Home reset

Clear out, clean up and start the year as you mean to go on with our simple tips for a neat and tidy home and how to maintain it

- SUE WHEELER

The beginning of the year is always a great time to set yourself up for success and reset your life, and that all starts at home. A clear out of clutter, plus cleaning tasks that you can keep on top of in the long term are key to reducing stress and allowing you to feel in control and able to relax in your home. Whether you’re reorganising your pantry (so you can actually see what’s in it) or tackling mountains of laundry and clutter, use our expert tips to inspire you, and tick off the tasks as you go with handy daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly checklists to keep you on track. Better yet, share them with your household to divide the work!

CLEARING & CLEANING

Bask in the satisfaction of a declutter and spring clean

TOP 6 DECLUTTERING TIPS

The first step in a household reset is to tidy up. Lisa Hodgson, professional organiser and founder of My Curated Life, shares her six steps to clearing your clutter and letting things go.

1. Have a vision Firstly, identify the purpose of the space you're decluttering and your vision for it. For instance, your goal could be I just want to get into my wardrobe: there's so much stuff in the room I can't open the doors'. If you become overwhelmed or feel stuck, coming back to that will help you move forward.

2. Start small Avoid starting a big project at the get-go as you'll quickly become overwhelmed and dejected. The trick is to start with a single category, such as your spices or a stationery drawer.

3. Set targets Set yourself a target for each category: How many wooden spoons can you actually use? How many toys does your child really need? You may not hit it exactly, but it will give you a focus.