How to declutter your home room by room

As we are well into the New Year, perhaps now is the perfect time to have a good declutter around your home. Or maybe it can wait…

Sure, you might be feeling like it's time to sit back and relax after a long year – as you deserve to. But the practical and psychological benefits of decluttering are hard to deny and could make your period of relaxation even more beneficial.

If you're tempted by the idea of tidier, less chaotic living spaces, here’s our guide on how to declutter your home room by room.

Start with a plan

Create a plan of action, especially with big projects around the house. Start with what you want to achieve, whether it's a minimalist look, better organisation or more space. You can then work backwards to assess how to declutter and organise your home for your desired outcome.

Highlight key challenges and potential opportunities. Is there one room overflowing with 'stuff'? Does sorting the mess under the bed fill you with dread? Is there a space you could use to store things more discreetly and tidily? With an idea of the mountains you need to climb and some of the quicker wins on offer, you can allocate your time and efforts more effectively.

Before starting, earmark boxes and bags for donations, rubbish and items going to other people. You'll find it easier to stay on top of what's going where with these already sorted.

Living room

Living rooms are prime candidates when it comes to clutter. As one of the busier rooms in the house, they routinely accumulate random items from other rooms. Mugs, blankets, dishes, clothing – fortunately, this kind of stuff is quite easy to sort.

Start by clearing coffee tables, end tables, shelves and mantelpieces. Just being able to see surfaces again can make a massive difference. Redistribute items that don't belong and add anything unwanted to your donation, rubbish or gifting boxes. Assess the decorative items on display and remove any that don't add aesthetic value.

Consider using baskets for blankets, magazines, books and toys that belong in the living room but don't always need to be on show. Alternatively, fitted living furniture often comes with hidden storage to help you stay on top of clutter.

Kitchen

Kitchens can be complicated rooms to declutter. But that's not to say you shouldn't try. Sometimes, it's best to get everything out into the open to get a sense of what's essential and what's not.

Pull everything out from cabinets, drawers and shelves. Throw away any expired food and old, unused spices or ingredients. See which small appliances you rarely use but could get away with storing out of sight – this could free up valuable worktop space. If you've got any duplicate utensils or cookware, keep the ones in better condition and donate or gift the others.

Slowly, one by one, start repopulating your kitchen cupboards, drawers and shelves with things you need or want to keep. Take this opportunity to organise where everything is, whether that's keeping canned food together or hiding your favourite snacks out of reach from you-know-who!

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be an oasis of calm to help you get a better night's sleep. Minimising clutter is an essential part of this. Start by clearing out wardrobes, drawers and bedside cabinets to make room for the stuff you use but have to leave around the bedroom.

Donate or sell any clothes if you can't remember the last time you wore them or it's been over 12 months. Off-season fashion doesn't have to take up valuable wardrobe or drawer space – store it under the bed or somewhere else in vacuum-sealed bags for maximum efficiency.

Simplify your jewellery by keeping a few essentials that you wear often. Belts, scarves and other accessories can be hung neatly. If you don’t already, get in the habit of making your bed every morning to anchor the room's sense of organisation.

Bathroom

When thinking about how to declutter your home, the bathroom is probably fairly low on your priority list. But a clean and tidy washroom can make a difference to your self-care routines.

You need everything in front of you, in a mirrored cabinet or on shelving. Anything that isn't part of your daily routine can be stored somewhere else or removed entirely. Get rid of expired medications, makeup, skincare and beauty products, and use organisers or baskets to keep daily essentials within reach and view.

Any old bottles of shower gel, shampoo or conditioner can go from the shower or bath enclosure. Hang towels and bath mats neatly to make the space feel more organised. Some under-sink or tall, freestanding cabinets could give you some much-needed storage space to hide things that don't need to be on display.

Beat clutter for good with Hammonds

At Hammonds, we help you make better use of your living spaces. With fitted furniture for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and more, we can bring calm to the chaos of a home, even one with a seemingly unlimited supply of clutter! For a personal consultation with one of our experts, book a free design visit today.