Nothing is better than coming home to clean home for a clean mind, so here are a few steps that could help you quickly get your home in order and declutter each room in turn.
First some basic all-round steps -
1) Always wait until a weekend - if you start trying to declutter in an evening you'll most likely
2) Start with the smaller spaces to gain some momentum and see some changes quickly
3) Remember our number one rule, given to us by William Morris - Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. This is a good thing to start with when considering what to keep. But I also go a step further in that the useful things have to be useful in the last 12 months. No point in keeping that one obscure bulb just in case, or that apocalyptic stash of yeast or surgical supplies if you don't intend to use it!
4) Create 4 boxes (make them large) and label them - Put Away, Recycle, Rubbish and Donate. You can use these for each room as you go and remember to try and clear the boxes between each room. No point in filling a box to donate and then filling your garage instead of your understairs cupboard.
5) Don't feel you have to give things because it was a gift and set yourself a memory box space at the start - don't overfill it. It's important you stick to your initial thoughts on what is sensible here.
6) Start with the most important things in a room - the things you must have like everyday cleaning materials, bedding, curtains and all the things you need. Then choose your must-haves, the items you really LOVE - and pack those away.
Now it's time we looked down a little further at each room - remember YOU'RE DOING GREAT - and if you need some encouragement share your progress @create.perfect and we can help spur you on!
Livingroom
The living room is the hardest so this is where we are going to start. This is the hardest room to keep tidy or decluttered because it generally gets the most use but has the least storage.
Start with any bookcases, console tables and side tables and then move inwards. Empty the units one at a time (not all at once), and process the items into their relevant boxes. Once all the units are empty, return items to their proper storage spaces.
Start by looking at what you have that must stay. This needs dedicated storage - if it isn't already in the room sort that now. This needs to be for everyday items like TV remotes, books, blankets and so on. Then anything else you're thinking of keeping - is there space does it meet the criteria to keep?
If you keep toys in this area, assess every toy for wear and tear. Check the still work and whether they are still playing with it. This can be tough - especially if you have the little ones at home when decluttering. I let my kids have their own 4 boxes and they get rewarded for items in the donate pile and rubbish pile.
It's important with this room that you declutter regularly - more so than with other rooms.
Bathroom
Start with your medicine cabinet or vanity. Take everything out and discard outdated medications, older makeup and skincare products you don't use. Put everything you're keeping immediately back into the cabinet/vanity.
It works well to keep everything you use daily at eye level for easy access.
Now, look at any other storage units you may have. Do the same as above discard anything you don't use or that's out of date or broken.
Now, do the same routine with anything on the surface - baths, showers and the floor. There may not be space to store these things where you have discussed or tidied. Once you know what is going to be stored, it's an ideal time to look at storage solutions. There are some great storage options available - see our Pinterest or check out Home Edit on Netflix for inspiration.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, especially if the open plan, it can often be the largest job to declutter the kitchen because it functions for many things so much of the day.
We recommend either decluttering focusing on one category of items like glassware or utensils for example or going by areas in the kitchen - so per unit.
The first step is to completely empty each space, assessing each item as you have been doing. Put everything back where it belongs once you're done. This could be an ideal time to think about how you use your space - maybe making things you use more accessible. It's also a good time to give everything a good clean - especially the inside of the cupboards and drawers.
Start with the main storage spaces if possible - pantries and larger units. Then move on to the lower cabinets, the drawers, and the space under the sink. If you find you're short of weekend time and need to do the evenings - doing a drawer or a unit at a time works well here.
Finally, once all the units are decluttered, cleaned and organised for your everyday living - concentrate on your countertops. Move as many items as possible off of the countertops and into storage spaces you have created.
Complete the kitchen by taking out your bins and returning anything that doesn't belong in the in this room to its rightful storage space/room. This is often where a lot gets dumped.
Active Beat says the four key things you simply must throw away when you're decluttering your kitchen drawers are greeting cards, multiple once-used spices, old phones and chargers and broken or unused writing utensils.
Bedroom
Before decluttering any rooms it's nice to have it looking its best to help see progress - this is even more important in the bedroom so make your bed or take all the sheets off for a wash.
Start with your bedside tables. Remove anything on them that doesn’t belong there, and put it in your boxes. This may include books you’ve never finished reading, notes, or a cup/glass.
Empty any units, throw out or recycle anything that you no longer use or that no longer works. Do the same with clothes, jewellery and make-up. I love doing this room - although I get rid of a lot I often find a few treats I had forgotten about.
Make sure everything is put back in the right place, neatly folded. This is also a good time to look at storage where needed. There are some great ways of storing make-up, jewellery and smaller items and even ways of sorting clothes. I like to work with IKEA storage solutions in the bedroom.
This is a great room for finding donations so remember there are several ways to donate clothes and shoes - for recycle bins at the supermarket, the local charity shop or a clothes collection at the local school.
Once everything is sorted and put away, remake your bed with new fresh bedding which will give a really refreshed feel.
Entrance halls and Boot rooms
No matter how small your hallway is, or how large your mud or boot room may be, this is the most used, high-impact area and the best way to make your entryway function at it's best is to declutter it (regularly).
Start with storage units. Go through each drawer or cupboard, remove the contents, and make a quick decision to toss or keep each item placing them in your boxes.
I like ot give everything a wipe which can be time-consuming but isn't essential. Do you have a space for your keys and other important items - if not, look at storage for these as you put everything away.
Make sure everything is accessible and not too crowded. This will make it easier to leave the house with what you need each morning. Any shoes you haven't worn in the last 12 months, anything broken or that doesn't fit you can be boxed - Donate to local charity shops or the recycle reuse bins - everything broken or unpaired can go to the tip.
Now you should have a gorgeous, fresh tidy home - and just in time for Spring :)