10 QUICK TIPS FOR A NEATER HOME

1 KEEP IT SHORT AND SNAPPY Don’t try and tackle everything at once. Short, speedy clear-outs are far more manageable, so set aside 30 minutes a day to sort just one area and set a timer to help you stay motivated.

2 FOCUS ON YOUR FRIDGE The next time you’re filling the fridge with your food shop, take a moment to pull out any jars and packets to give shelving and storage a thorough wipe down. Do the same with a pantry and cupboards, using clear glass or plastic containers to group similar foods together.

3 WHAT ABOUT YOUR WARDROBE? Remove your summer clothes and store them in vacuum storage bags to maximise your space. Anything you haven’t worn this season, ask yourself if you’ll ever wear it again. Donate any unwanted clothing to charity.

4 GO THROUGH YOUR GARAGE Like a loft, a garage is often a dumping ground for all the items that don’t have a permanent home. Use see-through boxes to sort into categories and make hard-to-find things much easier to spot.

5 KEEP SURFACES CLEAR We can easily fall into the habit of piling up items on kitchen counters or bedside tables. Take five minutes to tidy up each small pile of clutter around your home.

6 TACKLE IT BEFORE BED Get into a routine of giving your home a 15-minute tidy before you turn in for the night. Fluff cushions, wash and dry the dishes, wipe down kitchen counters, or even do a quick vacuum if it’s not too late.

7 USE IT OR LOSE IT Ditch any items that you don’t or won’t use. But never be tempted to throw them in the bin for ease. Make a pile of anything you don’t want that can be donated later.

8 INVEST IN CLEVER STORAGE If your home doesn’t have cupboards to squirrel away your stuff, think about buying furniture pieces that double up as storage solutions, such as an ottoman with room inside for throws and bedding, or a coffee table with drawers.

9 ONE IN, ONE OUT When buying a new item, be aware of what you’ll need to get rid of in order to make room for it. This is a great way to streamline your wardrobe, too.

10 DON’T WAIT TO SPRING CLEAN! Putting it off until the spring months will just make those mounds of clutter multiply. Tackle it today!