Spring is just around the corner, and for a lot of us, that means that it's time for a spring clean. Whether you’re moving house, downsizing or want to reclaim some of your living space, decluttering quickly becomes a necessity.
At first, throwing out some of your unused items might seem easy. But letting go of some of your more sentimental possessions can be far harder than you think. Before you know it, you’ve barely made a dent, and tidying up suddenly becomes a challenge.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded up some helpful tips to keep you focused while you declutter your London home:
Have an action plan
Before you go wading into your bedroom armed with cleaning materials and bin bags, take a minute to come up with an action plan. Taking on too much all at once is not the most effective way to declutter, after all.
Instead, tackle each room in stages. Saturday morning is reserved for your bedroom, followed by leisure time - it’s the weekend! Sunday is the day for focusing on your bathroom and rooms upstairs. Next weekend, it’s time to tackle your kitchen, lounge, and other downstairs rooms.
Dividing up the work will ensure you don’t get too overwhelmed in the process and stay organised to boot.
Be prepared
Without the right tools, decluttering can quickly become more stressful than it needs to be. So before you even start, think about what you are going to need.
Here is a selection of must-have cleaning items you should consider:
Cleaning cloths and sponges
Anti-bac spray
Dusting cloths and polish
Bin bags
Bowl of warm soapy water
Beyond cleaning, you need to allocate a sit down with tea and biscuit time! Keeping up your energy will ensure you don’t lose steam!
Know what you need, and when it’s time to let go
We all have that jumper, dress or pair of jeans hidden in our wardrobe - you know, the ones that you’ll squeeze into one day. But instead of ever wearing them again, they end up dusty and forgotten in a place that provides valuable space to your bedroom.
Then there are sentimental items attached to precious memories, such as a soft toy, a picture or an heirloom. Or it could even be something that a loved one used to use or wear.
We like to put value into things that may not mean much to anyone else but can make you feel a whole variety of emotions. What about the things you keep that no longer serve a purpose? That was left like that old jumper in a dark corner of a room?
But if you’re serious about decluttering your London home, then it’s time to separate your valuable, useful items from the forgotten ones.
Extra hands make lighter work
One of the best ways to effectively declutter is to ask for help. Whether that’s calling in a trusted friend or family member, getting the kids to take responsibility for their own rooms or calling in your local London rubbish removal team, having someone there to encourage you and take away the stress will help you to get rid of your junk in no time.
What’s more, hiring professionals will ensure all of your waste is disposed of in the most environmentally friendly ways. They will take your rubbish to the relevant places, such as charity shops and your local recycling and waste center.
But more than that, they will clear, load and sit in traffic so that you don’t have to - saving you time, energy and money in the long run. Your local team will also arrive at your property with all the correct safety gear and will know how to remove all your items without causing damage to your property or themselves!
Plus, clearance companies often provide additional services such as garden maintenance.
Charity shops and marketplaces
Did you know that most items we throw away can be either reused or recycled? That doesn’t mean you need to repurpose your junk yourself either!
Charity shops up and down the country are always crying out for donations. While anything you donate should be in relatively good condition as a minimum, most charity shops in London will accept:
Clothes
Small electricals
Furniture, such as tables, chairs, sofas, wardrobes etc
Rugs
Picture frames, posters, canvases
Books, collector’s magazines
Bric a Brac, such as vases, cups, plates etc
Children’s toys
If you fancy making yourself some extra cash, you should consider advertising your items for free on social media marketplaces. They’re a great way of shifting your unwanted items, as they will be seen by your local neighbourhood and beyond online.
Storage solutions
Now that you’re getting on top of all your belongings, it’s time to consider some extra storage options.
You can quickly transform a space by adding shelves to your walls, buying a bigger toy chest or utilising the space you already have under the stairs or in a cupboard with a few minor tweaks. Whether you go down the Skandi inspired route, invest in everything from storage jars for your kitchen to hanging inner-wardrobe shelves, there’s plenty you can do without breaking the bank.
If you are moving out of your London home, it might be worth storing your belongings in a nearby storage facility to either your current home or the one you are about to move to. That way, you can minimise travel and transportation of your belongings on moving day itself and gradually bring your things in when you are ready. This is particularly good if you are renovating or simply want to refresh the walls with a lick of paint.
Bear in mind that some removals companies will offer storage facilities as part of their package. Check your local firm's website for more details.
Are you ready to declutter and tackle your London home, one room at a time? With an action plan in place and the proper support around you, you’ll transform your living space in no time!
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