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Our homes should be the place we recharge, reset and feel truly ourselves. Whether you’re working, relaxing, exercising, or enjoying family time, your home environment has a huge impact on your daily mood and mental wellbeing. When certain rooms make you sigh rather than smile, that’s usually a sign it’s time to declutter and reclaim your space.
Decluttering is genuinely transformational — and my clients say it best:
“I’ve fallen in love with my home again.”
“I’ve started a new hobby.”
“My daily routines feel so much calmer.”
If you’re ready to create a calmer, more organised home, here are my top ten decluttering and home organisation tips to help you begin with confidence.
- Start Today — Start Small
The hardest part is simply starting. A year from now you’ll be glad you took the first step today. Begin with a small, easy space like a sock drawer, your make-up bag or a handbag. Build up gradually to bigger areas such as lofts, garages or utility rooms. Avoid ultra-sentimental items early on — start where the decisions are easier.
- Forget Perfection — Aim for Calm
Perfection doesn’t exist, and it’s not the goal. A well-organised home simply means:
• You can find what you need
• Your routines feel smoother
• You have a space where you can relax
Be kind to yourself and celebrate progress, not perfection.
- Declutter First, Organise Second
Resist the urge to buy storage solutions before you declutter. You will always need less storage than you think once you’ve removed the items you no longer want or use.
- Keep Only What You USE, NEED or LOVE
This is the heart of a minimalist and clutter-free lifestyle. As Joshua Becker says, “Owning less is better than organising more.”
Ask yourself:
• When did I last use this?
• Do I genuinely need it?
• Do I love it?
Inherited items, freebies and “just in case” clutter often hide in the backs of cupboards. It’s perfectly okay to donate things so someone else can enjoy them.
- Give Everything a Home
Assign a dedicated place for every item you choose to keep. Store things near where you use them and group like-items together. Ensure everything is visible, labelled or easy to access — this is the secret to staying organised long-term.
- Follow the Golden Rule: Don’t Put It Down, Put It Away
If you know where every item lives — and you return it there straight away — you’re 80% of the way to maintaining an organised home. This simple habit is powerful.
- Add Daily ‘Tidy Up Time’
Little and often keeps your home effortlessly in control. Set a 20-minute timer and do a quick daily reset. Children love this too — for younger ones, use picture labels on storage bins. Regular tidying prevents overwhelm and keeps your home feeling calm.
- Choose Storage That Works for You
Avoid barriers to tidying. If your child has to unstack three boxes to put Lego away or colour code it, it will likely end up on the floor. Opt for simple, accessible storage that suits your lifestyle, not picture-perfect but impractical solutions.
- Adopt the ‘One In, One Out’ Rule
Especially for clothes, towels, bedding and toys — this rule keeps clutter from creeping back in. When something new enters the home, let something else leave.
- Remember: Free Stuff Can Still Be Clutter
Accepting items you won’t use only adds pressure, not pleasure. It’s absolutely fine to say “no thank you”.
if you’d like access to our free 12-step decluttering guide please email Caroline@atidymindyorkshire.com
I’ll finish with one of my favourite quotes:
“Happiness is a place somewhere between too much and too little.”
