Vicky was featured in, large online publication, Stylist. They sat down and spoke with Vicky, to discuss the best ways to organise your home mid-way through the year. With over 10+ years of experience helping people transform their homes, she gave her top tips for readers to take away and help improve their living space during the Summer months.
Read the article here.
Below are the key take aways from having a mid year refresh of your home
6 Mid Year Decluttering Tips
A mid-year home declutter can be a refreshing way to reset your space and maintain long-term tidiness. This approach differs from the intensive declutters often done at the start of the year, focusing instead on a more manageable and effective organisation process. Below are my expert tips on how to tackle a mid-year declutter and create a space that works better for you.
1. Aim for Friendly Organisation, Not Perfection:
When decluttering mid-year, avoid striving for perfection. I suggest a more relaxed approach, focusing on a “friendly level of organisation.” Since you might have less time in the summer, break the process into smaller tasks, like spending an hour a day over a week, instead of attempting a full overhaul in one weekend.
This approach makes the process more manageable and less time-consuming, especially when summer activities compete for your attention.
Tips:
- Break tasks into small, manageable chunks.
- Focus on priority areas like commonly used rooms.
- Avoid starting a project you can’t finish, as this can leave you more overwhelmed than before.
2. Evaluate Your Space with Fresh Eyes:
Start by taking a walk around your home as if you were a guest. This allows you to see your space from a new perspective and identify problem areas that need attention. I advise prioritising rooms that are frequently used or currently the most cluttered. Reflect on your belongings and consider what you have and haven’t used over the past few months, focusing on items that no longer serve a purpose.
This can help you identify cluttered spots or items that are no longer serving a purpose. From there, prioritise rooms based on usage and the amount of clutter present.
Tips:
- Make notes of spaces that feel cluttered or disorganised.
- Ask yourself what changes would make your home more functional or visually pleasing.
- Reflect on items you haven’t used in the past six months—chances are, you don’t need them.
3. Assess Furniture and Storage Solutions:
Mid-year is an excellent time to evaluate whether your furniture and storage are meeting your needs. If you’ve previously decluttered, it should be easier to identify if certain pieces are not practical. I suggest considering multi-purpose furniture, like storage ottomans or sofa beds, which can help make your space more efficient.
For example, if a chest of drawers is visually appealing but impractical, consider replacing it with something more functional, like multi-purpose furniture. Always opt for multi-purpose furniture where you can, such as ottomans with storage or a sofa-bed.
Tips:
- Reflect on whether your current storage helps or hinders your organisation.
- Invest in furniture that offers both storage and functionality.
- Make sure your storage solutions fit the room’s purpose and your daily routine.
4. Revisit the ‘Maybe’ Pile:
If you’ve kept items you were unsure about during an earlier declutter, now is the time to reassess them. I cant emphasizes the importance of reflecting on these items enough, especially if you haven’t used them in the last six months. If they’re still not serving a purpose, it may be time to let them go, helping you avoid repeating past purchasing mistakes.
It’s important to embrace any guilt over mistaken purchases, using it as a lesson to guide future buying decisions.
Tips:
- Revisit any items you were unsure about during earlier declutters.
- Let go of things that haven’t been used in the last six months.
- Use this opportunity to reflect on past purchases and adjust your buying habits.
5. Declutter in Manageable Sections:
Instead of pulling everything out at once, I recommend tackling your home in small sections. This method prevents overwhelming yourself and allows you to manage the declutter process more effectively. You’ll likely find that some areas need minimal work, while others require more attention.
Tackling one area at a time ensures that each space gets the attention it needs without overwhelming yourself.
Tips:
- Don’t pull out all your belongings at once—organise a small section first.
- Prioritise spaces that are the most cluttered or disorganised.
- Work at your own pace to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
6. Reorganise for Ease of Use:
Keeping your home tidy long-term is easier when your belongings are stored in a way that makes sense for daily use. I advise storing items you use frequently in accessible places while keeping less-used items higher up or out of sight. Organising your space this way reduces the chances of creating new messes while searching for something, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bedroom.
Vicky suggests placing frequently used items in easily accessible spots while tucking away less frequently used items. “If you can see it, you’ll use it,” adding that things you rarely use should be stored out of sight to minimise distraction.
Tips:
- Keep daily-use items at eye level or within easy reach.
- Store items used less frequently on higher shelves or in less accessible spots.
- Ensure your most-used areas (like the kitchen and bedroom) are organised for daily functionality.
Conclusion: Embrace the Benefits of Mid-Year Decluttering
Mid-year decluttering offers a refreshing opportunity to reflect on your living space and make improvements that will benefit you for the rest of the year. It’s not about aiming for perfection or overhauling your entire home at once. Instead, set realistic goals, reassess your space, and focus on creating a functional environment that makes maintaining tidiness easier.
By breaking down the task into smaller, manageable steps and focusing on organisation rather than perfection, you’ll be able to create a calmer, more organised space that positively impacts your daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is mid-year a good time to declutter?
A. Mid-year decluttering allows you to refresh your space and take stock of items you’ve accumulated over the past months. It provides an opportunity to reassess your organization strategies and prepare for the rest of the year.
Q. How can I avoid getting overwhelmed during decluttering?
A. Break the process into small sections, focusing on one area at a time. Avoid taking on more than you can handle in a single session.
Q. Should I get rid of everything I haven’t used in six months?
A. Generally, if you haven’t used something in six months and it’s not seasonal, you probably don’t need it. Reflect on why you’re holding onto it and whether it serves a purpose in your life.
Q. What should I do with items in my ‘maybe’ pile?
A. Now is the time to review your ‘maybe’ pile from earlier in the year. If you haven’t used these items since your last declutter, it’s probably time to let them go.
Q. How can I keep my space tidy long-term?
A. Organise your space so frequently used items are easy to access, while less-used items are stored out of sight. Creating an efficient organization system will make it easier to maintain tidiness.
Q. What type of furniture is best for decluttering?
A. Multi-purpose furniture, such as ottomans with storage or sofa beds, can help you maximize space and keep your home clutter-free.
If you would like our support in decluttering your home, get intouch with the form below.
