A quick guide to a clutter-free home

25 Jan

It’s been proven that a cluttered home results in a cluttered mind. In the hustle and bustle of everyday modern life, our homes can often look unorganised, busy, and chaotic, contributing to stress and a sense of overwhelm. This blog is your simple guide to transforming your living space into a serene, well-organised oasis where every item has its place and tranquility remains.

Getting rid of clutter in your home isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a powerful investment towards improving your well-being and mental health. Picture this: a living room where you can navigate freely, a kitchen that sparks joy with its simplicity, a bedroom that becomes a restful retreat. The impact of a clutter-free home on your mental health is profound and goes beyond just visual appeal. Research consistently shows that living in an organised environment can alleviate stress, boost productivity, and enhance overall happiness.

As an interior decorator who is deeply passionate about harmonizing and creating serene spaces, I'm thrilled to share some practical tips to help you declutter your home room-by-room. These tips will help you foster a positive lifestyle and improve your mental well-being. Together, let's declutter, organise, and embrace the joy of living in a space that reflects the best version of you.

Living Room

Let’s start this decluttering journey in the living room. The living room is probably the space where you spend most of your time. It’s where you unwind after work and relax on the weekend watching Netflix. It’s also where you create memories with friends and family. It is a central room of your home where you want to feel at peace.

Increase flow and functionality

First, start by evaluating your current furniture layout for maximum functionality and flow. If necessary, rearrange seating or cabinets to create a more open and inviting space. The goal here is to be able to walk freely around your coffee table, couch, and armchairs without bumping into another piece of furniture.

Keep surfaces clear

Next, tackle the surfaces. Clear out unnecessary items from shelves, coffee tables, and entertainment units. Keep only the items that spark joy or serve a specific purpose. Embrace the beauty of minimalism and simplicity in decor, choosing a few statement pieces rather than an overload of knick-knacks that, let’s face it, are only gathering dust. By curating your living room with intention, you create a harmonious and clutter-free environment that invites relaxation and connection.

Consider multi-functional furniture

Especially if your space is limited, opt for multi-functional furniture that not only complements your style but also provides hidden storage solutions. Think of sofas or ottomans with integrated storage, a lift-up coffee table you can transform into a desk or dining table, or a wall-mounted foldable table.

Kitchen

The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, therefore it is an essential space in your journey to a clutter-free home.

Organise pantry and cabinets

Transforming your kitchen into an organised and clutter-free space starts with the pantry and cabinets. Begin by discarding expired items and organising your shelves. Invest in clear storage containers for grains, pasta, and snacks, making it easy to see and access items. Ikea and Amazon have great storage solutions for your cabinets and pantry.

Declutter your surfaces

Declutter your countertops by stowing away appliances that aren't used daily, creating a clean and spacious look. Consider drawer organisers for utensils and kitchen tools to maintain order and avoid spending precious time looking for the right utensil. Having clear countertops will make meal preparation easier and an enjoyable activity, and the heart of your home will become a functional and aesthetically pleasing space.

Organise your refrigerator

Although this step is not essential in having a clutter-free home, you can go all the way and invest in storage containers to organise your fridge making it more visually appealing.

Bedroom

The bedroom should be a space of relaxation, rest, and comfort. Having an organised bedroom is essential to a peaceful mind and a rested body.

Declutter your bedside tables and drawers

Elevate your bedroom into a serene retreat by decluttering bedside tables, dressers, and closets. Don’t overcrowd the space visually with little knick-knacks and souvenirs as these will just gather dust and increase your cleaning time. Don’t pile old glasses of water on your bedside tables, instead, take them back to the kitchen every morning when you wake up.

Go through your clothes

Who has never kept a clothing item thinking you could wear it for a specific occasion? Turns out, one year later, that item is still in your closet and hasn’t been worn. Stop keeping clothing items just based on a “What if…?”. Start by taking ALL your clothes out of your drawers and closets, put them on your bed, and go through them one by one. Decide for each item if you want to keep, donate, sell or discard. If you haven’t worn it in the past year, I am 95% sure you won’t be wearing it again. In fact, you probably forgot it was in your closet. I did this once and was astonished by the amount of clothing I owned and had never worn (still with the tags on). You should do this at least once a year to only keep items you actually wear on a regular basis.

Invest in under-bed storage

If your bedroom has limited space, invest in under-bed storage solutions to maximize space and keep the bedroom uncluttered. Consider a minimalist approach to decor, choosing calming colors and essential furnishings. By creating a bedroom retreat free from unnecessary items, you promote restful sleep and enhance the overall ambiance of the space.

Home Office

In the home office, conquering clutter is crucial for productivity.

Organise paperwork

Begin by organising paperwork with a functional filing system. Treat mail as you receive it to avoid letting it pile up and missing an important letter. Don’t leave papers on your desk, instead put them away in organised folders; this way will save you time and stress when you need to find a specific piece of paper.

Clear digital clutter

Digital clutter is just as important as physical clutter. Clear your computer by organising files into folders and decluttering the desktop. Go through your phone and computer every once in a while to organise your photos and documents.

Keep office supplies within reach

Keep only essential office supplies on your desk, storing the rest in designated areas. Invest in storage solutions like shelving, folders and baskets to keep books, files, and office supplies in order. A well-organised home office fosters a focused, productive, and creative atmosphere, making it easier to tackle tasks and projects with efficiency.

Bathroom

Transform your bathroom into a serene spa-like retreat by decluttering and organising

Discard expired toiletries and medications

Start by getting rid of expired toiletries and medications, keeping only what is necessary. I recently decluttered my bathroom and discovered some make-up products from about 12 years ago. YUCK! The reason is I bought them when I was still in my teenage years but I haven’t really been wearing any since.

Use drawer organisers

Utilize drawer organisers for makeup and personal care items, creating a neat and accessible space.

Clear countertops

Keep countertops clear to enhance the visual appeal and create a calming atmosphere. By simplifying the contents of your bathroom, you not only make the space more functional but also turn it into a peaceful haven for self-care and relaxation.

Remember that the benefits of a clutter-free home extend far beyond the visual appeal of an organised space. Embracing the principles of minimalism and daily organisation habits can transform your living environment and positively impact your mental well-being. A clutter-free home is not only an aesthetic choice but a lifestyle upgrade. Share your experiences, tips, and transformations with the community—I'd love to hear about your journey to a clutter-free haven.

If you find yourself in need of expert guidance or desire a complete transformation of your living space, consider exploring my interior decorating services. I am passionate about creating personalized and harmonious environments that reflect your unique style and enhance your daily life. Let's turn your vision into reality!

Thank you for reading,

Manon xx

Manon Scelles