There’s no doubt about it, decluttering can be daunting, especially if you don’t know where to start. Rest assured, there are steps you can take to make the whole process easier, starting with a decluttering checklist. 

While every home is different, there are some hotspots in almost all of them that are particularly prone to clutter. Knowing what these are – and employing effective decluttering tips – can make a huge difference. Not just to how neat and tidy your home looks, but to your motivation levels, too. 

With the help of the experts, we’ve highlighted the key areas to start with straight away, to make the job easier. Stick with it, and you’ll see just how much decluttering can change your life for the better.  

BY TARA KING

Most homes are overrun with duplicate items, particularly in the kitchen. While some serve a purpose (mugs, storage containers, cutting boards, etc), others do not. How many spatulas do you use at one time? We’re going to guess one. Veg peelers? Graters? Garlic presses? …we’ve made our point. Apply the ‘no duplicates’ rule, and you’ll see progress fast. 

When it comes to decluttering countertops, bulky appliances should be the first thing to go. Not only are they a bit of an eyesore, but they take up valuable countertop space. A good rule to go by is to only keep out the gadgets you use daily – the rest should be stored away.

If you’re not a fan of the mismatched look, decluttering and organizing your sock drawer is always good, and can be done really quickly, too. Discard any that don’t have a mate, those can go straight away, then have a think about how many pairs you really need. Rather than throw them away, think about ways you could reuse them around the house – cleaning rags, polishing cloths, perhaps a sock puppet or two…! 

It can be tricky to get little ones on board, but decluttering toys can actually be beneficial to their play (too much choice often leads to overwhelm) and makes tidying up easier on everyone, too. Keep it simple to start with; focus on broken toys, full coloring pads, used sticker books, and anything that no longer has a use. Next, tackle outgrown or unloved toys.

‘If you’re donating items, explain the importance of sharing and giving; donate toys to charity shops, nurseries or family centers so your kids know they’re going to make other children happy,' says professional organizer Vicky Silverthorn of You Need a Vicky. Having cut down the collection, now is a great time to invest in storage solutions, such as baskets with lids or a storage ottoman.

Go through your linen closet shelf by shelf, removing worn-out towels, blankets and sheets – your local animal shelter will be happy to take these off your hands. If you’re alternating between just a few favorite bed sets, designate the rest as ‘guest linens’, and store them elsewhere so they’re not taking up prime storage space. 

Tackle under-sink cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as in the laundry room. Toss empty containers, those past their expiry date, and any that aren’t eco-friendly, particularly if you have children and pets. Replace cleaning cloths and dusters with reusable microfiber cloths. If you’ve accumulated multiple hoovers, mops, brooms etc, apply the no duplicates rule and just keep one of each. 

Not every single item of outerwear needs to live in your entryway at all times. Declutter by season; swap out winter coats, boots, hats, scarves and gloves, anything you don’t need during the sunnier months (and vice versa), and stash them elsewhere. Take the opportunity to get rid of items you no longer want each time, too.

If you can’t remember when you last used it, or in fact you never have, it might be time to admit it’s just not your color… don’t be too quick to throw cosmetics away though. 

When it comes to getting rid of cosmetics, or any product with a use-by date, resigning everything straight to the garbage is one of the biggest decluttering mistakes you can make. Take the time to assess whether they can be recycled or (if they’re within date) reused by somebody else, first. While most charity shops won’t accept them, there are plenty of places that can make use if they’re sealed and within date.