UTTER DECLUTTER

Whether the idea of decluttering sparks joy or makes you break out in a cold sweat, there are plenty of good reasons to schedule a session. “It saves you time, reduces stress levels, improves productivity – and at the very least means you can find things,” says Etty Matalon, psychologist and chief organiser at professional organising firm Dot Org. Here, top decluttering experts reveal 10 secrets to a successful – and (mostly) stress-free – home purge. “Often people If doing a big cull feels too overwhelming, kick off your purge with a single drawer or box, says Amy Revell, professional organiser at The Art of Decluttering. “This will give you an easy win, build your cluttering muscles and motivate you to stay on task.” Once you’ve homed in on your clutter target, a take-no-prisoners attitude is required, says Amy. “Set a timer for decluttering – even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time – and stick to it,” she says. “And switch off any distractions, particularly your phone.” Unsure what to keep and what to ditch? Amy suggests asking yourself these questions: “Have I used it in the past 12 months?”; “Do I plan to use it in the future?”; “If it broke, would I buy it again?”; “Do I own a similar item that serves the same purpose?” “Be ruthless – if you don’t absolutely love or need something, let it go,” advises Linda. “A common mistake is opening a drawer and simply moving things from one side to the other, with no actual organising taking place,” adds Jo Carmichael, professional organiser and founder of All Sorted Out. “Instead, remove the contents, look at each piece individually and either put it back, discard it or move it to a more appropriate spot.” A few smart organising strategies can help keep clutter under control, says Jo. “Sort like with like; make a place for everything; don’t put things down – put them away; limit the items in your home to what actually fits; and label everything.” No matter how hard you try, some spots just seem to attract junk. “The hallway is a classic example,” says Jo. Once you’ve returned unnecessary items to their proper homes (and had stern words with those responsible), create easy-to-use storage for hallway paraphernalia. “Use wall hooks for bags and jackets, a hallway table or floating shelves for keys and post, and a couple of wide baskets for school shoes and joggers,” she suggests.