Article featured in the September/ October issue of Beaconsfield Local and Amersham Local magazines
A good declutter every once in a while can be very therapeutic for the soul. You are likely to feel less stressed and anxious, adopt healthier habits and sleep better. With fewer possessions and a more organised home, it allows you to be more efficient with your daily tasks because everything you need is readily available and within reach.
But sometimes the thought of decluttering can be overwhelming. There are however so many creative ways to roll up your sleeves and tackle the job at hand. One strategy is to try the 12-12-12 challenge by locating 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate and 12 items to relocate within the house. Another method, invented by Courtney Carver from Project 333, is to challenge you to wear only 33 items of clothing for 3 months. You can alter the rules if it feels too limited, but the idea behind it is to recognise what you can live without.
A well-functioning home, free of clutter and with sufficient storage, goes a long way to improving how we live. We often need to get smart about storage to assess whether it is the built in, floor to ceiling storage solutions or something else that fulfills those needs. Designated storage is far more efficient and useful than general store cupboards where, lets face it, everything gets lost in a vortex.
There are so many nooks and crannies that get overlooked in our homes, with the most obvious space being underneath the stairs – a dead space that can easily be transformed into an attractive hallway feature to showcase accessories with open shelving and hide shoes with smart cabinetry. If you are struggling for space in your home you could place shelving or cabinet units above door lintels, which does not impose on your floor space.
Another useful tip is to swap out lower cabinets for deep drawers making it easier to see everything you have at a glance. Installing half-depth units can make it more accessible to locate items with ease. Built-in customised storage can be expensive but it is tailored to your needs making you more organised. Where possible, enhance your storage design with LED strip lighting, particularly in areas where your collectives are nicely displayed on open shelving. Sideboards located in hallways, living rooms and dining rooms are a desirable piece of furniture that keeps clutter at bay.
Creating smart storage for your children is just as important to minimise unwanted mess. Turning an IKEA bookcase on its sides and adding a colourful foam cushion doubles over as a great seating and storage solution. Transforming a bedroom’s lackluster closet into a kid’s den to create a part-reading nook, part-storage space optimises the floor space. If you are replacing your old coffee table with a newer one, transform it into a play table with storage baskets underneath. Take advantage of awkward wall space by affixing wall baskets or up cycled crates to walls and install short picture ledges that keep bedtime reads within reach.
A tidy house won’t solve all your problems but it can have a positive impact on your wellbeing.
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