Top tips for clearing out the clutter this New Year

Winter is the perfect time to have a clear out. To start with you'll need to make way for all those presents you'll (hopefully) be showered with over the festive period. Secondly, with summer being a distant memory, it's the perfect time to dig out those woolly mittens and stow away those summer dresses.

Out with the old, in with the new

If the thought of a big clear out is too much to stomach, try implementing a two in one out policy – if you treat yourself to a new purchase, donate two older items to the local charity shop. Be ruthless – if you haven't worn something for more than six months, you're probably not going to wear it any time soon. "Remind yourself that if it cost £100 and was a bad purchasing decision, leaving it hung up in your wardrobe isn't ever going to bring your £100 back,"

 

 

Foot patrol

Wardrobes are a clutter hotspot. If yours is a haphazard mess of shoes, boots and handbags, you're not only going to lose track of your favourite items but you risk damaging other garments. "Knee boots should be kept on boot trees so that they can stand up and remain in shape," says style consultant Lizzie Edwards (babetstyle.co.uk). "Shoes are best kept in clear shoe boxes or on a shoe rack in pairs at the bottom of the wardrobe. Bags can be hung on big hooks on the wall or backs of doors, and are best stored stuffed with tissue or the soft packing they came in so they keep their shape - don't just have a scrunched pile at the bottom of the closet!"

Think calm not clutter

Areas such as bedrooms and living rooms should be calm, organised spaces where clutter is kept to a minimum. Piles of junk will not only make it harder to relax, but will provide a constant reminder of the pressing need for a clear out.
"De-cluttering is really important in a lounge", says top interior designer Kelly Hoppen (kellyhoppenretail.com). "Make sure that anything excess is put away - once you have a clear space it will immediately feel bigger." Multipurpose storage solutions are a great way to store items that you want to keep to close to hand – examples are ottomans which double as magazine boxes or coffee tables with built-in book shelves.
Multipurpose furniture can also come in useful in bedrooms – dressers with hidden drawers and beds with built-in storage can all help free up surfaces. "Proper under bed drawers which can be wheeled in and out from under the bed will make life a lot easier," says Kelly Hoppen. "Make sure that anything you put under your bed needs to be there. There's no point shoving things under the bed only to have them still there and untouched a year later. If you're hiding it out of sight, chances are you could just throw it away, so make sure you're strict with yourself when storing things away."

Beauty blowout

When it comes to clearing out beauty products, things are slightly more straight forward. Anti ageing creams usually last around a year, as do body oils. Shampoos, conditioners and shower gels can last up to three – especially if they're contained in pump dispensers. Foundations should be thrown away after a couple of years – although if there's still some in the bottle after one year it's probably worth chucking anyway – whilst mascaras should be thrown out after one year. Eye and lip pencils can last several years – as long as the nib is sharpened before each use. Although perfume can last several years, resist the temptation to show off bottles by placing them on shelves, which will only make rooms feel cluttered. Instead, store them in a cupboard or drawer – perfume will last longer when stored in a cool, dry place and you'll have easier access to the products you use most regularly.

Kiddie clutter

The sad truth is that children and clutter go hand-in-hand, but encouraging a child to be tidy from an early age not only teaches them how to organise their own personal space but can also help them to learn how to care for their possessions. "A place for everything and everything in its place is an adage that holds true when it comes to children's rooms," says Toks Aruoture, founder of bespoke nursery designers Punkin Patch Interiors (punkinpatch.co.uk). "Suitable storage items range from wardrobes, bookshelves and coat hangers, to memo boards for all-important notes and cards, along with hair bow holders for little girls.
A child's room is another area where multipurpose items can come in useful. "Don't just count on the closet and toy boxes for storage options," says Sherri Blum at Jack and Jill Interiors (jackandjillinteriors.com). "Today's parents are opting for stylish pieces such as an armoire which provides storage throughout the years. Use it in the baby's nursery as a changing station or blanket storage and as your child grows it can be used as a computer station, video gaming area or for clothing. It not only allows for additional storage, but is a beautiful addition to any room." Keep an eye out for storage solutions that are fun to use and attractive to look at, such as brightly painted toy boxes or personalised drawers: if a child's helped to decorate a toy chest or box they're more likely to want to use it.