The pre-Christmas declutter

GET YOUR HOME IN TIP-TOP SHAPE NOW, SO THAT YOU CAN ENJOY A SMOOTH-SAILING FESTIVE SEASON AHEAD

- HOLLY COCKBURN, GINEVRA BENEDETTI

With all the magic that Christmas brings, it can also come with a lot of 'stuff', and dare we say, clutter. A cluttered home feels overwhelming to say the least, which is why taking the time to have a clear out before the merriment begins is a sure way to enjoy a more peaceful festive season.

So, with now being the perfect time to pick up some new decluttering tips, we've spoken to the professionals and asked which areas of the home we should be focusing on before the big day. Their tips cover the essential places to start decluttering now to gain both physical space and more mental clarity in time for Christmas.

Living room

Given that this is often the biggest room in the home and where everyone gathers at Christmas, the experts all recommend starting here with a big sort out and declutter.

'Tidy away or recycle any old magazines and newspapers – as well as any DVDs and books,' advise Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman from The Declutter Hub. 'Create space so there's room for everyone to sit down, and a place for drinks and plates to be placed.' Sue Spencer, owner of A Life More Organised, adds: 'If you are hosting at all this year, I also recommend temporarily removing any fragile or sentimental items from the living room – accidents happen when things are busy with excitable children, so it's better to plan ahead to avoid any upset.'