Our homes and workspace can affect our sense of well-being. They are a place where we need to feel in control, safe, and supported. Often, some small changes in reorganising and editing our possessions can have a big impact. Here are my simple steps and tips on decluttering and Spring cleaning.
How does your home make you feel? How would you like it to make you feel! Do your surroundings inspire you? If so, that’s fantastic! If not, now is the time to make that happen! The fun part is to find practical and creative ways to do this… more about this later.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Decluttering in bite size portions
An easy way of turning our hectic homes into a tranquil space is by tackling one small task at a time. We all know that any to-do list can be daunting, especially when trying to juggle this within our already hectic lives. Dividing the task into more manageable timeslots helps us achieve our final goal. The (KonMari guide) is, in my view, the most effective way of working: This sections each task by tacking one type of object at a time: Gathering all like-with-like items from all corners of the home together and placing them in a pile. We are then able to decide which to keep, give away or sell. Always start with easier items first, such as kitchenware or books. Once we get into a pattern of working, it becomes easier to work on the more sentimental items.
Following the KonMari method of decluttering is a fail-safe way of getting inspired and getting it done. Her book (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up) is, in my view, a must for every home.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
It’s about time
I find that setting my alarm for 20, 30 or 60 minutes helps focus the mind and makes for a more effective use of time. Background music can help to keep a rhythm and pace, while also reducing the impulse of getting side-tracked. Knowing that there’s a cuppa or small reward at the end is often an important motivator!
I start by labelling 6 large empty boxes: Mend, Re-cycle, Donate, Sell, Not Sure, Throw Away. By having a “Not Sure” box, we are able to maintain our momentum and decision-making during our designated timeslot and be reassured that some items will need more consideration a later date. Once the wheels of motion have been put into action, the hardest part is often already overcome. Regular sessions help establish realistic goals, maintaining long-term motivation. and achieving the end result.
Be sure to leave some time to tidy up afterwards – There’s nothing worse than feeling we are more in a muddle than when we started. The quicker we can deal with these labelled boxes after the session the better, as it helps maintain motivation and achieve the best results: For example, place the Donate box straight in the car, ready for your next trip to the shops. Call in a friend or professional to help you if it’s too daunting to do on your own.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Re-purpose and up-cycle
Our possessions become clutter only when they no longer serve a purpose. But personally, I don’t believe it necessary to act on the impulse of ‘Out With the Old / In With the New’ just for the sake of it.
Giving our forgotten possessions a new lease of life by re-imagining how they are displayed in our home s incredibly rewarding. So too is allowing unwanted or unused items to be appreciated again by selling and donating them. Refining, arranging and upcycling our existing furniture, artwork and accessories is a wonderfully quick and inexpensive way to refresh a space. Sometimes this is all a home needs to feel more harmonious and refreshed. Alternatively, it helps us to clearly determine where further investment may be required. As an interior designer and stylist, I’ve helped countless people over the last 20 years do this, with impressive results.
There are so many wonderful ways of re-purposing existing belongings to make them feel relevant again, by changing its function or location within the home. For example, a blanket box can be given a lick of paint and be transformed into a window seat. It adds individuality to the space and reduces unnecessary spending and landfill: A win-win all-round. Equally, moving artwork/mirrors around the house and changing the pictures within the frames is an easy and effective way to refresh your space.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Savvy Storage
No matter how large or small our homes, most of us have an uncanny knack of filling them with more than we could ever need. It’s no wonder there are so many clever storage tricks and creative solutions on the market to help us make the most of our existing space. Creating accessible, efficient and user-friendly solutions needn’t be expensive. For more information, see my (Storage ideas for small spaces on a budget). When helping others to do this, I often find that rotating what we have on-show can often be a good way of keeping things looking fresh and interesting throughout the year. By only having items you truly enjoy allows a space to look and feel its best. One important factor is to consider how much open versus closed storage is appropriate for each room and storage function.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Let the light in
Cleaning the windows is a sure-fire way of bringing in the Spring sunshine: Making our homes, and frame of mind, feel lighter and brighter. White vinegar (also known as distilled vinegar) is a staple natural cleaning product. It has the added bonus of leaving no streaks when used on glass. If an empty spray bottle is handy, it can be used as an inexpensive alternative to shop-bought glass cleaner: Simply mix 1 cup (240 mL) water with 1 cup (240 ml) vinegar and apply using a non-fibre cloth (I’ve heard newspaper works just as effectively). If windows are particularly grimy, you may want to make a stronger mix, or even use warm, neat white vinegar. A mix of white vinegar and baking soda is also excellent for cleaning window tracks and tile grout.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Pillow talk
It is a horrible fact, but 10% of a pillow’s weight can be down to dust mites, which can affect our breathing and energy levels. The yellow staining is caused mainly by sweat and moisture from our breath or hair. Freezing pillows will kill the mites if you have a chest freezer to hand, as will of course washing them. It is generally a good idea to wash our pillows at least once every year. Some synthetic hollowfibre or microfibre pillows wash better than others, so always read the label, though memory foam pillows should not be machine washed. For more detailed washing advice go online to pillowadvisor.co.uk
Whether we are washing pillows by hand or machine, a mild, low-sud detergent is best to avoid excess residue. Hot water is known to kill dust mites without the need for bleach or other harsh chemicals. If you have a feather pillows, try to avoid wringing and twisting as this will smash the feathers. If washing by hand, be sure to rinse several times to remove any detergent residue. Press any excess water out of the pillow with a white terry cloth towel. Hang on the line to dry and fluff manually or tumble dry with a few clean tennis balls in the dryer on a low settling. Distilled / white vinegar can be used instead of fabric softener for bed sheets and towels as it removes bacteria and freshens fabrics, with no final vinegar smell.
Interior design and styling by Catriona Archer
Breath easy
In an ideal world, electrical goods and work-related items should not be left in bedrooms, as this will reduce air pollution and avoid unnecessary distractions. Indoor pollutants include electrical goods, cleaning solvents, plastics and glue used in MDF and plywood. At its worst, these pollutants can cause allergic reactions, aggravate asthma and headaches. Extensive research by NASA has proved that certain indoor plants greatly reduce harmful electromagnetic toxins and other pollutants in the home: Weeping Fig, Rubber plants, spider plants, ferns, Aloe Vera’s and even chrysanthemums are especially effective. More details can be read in the fascinating book (How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr B.C Wolveton).
This post was adapted from an original article in Bath Life Magazine.