No need to wait until spring for a clear-out. Decluttering with some clever storage solutions could bring calm and harmony into your home, says Gabrielle Fagan
IT is not unusual at this time of year to feel as though your possessions are winning the space war and you’re being squeezed out. But of all the aspirational (if unrealistic) goals we set ourselves, decluttering and getting our homes organised is, arguably, the most achievable.
“Nothing acts more like a tonic for the hungover soul than a jolly good tidy,” says Barbara Genda, of Barbara Genda Bespoke Furniture.
“Stuffed cupboards, dishevelled drawers, haphazardly strewn and displaced possessions without a designated ‘living’ space all culminates into a loud, unrelenting visual ‘noise’ that can make us feel boxed-in, overwhelmed and even anxious,” she says.
“Pack all of that mess away and immediately you’ll discern the positive effects. You’ll have a calmer environment in which you can relax, be productive and, at the very least, think straight.”
UNDER-STAIRS SORT-OUT
“UNDER the stairs is the definitive dumping ground for assorted, unused odds and ends,”
says Barbara. “Often, you can’t seem to open the door without a golf bag spilling heavy clubs onto your feet, or a sea of shoes tumbling out.”
Top tip: As a short-term solution, put hooks inside the cupboard door for hanging up bags and get transparent boxes for larger items, so they stay dust free and you can view contents without having to rummage.
FREE-UP LIVING SPACE
“DECLUTTERING isn’t about throwing everything away,” says Simon Glanville, managing director of storage specialists, Store. It’s about losing what’s useless and ugly in order to have space for things that are useful and beautiful.
But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and keep putting off that clear-up.
“Start with one single drawer or shelf at a time. Set a timer for 20 minutes and stop when the alarm goes off. Always tidy up first thing in the morning, so once the chore’s done you’re free to enjoy the rest of your day.”
Novecento storage system including book cases, £2,120, TV holder unit £1,050, four-cube cabinet, £2,300, Natuzzi, 01322-771-442 or natuzzi.co.uk
Top tip: Always de-clutter before buying new storage, otherwise you won’t know the right solution for your needs. Explore under-utilised spaces, such as landings, and consider boarding out a loft so you can store seasonal items.
BOOK LOVERS
“BOOKS can look beautiful when displayed properly so avoid stacking them two deep, or leaving them in piles everywhere,” says Marianne Shillingford, creative director and head of the design service at Dulux.
“You can work on the principle that if you haven’t looked at individual titles in a couple of years, you’re probably unlikely to read them again, and some could be consigned to a charity shop.
“Order books so you can find them easily – alphabetically, by genre or those you have read recently. Look for different ways to display them. Shelves over and around doorways look particularly effective,” she adds Top tip: Paint an old bookcase, or look on eBay, Freecycle or local charity shops for second hand ones and do a make over. Dulux Made By Me paint collection is designed specifically for furniture and small projects and there are tutorials at dulux.co.uk
UNCORK A SOLUTION
THOSE who take their wine seriously realise the need to store bottles correctly, while even if you have half-a-dozen bottles kept aside they can take up room.
“Streamlining your interior to make the best use of your space will work wonders,” says Claire Hornby, of Barker & Stonehouse.
Home office on a half landing by Barbara Genda Bespoke Furniture, 020-7978-2349/barbara-genda.com
“A crate, or a bespoke wine cupboard if you have room, will avoid breakages and allow you to manage a growing collection which can gather dust and look unattractive if it’s just standing on a shelf or cupboard surface.”
Top tip: Don’t overlook inventive ways of showing off a collection, such as putting a rack in an empty fireplace, or using a wall-hung bottle display.
PLAY FOR SPACE
“THE sock monster is a myth. Instead, it should be renamed the DVD and CD monster,”
says Barbara Genda. “These seem to replicate themselves, spill out of drawers and crowd shelves. Think about multimedia systems that include handy storage – perfect for concealing or displaying your library of DVDs.”
Top tip: Create the illusion of space with cabinets and furniture in whites and neutrals.
DESIGN FOR DRESSERS
“A BED is the functional heart of a bedroom and also harbours the most overlooked source of hidden storage,” says Simon Glanville, of Store. “A tucked-away under-the-bed storage system keeps a lot of clutter neatly out of sight.
Top tip: To check on wardrobe space, try to edit clothing by using the reverse hanger technique.
John Lewis fitted wine storage, from £1,145 for supply and installation of the white American oak scallop racking and from £178 for MDF-veneered backing
Turn all hangers the wrong way round and then when you wear something and put it back replace the hanger the right way, which at the end of a few months will give you a guide to the pieces you wear regularly and others which could be stored or given away.
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