrastinate further,” Hannah says. “They may not even know where to donate or recycle items, so this can cause them to delay dealing with them.”
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Should I employ a professional declutterer?
If you need some extra help, a professional declutterer will work alongside you, providing both practical and emotional support. “They will help you decide where to start – often just tackling a small area to begin with to provide an achievable goal. And with an extra pair of hands, the sorting process can really speed along,” Hannah says.
“Very often I hear ‘I’m sure I could do this myself’ and, of course, you can,” Sarah adds. “But the benefit of a professional working beside you is that the work is faster and more focused, and you’re guaranteed a result for the time you put in.”
There’s also the added benefit of the support of another person during a task that can be lonely or tiring. “A professional organiser is objective and non emotional about your possessions. They keep you on task and ask practical questions,” Kate says.
A professional will also be able to estimate the time it will take to tackle a particular area, and can advise on charity donations and what’s worth selling.
Don’t let your declutterer leave until you’ve gathered tips on organising and storage, how to make the most of your newly cleared space – and how to keep it clutter-free.
If you need some extra help, a professional declutterer will work alongside you, providing both practical and emotional support. “They will help you decide where to start – often just tackling a small area to begin with to provide an achievable goal. And with an extra pair of hands, the sorting process can really speed along,” Hannah says.
“Very often I hear ‘I’m sure I could do this myself’ and, of course, you can,” Sarah adds. “But the benefit of a professional working beside you is that the work is faster and more focused, and you’re guaranteed a result for the time you put in.”
There’s also the added benefit of the support of another person during a task that can be lonely or tiring. “A professional organiser is objective and non emotional about your possessions. They keep you on task and ask practical questions,” Kate says.
A professional will also be able to estimate the time it will take to tackle a particular area, and can advise on charity donations and what’s worth selling.
Don’t let your declutterer leave until you’ve gathered tips on organising and storage, how to make the most of your newly cleared space – and how to keep it clutter-free.
What happens when a declutterer visits?
Your decluttering session will be tailored to your needs. Hannah, for example, starts by helping you decide which area to address first.
“I have a number of massive buckets which are used for sorting out the contents of a space into different categories: recycling, charity, rubbish, keeping in another room in the house… We’ll sort through every single item, making a decision about each as we go,” she says.
Kate works in a similar way, arriving armed with coloured bags, folders and stackable boxes to categorise what’s staying, going or being auctioned. Then she tackles one room at a time. “I facilitate my clients’ decisions, which involves lots of open questioning and pushing them out of their comfort zone, but without piling on pressure. Ideally, I’d work a five-hour day with a client, although some only have the energy for three hours. I’m fully adaptable to people’s needs,” she says.
By tackling emotionally charged clutter first, Sarah capitalises on high energy levels. “I also decide what the client looks at, because I can gauge what will make the biggest impact on the space with the least stress,” she says. “This means the ‘where to start’ and ‘what to do next’ decisions are removed from the client – I have the plan so they don’t have to worry about it.”
Your decluttering session will be tailored to your needs. Hannah, for example, starts by helping you decide which area to address first.
“I have a number of massive buckets which are used for sorting out the contents of a space into different categories: recycling, charity, rubbish, keeping in another room in the house… We’ll sort through every single item, making a decision about each as we go,” she says.
Kate works in a similar way, arriving armed with coloured bags, folders and stackable boxes to categorise what’s staying, going or being auctioned. Then she tackles one room at a time. “I facilitate my clients’ decisions, which involves lots of open questioning and pushing them out of their comfort zone, but without piling on pressure. Ideally, I’d work a five-hour day with a client, although some only have the energy for three hours. I’m fully adaptable to people’s needs,” she says.
By tackling emotionally charged clutter first, Sarah capitalises on high energy levels. “I also decide what the client looks at, because I can gauge what will make the biggest impact on the space with the least stress,” she says. “This means the ‘where to start’ and ‘what to do next’ decisions are removed from the client – I have the plan so they don’t have to worry about it.”
How to manage clutter
…in the kitchen
Think about where stuff builds up in your home. For example, Sarah identifies the kitchen island as a common clutter hotspot that can cause a lot of stress. “You eat here, work here, do school homework here, so the array of items that land here can be vast,” she says.
Combat the mess proactively by identifying what these items are and creating storage solutions for them.
…in the kitchen
Think about where stuff builds up in your home. For example, Sarah identifies the kitchen island as a common clutter hotspot that can cause a lot of stress. “You eat here, work here, do school homework here, so the array of items that land here can be vast,” she says.
Combat the mess proactively by identifying what these items are and creating storage solutions for them.
…in the bedroom
Another clutter culprit is the bedroom chair. Yes, it’s handy and gives your room a cosy feel, but it can easily become buried under a mountain of clothes.
“If you’re no longer using this chair to sit in, and it’s just become a dumping ground, then I strongly suggest moving it out of your bedroom,” Sarah says. “Once you’ve removed the option of dumping your clothes, you’ll be forced to put things away.”
If the chair is being used for clothes storage because the wardrobe is stuffed to the gills, turn your attention to the source of the problem. “Look at organising the wardrobes and it will be easier to keep the chair clear,” Sarah says.
Another clutter culprit is the bedroom chair. Yes, it’s handy and gives your room a cosy feel, but it can easily become buried under a mountain of clothes.
“If you’re no longer using this chair to sit in, and it’s just become a dumping ground, then I strongly suggest moving it out of your bedroom,” Sarah says. “Once you’ve removed the option of dumping your clothes, you’ll be forced to put things away.”
If the chair is being used for clothes storage because the wardrobe is stuffed to the gills, turn your attention to the source of the problem. “Look at organising the wardrobes and it will be easier to keep the chair clear,” Sarah says.
…in the hallway
A hallway is often a dumping area for shoes, bags and the contents of your pockets. “Get a decent concealed shoe rack; most people don’t have enough storage, so shoes spill out onto the floor. Have a dish for your wallet, a place for post, and hooks for bags, coats and keys,” Kate says.
You can keep the floor clear by making the most of wall space. Either attach hooks, a floating shelf or a wall unit. “Label pegs and cubbyholes if you have children to encourage ownership and responsibility for their own possessions,” Hannah suggests.
A hallway is often a dumping area for shoes, bags and the contents of your pockets. “Get a decent concealed shoe rack; most people don’t have enough storage, so shoes spill out onto the floor. Have a dish for your wallet, a place for post, and hooks for bags, coats and keys,” Kate says.
You can keep the floor clear by making the most of wall space. Either attach hooks, a floating shelf or a wall unit. “Label pegs and cubbyholes if you have children to encourage ownership and responsibility for their own possessions,” Hannah suggests.
…in the ‘junk drawer’
And finally, don’t let the ‘junk drawer’ in the kitchen become a magnet for random homeless items. “By all means have the drawer, but use dividers assigned to specific things, such as batteries, pens, fuses and tools,” Kate says. Review the drawer frequently and throw out dried-out pens, dead batteries and anything else that’s past its best.
And finally, don’t let the ‘junk drawer’ in the kitchen become a magnet for random homeless items. “By all means have the drawer, but use dividers assigned to specific things, such as batteries, pens, fuses and tools,” Kate says. Review the drawer frequently and throw out dried-out pens, dead batteries and anything else that’s past its best.
How can I keep on top of my clutter?
Make sure every item that enters your home adds value in some way. If it doesn’t, get rid of it. “Assign a home to every little thing and put it back in its home after use,” Kate says. “Store similar items together and store items as close to where you use them as possible.”
Watch your surfaces, Sarah warns. “It’s only when we clear them that we realise how they were impacting on us mentally. If your surfaces are frequently covered in clutter, watch what types of items land on them and find more suitable homes.”
Finally, maintain a method in your personal decluttering. If you’re clearing a space and you find items that belong elsewhere in the home, don’t run off each time and return them to their rightful spot.
“This drags out the work you’re doing, and you’re more likely to get fed up or distracted in the other rooms,” Sarah says. “Instead, create a ‘belong elsewhere’ pile in the area you’re working. Add to it as you clear up and then, at the end, take the pile and redistribute things in one go.”
Make sure every item that enters your home adds value in some way. If it doesn’t, get rid of it. “Assign a home to every little thing and put it back in its home after use,” Kate says. “Store similar items together and store items as close to where you use them as possible.”
Watch your surfaces, Sarah warns. “It’s only when we clear them that we realise how they were impacting on us mentally. If your surfaces are frequently covered in clutter, watch what types of items land on them and find more suitable homes.”
Finally, maintain a method in your personal decluttering. If you’re clearing a space and you find items that belong elsewhere in the home, don’t run off each time and return them to their rightful spot.
“This drags out the work you’re doing, and you’re more likely to get fed up or distracted in the other rooms,” Sarah says. “Instead, create a ‘belong elsewhere’ pile in the area you’re working. Add to it as you clear up and then, at the end, take the pile and redistribute things in one go.”
How will decluttering help me?
A tidy home is good for your mental and physical health. “We have space to breathe – literally – as dust reduces,” Sarah explains. “There’s relief at knowing what we own and where it lives: relief that the clutter is gone and the work is complete. We all have stressful times in life, but now looking for keys, locating school notes or fighting with our wardrobe first thing in the morning is eradicated.”
You’ll gain time from a decluttered home, too, because you’ll spend less time hunting for lost items or rehoming misplaced ones.
Decluttering can also save you money. “While it’s an investment to bring in a professional initially, by creating systems, the chance of buying duplicates again is minimised, you don’t waste money buying storage that doesn’t work or isn’t used, and you can clearly see what you’re running out of, so you spend money more efficiently,” Sarah says.
Tell us…
Do you have tips for keeping your home clutter-free? Share them in the Comments.
A tidy home is good for your mental and physical health. “We have space to breathe – literally – as dust reduces,” Sarah explains. “There’s relief at knowing what we own and where it lives: relief that the clutter is gone and the work is complete. We all have stressful times in life, but now looking for keys, locating school notes or fighting with our wardrobe first thing in the morning is eradicated.”
You’ll gain time from a decluttered home, too, because you’ll spend less time hunting for lost items or rehoming misplaced ones.
Decluttering can also save you money. “While it’s an investment to bring in a professional initially, by creating systems, the chance of buying duplicates again is minimised, you don’t waste money buying storage that doesn’t work or isn’t used, and you can clearly see what you’re running out of, so you spend money more efficiently,” Sarah says.
Tell us…
Do you have tips for keeping your home clutter-free? Share them in the Comments.
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I hear you, Heather Galpin ! I think those of us who were brought up by the generation who lived through WWII have had the "Waste not, Want not" maxim dinned into us from infancy. It seems almost criminal to throw something away that could be useful. I am slowly getting better at this, and trying to be unsentimental in my approach, but it goes against the grain ! it was a great day for me when I discovered Freecycle: I have been able to release so many items to those who can make real use of them (even things you might think were utterly useless !) Only if they aren't requested after 2 or 3 'offerings' do they get disposed of. I'm now pretty good at normal houshold things. My besetting sin is PAPERWORK !!! I have so many things I want to keep, but which (unlike books) do not have a 'spine', so can't be placed on shelves. I've tried placing them in labelled folders, but even then, it's difficult to keep track of what I have so that it's easy to find again. Often, my life seems to be a series of, "Oh, I know I have that somewhere ..." Haven't solved that one yet !
Little Jem, My grandparents were definitely of the 'waste not, want not' generation, and both parents were evacuated from Kent during the war and learned to live with nothing at all beyond what fitted into their little suitcase. One grandmother kept odd balls of wool and made us crocheted blankets. But, without wanting to be morbid, when the time came, all those drawers full of bits of string and old wrapping paper, spent batteries, perished elastic bands, milk bottle tops and sweet papers and so on went straight into bin bags. Just got rid of a load of wires my ex-husband had hung on to - our adult children recognised chargers and holsters for a mobile that had been lost in 2006, and receivers to phones that had broken down and long been replaced!
I can identify with that too ! The trouble is - the longer you keep something, the greater the certainty that you will need it as soon as you've plucked up courage to throw it out ! We hung onto about 20 bathroom tiles at our last house (they were the 'spares' from the shower room, done by the people before us). They sat on a shelf in the garage for at least 25 years. Then I saw someone asking for tiles to create an outdoor BBQ area - so I offered them, and they were collected gratefully. Literally 2 days after that (and only 4 days before my in-laws were due to arrive for 5 weeks !), my husband was using that shower, and 3 tiles fell off the wall, revealing damp behind. He told me he needed to patch it up temporarily, until we could do a proper replacement. You're ahead of me - yes, he said, "Luckily, we still have those spare ones in the garage ..." Mum ... He could not believe it ! I pointed out THAT'S why people hang onto stuff - so we had to go and get another box of the cheapest white tiles we could find ... Sigh. I'm trying not to leave that kind of mess for our daughters when the time comes for them to sort our stuff out !