The idea of living a simple life with less stuff sounds attractive to many, since the purpose of our homes has changed and has become the place where continue to live, eat, work, and entertain. Now is the time to get organised, find space, and feel in control of every room in your house.
Here are 14 ways to declutter your home and do more with less:
Lounge
1. Choose Pieces With Dual Purpose. A coffee table with built-in storage is the perfect place to store extra cushions, throws, or even books, magazines, and board games. A circular coffee table is even better because it will take up less space in your lounge than a square or rectangular option.
2. Hide Stuff Under The Sofa. Yes, really! The ultimate hiding place for all those CDs and DVDs that you (or he) can’t bear to part with, is a couch with storage space. It’s also a great place to hold extra bedding for overnight guests.
Kitchen
3. Invest In A Pantry. A floor-to-ceiling pantry is ideal for keeping dry produce, spices, and condiments, as well as crockery and cookbooks hidden away, out of sight. It’s also a great place to use and store small appliances that take up counter space, such as coffee machines or mixers, when you’re not using them.
4. Add A Kitchen Island. If your cupboards and kitchen shelving are fit to burst and worktop space is running out, too, a multifunctional piece like a butcher’s block will solve your storage issues. It also creates extra prep space and can even be used as a breakfast bar. Choose one with wheels so it can be moved to one side if you often entertain in your kitchen.
5. Decant Dried Goods. Open shelving gives you easy access to cooking equipment and foods, but if they’re stuffed with ugly packets and battered boxes they’ll quickly become an eyesore. Instead, decant dried goods like pasta and rice, as well as flour, sugar, and teabags into stylish jars. Then, recycle the original packaging.
The Utility Room
6. Squeeze In Shelving. Even the smallest of spaces can play host to a utility area, just by putting up some simple open shelves and making room for a sink. Use baskets to keep ‘ugly’ things, like the iron, hidden inside.
7. Be Clever With Hooks. An understairs cupboard is the perfect storage space for cleaning products and utility items. Take an orderly approach by adding clips, hooks, and even a well-stocked trolley so tools are easily to hand.
8. Everything In Its Own Place. The utility room, the spare room, and the garage are the most popular places for dumping dirty washing, muddy shoes, and cleaning equipment. When you declutter your home, make sure you have a dedicated space for everything and a large sink for soaking. Keep practical things like cleaning products, the ironing board, and spare bin bags shut away in built-in cupboards.
Home Office
9. Hide Your Office Come 5 PM. If your home office shares a space with your lounge, you won’t want paperwork littering every surface. Store all your workday essentials in your desk or a nearby cupboard once you’ve clocked off for the day.
10. Choose Lots Of Shelving. Fill open shelves with box files and boxes to keep bills and invoices in order and your desk clear of clutter. Keep them the same plain colour so your shelves don’t become too busy with patterns. Bulldog clips on the walls are handy for holding lists, fabric swatches, and paint charts.
The Hallway
11. Make It Slimline. Even the narrowest of hallways can benefit from a console table or sideboard to keep your post, keys, and umbrellas in order. A couple of baskets sat underneath can house slippers, blankets, brollies, or hats.
Bedroom
12. Be Savvy With Built-In Storage. To ensure your bedroom stays looking streamlined and uncluttered, include a dressing table in your built-in storage so that your make-up and trinkets can be shut away and kept out of sight. Hang a mirror on the back wall and ensure a plug socket is added so you can keep your hairdryer tidied away, too.
13. Store Your Shoes In Boxes. Transparent boxes make it easier to see which pair is inside. Stacking them at the bottom of your cupboard by season, occasion, or heel height will help declutter your home. Plus, there’ll be no more tripping over the strewn pairs on your bedroom floor.
14. Pop A Bench At The End Of Your Bed. A bench with storage cubbyholes or an ottoman is ideal for storing shoes, books, towels, or extra bedding.
Less is most definitely more when it comes to your things… less choice, fewer decisions, fewer items owned but never used or worn. Be realistic with yourself when deciding what to keep and what to pass on. Follow these 14 tips and you’ll declutter your home in no time at all.
ALSO SEE 6 EASY WAYS TO FRESHEN UP YOUR HOME
