Contents
In an ideal world, I think nearly all of us can agree that an organised home is what we’d all like. But life gets busy, and sometimes things go by the wayside. In general, most people need some level of inspiration for clearing out or decluttering our homes, and be in the right mindset to tidy, sort, and declutter.
You’ve likely heard of minimalist interior design styles like Japandi or Scandi style, based on neutral colours, materials, functional furniture, airy open floor plans, and plenty of natural light to create a peaceful and uncluttered space. This is because living in mess and clutter can cause stress and stop us unwinding.
A survey from fitted furniture specialists Hammonds recently investigated how often people get rid of items. They found that 19% of people claim to declutter and clear out their homes once a month. Yet at the same time as a nation, we’re hoarding more than £9.2 billion in unworn clothes. So if you’re not sure how to start your clear-out, your wardrobe may be a good place to start!
How to organise
Cutting down on your belongings and finding the perfect place for everything can feel overwhelming, especially if you are not in the decision making mindset. You’re more likely to actually do it if you break it down chunk by chunk and aim for manageable tasks.
Tackle it room by room. Or if there’s only one room you want to work in in the first place, break it down into even smaller chunks, such as drawers. Go deep into cupboards and take everything out. This way, you can assess everything properly, placing the items you want to keep back in one at a time.
This is when the minimalist mentality is key. Focus on essentials, and what you actually need. If you have not used or worn it in the last year, chances are you are using up valuable storage space.
Don’t try and do it all in one mammoth effort, because you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. One idea is to target the visible first so you can see and feel the difference. Ensure shelves are not cluttered, and your coffee-table is clear.
When to clear out
Depending on your lifestyle, you may benefit from having to whittle down your belongings more or less often. It all depends on how much you’re bringing into the home, and how often.
There isn’t one standard that you need to adhere to. People’s habits vary a lot. The same survey found that 29% of people clear out of their homes as often as once a month.
Another 22% sort out their possessions every six months, while almost 14% just do this once a year. A remaining 16% said that they go through their belongings less than once a year. And in fact, 3% admitted that they have never had a clear-out before!
It would also appear that a quarter of 25–34-year-olds purge their spaces at least once a week, and the number of people claiming to do so decreases with age.
The benefits of clearing out
The benefits of having a good clear-out are immense. According to Dr. Danielle Roeske, order and structure in our external environment can help us feel the same structure in our own psyches.
The act of cleaning itself can also have a massive impact. She says that it is “hugely beneficial as a pain reliever, stress reliever” and can generally contribute a lot to our wellbeing.
How to stick to it
It’s not just about clearing out – it’s also about what you bring in! The experts at Hammonds recommend a few steps to ensure you don’t accumulate more possessions you won’t use:
- Don’t shop when you feel excessively tired or sad, as this can lead to impulse buys.
- Don’t buy new clothes if you can’t think of several ways to wear them on occasions where they would come in handy.
- When considering a new purchase, sleep on it! Online shops often encourage quick decisions by letting you know how many people are viewing this item right now, and so forth.
- Don’t let laundry pile up.
On average, we spend around £184 per year on items that we later regret purchasing. Shoes, cosmetics and gadgets are some of the items that people regret impulse buying the most.
The less you buy in the first place, the less time you need to spend finding candidates for the charity shop bag!
Lastly, if you are struggling for motivation, my personal approach is to do this on a bank holiday. Easter, May Day, August and the week between Christmas and New Year a good time to dedicate to keeping on top of everything.
