9 Ways to Declutter And Organise Before a Home Renovation
Planning, decluttering and organising at the outset of your project will prepare the way for a successful outcome
Before you start a renovation project, it’s a good idea to clear as much space as possible before the chaos ensues. Have a think about what you want and need in your new room, and give the area a thorough declutter. Follow these tips for clearing, organising and storing to ensure your building work creates as little upheaval as possible.
Consider your needs
If you’re planning an internal remodel to change the way you use your space, think why you want to change the layout. Do you need a safe play area for young children, or maybe a small office space to facilitate working from home?
Provide your designer or architect with as much information about how you want to use your space so they can make it really work for you. A good professional will listen and provide a unique solution tailored to your requirements. In this dining area for example, the designer has incorporated neat wine storage beneath the bench seating.
Procrastinating about your renovation project? Here are 10 signs to look out for
If you’re planning an internal remodel to change the way you use your space, think why you want to change the layout. Do you need a safe play area for young children, or maybe a small office space to facilitate working from home?
Provide your designer or architect with as much information about how you want to use your space so they can make it really work for you. A good professional will listen and provide a unique solution tailored to your requirements. In this dining area for example, the designer has incorporated neat wine storage beneath the bench seating.
Procrastinating about your renovation project? Here are 10 signs to look out for
Look at the space objectively
Once you have an idea of how you want your renovated space to look, you can plan your decluttering strategy. Take a few photos of your room and look at them with a friend or relative whose opinion you trust. Talk about what you need to take out to achieve your desired look. This will help motivate you as you declutter, getting rid of everything that doesn’t contribute towards your end goal.
Also, think about whether you want to take on the mammoth task of decluttering yourself, or whether it’s worth calling in the help of a professional organiser from APDO to help you declutter at the outset.
Once you have an idea of how you want your renovated space to look, you can plan your decluttering strategy. Take a few photos of your room and look at them with a friend or relative whose opinion you trust. Talk about what you need to take out to achieve your desired look. This will help motivate you as you declutter, getting rid of everything that doesn’t contribute towards your end goal.
Also, think about whether you want to take on the mammoth task of decluttering yourself, or whether it’s worth calling in the help of a professional organiser from APDO to help you declutter at the outset.
Use storage that moves
Plastic storage boxes on wheels will come in very handy, as you’ll probably be moving things around to give your builders access around the house.
If you’re planning a bedroom refurbishment, you’ll need to be selective about which clothes and toiletries you pack away and what you want to keep to hand for the duration of the improvements. A portable covered clothes rail and some lightweight drawers on wheels will store a capsule wardrobe and keep your clothes dust free.
Plastic storage boxes on wheels will come in very handy, as you’ll probably be moving things around to give your builders access around the house.
If you’re planning a bedroom refurbishment, you’ll need to be selective about which clothes and toiletries you pack away and what you want to keep to hand for the duration of the improvements. A portable covered clothes rail and some lightweight drawers on wheels will store a capsule wardrobe and keep your clothes dust free.
Think about daily routines
Most home remodelling projects inevitably involve some disruption, so plan ahead for changes to your daily routine. If you’re having your kitchen renovated, you could think about setting up a mini cook station elsewhere in the house. This could be something as simple as a table and microwave.
Alternatively, you could arrange to stay somewhere else for a while. Pets might also need a place to go, so ask a friend if they will help out, or research reputable pet sitters in your area.
Follow this complete guide to project managing a kitchen renovation
Most home remodelling projects inevitably involve some disruption, so plan ahead for changes to your daily routine. If you’re having your kitchen renovated, you could think about setting up a mini cook station elsewhere in the house. This could be something as simple as a table and microwave.
Alternatively, you could arrange to stay somewhere else for a while. Pets might also need a place to go, so ask a friend if they will help out, or research reputable pet sitters in your area.
Follow this complete guide to project managing a kitchen renovation
Store valuables securely
Whilst it’s important you trust your builders, there will be periods during the renovation work when your home will be left unlocked. It might possibly be without windows, doors and even walls at some points during the build. As well as this, a constant stream of tradespeople will be coming and going, so take precautions and keep valuables in a secured safe within your home, or in a deposit box off-site.
Whilst it’s important you trust your builders, there will be periods during the renovation work when your home will be left unlocked. It might possibly be without windows, doors and even walls at some points during the build. As well as this, a constant stream of tradespeople will be coming and going, so take precautions and keep valuables in a secured safe within your home, or in a deposit box off-site.
Make some room
Almost any renovation project will require you to be living in fewer rooms than usual, and these areas will probably need to be multi-functional. If you’re not going to keep all your room furniture when the work is finished, it’s a good idea to pass pieces on or sell them before the work starts. It’s far better to plan in time for a good declutter prior to the renovations so that you have fewer items to move, pack, store and unpack once the work is finished.
If you’re planning to use a garage or loft for storage during the project, check in advance that large items will fit through doors and openings. Also, make sure you’ve cleared out sufficient space for the furniture to fit in. Alternatively, you could rent a secure storage locker while the renovations take place.
Almost any renovation project will require you to be living in fewer rooms than usual, and these areas will probably need to be multi-functional. If you’re not going to keep all your room furniture when the work is finished, it’s a good idea to pass pieces on or sell them before the work starts. It’s far better to plan in time for a good declutter prior to the renovations so that you have fewer items to move, pack, store and unpack once the work is finished.
If you’re planning to use a garage or loft for storage during the project, check in advance that large items will fit through doors and openings. Also, make sure you’ve cleared out sufficient space for the furniture to fit in. Alternatively, you could rent a secure storage locker while the renovations take place.
Don’t forget the outside
If your project involves some external work, do that outside decluttering you’ve been putting off. Clear away all those items you’ve left outside to deal with in the future, as the future has now arrived! Hire a skip or a van and get rid of your accumulated junk. If it’s not junk, add to your project budget by selling your unwanted possessions.
If your project involves some external work, do that outside decluttering you’ve been putting off. Clear away all those items you’ve left outside to deal with in the future, as the future has now arrived! Hire a skip or a van and get rid of your accumulated junk. If it’s not junk, add to your project budget by selling your unwanted possessions.
Gather everyday essentials together
In all the disruption of a home improvement project, it’s crucial that you don’t lose essentials such as your keys, phone, chargers, project paperwork and tape measure. Consider setting up a workstation in a portable box or sturdy bag to keep these necessities to hand.
How have you planned ahead for your renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
In all the disruption of a home improvement project, it’s crucial that you don’t lose essentials such as your keys, phone, chargers, project paperwork and tape measure. Consider setting up a workstation in a portable box or sturdy bag to keep these necessities to hand.
How have you planned ahead for your renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Start sifting through your cupboards and bookshelves. If you’re needing to pack up a room or two, now is a great opportunity to assess what’s lurking at the back of your cupboards.
Pack up frequently used items into transparent storage boxes. Label them clearly and move them to another room. They’ll be out of the way of dust and builders, but still easily accessible.
Items used less often can be packed away in cardboard boxes and stored out of the way. Pack them carefully and label each box with the rough contents. It’s a great idea to take photos of the box and label in its new location, so you can easily find things during the renovation, or when unpacking after the work is complete.