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We all know that Spring is the usual time for a good Declutter and Spring Clean, but why wait until Spring?
Many of us have spent most of this unusual year working from home, so what could be better than having a good declutter, organise, clean, and revitalise your home all in time for Christmas.
Declutter – does the sight of piles of paperwork, newspapers, and magazines, or having shoes and bags lying around sound familiar. Spending more time at home can result in you not noticing that the piles of ironing haven’t been put away or that junk mail hasn’t reached the bin.
You may manage to put everything away, but do you really need everything you have? A major problem in today’s society is that many of us have far too much stuff. Why not reduce the time you spend cleaning by creating harmony in your home and your mind by disposing of things you no longer need?
It can be a little frightening at first, letting go of items because you have always had them, but the sense of achievement you will feel once you have disposed of them will certainly be worth it.
There are many different systems in existence to assist with decluttering. The KonMari method, devised by organising consultant, Marie Kondo, works on the ‘spark joy’ principle. Kondo suggests you choose what you keep by holding, feeling, or wearing each item and if it doesn’t bring you joy or pleasure, then get rid. Although this process has been a proven working method, it can take quite some time to complete.
Personally, we much prefer to succeed at decluttering by doing the 12-12-12 challenge. It works by finding 12 items to throw away or recycle, 12 items to donate and 12 items to be returned to their proper home – go on admit it, how many items cluttering up your home don’t actually belong to you but have been borrowed, a special dish, your best friend’s jumper which you just had to wear to an evening out, you get the idea. Now just imagine if everyone who lived with you did the same thing – 36 items decluttered by every person living at home. You can even make it into a competition with a prize for the person who completes it first or manages more than 12 items in each category.
There is, of course, always the ‘four-box system’. Label four big boxes, one is for items to keep, one to donate, one to store and one to bin/recycle. The real trick of this system is not being tempted to ‘store’ too much. You have to be strict with yourself to ensure the task is completed and you get the result you really want.
When decluttering your closet take a proper look at the contents. Ask yourself if it fits, do you wear it, is it comfortable, when did you last wear it? Be honest with yourself, if you haven’t worn an item or a pair of shoes in the last 12 months, are you really going to wear it again?
Once you have decided which shoes you are going to keep, why not find a way to store them that complements the harmony you have created for your home.
The multi tweed 4 slot shoe storage bench is a practical piece of furniture and is extremely useful offering 4 open shelves in the middle for shoes as well as 2 shelves on the left and right for boots. Who could ask for more?
Let’s start Cleaning.
So, you have decluttered your lovely home and now comes the time to clean. Make a checklist of everything you want to do, don’t forget to add the skirting boards and behind the sofa, you know, the places that often get forgotten during a general tidy-up.
Don’t pressure yourself into cleaning the whole house all at once. If you are short of time, save the big jobs like cleaning out the fridge or emptying the kitchen cupboards for another day. Imagine a cold, wet Sunday when you don’t want to go out but don’t want to waste the day – the perfect time to conquer those big jobs.
Finally, it’s time to Organise
You have worked hard to declutter and clean your home. Please don’t spoil it now by letting the clutter find its way back home. Get organised and stay that way.
How often have you come home, taken your coat off and tossed it on the bannister or over the sofa? This can be easily rectified by using a hat and coat stand.
This classy black metal coat rack is made from metal with an industrial style finish.
So now you have stored your boots, shoes, and coats you need to think about organising any clutter that you don’t want on show. The Soho Black Collection Sideboard is a beautiful answer for the task.
Whether you want to declutter and organise your entire home or focus on individual areas, enjoy making a start – it can be so rewarding. Have fun.
