Struggling to keep your living spaces clean and tidy? We know the feeling! Despite best intentions, clutter always seems to creep back in where it's not welcome. And, before you know it, your sofa is the only surface in your living room not littered with life's debris. But, there is a failsafe way to declutter that won't result in all your hard work coming undone just days later.
- Learn to emotionally detach yourself from things you no longer need
- Get a grip on your inner hoarder and bid clutter goodbye for good
- Identify your clutter demons and get the kids involved in the big clean
Although we may regret the 'stuff' that we accumulate, the fact is we also find it emotionally difficult to throw things away. So, with New Year on the horizon, we've got 5 tips which will teach you to distance your emotional attachment, and declutter your home once and for all.
Product featured: The Hamptworth love seat sofa/sofa bed
A good declutter will get your living spaces looking their best again
1. Clear your conscience
One of the reasons we keep hold of so much stuff in our home is down to guilt. And, everything we own holds a memory. So, saying goodbye is sometimes easier said than done. Despite our best intentions, when it comes to the crunch, most of us can't bear to bin items that hold precious memories, even if they've outlived their relevance or usefulness. Hence, we keep hold of things we no longer need or like because it's easier to do so than feel guilty about throwing them away.
So, if you're ever going to declutter successfully then you first need to toughen up. After all, a thing is something you own, not something that owns you. No matter who brought it for you, or where it came from, if it no longer has relevant sentimental value then you need to be ruthless.
Letting go of sentimental feelings will help you declutter effectively
2. Prioritise your problem areas
Everyone has their own demons when it comes to clutter, so the best place to begin is with your number 1 nemesis. So, forget scratching around under the sofa while you build up to the 'big' job. Instead, make the task you dread the most the first place you start.
If it's your wardrobe that's out of control, clean out anything you haven't worn in the last six months. A wardrobe that's been through a good declutter can make a world of difference to your emotional wellbeing. Not to mention, getting dressed every day far easier. Plus, when you've thrown out all those old clothes you no longer wear, you'll have plenty of free hanging space to invest in some new ones! And, if you're really struggling, a storage sofa or sofa bed will provide you with much needed extra space to store bulky knits and other seasonal items between uses.
Product featured: The Purton chaise storage sofa/sofa bed (discontinued)
A sofa bed with storage will help keep your living space clean and tidy
3. Break bad habits
Guest rooms (aka the dumping ground) are another common clutter source. Spare rooms in particular are a magnet for stuff we no longer use. And, once it's in there it never seems to leave. Until you do finally have a guest due to stay and all hell breaks loose as you clamber to make the sofa bed accessible again.
Don't be tempted to treat a space in your home, that's rarely used, as your clutter solution. All you're really doing is putting off tackling the problem instead of confronting it. And, this is the start of a very slippery slope. So, invest in a storage sofa bed for a guest room or living space. And, keep on top of clutter before it gets out of control.
Product featured: The Minety 4 seater modular sofa/sofa bed
A storage sofa bed like The Minety can help declutter a guest room
4. Visualise a clean and tidy living space
Let's face it, using precious free time to declutter isn't high on the priority list. So, it's easy to put off the big clean in favour of doing something more fun. But, that clutter problem is still going to be there when you get home. And, the longer you leave it the worse it's going to get.
The best way to motivate yourself into a good declutter is to visualise what your living space will look like when it's clean and tidy again. And, imagining your surfaces clear, and your belongings neatly organised, is a huge kick up the butt to get you to act. So, the next time you think about decluttering but find yourself saying yes to something else instead, have an image in your mind about how much more space you'll claw back by having a good clear out.
Not only does a tidy home equal a tidy mind but it's more practical too. Once your home is clean, you'll have an entertaining space where you can host friends and families and even offer them a bed to sleep on. So, a little hard work upfront can result in a lot of fun times down the line - ones you'd never have if you didn't declutter.
Product featured: The Avebury storage bed
Visualise your living space looking tidy to motivate yourself to declutter
5. Get the kids involved
Ok, so suggesting the kids clean up their room probably isn’t going to go down well. But kids are among the worse offenders when it comes to collecting clutter. And, their stuff rarely gets contained to just their own space. So, if you're going to master a successful declutter you're going to have to get the kids on board too.
Just like us adults, kids can quickly build up an emotional attachment to possessions. So, instilling the habit to declutter early on in life is a good way to nip any hoarding in the bud at the earliest opportunity.
Unfortunately, asking your child to visualise his or her bedroom tidy probably isn't going to be enough to motivate them into action. So, coming up with a treat or reward they can 'earn' by helping to declutter is a failsafe way to get everyone on the same page. Start by tackling any broken toys, or anything unused in the last year. Then move on to ridding your child's wardrobe of anything they've grown out of. You'll be amazed at how much space you can claw back, simply by removing all the things in their room that no longer serve a purpose.
Product featured: The Mandeville Ottoman
An ottoman like The Mandeville is a stylish solution for hiding kid's toys
If you really have to keep hold of things…
It's not easy trying to break a lifetime of bad habits. But if you can cut emotional ties to the things you own, you'll be able to declutter with confidence. And, ensure your living spaces never fall foul to a clutter onslaught again. If you really can't rid yourself of too much, a storage furniture style can help you hide clutter out of sight instead. That way, you'll still have a cleaner looking home, but you'll be able to hold on to the excess things you still hold dear.
Product featured: The Ludwell blanket box shown in Matt Velvet Iron
A blanket box is another useful storage solution
At Willow & Hall, our range of storage sofas, sofa beds and bed styles, all have hidden compartments built in. So, they're ideal for making cluttered spaces look instantly cleaner. To find out more visit our website. Or, if you have any questions, contact our Customer Service team on 020 8939 3800 or use our contact-us form.
Kind regards,
The Willow & Hall team