Blitz those clutter blackspots
An organisational spring clean isn’t just good for your home, it’s good for your soul, too. here’s how the experts get it done
for many of us, creating order in the home has been a way of coping with long months of uncertainty. Shops have reported huge increases in sales for storage, from modular solutions and boxes and baskets to large chests and trunks; John Lewis & Partners has seen the latter rise by 119% over the past year.
This trend doesn’t surprise Dilly Carter, the Uk-based professional organiser (@declutterdollies) who sorts out both humble homes and those of A-listers. ‘A place for everything is not just about a tidy home, but clearing away mental clutter too; if you have clear space in your home you have clear space in your mind,’ says Dilly, whose new book, Create Space: Declutter Your Home To Clear Your Mind, is a room-by-room guide to organising the home. ‘When someone gets back on top of their home, it’s a life-changing moment. It makes them feel that they’re in control and gives them a feeling of accomplishment.’
Every home has clutter blackspots, she says, which build up ‘until they make us feel mega-stressed. They also don’t help us gets things done – an overflowing wardrobe means you can’t find what you want when you want it. A kitchen where you can’t find what you want to cook with makes it more difficult to make a meal. Good organisation is about creating an easier life.’
Her book tackles the bigger projects, but also has lots of easy suggestions, such as corralling perfume bottles on a glass tray or shelf – which also makes them look pretty.
But Dilly is against colour-coding. ‘No one chooses a book to read by the colour of its cover; it doesn’t help you find anything,’ she says. ‘Only colour-code once you’ve organised things into genres, such as shirts; don’t have a section of your wardrobe just for black; you’ll never find anything!’
So, if someone needs help to tame a room, how do they begin? First, says Dilly, set aside time. ‘You will need a day to bring around real change in a room,’ she says. Next, walk out of the room and walk back in with a notepad and pen. ‘Ask yourself what is causing you the most stress in daily life; make a list and start with what will have the most impact. Once you’ve tackled that, everything else will come more easily.’
When sorting out a cupboard, empty and clean it. ‘Divide everything that was in it into rubbish to throw away, items to recycle, and items to return to their rightful place,’ she says. ‘When you put things back, do so in groups and add structure with containers.’
Finally, have a vision for the space. ‘Look beyond the mess and think of the end result,’ she advises. ‘Think about what you need to do and keep on going until you get there.’ Because calm awaits...