It’s that time of year where I keep seeing the word ‘declutter’ everywhere. The problem is I like clutter, I am a hoarder, an archivist, a museum curator in waiting. BUT that doesn’t mean I like my home to be a mess, so how can you keep on top of things without having to get all minimal?
Bookshelf image via Shutterstock
1- I like a shelf full of books and nik naks, but in order to ensure my things look good I do need to keep numbers under control. I now realise I don’t have to everything on display all the time, I can rotate them so I get different looks for different seasons. Get your curator hat on and think through your displays – try and link items with a theme; be it colour, shape, TV series (just me who has a Dr Who collection?!) or era – to create a cohesive look rather than a jumble sale feel.
2 – Make sure there is a home for everything, then when you are tidying round everything has somewhere to go, rather than just creating piles of stuff on the floor to fall over. Good storage is your friend. If the floor is clear, the room feels bigger, even if the walls are covered with shelves heaving with joy. And speaking of walls, plain white really is best if you want to have a myriad of items on display – they show up better that way! (Tho I do love a bit of busy wallpaper on occasion too!)
My lounge – tidy? Yes. Minimal? Not so much.
3 – Toys I can part with. Unless they are MY toys – yes, I have a collection of sci-fi geek and punk rock idol dolls, they aren’t going anywhere – but my kids unused, unloved or grown out of toys – they can go! TOP TIP – Do not sort toys with kids around. As soon as you put a toy that has been untouched for months into a box to give away, it suddenly becomes the most fascinating thing your kids have EVER seen. Do it when they are asleep or out, then get it out of the house and down the charity shop before they notice. NB Remember not to pop into that charity shop with your kids for the next few months, or you will have to buy back what you gave away.
4 – Keep on top of things, but in bite sized pieces. One shelf at a time is one of my favourite methods. I take everything down, give it a dust, and put it back arranged nicely, switching things out sometimes. And remember even us collectors end up with items we no longer love – if you don’t love it – bin it, sell it or donate it. Then you can justify buying something else right?!
5 – Be proud of your eclecticism. OK, you are no minimalist, but that doesn’t mean your house can’t be beautiful – many of my favourite interiors shine with the character of the people who live in them. Clutter can be beautiful too, keep it dusted, keep it displayed beautifully and it will win my heart faster than any empty minimal space ever will!
Really the key thing we are all looking for, whether we are clutter lovers or minimalists, is that airy feeling of space. Like I mentioned in my tips above, for me, a clear, preferably freshly hoovered floor makes the room feel big and tidy. You can also utilise things like mirrors to reflect light around the room, or you can use what space you have wisely. Everest have come up with some ingenious bi fold doors (seen below) that cleverly create the illusion of more space. These would look AWESOME in place of my patio doors and would really bring the garden inside in the Summer. (Summer, how I miss thee!!).
Are you a clutter lover like me or a minimal kind of person? Everest would love to know your tips for creating space and de-cluttering, and they have offered my readers a chance to win £150 of John Lewis vouchers. Simply leave me a comment with your top tips, then complete the rafflecopter form below to make sure your name is in the hat. You can also gain extra entries by following Everest and myself on social media – check the rafflecopter form for details.
Good luck,
Love Miss Cisco XXX
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As much as I would love to be a minimalist. My house is full of clutter. Too many books (then again, you can never have too many right?) Too many toys, too many rubbish we’ve collected over the years, but refuse to throw away. Like shells we collected on a beach in Africa, pine-cones that hold some special memories. They all gather dust and really ought to throw them away. But I can’t 🙁 As for top tips, I have loads of different baskets, from plastic ones to wicker ones. The truth is though, they only work for a while 🙁 x
Dean of Little Steps recently posted…Doc’s Best Friend
Start by making the bed. Place things you baby used/worn the past year on the bed to be got rid of.
Be frivolous 🙂
Start with the spaces furthest away as the items are likely to need getting rid of – lofts, backs of cupboards, high shelves and under beds.
If you haven’t worn it in a year, charity shop
get some help to make a start
start with your wardrobes , if it doesnt fit anymore no point keeping hold of it , under bed storage is great
Take one room at a time & have a plan for where the discarded items are going I.E Charity or the tip 🙂
if you havnt used or worn it for 2 years… then someone else may really love iot… donate it to a charity….
I am a real hoarder so need to de clutter
Take it room by room and consider whether you’ve used it in the last year
Every time you buy more books/dvds etc. and especially at Christmas, when you get more stuff, collect an equal amount of stuff to get rid of either to sell on ebay/CEX etc or to go to the charity shop. By asking yourself what your least favourite books and dvds are each time you add to your collection and ditching them, you will also improve the overall quality and likeability of what you have left.
David Williams recently posted…Decluttering for the Clutter Lover – plus win £150 of John Lewis Vouchers with Everest
Ask yourself: WHEN will I next use it?
If you can’t be specific (none of this ‘it might come in useful one day’ malarkey!), dispose of it.
the storage bags that you suck the air out of are great for storage.
Deal with mail and other stuff every day – don’t let it build up.
I hate clutter .. If I lived alone Id be very minimal .. unfortunately 5 kids and a partner puts a stop to that. I am quite ruthless and I only keep things that are very sentimental.
Tip for kids drawings .. take a photo of them and bin them x
we do very frequent trips to the charity shops with clothes that are outgrown/ no longer worn
one room at a time,use storage boxes,always donate any items to charity that you haven’t used/worn in 3 months x
have a bag and keep putting items in it
Sign up to e-bay for selling or other sites. Start with one room first and ask yourself if you really are going to need/use the item in the year…has been sat there for years…get rid.
Put things you don’t use but can’t bear to rid of into the attic. If you don’t miss it for a year, you wont miss it at all.
If you don’t love it or don’t use it get rid of it. I have been decluttering for a year and feel I am finally getting somewhere!
If I haven’t used it for a year, it’s gone!
Going through your wardrobe and chest of drawers and having a good tidy through all your clothes to see what you actually will wear again and giving what you won’t wear to charity.
Be ruthless, and get rid of unwanted/unused items. Buy some storage boxes, and label them so you safely know where everything is.
My top tips are to throw mail and other unnecessary paper into the rubbish bin as soon as possible. Once or twice a year sort through clothing and donate anything you have not worn. Be a conscious shopper and do not purchase items without a purpose or items that will just fill your house. Donate children’s items once they have outgrown them.
Little and often to keep it from building up
We have lots of little nooks and crannies in our house that are somewhat like wasted space so we have built shelves into as many as we can to create storage in the place that would otherwise be unused. We have them above the stairs, above the fishtank, around the electric meter…!!
Thank you for being someone to finally write about de-cluttering without simply suggesting you should have nothing!
Do each room separately and put into piles of charity, rubbish and things you want to keep. Be strict and don’t hoard anything
Have a clear out regularly and be brutal! Dont keep things you dont need!
I like to regularly de-clutter, so thing’s don’t get out of hand. Maybe once every season, I like to go through things x
Do a little de cluttering each day
try to be organised only keep things you are really going to use 🙂
Maybe sell some goods every little helps when especially when you are moving home
Don’t buy anything else in not unless you really need it
IF YOU HAVEN`T USED IT IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS CHARITY SHOP OR BIN IT
You should be ruthless about what you get rid of. Think about if you really need it. Old magazines, random books you don’t read, etc.
Turn all your hangers round the wrong way in your wardrobe. At the end of the year, take out all the clothes that haven’t been put back in correctly. You now know which clothes you dont wear!
Clear out a little at a time and don’t let things build up
Move your clutter to one specific area of your home! Write a list and on a certain day take it to the tip!
put things away behind doors so it looks less cluttered, have a few key decorative pieces out
I love your lounge! I have clear boxes in my wardrobes so I know where everything is easily but it is out of the way x
Jenni recently posted…Little Tikes Lil’ Ocean Explorers Catch Me Crabbie Review
Wait until everybody is out! Then be ruthless! Provide boxes with kids so they can be stacked.
we just moved so I realized how many things I have that I don’t need.I had to throw out many things as we moved to a smaller place as well.Gave some clothes and other things to charity shops,so we have more room now
If you haven’t used it for 6 months then bin or put in the attic.
It’s hard sometimes but you need to make space around you so you can think clearer. Anything you haven’t worn/or kids haven’t then think of how it may benefit someone else..or their child? You can so feel that ‘glow’ when you feel you’ve helped out someone else. Box up the unpartable things and make a spot in loft.
Stay focused x
Move all the bags heading to the charity shop to the back door.
Offer contents to visiting friends for 2 weeks and then take remnants to the charity shop
Have regular clear outs so that things don’t mount up too much.
Put all your clothes in a box. Then when you take out an item ask yourself do you wear it? (in one pile) can someone else get enjoyment out of it? (in another pile) You soon will see what you exactly need.
If you find it hard just take it one draw or section of a room at a time! I always keep a bag ready for the charity shop which I pop things into when I’m tidying ..once the item is in the bag I soon forget about what ever it is and find it easier to give away! 🙂
Throw out anything not being used for few years because you probably won’t
i always say to myself “do we need it?” as opposed to do we want it, i think that gets rid of a lot of clutter 🙂
give stuff to charity every month
Sometimes you need to get tough and less sentimental. Do I really to to keep things just in case of this and just in case of that. Even if I do suddenly loose 3 stone buy a new dress don’t keep the old ones
I tend to put it all in one wardrope and just leave till it builds up the of to charity shop
If you haven’t used it in six months then bin it!!
Occasional visits to a car boot sale !
don’t do it when you are having a glass or two of wine as it takes much longer
Buy Ikea storage systems
Best advice is to be bold and as unemotional as possible. Really think whether you need it or not and if you have doubts, get rid.
If you havent used it in a year get rid of it. Put the items on ebay and make a profit from decluttering.
Start with wardrobes and chest of drawers,be brutal,dont think that that dress you bought 3 years ago that you planned on dieting for will fit you soon xx
Ask yourself “do I really need this?
Don,t need it skip it
I am a very tidy, organised person but sadly my partner is the opposite and I have to live in his small flat surrounded by his mess and nothing will change him! I regularly have clear outs and take things to the charity shop and I sell on books and DVDs that I’ve finished with even if I want to keep them – there is just no space.
Every time you open a drawer or cupboard and spot something that you no longer need or like, no matter how small, get rid of it. Decluttering as you go along stops everything piling up and becoming too daunting to deal with
I have to be in the mood, but when I am on he night before bin day I have a clear out then put the bin out then I cant change my mind!
If it has`nt been used for a year either sell it, chuck it out or give it to charity as it`s very likely you`ll never use it.
Re-gift unwanted presents
If i haven’t used something in a year then i don’t need it and can get rid of it
Mine is to be ruthless when decluttering, I hate loads of clutter
If you have not worn anything that is in your wardrobe within a year or if you have not used any gadgets or items within the year take them down to the Local Charity shop
you have to be severe! its hard but the only way in the end is to be ruthless and get rid of it!!
Clear out regularly so it doesn’t become a big job.
If it’s something that you haven’t used or didn’t remember having, why keep it? Get rid!
Be ruthless and try to be less sentimental
Just be fearless
I love large oak chests and ottomans and use these to store linen, Christmas decorations, shoes and lots of other bits and bobs. I think they look great and are practical too.
Don’t let it build up – declutter EVERY day
I find planning for a car boot helps me part with things I’d ordinarily hoard! Making money on my unwanted items is a great persuader! Anything I don’t sell gets donated to my local charity shop 🙂
Jen xx
Jenifer recently posted…Slimming World Weigh-In: Week 2
If you don’t love it, need it or use it then get rid!
We wanted to save up and buy a shed for the garden. It really helped us focus on selling stuff we didnt need and getting rid of anything we know longer wanted.
If it hasn’t got a clear purpose and a place to live let it go or don’t buy it in the first place! Use free-share – others will treasure your unwanted things and you can pick up things you do want instead.
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Sign upto eBay
If you haven’t used it/worn it in a year then recycle!
When going through your cupboards, if you find things you had forgotten about – then you evidently don’t want or need them. Finding things that haven’t been worn or used for more than a year – then they should go too. Think about WHY you haven’t used them, you’ll probably realise that you don’t really like them but are hanging on to them because they are too too good to just throw out. So don’t throw out – give them to a charity shop where someone will love them!
Having a proper clearout and taking unwanted items to the charity shop
Make sure other people in the house get rid of stuff they aren’t using often – that way all your stuff doesn’t look so bad as there’s more room to store it lol. And storage with doors you can shut are great.
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If it has dust on it, you don’t use it! Get rid.
I regularly ask my daughter to get the toys that she doesn’t often play with so that we can donate them to charity, she understands that they are for boys and girls that aren’t as fortunate……
Clear out one room at a time and finish sorting it before moving on to the next,that way you can see what you have done.
If you dont use it lose it
I can never be a minimalist!
My tip would be to start with one room. Be ruthless and once you’ve seen the results of a more streamlined look, you’ll be motivated to carry on with the rest of the house.
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I ruthlessly shred old paperwork to free up space, I have great storage shelves that hang over the back of the door and any clothes I don’t wear for over a year are put in the recycling bank
Be ruthless if your never going to wear it or use it then get rid of it… there is the odd exception that you may need it one day but ask your self if you never saw the item again would you miss it or even remember you had it? I normally put things in a black bag and if I dont use it in a month or miss it it goes 🙂
if you have not used it within the last year either sell it or re cycle through charity shops
If you havn’t worn it for one year, give it to charity
If whatever it is has not been either looked at or used for at least a year then either give it away or sell it on Ebay.
have charity and when i think its time for that item to go i put it in and put away untill its full
Try to review what you have and if it’s no longer needed, used or of value to you, gift it on.
If something has been stuck in a drawer for more than 6 months throw it away!! Bag up old clothes for our works charity bin so easy to pop stuff in as you go to work x I recommend any work place to ask about the bins they are so easy to just put in the car x
Dispose of anything you have used in the past year
Don’t get ‘home blind’ – junk can start to feel like part of the furniture. Pick things up and think ‘Do I actually need/use this’ – if not, bin. sell, donate Xxx
Take the 12-12-12 Challenge. A simple task of locating 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper home, a way to quickly organise 36 things in your house.
Donate your clutter to a charity shop
I use pretty boxes that can be displayed on top of wardrobes, and fill them with all my keepsakes
Start with the things you love and need and make a proper home for them. Then put the stuff you don’t need in a box. I found don’t need or miss the stuff in the box after six months, get rid of it. Ruthless but effective.
I am in the forces and have to move house every couple of years so every time before we move I do a carboot sale to declutter. Also, if there is stuff in boxes which I never unpacked from the last move, I will either bin it or donate to charity. My life is very uncluttered and I like it that way 🙂
Sort out one drawer, one shelf, or one box during an advertising break on TV.
Get some help. Be cruel .i you haven’t used an item for a year chuck it out, recycle or give it away.
Don’t take on too much in one go. Even if it is just a cupboard at a time, followed by a room it’s a start. It is much easier to take on lots of little tasks than it is to face a mountain of them. And my last bit of advice is to be ruthless!
Try to have an annual major tidy out.
Keep it, charity, recycle. Anything i am unsure about i make myself use, wear for a few weeks then its easier to decide if its needed or not. Most unsure items end up being donated.
Touch each piece of paper only once – so when I open the mail, I deal with it there and then, otherwise, I put it on the kitchen table to deal with later, and then that slowly becomes a pile to deal with later and on and on it goes before I end up with paperwork mountain!
I must admit to having hoarding tendencies so have to keep on top of it or I’d be buried! That said, I have found a couple of clever storage spaces for things like Christmas decorations that I want to keep but really aren’t used often – the spaces behind the bath panel and under the kitchen floor plinths are favourites!
List items you don’t use on ebay
hmmm im a terrible…if you cant see it dont wiorry about it and cram everything in cupboards and drawers. Best advice I can give is to take photos of things as memories as it takes up less space…things kids have made, bridesmaid dresses, kids first shoes etc
Have regular clear outs, you could have a car boot sale every few months and get some spare cash. 🙂
be harsh if you know you haven’t worn or used something for a year get rid
If you have bulging wardrobes and drawers, tell yourself, and stick to it, that you can’t buy a new garment until you have thrown out at least two to make room for it.
Get everything out and spread it out on the floor ready for a mega sort out
Once a month sort through your stuff and either bin or donate stuff you don’t or haven’t used.
Make sure the kids are at school when decluttering as if they are anything like mine they won’t part with anything even if it isn’t there’s!!!
My favourite tip is especially for wardrobes. Turn all your coat hangers around at the beginning of the year and only turn them back as and when you wear each item. At the end of the year, get rid of everything which hasn’t got a turned round coat hanger 🙂
Stacking storage boxes is always a reliable one!
give to charity!
A great way to make more space is to put shelving up on the walls, then you will have more ground space and a lot less unsightly clutter!
Great tips! I’m a clutter lover and then a hater of all the mess!
My best tip is to periodically clear out toys before replacing them.
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Well…as well as not buying loads of stuff in the first place, my decluttering and space creating tip would be for everything to have a home, and for it to always be put away there. If you keep everything tidy just by putting things away it makes all the difference!
one room at a time and a big black sack!! be ruthless
I am a total obsessive hoarder, always have been. so when I do decide to declutter, I properly do it room by room. I have three piles – keep it, bin it, give to charity and with clothes, if I havent worn it in the last year it goes to charity. Stuff that is binned is out of date cosmetics, worn out shoes, holed socks and really minging clothes and things I keep are things that have been worn and so on x
Take stuff you don’t want to your local charity shop. Then you feel you are doing someone a good turn.
Stop buying things unless it is for a special occasion or it is to replace something which is worn out and you are getting rid of. Try to get rid of some paper, or decide on an item to recycle, throw our or send to the charity shop, every day. Take one shelf or one drawer at a time until you get into the swing of decluttering – and remember you are not going to clear it all in a day or two so don’t get downhearted.
Your more likely to actually declutter if you tell someone your going to do it, so start by telling someone and then pick one room and one item of furniture in that room and start there. If you make it achievable, ie one drawer you will do it, this success will lead on to the next bit and the next, whereas if you say I’m doing the bedroom it can lead to failure if its too big a job.
If you find something you didn’t know you had, then you won’t miss it if you get rid of it! Get rid of enough stuff and soon you’ll never remember you ever had it in the first place!
To find out which clothes to get rid of, turn all your coat hangers backwards and as you wear each item, turn the hanger back to the normal way. After a few months you can easily see which clothes you haven’t worn.
I only keep things if they remind me of some event (memento) or if they might be useful in the future.
Have I used or worn it in the last year? If not, seriously consider getting rid of it.
Having regular clear outs of stuff you don’t need!
Lots of containers and boxes to keep things organised.
I file paperwork straight away and not let it build up
I am constantly decluttering and moving stuff around. I have a number of stacking storage cupboards which i put my stuff into and then it is out of sight out of mind, but i keep it just in case i need it for later x
5S everything
Stackable boxes – they are a lifesaver
Top tip for decluttering…? Just throw stuff away. If it’s clutter, then you don’t need it. Get rid.
If it doesn’t fit, you haven’t work.n it in 2 years, the charity shop it. Sort one day per season & any more is a bonus.
I START WITH FOUR LARGE BOXES, TRASH, CHARITY, KEEP AND RELOCATE TO OTHER AREAS OF THE HOUSE, MAKES LIFE A LOT EASIER!
I think you’ve got to be ruthless, if you’re not sure; chuck it!
If you haven’t used it for a year then give it to charity!
Have 3 boxes or colour coded bags at the ready. Use one for the next charity bag collection, one for the rubbish tip and one to keep items for when the decluttering job is done. If you haven’t used it for a year or more then you are unlikely to use it again. Clear and sort bags and boxes left out in rooms.
Recently, I went through my stuff and sorted out all the things I no longer use or wanted. I had quite a pile of stuff so I invited my friends round for a drink and invited them to go through it all while we had pizza, crisps and dips and a good ol’ catch up 🙂
Do the kids rooms when they’re not allowed, then they won’t know what your chucking
If it hasn’t been used for a year – get rid of it
If something doesn’t fit into your scheme anymore , either upcycle it or sell it on. Don’t keep things ‘just in case ‘ you might need them (you rarely do in my experience!)
I’m reading the Marie Kondo book and decluttering as I go.
My tip is to read the book, its a great help if you’re a bit of a hoarder!
If you haven’t worn an item of clothes for a long time then take it to a charity shop.
Think about when you last used it. If it hasn’t been used in two years, it goes!
Be ruthless and ask yourself have you used it in the last year, if the answer is no, get rid.
Move things to the loft. If the wife doesn’t even notice its missing then it can go to charity
WOW! What a fab prize! I tend to have seasonal clearouts — and also if I haven’t used something — or worn it — for a couple of years — it goes to charity.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…149 weeks and 6 days | Sea-green brogues and a modern vintage rug
Get a notebook, and write a list – then strike them off as you go — works everytime!!
twice a year we go through all the wardrobes, cupboards and drawers and clear out anything that we no longer use.
Turn your hangers around and when you wear the item, turn it the other way, after 6 months if the hanger is still facing the ‘wrong’ direction, get rid of the item(s) by selling or donating.
Prioritize what you actually need!
I find it so hard to throw anything away, but I have just taken 4 boxes to the charity shop and intend to continue decluttering one room at a time. A small step but I feel better already just hope I can continue.
Start a room at a time decluttering and take your time, File important things away and if you don’t want to get rid of anything put it in your loft stores away.
Mirrors and light walls always make rooms look bigger and more spacious 🙂
Recycling everything we don’t need
Invest in good storage boxes clearly labelled and keep them in your study or loft leaving your living spaces cluttered-free and more pleasant!
I declutter regularly as don’t have loads of space and moving house soon so going through a cupboard a week so it won’t feel awful to do all at once!
Our house is full of clutter but my folks love Nic-Nacks! Must start dusting! 😉 their taste is very bizarre…. Star Wars and Vintage pieces!
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I have recently discovered the Marie Kondo book and method and love it.
Get some storage boxes and use them but prune their contents ruthlessly every 6 monhs
We tend to have stacking boxes to put specific items away and we try to have a clear out at least a couple of times a year.
try to check the papers you have and separate from ones you need and ones to recycle. Try to go through clothes ever so often and what you dont need offer to a charity shop
Ask your self if you haven’t used it for 2 years you probably don’t need it recycle or donate or dump it
I tend to put away either 30 mins or a couple of hours then cycle around the rooms not worrying if they aren’t complete (when are they ever?). It’s working over the past 5 weeks two big bags to charity, lots of paperwork burnt on the fire, a bin full of rubbish and £70 worth of furniture sold with the money being spent on a replacement door and NOT more stuff.
Old things that are no longer needed sell them!
We also have wardrobe storage hangers / shoe hangers which we roll certain items into which saves so much wardrobe space.
Only keep what you need or what you love. Get rid of unnecessary things!
I’m quite lucky as we move every 2 years due to work so we often have a clear out but our rules are if it hasn’t been touched for 6 months it’s time to move it on!
It’s no use hanging onto those favourite clothes that are 3 sizes too small – throw them out. If you ever do manage to shift all that weight you will feel so good about yourself that you will want to treat yourself to a new wardrobe anyway.
Avoid clutter by not buying in the first place. Avoid impulse buying and ask yourself do I really need this before buying. Makes life simpler and helps the environment.
Sell sell sell! 🙂
With clothes, if you havent worn it in the last year, get rid!! xx
Everything has it’s place…is th mantra I try to stick to. I get really stressed by mess so have to work hard to keep it at a reasonable level. I like eclectic but not messy. ANd love a good drawer to hide stuff in…..!
If its been 6 months since you’ve used it, bin it or donate it!!
I really needed these tips right now. My house is chaos! Thanks
Get stackable boxes to keep stuff in, donate old clothes and toys to charity shops 🙂
Organise your stuff into plastic containers, and take to the charity shop anything you don’t really need
If you’ve moved house and you find it later still in the box, get rid!
Under-bed storage!
Stop holding onto things, accept you really have no use for some stuff so it needs to go
Always taught my kids to donate toys so they are happy to part with things they do not play with,then they feel happy they have given it to another child.
Take a look to see what you’ve accumulated too much of. In my case it’s paper stuff – back issues of magazines, old paid bills I won’t need for proving payments, paperbacks I’ve read.
You don’t have to go through your place like the White Tornado. If you did, you might regret throwing away something you wanted, in your excess of zeal. Find 23 items you can pitch. Put the smaller things in a plastic grocery bag and tie it up. Don’t even think of a garage sale or a giveaway. Save that for really worthwhile things – good clothing, furniture. But clothes with holes, cheap paperbacks, dead pens and pencils, food items you’ll never use – “TWENTY-THREE SKIDOO!”
Repeat every few days, especially the day before they collect the trash. De-cluttering can be a gradual process. It requires a change in mind-set, which may not happen all at once, but you’ll be happier with the results.
If you hang onto too much junk, there won’t be any room for the nice new clothes, pretty things, or food packages you’ll really use. So get going – it can feel like you’re cleaning out your soul.
Start with clothes and the bottom and tops of wardrobes. If you haven’t used it in the last 18 months you are not going to do so.
have an elegant chest of drawers which will hide the small things
Little and often !
Look at everything you own, ask yourself if you’ve used it in the last 6 months – if the answer is no – chuck it!
If you’ve not used it for 2 years, get rid of it!
Mass clean-out every few months, keeps positions to a minimum.
Storage Boxes, only keep useful items, not things you “might” use
i always take on bit at a time and have two boxes keep and get rid of
I only keep what I’ve used in past year keep things tidied away and have day to day things out. Xx
don’t have any more stuff then you want to spend time cleaning them
If you haven’t used it in 5 years – you don’t need it – sell it or throw it away
I get the kids to help me get rid of what they don’t play with and sell it on ebay – whatever they make goes in their savings
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If you haven’t used it in a year get rid of it!
If you’re not a natural declutter, set yourself a time limit to save yourself getting distracted – say to yourself, I’m going to spend an hour sorting out this wardrobe, and then stop. Then get rid of the unwanted items as soon as possible – find out which charity shops near you are open on a Sunday so you can get rid straightaway.
I keep on top all the time. Some say it’s a problem.
Hide stuff away, if you can’t see it it doesn’t matter.
Haha now that’s my kind of advice!
Be ruthless when trying to get rid of things .If you haven’t used something for over a year i try to think logically that i probably won’t use it. It’s also worth trying to sell things if the value of items is an issue
Thank you so much for this article. I really need a big declutter this year.
I fear it is a big job. However, as you say, one shelf one drawer one cupboard at a time.
A few years ago, we decided to tackle the garage. Well we have always been able to put the car away but things were piling up
. I was ruthless (felt good) and threw stuff away. But, you know what, a few months after we needed that old hanging basket to protect the patch of reseeded lawn. And we could have done with those old settee cushions when we had visitors and I gave up my bed. But you know what, you survive!!
Use Freecycle to get rid of things that you don’t need any more. There is almost always someone who would be very grateful for it
Throw as you go, if you haven’t worn something for 6 months or so get rid you’re unlikely to wear it again, give books to the charity shop
Make three piles – one of things you’re definitely keeping, one of things you’re definitely getting rid of and one of things you’re not sure about. Put the third pile in the garage or the loft – and if you’ve still not touched it a few months later, you know to get rid of it!
I’m. More of a minimal person but hubby and children are clutter lovers lol. Some great tips here. What a fantastic giveaway too x
Be brutal when clearing things out, if you haven’t used worn or seen it in 6 months , get rid x
Just ask yourself why you need it, then you will probably get rid of it.
I systematically go through every drawer, cupboard, hiding spot! I am in big decluttering mode right now!
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Be brave and don’t be sentimental about keeping and storing clutter. If it doesn’t get used…chuck it out.
If you haven’t used or thought about a particular item for six months, you don’t need it anymore
I think you have to be absolutely ruthless with what you do and don’t need. It’s the only way to stop it from getting on top of you!
Don’t let sentiment get in the way of disposing of stuff
I have set myself a couple rules, so new one in old one out, toys and clothes.
And one month when I feel it is needed I do the get rid of for the day of month thing, so on 3rd – 3 things and so on. xx
GET SOMEONE TO HELP YOU AS THEY HAVE NO ATTATCHMENT TO THINGS AND CAN GIVE AN UNEMOTIONAL OPINION TO THROWING STUFF AWAY
The way it works in my house is I let it all get on top of me and then have a fit and a massive clear out! There must be a better way…
Don’t hoard, if it’s no good give it away or throw it away and invest in a good nice to look at storage system and pack it in nice and neatly
Compartmentalize everything into smaller jobs so that you never feel overwhelmed.
Make sure you have lots of old boxes and bags to put all the unwanted stuff in, and only throw away things that are unusable. Everything else you can give away to charity shops or dogs homes who make use of old blankets, towels, etc. Also get some music on when you’re tidying up, makes it much more fun!
Everytime I get a charity bag pushed through the letterbox I always put a minimum of 4 items into it.
baskets! I keep a basket by where I do the laundry to keep the mountains of things found in pockets.
do one room at a time when started dont stop and dont be tempted to keep things that you dont need or use
the best tip I have heard is to put all your clothes on the bed – even the coats handing in the passage – and go through them sorting out keep, donate, bin. I am going to try this is March when the bedroom is a bit warmer.
Decluttering is never going to happen in this house! It’s a pretty thought but we have too many books we love. On top of that, there’s 10 guitars, 20 ukuleles, 4 Banjo ukuleles, a piano, 2 keyboards, 2 clarinets, 1 banjo, 2 mandolins, 2 washboards, other assorted percussion and woodwind instruments and 2 cupboards full of sheet music!
Charity shops
My Dad taught me the best way – to throw EVERYTHING onto my bed for sorting, that way you can’t go to sleep til it’s done!!
My tip is a simple one:- eBay lol. Though there are more and more emerging apps and sites that may be cheaper, but not tried them myself.
I declutter but it’s all back within a few weeks…I’d say stop and think “do i really NEED that?”
we have a four year, this is us for the next 12 years! we try and keep her toys down though by throwing away the broken ones, or ones she does not use. Plus my other half is one of those ‘ one men’s rubbish is another man’s gold’ so we always have random bits lying around for him to sort.
I use the 6 month rule – If it’s not been used in that time, get rid!
One thing at a time. One section of wardrobe at a time or one drawer or even one shelf. Bit by bit. Don’t do everything at once or you may get overwhelmed.
Keeping things minimalistic. I live by a swap it out rule – every time I buy something new, whether for the flat or my wardrobe, I either sell, throw or donate an old/unused item.
Give the lounge a quick tidy every evening and clear out everyone’s wardrobes every six months! Kids grow so fast and it’s easy to hold onto clothes that no longer fit them.
PS Those folding doors are my husband’s dream! One day, when we’ve got our ensuite bathroom done, they will make it to the top of our list!
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Do a bit at a time and be truthful with yourself.
I am terrible for keeping things, I hate to throw anything away. We bought some large plastic boxes and managed to hide most things in these boxes in the loft, but it’s good to know they are still in the house.
I like the rule that if you haven’t looked at it or used it in the last 3 months you don’t need it. I could happliy live by this rule there’s nothing more satisfying and calming than getting rid if stuff. Hubby the hoarder however struggles to part with anything even his school swimming certificates – I cannot think why he would ever have a use for them! X
I’m a big fan of stacking boxes. I keep my sewing items in one, pads & pens in another & so on. I also don’t keep anything unless it’s useful or necessary. I’m always up at the charity shop with DVDs we don’t watch, book that have been read & clothes which are no longer worn (but still in very good condition).
Invest in good storage boxes, be ruthless when it comes to clearing out cupboards so don’t keep stuff you will never use again, have a boot sale or sell on ebay
Ask an objective friend to help. Then do a little at a time, systematically going through everything.
If I haven’t worn it or used it for a year, then it’s time to be ruthless and get rid of it!
Get rid pf your childs unwanted/not played with toys
If you never use it you do not need it, sell it on ebay and clear your world.
Our flat is quite cluttered because both my partner and I are collectors. However, every couple of months we have a sort out and either send stuff to a charity shop or sell online. It clears space and gives us a bit of extra money as well!
recycling things, donating to charity
I do love a good declutter. I volunteered two days a week, for two years, with the Salvation Army sorting through all the donations
In my own home I am a big believer in “If in doubt chuck it out”
I give a lot of my stuff, books etc, to charity shops
If you havent worn it for over a year chuck it.. you’ve had 365 days to put it on. If you do slim down you can go shopping!
if you cant find a space it doesnt belong
i put everything in pretty baskets!
Storage Boxes which you can Stack are amazing!
Top Tip – don’t buy it in the first instance. Live a minamalist life, you’ll feel so much better for it.
Put up more shelves
Keep large boxes & store any bundles of paper / letter in the box rather than laying around
I regularly go through the childrens toys. they have so many of them and often they are not even played with, so i box up the one’s i think can go to the charity shop and wait. If after a month the children haven’t asked after the hidden toy off it goes to hopefully be played with by someone else.
My tip is if you haven’t used the item in the last 3 years the you should get rid of it(donate it to charity).
Black bags..rubber gloves…disinfectant..and if you get the feeling something is not right, get rid of it!!.. the feeling of fresh start and fresh mind is fantastic!
I am a terrible hoarder – I have clutter everywhere! Kaz x
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Do a little at a time
I go through my children’s clothes and toys every other month, kids grow so quick or if it has,nt been played with in the last month it goes on the local selling site or down to the charity shop. I always do this whilst they are at school otherwise they wouldn’t let me get rid of anything x
I hate it, but it’s be ruthless!!! If you get too emotional about things it’s hard to let them go. It’s sometimes painful, but it is also very liberating!
We have a rule if not used in a year or worn it in a year if it’s good condition Goss to charity shop.
Be ruthless when decluttering! Make rule, if it hasn’t been played with in the last 6 months then donate to a charity shop!
If you have a ‘messy draw’ or ‘messy cupboard’ make sure you make time once a month to clear it out, this will make it a lot more manageable each time and will help to stop from hoarding clutter!
Getting shut of the partner, its all his clutter. Bin day tomorrow
If you are unsure about throwing something, put it in a plastic box with a date on it. If you don’t take it out to use in 6 months throw it
anything that has been in a box for over a year that is not a family heirloom, you dont need so can be sold or given away
Having a clear out every couple of months. Great way to give to charity as well. I always find clothes, shoes, toys that don’t get used and are just cluttering space.
Keep on top of it and be ruthless!
put things away as you use them or at the end of the day..don’t leave dirty dishes overnight they have a habit of breeding! allocate a place to put bills/important letters/reminders etc so no mad panic looking for them last thing
Be ruthless and be willing to throw things away instead of hoarding
Mine i just put everything in a cupboard or anything with a door on…as long as it looks tidy and not all over the place…although god forbid should anyone open a cupboard door…the thing is booby trapped lol x
….but as for decluttering…we have certain times during the year that we have a ‘spring cleanout’ and just chuck anything we havent used or dont feel we are gonna use! X
If it has not been used in the last year and isn’t a precious heirloom or something you would not expect to use every year then it is likely you will not miss it.
Have a favourite charity and give all your things you don’t need to them so you know you are doing some good.
Stop hoarding useless rubbish!
lots and lots of storage boxes to keep everything stacked up together but easy to find
If you are undecided whether to keep an item then you do not need it. Get rid of it. Give to a friend to look after it until you donate or give away
Be ruthless when clearing out junk
Cheat on your partner, they will soon dispose of your stuff for you
Turn the hangers on your clothes so they face inwards, if they haven’t been worn by the end of the summer then you obviously don’t wear it so chuck them out.
We use the six month rule, and get rid of anything we haven’t used in that time as we obvs don’t need it!!
We use the six month rule, and get rid of anything we haven’t used in that time as we obvs don’t need it!! it seems to work xx
Marry a tidy man! I’ve upped my game to match him.
I have a clear out every so often of clothes i dont wear or dont fit anymore. Then its off to either the charity shop, car boot sale or Ebay. So then theres space for more clothes. Yay 😀
I put things i’m thinking of getting rid of in a box. If I haven’t missed them after a month they can all go!
If you’ve not used it or worn it in the last 2 years get rid/donate to charity/car boot!
Myself and my best friend have made a pact to sort through our wardrobes together and to be brutally honest about whether certain old clothes fit/suit or need recycling. Unfortunately there’s often a bit of swapping that goes on too which isn’t a great help? 😉
I keep a charity bag for unwanted clothes, shoes and handbags to try to keep on top of clutter in wardrobes. I also try to adhere to William Morris’s adage that you shouldn’t keep things that are not both useful and beautiful.
I am obsessed with plastic storage boxes. You can make so much space by putting the kids toys in them and stacking them up.
The 1 year rule. If it’s not been touched/used/worn in a year – it goes. Good stuff – sell. Ok stuff – charity shop. Rubbish stuff – throw away. This rule will make you de-clutter, but also with the knowledge that you have the rule, it pushes you to touch/use/wear stuff that you don’t want to use – making it more useful in the first place.
The best way is to regularly have a clear out – and be ruthless!
We used to hoard lots of books, having read them once we could be sure that we would read them again but they would sit gathering dust on a book shelf, unread for years. Nowadays we lend books from the local library, you can order books to be collected, even recently printed editions, not only does this save us money in terms of not having to buy the books, we have much more space at home.
If unused for a long period of time then bin it
I used to be a bit of a clutter bug but have learnt that my world won’t end if I throw things away. I now use the rule if I’ve forgotten I have it I don’t need it x
We declutter by doing a spring clean every january. We bag up what we dont use Toys,Clothing shoes etc, donate some to charity and sell some on ebay. A great way to start the new year
Do a little bit every day to stop clutter building up.
give it all to charity!
Deal with what comes into the house straight away, sort, file, throw. With possessions, sort into piles, have a break, go back and sort further until the get rid pile is the largest pile.
use the inside of doors and cupboard doors to hang extra storage shelves/pockets
If you haven’t used it, or worn it during the last year, or don’t love it donate to your favourite charity to raise much needed funds and give your items a second life
Always put things back when you’ve used them
If I need to declutter I tend to sell anything on Ebay or Gumtree, if I can make some money back that’s great. However I also take things to the charity shop if I think they could make a profit.
we just bought shelves with doors then at least you can’tsee the clutter. It’s fabulous!!!!
Take it one room at a time anythingnot used in 3 years can go. Or move house, I always throw away loads when I move
Be ruthless!
I am determined to have a ruthless clear out this year. It’s on my ‘Missions for 2016’ list. I’ve started with the kids…..well there bedrooms at least 😉 Great prize!
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Have a clear out every few months.
Make a decision to throw away or take to charity 5 items every month, so clutter doesn’t build up.
If you don’t like something get rid of it
Just got to be ruthless and get rid of things that you don’t need or are never going to fit into ever again!
I think it’s important to make sure what you have is really needed, and if there isn’t a place for it – MAKE ONE! Everything should have its own space!
get some one to babysit the kids while you do it
If you put things away with the thought “that may come in handy” just bin it as it could stay there for years before it comes in handy. Thanks
if you havnt used it for a while you probably dont need it donate it
Get cheap folding crates from Poundies and if it hasn’t been used, crate it up and pop it in the attic
Sort one area out at a time and be ruthless.
If you haven’t even looked at it for a year decide eBay it, bin it or charity shop
Use lots of pretty storage boxes x
2 minute rule – if it takes less than 2 mins do it right away then you’ll have less things piling up to declutter
Hitting the shops in January can be great for getting pretty gift boxes that double-up as storage boxes. If you’re not too fussy then you can get some Christmassy-themed ones and pretend they’re winter ones XD But you can often find nice plain red/silver/gold ones that are great for keeping small bits and pieces like sellotape, scissors, nail polishes etc etc, if you get several and theme them then you can dot them around the house and keep little things out the way.
Get rid of anything you don’t use to the charity shops
Tackle one room at a time. If you haven’t used or looked at it for a long time it needs to go.
Be ruthless when it comes to clearing out
Pretty storage boxes that can be a feature as well as practical
Every year just before Christmas I go through all my cupboards and if I haven’t used something in the last 6 months it gets donated to charity. We have a small kitchen so my Fiance and I operate a one in one out policy haha!
Put everything in to a bag from the room and then sort from the bag – makes decluttering so much easier just sorting through one bag.
We don’t clutter, we bite our lip and don’t buy stuff that is not needed. So never have to declutter.
Plastic Stacking Boxes! I have so much clutter not all of which I am ready to part ways with so I have a system of stacking boxes that keep “things” in! Shoe box, Memory box ( things you pick up along the way ), Papers, Pamper box….you name it, I have a box for it! Helps to de-clutter without actually getting rid of the clutter 🙂
Throw anything that isn’t useful or beautiful away
Keep your things organized in storgae boxes.
If you haven’t used something for a year then get rid of it. Our house is currently full of clutter and this is the reasoning I am using to get rid!
Plenty of storage
Air tight, see through container boxes for the garage. They enables you to keep things you don’t need so often out of the way, but keeps them in good conditioner and easily accessible when you do need them.
Don’t try to deal with everything at once. Declutter for 30 minutes at a time, you’ll be amazed how much difference it’ll make.
Always have a charity box on hand to tidy away old books, DVD’S and clothes
If you haven’t worn something for 2 years, you don’t need it. If it is good quality either sell on Ebay or take to a charity shop.
Just start, make a pile for stuff to throw out, pile for things that need to be put in their home and stuff to donate. Do one room at a time
keep your things organised, tidy and clean it will make look less cluttered.
Do a little at a time. that way you don’t feel overwhelmed
I had a bookshelf full of cds and dvds. I threw away all the cases and kept all the discs in a cd/dvd wallet. I now have an almost empty bookshelf, which looks so much better
I am all for keeping sentimental things and favourite items but I am married to a total hoarder which drives me crazy! As he keeps adding to every collection of everything! I think tackling one room or space at a time and clever neat storage is the only option for us. Though I do have a recurring dream that the declutter fairy came and rook it all away!
I have a motto if in doubt – chuck it out – ignore your greed and give to those in need
Get rid of all unwanted items and think about optimizing storage.
Shelving and Storage boxes are great for storing.
i keep all my sentimental things but if not needed or used anymore and still in good shape i donate to charity shops
Declutter 15 minutes at a time!
Put a mirror on the wall opposite the window – gives the illusion that the room is bigger.
If you want to declutter a cupboard, start by taking everything out, so you actually know what is in there. If there is anything you haven’t used in over a year, consider selling it or at least putting it somewhere more out the way. Then take everything you do use and order it logically so that things you use often are at eye height and near the front and things used together are all on the same shelf.
my grandma always told me to do 10 items a day, whether its just moving them into their correct place or getting rid of things, 10 things a day is easy and keeps on top of things
Definitely do one room at a time. Go with your initial gut reaction when deciding whether or not to get rid of things. And try to keep the options to “Keep” or “Get Rid Of”. Having an “Undecided” pile is often just a way to procrastinate on making the decision to chuck it out xx
Buy things with multiple uses, like a foot stool you can store things in – then keep an eye on what you use and chuck out anything you haven’t used in a while.
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Have you read Konmari? Life changing! If it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it!
Follow the one year rule: If in the last 12 months you haven’t used it, remove it!
I find clear boxes to store my shoes inside is the best way to declutter and stop having shoes all around the house! allison mary.
If you do like to collect clutter use cupboards or sideboards with doors on to hide the clutter away. Use things like nice wicker baskets to store shoes, magazines, towels, even dog toys etc. Keeping them in baskets keeps the place looking tidy without having to stack or place things neatly away.
Instead of leaving piles of unread magazines and books … set a read by target with a post it note on the front … if by that time you have not read pass them on
I find I have to be tough with myself, and decide if I really do need an item. Labelled storage boxes also help.
I taught my mother how to de clutter .now she gives most of her clutter to the Italian charity shops as I suggested her to do I’ve also begged her to throw some very old stuff away that no one wants around the house by starting off with one room then checking the other rooms, drawers, cub boards etc
i declutter once a year as an incentive i book into a local boot fair and sell it all ……made over a £150 last time xxx
Start with one room at a time, I vacuum store winter/summer clothes and charity shop any clothes I no longer wear
GET A FRIEND TO DECORATE
If you haven’t used it in a year, get it on eBay!
CFor every 1 new thing you buy, dispose of one old.. clutter should not get so bad then
Boxes and underbed storage is great i’ve just decluttered the kids toys and arranged them in small easy to move boxes so the living room is no longer cluttered and their toys live under their beds until they want to play with them
Selling the things that I no longer use.
Put things away! Don’t put them down to do later
be ruthless and just throw away or sell what you dont use.
1. find an empty cupboard
2. pick up clutter
3. put clutter in cupboard
4. pretend it doesn’t exsist anymore because you cant see it…
Seasonal Cleans, I love to do 4 big house cleans throughout the year, of which items that don’t get used or worn in this year then i normally place on a well known Auction Site ,
I regularly declutter. Anything that hasn’t been used in a year goes. We use storage under the bed, under the stairs to utilise space and keep everything tidy
If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid!
Be ruthless, you’ve not worn it or used it for x amount of time donate it or recycle it. Then merge things into a category and pop in boxes or wicker cute baskets
If I haven’t worn it or used it for a while I get rid of those items to make space.
I like to think that I am a minimalist well I am until you open cupboards and drawers in my house! To look at, my house is minimal but the clutter is always hidden not too far away! I do try to have regular clear outs but It soon builds back up again especially with 2 little girls! So my tip is to regularly sort through things and get rid of un-used or unwanted items!
Have drawers instead of shelves, you can hide more unnecessary things there.
I like to get involved in decluttering challenges online as you can encourage each other. I am currently taking part in one where you have to fill a box with decluttered items by the end of the month.
put it all in the spare bedroom and sshut the door
I do room by room, if the item doesn’t bring you joy or you haven’t used it for 2 years then do you really need it
Storage boxes and vacuum packs!
Reading this has inspired me to start decluttering! I have all sorts on my bookshelves and they always look cluttered, you really can’t ever have enough storage can you?
If you have things that are sentimental that take up lots of space e.g. t-shirts from favourite concerts you don’t wear; beer glasses you don’t use but that you stole from a favourite bar on holiday etc. Take a photo of them, apply a trendy filter on instagram and use an online photo site to make a photobook of ‘memorable things’. Then box up the actual things and take them to a charity shop. That way you don;t get upset losing the memory by getting rid of the item but the book takes up a lot less space than boxes full of junk.
If it hasn’t been worn or played with in a year bagged and straight to charity shop
be ruthless with the decluttering if you have no use for it get rid of it.
For me, Storage is key! Covering things up or hiding them out of sight makes such a difference.
Have regular clear outs so that things don’t mount up too much. and bin all clothes or take to clothes bank that you dont wear, you will free up soo much space
Don’t get too attached to things
For every new item in two must go to it’s funeral is be sold on eBay or charity shopped . My local one loves me 🙂
Its amazing if you sort out your clothes as you come across items you haven’t worn for age’s or have forgot about as I tend to use the same items on top .
do 10 min bursts to declutter and you will be amzed how much stuff builds up.
Give yourself half an hour to gather together your most prized possessions. Then you’ll know what you can’t live without.
Set your timer for no longer than 30 minutes and go round the room with a black bag. When the timer goes off, dash out to the car with the stuff, drop it off at the tip or charity shop and don’t look back!
Turn all your coat hangera the wrong way round, each time you use an item turn the coathanger to face the correct way. After 6 months remove all the items facing the wrong way as they have not been worn in 6 months
Make full use of underbed storage options like boxes
My top tip for reducing clutter in my house, would be to divorce my hubby! Lol
Keep a list of what you need to do, eg. which rooms you need to do, if you need anything like boxes etc and take it one room at a time. Don’t rush yourself!
Pretty boxes to store things on shelves that I still want, but that will look cluttered unless put away.
Tackle a room at a time..have several boxes handy to fill, one for recycling, one for donations to charity and one for items to give friends & family…fill each box as you go from room to room. my motto is if I haven’t worn it or used for in the last two years I don’t need it!
I rotate the decluttering, concentrating on a room at a time. Don’t try and do too much at once it just ends up a nightmare!
Be brutal, get rid of things you don’t really need!
My top tip for decluttering is storage. Or sell your unwanted things on eBay or car boot sale
Drawer organisers and lots of storage boxes!!
My tips for de-cluttering are…
Get the rest of the family involved.
Do one room at a time
Sell stuff online or donate to charity, this will make you feel better about de-cluttering.
Buy some really good storage boxes/units
Ask yourself, does this item have a use/function that is useful to me
Set yourself challenges, like throw 5 things away a day
Don’t do too much at once, it can get too overwhelming, set aside a couple of hours every other day or so and sort one cupboard, room etc at a time, getting rid of items that you neither want or use anymore x
If you think you can’t bear to part with something, put it in a box labelled with that month’s date and store it somewhere. If you really miss the item, you can take it back. Every month get out the box from the same month a year before and get rid of anything left in it – if you’ve not used something for a year you’ll probably never use it again.
Decluttering start with one corner have a keep, like, sort(charity) pike and a throw pile . Check with your family as you do this process so no ones favourite toy gets Thrown.
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Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
William Morris
Go through your loft and cupboards once-a-year, and donate anything you’ve not used to charity
Start with the most cluttered room first, from then on it only gets easier
I sort through items of clothing/ gifts/ nick naks every Christmas and Birthday as a minimum and bag up what I no longer what or need to give to charity
At the start of the year I decided to get 100 things per week out the house. I have donated things to charity shops and sold a few things on EBay. I have started to see results and the kids haven’t noticed their clutter slowly dwindling.
Live in a small space then it doesn’t accumulate in the first place.
No hoarding. Simples! 🙂
Turn all the coat hangers round in your wardrobe, if within 12 months they haven’t been turned back round give away or sell
if it doesn’t fill you with joy throw it out
By throwing away junk mail as it arrives; also before you purchase a new item for the house make sure you know where you are going to put it, not just because you like it.
be ruthless when chucking stuff out!! if you’ve not used it / worn it in the last 6 months you probably dont need it taking up space so bin it / recycle it!
I am a hoarder by nature. I have started to limit the items that I buy. Any items that I want to keep are filed away and kept in plastic boxes. Any items that I do not need anymore are either thrown away or recycled.
donate anything you dont need to charity
never bring the stuff which you don’t need at the first place. to keep top of everything get rid once a week the things you don’t use. sell on ebay and make money or give them to charity!
Do a little bit at at time and often, so you keep on top of it. Eg go through your jumper cupboard one week, then your shoes the next. It can be overwhelming if you try to do it all at once.
Be strict with yourself (on in my case with your partner). If you don’t use things and they’re just gathering dust – get rid! Having a clutter-free environment is so important for well-being.
One room at a time works well for me. For the kids who never want to part with anything i let them them have one new thing for every load we take to the charity shop works like a charm!
Be ruthless, and if if not used or needed take it out of the house.
turn all hangers one way, when you wear an item, rotate the hanger the opposite way, anything still facing the original direction after 4 months should go 🙂
Play some up beat music to get you in the mood, if you don’t use it or wear it take it to the charity shop.
Take your time and do a bit at a time. If you forgot you had something then get rid. If you haven’t used it in over a year then get rid. Be brave. If you can’t find a place to keep it, get rid. I was amazed how much stuff I chucked and my home looks so much better.
If I haven’t used something for 12-18 months I bin it, recycle it or sell it.
I think it is important to be honest with yourself, do you really need it? Do you even use it? If you haven’t used in in the past year then no you don’t need it, you don’t use it! Then get rid just think it could fetch some money on Ebay extra bonus!
do one room at a time and with childrens rooms say we are going to sort out your books and toys and clothes and then the ones that are no longer needed can go to the children at hospital to play with/read and the clothes can go to the clothes bank and then think of the same reasoning when you do your own rooms
Upcycle items you don’t want to toss such as crates for shelves and painting scratched up items
Do it regularly and donate to the charity shop
At the beginning of each year I make sure all my clothes hangers (with clothing on) are facing the same way. Each time I have worn an item, I turn the hanger the opposite way – I can then easily see which items I havent worn for months and throw them or give to charity 🙂
I’m hopelessly untidy! best tip is to be ruthless and not listen to the devil on your shoulder (who will tell you to keep EVERYTHING!!!)
Storage boxes in cupboards
. All toys grouped and put in to them that way you can find it all.
My advice is get someone else to help you declutter. They can help you be brutal!
get rid of the stuff you havent touched or used for 6 months
Make some time and ensure that the job is completed and not half done, organise a day so you can get boxes ready, bags to put items in for charity and bags for sny items that are no good or to sell.
Dump dusty things…..be ruthless!!!
As the seasons change from summer to winter and vice versa, take it as a chance to sort through your wardrobe. If you haven’t worn the clothing this year then it needs to be resold or given to charity, otherwise put it in a vacuum seal bag and store it away in the loft until next year. This’ll remove unused clothes and vacuum sealing clothes you don’t need for six months will make your wardrobe seem a lot lighter!
sort out a bit at a time it’s overwhelming doing it all at once
Don’t hoard things for a long time. If you know that you haven’t used it in a long time and can’t see yourself doing so, get rid of it. Also, keep on top of decluttering throughout the year so that you always have space and it doesn’t feel like such a huge task each time.
instead of agonising over a particular book or photo, get rid of BIG stuff first. Like apiece of furniture.
tidy as you go, always think do i really need this?
Clear out the most cluttered room first. Do this regularly and ensure that you complete each task that you start! Also be ruthless when clearing out junk and throw away or donate items you don’t need or want.
Do a car boot once or twice a year. Besides de-cluttering you are making money to pay for a treat or towards an holiday etc. Try selling some items especially large things on a FB selling site. I’ve got rid of loads of stuff this way, even things from the garage and shed that aren’t needed. I’ve even put things on the freebie site to help people
I hate clutter and wont have it in my house anything out of place i pop into a box tell the kids if not put back away in right place it will be binned and NO replacements.
To declutter your wardrobe – take photos of all of your clothes. The match them up to make outfits. Those that don’t match with anything are those you chuck away
Do a little every day
Sell your unwanted things- declutter and make some money
Be ruthless and sell anything you don’t use, save the money and buy something fab.
I would get 3 boxes, 1 to keep, 1 to chuck and 1 to give to charity and sort all my stuff accordingly
I ask myself if I’ve used it in the past year or am I going to use it in the next year. If not it’s gone!
never keep anything you don’t need, have regular clear outs so that it doesn’t build up
when you decide to de-clutter create a 30 day list and choose an area to do each day. This way it won’t seem so overwhelming.
The one at a time rule! Just cleaning out one draw or cupboard at a time will make you feel good about your progress rather you feeling fed up and tired which will in turn make you more likely to do some more next time. Just taking 10 minutes each day to sort out something that you’ve been procrastinating over, every little helps!
If you’ve not used it in a year, eBay/ charity shop it.
Would you miss it if you didn’t have it? No? Then get rid either to dump or charity shop or even sell on ebay and make some money
I love shelves, I’ve put loads up around my house so i can display all my lovely things x x
Turn all your hangers backwards in your wardrobe. After 6 months the hangers which are still backwards will be the clothes you haven’t worn; sell them/ give them to charity/ throw them away!
Make sure you have space and clear storage space for everything you keep- if it doesn’t have a home, you don’t need it!
If you have things that are similar or more than one of something only keep one!
Have a clear out of documents and receipts once a month. If you don’t have a shredder then leave them in soak for an hour to get rid of all your private details.
do one room at a time and get your best friend to be ruthless with you.
Stackable storage crates – lots of them 😀
Be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of things you don’t need or use.d
It’s a mammoth task! I always try to do one room at a time and not stop until it is done, my tip would be take a bag for rubbish a bag for charity and a box for keeping. Then go through the room and take the charity bag straight to the shop!
Regularly de-clutter and dont leave it too long. We live in a small bungalow so regular decluttering is essential
If it hasn’t been worn or used for a year take it to the charity shop or recyling. Vacuum pack non-seasonal clothes.
I repurpose old boxes and furniture into DIY storage items. It helps to store all the little bits and pieces, and you can make them look really unique.
Tackle one room a month so it doesn’t become overwhelming.
Buy beds with a large amount of storage underneath – it comes in very useful !
if its not been used in 6 months, throw it out
I’ll put an item in the understairs cupboard in the hope of using it but if it isn’t used by the time I come to clear out the cupboard in spring then out to the bin it goes. I have kept all sorts of junk dotted around every room of the house for years just waiting to use it and this way it gets one last chance, then bye bye 🙂
If the item has not been used in the last 6 – 12 months then recycle or donate it to a charity shop
Decide when you last used it and it you have used it is 12 months get rid. Start on the kids rooms first as there are usually clothes and toys there. I then use our local selling sites and put the money into the kids money boxes for future treats.
Sold items for £160 yesterday so definitely worth doing
Storage boxes that slide under your bed are great for de-cluttering
Donate or sell an item of clothing every time you get another one
I am in the middle of decluttering just nowc, best to start with one room at a time .I ask my self do I really need this , if not I take it to the charity shop
If you wouldn’t buy a particular item now, don’t keep it.
go through one room at a time and be strict with yourself. Piles are good i.e throw away, donate & sell piles.
Save nothing
Have a good sort through cupboards twice a year and decide what products fit best in which drawers/cupboards. Think how often you use the item and if you haven’t touched it in the last year then throw it / recycle it / sell it / give it to charity!
Donate stuff you don’t use regularly to a charity that you feel strongly about, and then you’ll feel that the items you’ve got rid of are serving a worthwhile purpose.
Be ruthless!
As you go round collecting stuff to get rid of remember that means you will have room for nice new stuff!
Work round a room clockwise, keep a timer on the go and do it in bursts of 10/15/20 minutes at ta time
De-clutter one room at a time and be ruthless x
Put things to go away upstairs on the 1st step. Never pass by without taking them up and put them away before you go down again. If you haven’t got time, put them on the bed so that you can’t go to bed without finishing the task.
Do it often and be ruthless!
I recently brought an old ottoman and shabby chic’d it and brought some new material to cover the top
its saved loads of space for our bedding and towels all fit in – cheap and easy and unique too!
Be ruthless, but with kids it is hard with toys etc but i donate regularly to the local charity shop, ebay and clothes bank.
I have arranged a clothes collection every 6 months from our local scout hut they get £450 per ton or part and that helps go towards new equipment. I always have a bag for old clothes. My neighbour died and i helped the relatives clear pout and took over 35 bags of clothes, materials curtains etc and it all went to the clothes bank for the scouts they where really pleased it was removed and helped them move on.
Rope in your friends to help. They will generally tell you if you’re hanging onto crap and sometimes will even need (and take away 🙂 some of your “junk”).
Throwing out stuff I don’t need!
Start with the clothes in your wardrobe. Give them to a charity shop, and you feel better for doing something useful and a benefit to others.
Move home!!!! I know it is drastic – I have just had to move home to downsize – it is amazing how much you can get rid of!!
If in doubt, chuck it out!
do the kids’ rooms when they’re out or they won’t let you
I have always found that drinking a nice bottle of wine whilst you de clutter helps a lot, this is because as you get further down the bottle the more ruthless you get at throwing out stuff. x
If you haven’t used it in over a year, then get rid of it. Be ruthless, and remember you can make a bit of cash selling items that are cluttering up your home. Do a little at a time.
I have a box in our hall cupboard and I put all bits we don’t seem to use but are always there inside every fortnight.it will stay there until the next fortnight whatever is left is put into a charity bag which is left for another fortnight and of nobody has missed them then off they go to charity. That way I never need a big clear out which takes hours and my partner and son don’t notice that all their useless stuff is gone but I still get rid of it. I do the same with small toys every two months and big toys every 6 months each have a month to notice they are gone or off they go!
Ask your teenagers opinions on your wardrobe. They are ruthless!
Try to look at stuff with new eyes. A lot of stuff that I keep for sentimental reasons when I actually think about it I’ve moved on and don’t need to hang on to it anymore but so used to being there just don’t see it anymore!
I have to be in the right frame of mind on a good day when l have no plans and the weathers bad then l think get ready for the good weather and so l get stuck in , i bag for the bin 1 for the charty and then get every draw emptyed out and sort
I always looking for things I could sell or give to charity, feels good to get rid of something that hasn’t been used for a long time 🙂
Be ruthless
Buy storage boxes you like the look of so you’re more likely to use them.
Have a clear-out at least once a year and take what you don’t use to a charity shop or make some money listing it on an auction website.
We also recently put some old furniture outside that had been cluttering up our garage with a sign on it saying ‘FREE’ – someone took it all within 15 minutes!
Be brutal – if you haven’t used it in 6 months, then bin it!
Don’t try to do too much at once, start with one room at a time if you can or if not, sort through areas of a room – but do it regularly and it will soon be clear and you’ll feel lighter.
throw things out
The year rule – If you haven’t used it you don’t need it.
I found this article useful – declutter one type of item a day instead of tackling a whole room. I’ve done about 10 so far at weekends. http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/List-Things-Dispose-24575006
I like to use storage boxes in cupboards and draws to help keep things organise and to make the best use of space.
So helpful! thanks for all the tips!!
Throw everything into one big box, if you need the thing, dig it out of the box – whatever’s left in a year’s time, you can throw out / give away.
Join a couple of local free sites on Facebook and advertise your clutter for free, people will take anything – old mags, old toys, crockery, anything if its free! This stops you putting it back under the bed and you don’t have to waste valuable sorting time taking stuff to tips/charity shops etc
1. Bin all linen with any stains
2. Never save Christmas cards.
3. Old clothes are gone. You’ll never get skinnier again.
4.You’ll never need anything saved from university.
5. Old porn mags should be deposited in random local hedges for future generations to savour.
I’ve started being brutal with my books, all the ones I’ll never read again are going, textbooks excepted. 4 IKEA bookcases full is just silly. My local hospital is appreciative and I remember how bored I was on the maternity ward when I was stuck in with kidney infections before the babies were born
If there are things you are unsure about getting rid of box them up anyway and put them in the loft or garage out of sight. If you haven’t needed to use anything from the box in 3 months then it will be easier to throw out or donate
We recycle as much as possible through ebay and boot sales. This gets rid of old toys, clothes etc. to make space
storage boxes and shelves
Don’t hoard..be ruthless 🙂
Do a bag for charity , recycling and rubbish! And be ruthless, are you really going to use that when you haven’t touched it in the past year?
I try to keep on top of it by decluttering regularly and keeping storage boxes in the loft
Take any unwanted clutter to the recycling or charity shop straight away before you have a chance to change your mind
grit your teeth and be brutal!
Go through a room at a time & look at items, keep items that you really love or have a definate purpose.
Store what you need to keep in the loft,
then EBay anything of great value,
next the charity shop,
then everything else to the recycling plant .
Is paper taking up space? can you digitise it? scanning or taking photos of old essays, kids paintings etc can save loads of room.
My tip is simply, to just get on with it, the biggest problem is getting started
Ask yourself if you have used an item in the last 12 months and if not, are you really going to use it again? Also take one area at a time so it doesn’t seem so daunting.
I try and clear out one cupboard a week to keep on top of the clutter! I can be a bit of a horder.
Declutter one room at a time. Once one room looks good you will feel good about it. Hopefully this will encourage you to do more
Start the year with everything hanging in the wardrobe the wrong way round on the hanger. When you wear it, hang it back up the right way around. By the end of the year, anything that’s still facing the wrong way is ready to go to a charity shop!
Before you start, pick a favourite charity and decide you will donate as much as you possibly can to them. It makes it so much easier to declutter knowing you are helping a cause that is close to your heart.
Be brutal with getting rid of things that haven’t been used/worn for ages. I always give loads of clothes to the charity shop
Take to charity or sell anything you haven;t used in a year! Or think if I moved house, would I take this?!
Just be ruthless.
I let someone else go through the things. They aren’t sentimental about the rubbish I hoard! Plenty of drawers and shelves for what is saved too.
Do it room by room – set aside a couple of hours per week to do it. Don’t get overwhelmed.
If it isn’t beautiful or useful you dn’t need it.
Create hidden storage wherever possible and label boxes so you know what is in them
Ever term have a clean out of clothes and clutter in each room. Not only will you feel amazing but also keeps things clutter free
If you havn’t used it , worn it or looked at it in the previous six months . Sell it , give it away or bin it.
If it’s not beautiful or useful, let it go. If you haven’t worn or used it in 12-18 months, get rid of it. If you like it but you don’t have space for it, make the space or chuck it out. I find clutter/mess quite stressful, though I can be quite sentimental so I would keep more stuff if I wasn’t quite ruthless at times. I’m a lot happier with less ‘stuff’ in the house though.
When your wardrobe is bulging and you know it’s time to have a clear out try to identify the clothes you need to clear out. A good way is to hang all your clothes with the hangers in the reverse direction. After you wear an item, return it to the wardrobe with the hanger facing the correct direction. After a few months, you’ll have a clear picture of which clothes you can easily discard.
I store all of our holiday items, like luggage scales and extra beach towels inside of our suitcases.
Baskets and crates help tidy up the things you need near to you.
If you haven’t used it for six months, get rid.
quite the hoarder but when I am in the mood I go through my clothes. Anything that I haven’t worn for a long time or doesn’t fit anymore goes to charity.
The best way to declutter is to resell those unwanted items on ebay / carboots etc. It’s amazing how much you can find to sell when you start making a little extra money from those unwanted items around the place.
Be brutal. Look at what room you have and what you don’t use, chuck out accordingly. We live in a pokey house, 5 of us and no room for sentimentality unfortunately.
Dont hoard, organise and arrange and you will never feel like hoarder as everything will have a place
“KonMari” method of organizing and de-cluttering says to pick up each object if it inspires joy keep it, if it doesn’t, it needs to go.
My tip is to declutter on your own, if my husband is around he’s worse than a child he wants to keep absolutely everythiing. Doing one room at a time by the time he goes for whatever he’s left laid around it’s gone and too late, surprisingly he has managed without as well.
I live in a very small house so it’s simple if I don’t love it or not used it, it goes
Vac packs are good and can be stored under your bed.
Be ruthless: If you don’t need it anymore then chuck it out!
My first declutter tip is: Little and often. Second: be mindful about creating clutter in the first place, ask yourself why you are really taking whatever it is home with you. Third: A place for everything and everything in it’s place … it’s only clutter if it is left lying around, if it helps label things, shoe box, sewing box, craft box etc so that everyone knows where everything goes and you are not the only one left to keep things in order :0)
Clothes – Be ruthless, if you don’t wear it, donate it to the charity shop. will give you so much more space.
Kids Room – Do this when they are at school and most of the time they will not notice the odd toy they no longer play with missing.
Don’t let things pile up. Get rid of any unwanted belongings on Ebay/Gumtree.
Get some storage boxes
Those bags where you extract the air make space for more clothes. Sadly in bigger sizes these days.
I love to use Ikea bits for storage – they are always my first port of call
Don’t try decluttering when the family are around because, as soon as you get them out to throw away, they will suddenly want/need things they haven’t used for years!
The best i’ve come across at de cluttering clothes shoes handbags kids clothes & toys is by swapping with friends or getting in touch with a homeless charity, i’d rather pass on than bin it ! anything not used worn or played with or outgrown can be passed on 🙂 great way of getting yourself some pre loved clothes etc 🙂
I declutter alone cause my children are as bad as my husband at hoarding I sometimes put things in the loft and if they dont miss them after a year I take to charity or tip
Regarding clothing and de-cluttering I have a rule of thumb if I haven’t worn it in 5 months it goes out. If it is a special occasion dress or outfit only then that doesn’t fall in that rule. I apply the same rule to shoes coats and jackets. I apply the rule do I need it, will I use it? to all de-cluttering projects
If you have a bed with space under it, make sure you utilise this area the best you can! I have installed some ikea box shelves under my bed but turned them sideways – now I have 5 box drawers either side of my bed! Perfect
I am terrible for hiding things out of sight, go though those things and if you haven’t used them get rid
it you haven’t used it for more than a year get rid or donate to local charity shop
Be brutal when tidying up and throw out what”s not needed and not being used
Charity shop!
My rule is if I hadn’r worn it in over a year it goes, exception to the rule being the odd evening dress I don’t get chance to wear ,uch with 2 young kids lol
Hide it in the wardrobe where nobody can see it!!
create space but putting things back in their place regularly.
Have regular clear outs or it turns into a mammoth task and don’t keep things ‘just in case’ they may come in handy at some point, especially if you’ve not used it with the last 6 months x
organise and declutter in small chunks. If you try to tackle a whole room at once you’ll burn out and give up.
move house! – ok so maybe a bit extreme, but I’ve just moved & we threw away so much stuff!!
Be ruthless. If you haven’t used something for six months, get rid of it
If you not use items in a while get rid and always start one room at a time always works for me x
I think my top tip is to break it right down – not just room by room but even cupboard by cupboard – and set small, achievable goals – like today I will go through the dresser in the living room – of one area a day.
Little rewards don’t hurt either 🙂 maybe something like a piece of chocolate or a relaxing bath!
I always pass toys/clothes to friends and anything that I don’t pass down I bag up for charity.
Be ruthless!
I take it room by room and make a list of items/ clothes I am unsure as to keep for some items I put a coup,e of months next to it giving me time to use it if still unused i pass it down to a family member or give it to a charity shop therefore it feels like you are giving something back and letting other people love the stuff you no longer do
If you don’t love it, lose it. You really won’t miss it. Clearing out is really rewarding after as it can declutter the mind as well. Give your items to charity and you’ll be doing good as well.
Store things in decorative boxes
I have a curtain under the stairs, behind it, different pretty storage boxes for various things
I find it so hard to declutter. I have guilty feelings abut getting rid of things other people (especially my mum) have got me. To keep myself going I set mini-tasks – like do 2 shelves first, and see if I can push to do one more when I’ve finished those. It can help to have a non-judgemental friend around to help talk you out of ridiculousness sometimes too!!
be brutal, if you dont use it and it doesnt make you smile you dont need it!
Keep an ‘outbox’ in a cupboard somewhere (we use under the stairs) and drop stuff in it regularly, just be constantly editing your stuff. Once it’s full drop it off at the charity shop and start again. Even if it’s only one thing a week it does make a difference over time.
6 years ago when I retired I sorted through over 40 years of clutter (teachers are born hoarders) It took me nearly 3 months and I swore never again! Since then I go through each shelf, drawer, wardrobe, room and declutter again on a regular basis (about 3 times a year) Doesn’t take too long now and it is so much easier to keep the house tidy and clean 🙂
Focus on one room at a time, and don’t move clutter from place to place 🙂
Try and have a sort out every 6 months or so – if you leave it too long it becomes a massive elephant to be eaten!
go through all the stuff you think i’ll keep that just incase and if you havent used it in the past year chances are you never will so get rid.
Charity shop items you no longer require.
Just take it slowly – don’t be daunted and you soon find it is done
If you don’t wear it recycle it.
To give things away to charity shops if they’ve not been worn or used in a year.
Ebay! By putting things I no longer want on Ebay I know someone else is getting use out of them, they’re not cluttering up a landfill, and I might get a bit of money too!
Banana boxes are great for storing CDs, books and DVDs. Store the with the spine showing so you can easily see the title and pick the one you want to play/read.
have a clear out a least once a year, be ruthless, either sell or donate unused stuff
one draw at a time
Start with one area at a time. Throw unwanted items away or take to charity shop before starting next job.
Dont hoard be brutal in getting rid f unused stuff
get rid of the junk draw!! x
Every 3 months I go through the kids clothes and toys and make a donation to a charity shop.
Get a less sentimental relative or friend to help you.
Don’t let magazines pile up, part with them as soon as you’ve read them. Dispose of junk mail immediately. Only buy clothes when you need them and take any you no longer wear to the charity shop.
I do regular clothes swaps with my friends and car boot sale.
The Marie Kondo method was very helpful to me, because I never felt I could part with a gift – however unsuited to me it was! My viewpoint now is that if an item isn’t beautiful and if it doesn’t resonate with me in a positive way, it had better be useful. If it’s neither, then out it goes.
Plastic storage drawers are great for extra storage and categorising things (and are cheap!). I use mine for handbags, scarves, pyjamas etc
It sounds really basic but make sure all your drawers and cupboards are closed. Nothing looks messier than half open drawers with things falling out of them.
I like the idea of organised clutter, pretty or simply neat storage for those things you *have* to keep. Everything else? Declutter small areas at a time (seems like less work!) and try not to be too sentimental about items you realistically don’t need or use.
Give away one thing per day. It wonr be so overwhelming
Do little and often, like picking a shelf, drawer or similar per week so it’s manageable.
Give away one thing for every new things you buy
Little and often!! You can’t declutter a whole home in a day. Go from room to room in managable bursts.
at the start of the year place all your clothes on coat hangers facing the same way – each time you wear, wash and then put away an item of clothing twist the hanger round so it’s facing the opposite way. After 6 months check which hangers are still facing the original way – these are clothes your not wearing so you should get rid of them
Be ruthless and get rid of things you have not used and not missed for a long time.
be aggresive not used for 12 months you no where it should go
Don’t try when the kids are at home. Box up everything they don’t use and if they don’t miss it in month, bin, donate or sell
Anything you’ve not used within the past year donate/get rid of. Too easy to become a hoarder!
Read Marie Kondos book and sort things by category and as quick as possible.
I,m a hoarder do not like getting rid of anything if I can help it so bagged securely and stored in the attic so de cluttered downstairs yet still keep your little bits and pieces simple or donate to a good charity shop for good causes this will also help the charity and help out someone else too
Just get rid of things you have no use for anymore
Just declutter regularly 🙂
With kids toys if it hasn’t been played with for months concider giving away to family members who have children or maybe giving away to charity shop.
Get the whole family to join in and then it gets done in half the time.
Best tip for decluttering – sell unwanted stuff! Earn some money at the same time 🙂
Sell anything you don’t use
If you haven’t used it in the last year it doesn’t stay. We then do a carboot sale as a family and with the money we earn we do something nice. The last time we did it we went to the zoo. It motivates you to part with things xx
if you haven’t used something in the last 4 seasons chances are you wont use it again, so get rid 🙂
A clutter house is a cluttered mind!keep everything minimalistic!My top tip is on the 1st of January I turn all my coat hangers the same way, once something has been worn I’ll turn the hanger then in 6 months time anything that hasn’t been worn goes to the charity shop
i would say you must de clutter regularly to save a massive build up, and if you have to keep something maybe try them vacuum bags they are fabulous for storing things
Ikea storage systems!
Anything that doesn’t bring you “joy” get rid of…or try to!!!
My tip is not to do it all at once but give yourself the task to clear one drawer or one cupboard at a time – then if you exceed your target and do 2 drawers instead you will feel fabulous 🙂
I get all the family involved sorting through their stuff and do a boot sale with it the kids love it as they get paid for things they have outgrown etc and it works no moaning all done without fuss
Don’t put too many things I the loft to ‘store’ – when things go up there you forget about them!!!
if not used for a year get rid
Don’t keep what you don’t need. I have a big box that every time I find something that we don’t use anymore or clothes that don’t fit, toys that aren’t played with, they go in the box. Once a week I take piccies and sell via ebay or facebook and use the money to treat my kids to days out.
Think about storage solutions, if everything has a place then it won’t be left out.
I’ve put shelves over my children’s door frame, great for all those toys they don’t use everyday and saves floor space.
Anything not being used and not likely to be used then either bin it or give it to charity
Be creative when looking for storage/display solutions. I had an awkward small wall that was the wrong size for all the display cabinets I looked at, but a glass shelved unit meant for the bathroom was the perfect size and looks great with a few choice ornaments on it.
Good storage is a clutter lover’s friend- keeps everything nice & tidy & out of sight 🙂
Hello
I have been decluttering my room this weekend LOL two black bin lines of rubbish I don’t need or use plus I have found a bag of item to sell online so that’s my tip sell you junk on eBay !
Cheers
Philip Bellxpress
Remember to look up in a room too. There are plenty of storage solutions that can be higher up in a room to leave floor space free.
Do you need it? When did you last use it? Is it sentimental? – Answer these questions and if applicable, throw it away/sell it. You’ll probably find a whole load of stuff you never knew you had, then when all that is gone you can put away the stuff you do need!
Be ruthless and throw anything away that you havent used in a long time also get storage boxes for bits and bats!
In a word: Gumtree. Saves so much on postage and fees compared to eBay
I’d you have too many mementos from your past, filter them down – no one needs to keep every birthday card they ever received! Buy a nice box and only keep enough items to fit in the box & recycle/ bin everything else
If you don’t use it, bin it!
I’m really, really ruthless. If I haven’t worn it for a year I get rid of it. I’m always putting clothes on ebay too, as soon as my children grow out of them.
For my husband’s clutter, well that’s what the garage is for!
The best way I find for storage is to buy containers that can be stacked! Anything stackable can be put up high on shelving and will limit the amount of floor space used!
Also If your like me and a hoarder than little boxes,baskets or anything like that can be great to store things in and hide little items! X
be very brutal get a skip or take it to tip
Do little bits at a time and doesn’t seem like such a chore.
My top tip is to work through one room at a time with 3 boxes, one is for put away stuff, one for throw away one for storage (so loft). Work through each room and it will force you to make a decision about all the clutter. This is best done without children in my experience, also make sure the put away stuff is designated a permanent home this way you shouldn’t loose anything.
Start with getting rid of the big stuff first: The elephant carcass, the half ton of bricks in the hallway and the helicopter rotor blades…
I am not a hoarder, if I haven’t used/worn something in the previous twelve months, it goes!
be ruthless and get rid of anything not being used either sell or dump
I live with a crazy hoarder and my house looks like landfill,so my advice would be….don’t live with a crazy hoarder and your house will be tidy!
At the change of the seasons always have a good sort out and throw out or recycle anything that you’ve not used.
With regards to decluttering – if you haven’t worn/used something for longer than a year – then get rid as it’s unlikely that you will use it again!
buy fancy storage boxes, the place then looks a lot less cluttered x
I’m awful at decluttering, I get rid of stuff and then buy double the amount 🙂
I’m the opposite to you – I’d need to let my daughter sort out her toys for the charity shop when I’m not around! I’m the the one who gets sentimental about her toys and won’t let her give them away. So, my top tip, if you’re a soppy old fool like me, is to let the kids sort out the toys and clothes they want to get rid of, get them to put them into bags with the top tied and drive them to the charity shop without peeping inside!!
If u haven’t used something for 6 months chances are u don’t need it
Lots of good storage. We all have things we just cant get rid of, so hide them away well
i have started to live by the rule if i forgot i had it, or i haven’t used it in 6 months then get rid
dont have kids lol
take all your rubbish to the skip
At Christmas get your kids to put a few toys they don’t play with anymore under the tree so Santa can take them away to clean up for other children x
Get rid of anything that you haven’t touched/used in 6 months or more
when you buy something, throw something else away 🙂
Little and often
With 3 little ones in the house we’re filled to the brim with clutter and there’s very little I can do about it, so far the best way to do a clear out that I’ve experienced is moving, shame we can’t do that regularly lol
Be really ruthless and set a deadline for using things – if it hasn’t been used in the last 6 months then its time to go! If you are worried about throwing things away there are always lots of recycling options, ebay and freecycle to make sure everything gets a home!
Have a regular clear out and be brutal; unless something has particular sentimental value there’s no point holding on to if it never gets used.
Tackle one cupboard/drqwer at a time. I find that if i empty too much out at once i get half way through and then lose the enthusiasm to finish. One at a time and I get a sense of accomplishment 🙂
I always love Shelving so good for storage
Do a little tidy up every weekend, that way clutter shouldn’t really build up too easily, so when it comes to doing a big clear out it makes life easier!
as you finish a book, think of all the pleasure people will have reading it if you give it to a charity shop, rather than lying unread and unused on your shelf.
i must say i dont like to get rid of things,my hubby says im a hoarder but then his garage is also full of items he wot part with lol.i try to take things from my home in stages,i keep for a year maybe then see if i really really need it then i do the brave thing and charity it
I have been going through my paperwork drawer and throwing or burning anything from two years ago. It looks a lot better and definitely easier to find what I need now. I’m going to do the same with my walk in cupboard next. FABULOUS prize x
De cluttering. Do it weekly during 30 mins. Little and often makes my life easier.
If you have paperwork or photos you want to keep scan them onto your computer.
If you can’t recycle your old clothes to get more wear thrown them out.
Don’t keep what your not going to use
the main thing is is not to collect and keep to much clutter and stuff that you do not need
my nan always told me
have a place for everything and keep everything in its place
so thats what i do , well ok try to do
selling items on ebay that you done need anymore
If I haven’t used it in 6 months, it goes in the bin
I believe in good storage, so everything has its place
I bought shelving units to put in our wardrobes so we have additional useful space as well as hanging..keeps everything tidy and hidden away!
i like to keep everything that has a sentimental feel to it i know i shouldnt but i find it quite hard to get rid of them.
but i think if you see it and dont need it get rid of it get rid of everything that youve never used in 6 month.
My top tip for bedroom clutter is a storage bed, then everything is put in drawers out of the way. All the kids toys stashed under the bed, all the the belts and scarves i seem to accumulate…all stashed away under the bed! Always make the bed in the morning, open the curtains and you will always have a lovely tidy room!
stay focused and try not to get easily distracted…………..unlike me!!
I hate clutter, If not used for a while either donate or throw away.
If you can’t remember when you last used it – get rid!
My tip would be to do one room at a time and have lots of storage space!
Little and often – I do some every time a charity shop bag comes through the door.
Erica Price recently posted…Feeding The Birds
Be ruthless if you haven’t used it recently why should you box it away again
deal with everyday recycling daily and do cupboards monthly also sort clothes at the end of every season
i am useless….i am a hoarder…..help!!!
Do it slowly. Room by room, little by little. That way you do not become overwhelmed.
If you havent wore it for a year you probably wont be generous and ruthless
If you havent looked at it for a year , list it on freecycle
Yep clutter is a disaster, but one of the earlier comments (much earlier) said about being less sentimental. That is the way, otherwise you will contract the crippling male disease of keeping LITERALLY EVERYTHING!! So you have to use your head over heart and be rational with it!
Good luck with it all!
STORAGE! and a hoover round
xx
When you get your ruthless mood on, go with it! No room for sentiment. Sell on eBay if you’ve got the time or charity shop with a job lot. Your house will feel a lot lighter.
Clean up as you go along
Time for a spring clean I think!
If I buy something new, I have to throw out something old.
sort a small area at a time, and if not been used or needed recently get rid, either sell or give to charity
Car boot sales
Brilliant, thankyou for the offer, good luck everyone
We just try and keep on top of the clothes and toys that are coming into the house. doing monthly charity shop runs and donating all the old toys to the local nursery. We are fortunate enough to have a 4 and 6 year old who both wear 4-5 year clothing
When you buy something donate something to charity
I find you have to be ruthless and ebay and car boot it if you don’t use it. Allocate the funds for a new project to inspire you.
Start with the smallest room in the house so you feel like you’ve achieved something before you get fed up! If you’re planning to sell something make a rule that it has to be dealt with that day (put online etc) or it goes to the charity shop!
If its not useful or sentimental then think do you really need to keep it
Ask yourself the last time you used it and try not to be too sentimental.
Do a bit at a time
Be ruthless, use facebook selling sites
Have a mini sort out once a week and a big one every month. Sell on Ebay, car boot, give to charity shop or a friend, or simply chuck it in the bin! See if you can re-arrange furniture to give more space in a room x
I know it is often said, but you just have to be ruthless and get rid of anything that you haven’t used in six months – it isn’t adding to your life.
sell the stuff that will make you a bit of money and give the rest to charity
I get family involved . Children need to get rid of toys they didnt use for a year .
And we do upstairs first and then move down towards the door.
You make such a good point about ensuring everything has a place. I’m forever creating piles I don’t really know what to do with, it is just because they don’t have a place of their own. I worry if I give them a place, they’ll never leave!
Someone else said it on here but my tip also would be to start with the harder places; under the bed, high cupboards as they’re usually easy to clear out.
My eyes watered when a lady said here that she bins clothes she hasn’t worn in a year. Tomorrow I shall go out in twenty layers! 😉
Tackle one foot squared at a time…. then move on …..
If you look in your wardrobe and you havent worn it in the last 12 monthes it must go to the charity shop
Do a car boot sale. When the money starts coming in it can become addictive. You’re them searching the house for things to sell. Doesn’t seem so hard to get rid of unwanted things this way and it gives you some cash to buy things that you do want.
If you haven’t used it in 6 months then its time to throw away!
Have a garage sale or car boot sale with all your unwanted items to make space for the things you do want to keep x And a few extra £££’s in your purse
Swap shops are a really good idea. Last time I went to one I took 20 items and came away with 2 pieces. Failing that, I either give to charity or cash for clothes. It always helps to keep a storage box of things you haven’t worn in a while and if it doesn’t fit or dated – get rid!
I just throw or sell everything I do not use for more than 2 years
Be ruthless, if you don’t use it, get rid!
Turn your coathangers inwards in your wardrobe and as you wear each thing turn it the other way. By the end of the year you’ll see what you really need and whats surplus. Plus if that hurts you too much to throw out or donate, bag the clothes up that seem to be surplus and pop it in the loft, if another year goes by without needing them then you can definitely eject from your house.
If you haven’t used it in the past year, gift it to someone else, freecycle it or donate to charity.
i cleared out my wardrobe and put all my hangers facing inwards. when i wore something and hung it back up i put the hanger in facing outwards. then a few months later all the clothes on the hangers facing inwards go to charity. if i dont wear something in 6 months, chances are im not going to ever wear it
Every so often I have a good clear out and donate a few bags of item to the local charity shop.
if you haven’t used it in the last 2yrs.. dont put it in the shed or the attic throw it in the bin or give it to a charity shop 🙂
Be thoroughly ruthless with clearing stuff out. If you haven’t used it in months/years, then the chances are that you won’t ever need it again. Have a pile for keeping, a pile for recycling/selling/charity shop and pile for the rubbish. If it all seems too overwhelming, then start with what you can manage – either room by room or even cupboard or a few drawers at a time. If you do little and often, then you will work your way through it fairly effortlessly and keep on top of it.
don’t be too sentimental just rid
I am a self confessed hoarder, when I struggle (often) to fit things in place tidy I go through and bag for charity anything I haven’t used for at least a year.
Its to keep on top of things. Don’t let too much accumulate. Keep a regular check on what you need. If you havent used it, you dont need it.
Recycle and make things into something else