In this blog, we’ll share our new year declutter tips to help you move into the new year with a clean, tidy, beautiful home!
Hello, 2021!
We hope everyone is feeling hopeful as we step into this brand new year. It’s been tough and continues to be tough for so many of us, but let’s hope it’s all upwards from here on out.
One way we are making sure we kick 2021 off well is with a big new year declutter.
Decluttering is one of the most important aspects of any Home Styling project, which is why we’ve launched a separate range of decluttering services for you to get started with transforming your home with our expert stylists.
Without the fresh start that a decluttering session provides, any styling will simply get lost in the mess, no matter how beautiful your home and decor is.
Which is why, if you are looking to revamp your home this year, we urge you to start with a new year declutter.
To help you understand more about decluttering, we’ve come up with 3 important questions to remember when decluttering and 2 things to do before you start…
1. What is my concept?
One of the questions we always start every styling consultation with is: do you know what your concept is?
Your concept is a selection of 3-5 words that sum up exactly how you want your home to look and feel.
You absolutely need to decide on your concept words before you begin decluttering so that this knowledge can guide your decisions. You can ask yourself whether each individual item in your home fits your concept words or not. If not, you know it’s definitely time for a clear out!
2. Would you buy it again?
One of the best ways to know if an item is worth keeping in a decluttering session is to ask yourself: would I buy this again?
If that particular item was damaged or lost, would you consider buying a replacement because you love it so much?
If the answer is no, it’s probably a sign that you don’t need it in your home. If the answer is yes, definitely keep it!
3. Would this look better in a different room?
When helping our clients declutter, we aren’t trying to be too strict. It’s really not about becoming super minimalist!
Maybe you aren’t sure what to do with a piece of decor or furniture but you absolutely know you don’t want to get rid of it. It’s time to think outside the box or, rather, outside the room!
Ask yourself: would this look better in a different room?
We love how much more we appreciate a piece of art or decor when we see it with fresh eyes in a new space.
4. Take a photo
This really is a great place to start, not only in decluttering but in starting your whole home styling process.
Take a photo of each room, put them up on a large screen and it quickly becomes very obvious what needs to move, be removed and what does or doesn’t go with your concept. You’ll be amazed what you notice when you see your home in a photo.
You’ll also be able to see from the photo if you’ve ‘defined your space’ or if your zones all blend into one with the only concept word being ‘mess’! Don’t forget we all need to define our space, no matter how big or small your home is.
At this time of year, it might all feel as though everything is blending into one space. For your new year declutter, it’s very important to make sure that your living area is your living area and your dining space is your dining space!
A final benefit of taking a photo before you begin decluttering is that you’ll have a fantastic ‘before’ image to compare once you are done!
5. The 70/30 Rule
Often when decluttering, you still end up with too much stuff to fit in your home. This is where the 70/30 rule comes in. This important styling rule dictates that shelves and surfaces should only ever be 70% full.
Are your shelves and surfaces 70/30? In order for your home not to feel cluttered, try and keep 30% empty space on all surfaces. Of course, we are not talking about exact figures here but keeping this rule in mind helps you to not overfill any particular area.
For a bookshelf, consider laying one book on its side to create an open space. You can still place a photo, ornament, plant or candle on the book to add a little personality, but you’ll still have that feeling of more space and less clutter.
One final thing to remember is that decluttering does not necessarily mean throwing away all your possessions.
Maybe you’re really not sure about an item or you really love something but it just doesn’t fit with your concept right now. We suggest putting it away in storage somewhere and seeing if you miss it. Chances are you might not, but if you do you’ll be so happy you didn’t throw it out in a fit of New Year’s Resolution madness!
If the idea of a New Year Declutter is still really overwhelming, then why not bring in some expert help?
Our team are not only excellent stylists but experienced project managers who can turn your decluttering dreams into reality. Booking a one hour decluttering consultation with The Home Stylist will give you the direction and focus you need to tackle your home declutter with ease. Find out more about what we offer here.
