How Decluttering and Organising Can Transform Your Home – and Your Life

I know it feels like a bold statement to say that organising your home can be transformational, but I truly believe it! I’ve felt it myself when I made small but intentional changes in my own home, and I see the impact for my clients all the time.

Are you wondering how organising your home could improve your life?

Do you spend too much time searching for things or struggling to stay on top of everyday life? One minute things are under control and the next, you’re surrounded by overflowing cupboards, piles of paperwork and daily stress.

A tidy home can feel out of reach when life gets busy. But you’re not alone. Lots of mums juggling families and full schedules feel the same.

In this post, I explore some of the common challenges that come with clutter and disorganisation, and how sensitive, guidance and practical support can help you feel more in control and able to relax in your home.

Why Does My Home Always Feel Cluttered?

Clutter and chaos aren’t just about having too much. They often reflect deeper everyday struggles, such as:

Systems that don’t work for you: Tidy spaces can quickly become messy and out of control if you have storage that doesn’t support your needs or routines
Too much stuff and not enough time: With packed schedules, it’s easy for decluttering and tidying to fall to the bottom of the list. But if your home is disorganised you will waste time searching for the things you need
Feeling mentally overwhelmed: Visual clutter can create stress, impact your mood and make it hard to switch off

The Benefits of a Tidy, Organised Home

Research has shown that an organised home can contribute to lower stress levels, improved sleep, and better mental focus. A Psychology Today article highlights that clutter can spike cortisol levels and contribute to the mental load — particularly for women — which can lead to anxiety, stress, and fatigue. Creating order in your home can help ease that load and improve your overall wellbeing.

When you remove the things you no longer use or love from your home and organise the things you do want to have around you, it has a hugely positive effect on your wellbeing and life runs more smoothly.

Why Take Time to Declutter?

It’s well worth the investment because it can:

Improve your mental wellbeing – decluttering reduces stress and overwhelm caused by visual and mental clutter. It can create a sense of calm, control, and clarity and boost your mood and motivation
Save you time – less searching for lost items, cleaning and tidying, makes your daily routines run more smoothly
Save you money – encourages mindful spending, you spend less buying duplicates and you have the opportunity to sell or donate unwanted items
Make your space work for you – maximising storage and functionality, helps each room serve it’s intended purpose and creates a more relaxing and welcoming environment
Support Life transitions – makes moving home, having a baby, or managing a bereavement less overwhelming. Organising helps you establish new routines and systems to suit your current lifestyle
Encourages healthy habits – an organised kitchen can promote health meal preparation, a tidy bedroom supports better sleep, and an orderly entryway can make mornings run smoother

What Does a Professional Organiser Do?

A professional organiser helps people regain control of their home by decluttering those things that are no longer used or loved, and putting systems in place to keep everything tidy. But they do much more than simply tidy up – much like a personal trainer, they work alongside you to understand your challenges, offer practical advice, and help you create lasting change.

How a Professional Organiser Can Help?

Decluttering rooms, wardrobes or entire homes	Creating practical organisation systems and storing sentimental items creatively
Making the home safer and more accessible for clients with mobility issues	Managing paperwork, important documents, devices and digital systems
Teaching organisation habits and devising tailored routines	Preparing for house moves, downsizing or life transitions

Professional organisers provide an objective, non-judgmental approach, helping you make decisions with confidence. They don’t just tidy up—they work with you to understand why clutter builds up and how to prevent it in the future.

Whether you need a little motivation or hands-on support, an organiser can help you transform your space in a way that feels manageable and tailored to your household.

How Do I Choose A Professional Organiser?

Choosing the right organiser is personal and it can make a big difference in how supported and comfortable you feel during the process. I want you to feel respected, heard, and in control throughout the experience.

Here are some points to consider:

Respectful and non-judgemental: A good organiser will always listen, support your decisions, and never pressure you to ‘get rid’ of anything you’re not ready to let go of. Look for someone who works with you, not just for you — helping you build confidence in your own organising habits
Their approach: You’ll be sharing your home and possibly your emotions — so choose someone you feel relaxed and safe around. They should explain what to expect, and give you the chance to ask questions or voice concerns. Do you want a gentle, supportive coach to guide you through the process, or do you prefer a practical, no-nonsense approach? Do you want the organiser to work alongside you or work independently. A free consultation is often offered to enable you to get to know the organiser and ask questions
Their expertise: Some organisers focus on specific areas, such as helping families, supporting hoarding behaviour, or preparing for home moves. Others specialise in digital decluttering, helping you organise emails, files, and photos. Look for someone experienced in supporting your specific challenges
Pricing & packages: Organisers charge in different ways – some by the hour, others by package. Check what’s included, and whether they offer in-person services where they work together with the client or independently. Virtual services may also be an option – often more affordable if you want guidance and accountability
Confidentiality & trust: Your home is a personal space and you may want support with managing confidential matters. It’s essential to work with someone who respects your privacy and knows how to manage your personal information correctly
Reviews & recommendations: Check their website for testimonials, Google Reviews or ask friends if they’ve used a service they’d recommend.

Not all organisers work in the same way, so it’s important to find someone who aligns with your needs and personality.

The Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers (APDO) is the UK body for the UK home organising industry. APDO members follow a code of ethics, are insured to work in your home and invest in their professional development, so you can trust they will be professional and respectful.

How to Find a Professional Organiser

If you’re ready to bring in expert support and want help finding the right organiser, the best place to start is the APDO members directory.

You’ll find details of the organisers covering your area and most have websites showcasing their work. You might also wish to sign-up for emails to get to know them.

How Can OrganisedWell Support Your Home Organising Goals?

I don’t just love to organise, I think it’s well worth the investment to make your life easier and save precious time to spend on what’s important to you.

Your home doesn’t need to be perfect, and you’re not doing it “wrong” if your home doesn’t look like a show home all the time (or at all!).

I’m here to support you to create the home that works for you and your family, to make your days feel easier and reduce the effort needed to manage everything on your plate.

‘…once it was done everything felt simple and ordered and is honestly life changing’. – Alice

Every organiser is different, but if you choose to work with me you’ll find that I’ll work with you in a calm, down-to-earth way to:

Clear your space and your head: Make space for what matters by letting go of what you no longer need
Set up easy-to-maintain systems: We’ll find practical solutions that fit your preferences and how you live, so your things are easy to access and tidy away
Adjust your mindset: Consider different ideas for managing your things that meet your needs whilst also supporting your goals

I know everyone’s situation is different. My services are always shaped around your needs, with sensitivity, pragmatism and a focus on making your home work for you.

OrganisedWell’s Services

I help families across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and surrounding areas (and across the UK virtually) to create calmer, more organised homes. My sessions enable us to work together in different ways to fit your lifestyle and preferences:

Hands-On Organising Support: I’ll visit your home and work side-by-side with you to declutter and organise your space. Sessions typically last 4 hours and fit neatly between school drop-off and pick-up
Organised For You: I’ll organise areas of your home for you, such as kitchen, wardrobe or garage, while you work or tend to other tasks
Virtual Organising Support: Great for anyone who prefers remote support for planning and accountability. We discuss your goals and challenges, create step-by-step plans and have regular check-ins
Student Organising: Helping young people get organised, create space to study and live, and feel confident living independently. I also support student accommodation moves

Find out more about my organising services here.

‘Laura really is one of a kind and has taught me so much already’ – Lindsay

Why Do People Love Working With OrganisedWell?

Clients often tell me they feel lighter, motivated and more hopeful after working with me. I’m known for my gentle, no-judgement approach and the real, lasting change I help people achieve.

Here’s what one client had to say:

‘Her clear mind stopped me getting caught up in the indecisions about what to do with the dreaded ‘stuff’ and her fresh approach helped to inform new ways of organising things. She was completely and utterly non-judgemental and asked sensible questions where needed without any sense of prying’ – Harriet

Having Systems That Work Means:

Fewer lost items, less stress and less decision fatigue
Calmer mornings and a brighter feeling when you return home after a busy day
A lighter and more peaceful home environment

Systems give my clients back precious time and headspace and can also provide their children helpful routines.

And importantly, having a clutter-free, organised home contributes to a greater sense of wellbeing.

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Feel More Organised and in Control

Decluttering isn’t just about releasing things – it’s about creating a home that feels calm, functional, and easy to manage.

Whether you’re organising a family home, helping a student settle into uni life, or managing a big change, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

‘I would recommend Laura to any mum of young children that just needs a little help to become more organised’. – Sarah

Are you ready to feel more in control at home? Book your free enquiry call now and let’s talk about how I can help.

Eco-friendly Home Organising Tips for Earth Day

I know you want to be organised at home but you also want to do your bit to reduce your household’s impact on the environment. There are so many things we ‘should’ or ‘could’ be doing, but the practicalities can be difficult to manage when also juggling the demands of daily family life.

Clutter can soon build up when we want to dispose, recycle and donate items in an environmentally responsible way, but are unable to find manageable methods. Common barriers to organising our homes include;

where to give away quality items that we no longer need or love;
how to recycle the numerous items that aren’t accepted in curb-side collections;
and what to do with things that could be repurposed, such as the postage packaging that enters our homes on a regular basis.

We want to avoid saving things that ‘could potentially’ be re-purposed, repaired, recycled in future. Whilst good-intentioned, this approach clutters up our home and the items will be wasted anyway.

The good news is, it is possible to organise our home to be a little more eco-friendly. We need to be intentional about what we want to do to make our household eco-friendly, considerate of what we can reasonably manage; and take some action, no matter how small it may feel.

You Can to Make a Difference to the Environment

It’s not easy to manage the competing demands of an environmentally responsible lifestyle with your household needs. I’m not suggesting that you should recycle at all costs to your home, time, stress levels. It’s a balance, and you don’t have to be perfect to make a differences. Every little thing you can do to reduce the impact of your household on the environment is a good thing.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt

Your family, lifestyle and energy will change over time so you can adapt your approach as things ebb and flow. Think about what you can realistically manage in this phase and put in place arrangements to allow you to manage it as effortlessly as possible.

How to be Organised and Eco Friendly at Home

When we decided to be as eco-friendly as possible in our house, we had to decide what we could manage. For a while we collected mini baby bel wrappers in the hope that we could recycle them, but it was too difficult to find a local outlet for them. Now our compromise is to recycle the film part with soft plastics.

It took some thought and planning to work out how to store the things we are able to recycle/re-purpose. To make it easy for you, I’m sharing my quick environmentally friendly home organising ideas to implement in your home for this Earth Day.

Simplify Household Management:

Reduce food packaging – buy fruit, veg, meats and fish from your local shops or ‘Too Good to Waste’ boxes from Lidl. These often come with little or no packaging. If this is not practical for your household, you might like to try a veg box delivery service such as OddBox or buy or save food items using the Olio app
Recycle Food packaging – If you struggle to wash your food packaging for recycling; pop it in the dishwasher when you do a load. It might shrink a little, but it will come out clean and ready to go into the recycling bin. *
Soft plastics – place a bin or bag in the kitchen to capture films, bags and other soft plastics. When full, pop into your shopping bag ready to drop at the supermarket
Paper, cardboard, plastics, tins – Place small recycling bins next to waste bins in the kitchen, bathroom and where ever you open post. This will help you to separate recycling at source and you can then easily pop them in your wheelie bin for curb-side collection
Share postage packaging – boxes, bubble wrap and other packaging can be re-used but you may not have the need or space to store it. Check Packshare to find local small businesses who can re-use your packaging
Contact lenses and packaging – if your household use contact lenses you’ll know it can generate a lot of waste. Keep a small bin in the bathroom for contact lense waste and drop at your local opticians store or post to Vision Direct
Glass – have a glass recycling bin in the kitchen or a container outside in a shed/garage to store until curb-side collection day
Old batteries – keep a glass or plastic food container for old batteries (tape the ends of ensure that batteries can’t touch ends and cause sparks). Drop these off at local shops offering recycling or at your local household recycling centre
Bathroom products – Designate a container to store old toothpaste tubes, and toiletries and makeup packaging, and when full drop off at your local supermarket or Boots recycling point (you can even sign up to receive Boots Ad Card points when you recycle)
Medicine blister packs – if you use medicines and vitamins, designate a box or bag for empty packs and drop-off at your local Boots or Superdrug pharmacy for recycling
Other household items – check the Terracycle website to find local recycling points for other items you might recycle

Eco-friendly Decluttering:

Remember, when decluttering, you want to remove items from your home within a day of doing your declutter, if you can. If not, schedule a date and time to move them on soon. You don’t want your decluttered items to become clutter by hanging around your home or car boot for months.

Decluttering Clothes:

Clothes donations/sharing – Donate at charity shops, clothing schemes such as Sharewear, a local clothing bank if out of hours, or use websites such as Freecycle, Freegle, Facebook marketplace or Olio to share items locally for free
Textile recycling – charities can sell damaged items as rags. Label these and drop at a charity shop or household recycling centre
Items to sell – this has to be worth your while (do a search to check for high value, in-demand items), take photos immediately and diarise a deadline by which you will donate if not sold. Find a temporary home for these items whilst they are up for sale so that they don’t clutter your home

Decluttering Linens and Towels:

Bedlinen – can be donated or recycled as per clothes above
Blankets and towels – can be donated or recycled as above. Also vets, animal shelters and pet groomers often accept old towels and/or blankets
Pillows and duvets – Dunelm’s Textile take-back scheme accepts pillows and duvets

Decluttering Electricals, metals and cables:

Donate old computers, printers, tablets – search online for schemes that can refurbish and distribute old equipment to schools in the UK or abroad. Ensure that you remove old personal data from your machines before passing them on
Games consoles and games – companies that resell these include Computer Exchange, Ziffit and Music Magpie. Check their websites to see if yours is accepted
Old mobile phones – some old mobile phones can be sold to the above companies (remember to remove your old personal data). Alternatively household recycling centres will take old tech and break them down into their component materials
Metals, electricals, cables, old tech – keep a jar or box in a cupboard to gather together bits and bobs for the household recycling centre. Factory reset, and/or remove and smash up computer hard drives to remove any personal data.

Damaged Items:

Broken jewellery, clothes, electricals, etc – your local repair café may be able to help repair items and prolong their life – find out about Beeston Repair Café here, check Eventbrite or your local news

Eco-friendly Storage Tips:

Re-use containers you have at home – old food containers are great as first aid boxes, for handy DIY tools or stationary equipment. Shoe boxes make great drawer dividers for underwear
Re-purpose boxes – mobile phone boxes and old food containers are great to help keep drawers tidy and stop contents flying around
Buy storage for a specific purpose and choose quality that will last. Wait until you have decluttered an area and understand what you need to store and the space you want to organise, rather than buying storage before you start. Ensure you measure the space and the items you intend to store so that the area is fit for purpose and lasts.

If you’d like advice to organise your home to support your household whilst reducing your environmental impact, I’m here to help.

Book a Free Enquiry Call with Laura

Find out more about OrganisedWell Home Organising Services here.

Simplify Your Life in 2025: Effective Decluttering Tips

The start of the year is the traditional time to make New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a fresh start that provides the opportunity for transformation and to achieve big goals.

But I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. We often set ourselves several, unrealistic targets, or have lofty ideas of making big lifestyle changes then struggle to keep up. By February, we’ve already given up and feel a failure. Instead of setting potentially unrealistic resolutions, why not aim for achievable aspirations, then work towards them across the year.

Whether you want to feel better organised at home or to create more time and energy to focus on activities that are important to you, decluttering your home will help you achieve your goals.

Decluttering enables you to create more space; both physical and mental head space and to focus on what’s important to you.

I’m not suggesting you have to embark on a year-long decluttering project, but creating a plan, taking action now, and some regular maintenance, will get you reaping these benefits straight away.

The Benefits of Decluttering

There are so many great benefits to decluttering your home. They include physical, emotional and practical benefits;

more physical space when you remove the items you no longer need
more emotional energy. You feel lighter and can focus when you free yourself of the possessions you were holding onto but no longer serve you
calmer rooms that feel inviting and free of clutter
more storage for the things you do use
less stuff to clean, maintain and manage, saving you time and money
greater awareness of the things that you love and need in your life, and things you don’t

My Top Decluttering Tips For Your February Declutter:

Key rooms: focus on areas that will have the biggest impact in your home. Pick one of these rooms and start working; hallway, kitchen, lounge, bedroom, bathroom
Quick wins: pick out items you didn’t use or love having around last year – appliances, gadgets, ornaments, wall art, clothes, shoes, accessories are good categories to look at. Pick a category and set yourself a timer; spend 10 mins finding items to remove
Start small: focus on discrete locations that you can review quickly. The miscellaneous junk drawer, food cupboard, shoe cupboard, wardrobe, TV cabinet, underneath the bed. These locations will all yield objects that no longer serve you and will easily free up space for the things you do need and love.

New Year Decluttering – What To Do With Your Decluttered Things

It’s important that you quickly release the items you declutter from your home so that you can enjoy the benefits of your work. Items that are still in a condition to be used can be passed on through selling, sharing locally or donating. For items that can’t be handed you may find a way to recycle end up in landfill as many items can be recycled if they can’t be handed on.

Donate Items

It feels great to support a charity whilst giving your items a second life. Charity shops enable customers to browse, inspect items and are known for offering real bargains so are likely to have better luck selling your decluttered things. Charity shops will take a surprising range of things, including electricals.

You may know friends or family who can use the items you no longer want but do invite them to say no if they won’t use them; you don’t want to pass on your clutter. Local community groups are also a great resource, social media groups or organisations such as Freegle, Freecycle or other exchange sites are good examples. Dog groomers and pet shelters also appreciate old towels and blankets.

Sell High Value Items

If you have the time you might want to attempt to sell some of your decluttered items. This can be a great way to make some bonus money however do consider whether it’s worth the investment of time. The income you will make depends on a number of factors including whether there is demand for the item, whether it’s popular in the current season, it’s condition and so on. If it’s a small ticket item, difficult to sell online (compared with in a shop where it can be inspected), difficult to post, or will take up valuable space in your home whilst waiting to be sold, you will be better off giving it away straight away.

Recycle What You Can

Your local household recycling centre, Terracycle, some charities and many retailers take a wide range of items to be recycled. Do an internet search to find local providers or postal addresses.

Get started with your declutter and feel the benefits today

If you are keen to get started and want some guidance, try my free Decluttering Checklist and start making progress now! Download your free declutter checklist here.

Free Declutter Checklist

I’m here for you

And find out how I can help you with more Practical Home Organising and Decluttering support here.

10 Easy Upcycled Christmas Decoration Ideas

Extend the life of unwanted possessions by upcycling your clutter with these fabulous Christmas decoration ideas from our guest blogger Hannah from Jolly Festive.

Turning our clutter into Christmas décor is a win on so many levels!

It’s not just about reducing waste, but also saving money and adding personal, meaningful touches to our homes. Plus, upcycling gives us an excuse for some mindful, handmade fun, creating decorations we can display for years. You may even want to gift some of these upcycled decorations!

From old décor that no longer match our style to everyday household items, there are endless ways to give clutter a second life.

Here are 10 upcycled Christmas decoration ideas to inspire you this season:

1. Jar Candle Lights

Old jars are perfect for upcycling! Add a frosty look with Mod Podge* and Epsom salts, decorate with glass pens, or simply tie on a festive ribbon. Add a tealight or fairy lights to create a beautiful addition to a sideboard, Christmas centrepiece, or bedside table.

*Just so you know, Laura is an Amazon Associate. If you shop via the links in this article Laura earns from qualifying purchases.

2. Re-sprayed Baubles

Don’t toss those old baubles just yet! If they’re looking tired or are the wrong colour, a quick spray can transform them. Remove the clasp, pop them upside down on skewers, and spray them in a new shade. Or try Mod Podge with small strips of paper napkin for a pretty, eco look. Paint them with the family. Or use the nail polish dip method for a marbled effect. The possibilities are endless!

3. Wrapping Paper Photo Frames

One of my favourite upcycled Christmas decoration ideas. Replace or cover photos in frames with leftover wrapping paper. Switching out ordinary décor for Christmas items is always fun and this creates a cohesive, festive look. Plus, it allows you to “unwrap” your regular photos in January for a fresh start.

4. Christmas Tea Towel Bread Boards

Give old bread boards a new lease of life as a Christmas tray. All you need is an old festive tea towel, trimmed to size, and some Mod Podge (are you getting the idea I’m quite a fan?!). I added brass handles to mine. It’s just as good as festive décor as it as a mince pie carrier!

5. Rag Wreaths

If you have fabric scraps around, turn them into a rag wreath. This simple DIY project results in a charming, country-cottage look. These wreaths make wonderful gifts as well as decorations.

6. Christmas Jumper Cushions

Repurpose old Christmas jumpers the kids have outgrown as festive cushion covers! Slip an old jumper over a cushion, tuck the sleeves into the neck, and secure the bottom with a couple of safety pins. When January rolls around, you can simply dismantle and reuse or donate the jumper.

7. Curtain Ring Photo Ornaments

Old curtain rings can make beautiful, personalised photo ornaments.
Attach a photo to each of two rings. Secure them back-to-back with
glue and add a ribbon for hanging through the ring eyes. It’s a
unique and meaningful addition to your tree!

8. Homemade Christmas Tablecloths

Transform old bedsheets into Christmas tablecloths or runners. Leave them plain and let the table decorations and food do the talking. Or add festive touches:

Add two ribbon strips for a clean border look
Use cookie cutters and fabric paint to stamp Christmas shapes
Create a fir pattern with paint-sprayed pine branches pressed onto the cloth

9. Christmas Water Glasses

Repurpose old jars as additional drinking glasses for guests over the festive season – much better than buying single-use cups! Decorate them with glass pens (a fun family project) and place alongside a jug filled with water and seasonal berries for a simple yet festive hydration station which doubles up as a gorgeous sideboard decoration.

10. Upcycled Christmas Tree Refresh

If your Christmas tree is looking tired, try these upcycling ideas to revive it:

Add Extra Foliage: Fresh pine or fir sprigs add fullness and texture to an artificial tree and bring a natural, festive scent
Flock It: Give your tree a snowy look to bring it back to life. Homemade flocking methods using shaving foam or cornflour work well. I also love this biodegradable artificial snow powder from The Flower Lab*
Reimagine Branches: If the tree really can’t be saved, repurpose its branches into garlands, swags, or wreaths to bring a bit of its festive charm to other areas.

Upcycled Christmas decoration ideas bring extra charm and character to festive décor while reducing clutter and giving new life to old items. With a little creativity, these projects are simple, sustainable, and perfect for a personalised Christmas season. What other ways do you enjoy making upcycled decorations?

More Festive Ideas

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, please do head to Jolly Festive to see more of Hannah’s easy, homemade Christmas ideas, including food, activities, décor and more!

If you’re thinking about getting organised for Christmas you might also like to read Laura’s blog 5 Practical Strategies for a Stress-Free Christmas Season

Hannah Bartlett is a year-round Christmas writer, creator and trend forecaster, and the creative force behind Jolly Festive. Making Your Christmas Is Her Year-Round Obsession!

She delivers tips, hacks, recipes, and family-friendly DIY projects to a global audience. Recognised for her extensive knowledge of Christmas activities and travel as well as her festive trend analysis, Hannah has been featured on UK Channel 4’s Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio and other national media outlets.

Autumn Decluttering Made Easy: 9 Practical Tips for Busy Families

Transform your home this Autumn with these quick and easy decluttering tips, perfect for busy families looking to create a calm and cosy space for the colder months ahead!

As the leaves are starting to turn golden and the weather becomes wetter here in the UK, your family will start to spend more time cosying up inside. Autumn is the perfect time to refresh and reorganise your home to ensure that it continues to work for your family over the coming months. For busy families, finding the time to declutter can feel overwhelming. But with a few practical tips, you can transform your living space into a cosy, clutter-free haven. In this blog, I’ll share eight simple and effective decluttering tasks that you can fit into your today-to-day life. You can create a warm and inviting home just in time for the colder months.

It can feel overwhelming when you feel that you have so much to tackle so let’s break down your decluttering efforts into small tasks that you can tackle one step at a time.

9 Practical Tips for Busy Families

1. Start with the Hallway

Create convenient homes for heavier coats, boots and umbrellas. Put away light jackets and summer shoes to make space for winter wear
Use containers or hang tote bags for easy storage of hats, gloves, and scarves in the entrance of your home so that they are easily available when you leave the house

2. Kitchen Clear-Out

Work your way around your kitchen cupboards. Remove any expired foods or ingredients you no longer use. Dig out any appliances that you no longer use and donate
Organise items that you commonly use together to that they are easily at hand (such as baking ingredients) and consider meal planning to use up short-date items and reduce waste over the longer-term

3. Seasonal Wardrobe Swaps

Pack away Summer clothes and bring out Autumn and Winter wear. Your wardrobe can be a great place to start because you can easily identify those items that you won’t wear over the coming months and put them to one side or pack them away to create more space. You may also move a bulky coat to your hallway for regular wear over the cooler months, which will make it easier to see what you have available in your wardrobe
Donate or recycle items – quickly filter off items that no longer feel great to wear, don’t fit well, are well worn or just not your taste any more. You don’t have to empty out your entire wardrobe or work through every item to make an impact – when you have little time, you can skim off items that are clearly no use to you and this will make a difference

4. Tidy Up the Living Room

Make space for indoor living – move around your lounge and review any magazines, books, and decorative items you find. Keep only what you use or love, donate the rest
Take the opportunity to review DVDs, CDs, computer games and any tech used in this room. Trade or donate anything that your family no longer enjoys

5. Bedroom Refresh

You’ve reviewed your wardrobe, now take a look at your bedlinen. Work out how many sets you need and donate or repurpose the excess and older bedding
Review surfaces and bedside-table drawers, decluttering things that you don’t need to have by your bed to create a calm sleeping environment

6. Bathroom Blast

Quickly go through your bathroom cabinet, clearing out any expired toiletries. Donate any unused products to a charity shop or food bank
Organise remaining items by person in containers for easy access. (Just so you know as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases)

7. Toy Tidy

Make tidying toys a family activity. Assign age-appropriate tasks to children to teach them the importance of organisation
Micro decluttering sessions are good to help children review their toys (allow them to make decisions about what they no longer play with). Set a timer and plan a little reward to keep everyone motivated and focused

8. Paperwork Purge

Gather paperwork from around the home and review. Recycle/destroy envelopes, leaflets and paperwork you no longer need
Create a landing area to intercept paperwork as it enters the home; process, diarise, file or destroy it here to prevent it piling up around the house

9. Finally, adopt a “One-In, One-Out” Rule

When a new item is brought into the home, prompt yourself to find an item that is no longer used or loved
Keep a bag in the car boot or hallway cupboard for items to donate – when it’s full pop it to your local charity shop to help maintain a clutter-free home

It is possible for busy families to enjoy a clutter-free and cosy home this Autumn.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking down the tasks and involving family members, you can transform your living space into a warm and inviting retreat just in time for the colder months. You don’t need to dedicate lots of time, but decluttering in small chunks of time will save you time and energy overall. The key is small, practical steps.

Which decluttering task will you try first?

If you’d like extra support, click below to receive my Free Quick Reset Checklist

You might also like to read Declutter your Towels with this Formular.