We’ve spent more time in our homes than ever over the past year, so there’s no doubt most of them need a little love and attention. And with the arrival of spring, there’s no better time than now to tackle the mess that’s built up over various lockdowns. It’ll be more beneficial thank you think.
Mess Means Stress
Untidy houses leave us feeling anxious and overwhelmed, and with working from home now the norm, a messy office can be a real hinderance to our productivity levels. Clutter bombards our minds, distracts us and makes it difficult to relax. It creates feelings of guilt and embarrassment and increases our anxiety because we’re never sure what it will take to get to the bottom of the ever-growing pile. It’s also frustrating because it stops us from finding what we need quickly. Ever spent 10 minutes searching for your keys or glasses?
In short, a messy home has a negative effect on our mental health and especially our stress levels. So how can we fix it and cut the clutter?
Little and Often
If your home is full of clutter, the thought of making it spick and span can be an overwhelming one. So don’t do it all at once. You could begin by allocating just 15 minutes a day to decluttering – you might be surprised by how quickly you work towards a mess-free home. Take on one area at a time and don’t move on until it’s done. Those small victories will give you the motivation to tackle the next mess.
Clever Storage
Storage, storage, storage. The key to any clutter-free home. Hidden storage is best, so fitted wardrobes are a brilliant investment. Think about the storage space you need –have you got a winter wardrobe you need to put away? Or kids’ toys that must be out of sight? Perhaps you require somewhere to hide your hoover? Consider the space that will fill. A cleverly designed wardrobe could be the answer.
Other intelligent solutions to consider include ottoman beds, benches or foot stools with storage and even coffee tables that have space for your magazines and remotes.
Get Rid of It
Haven’t used it in over a year? Say goodbye to it. Chances are, you’re holding onto “stuff” because it means something to you, it’s on the list to get fixed, or you’re afraid to not have it, “just in case”.
But now is the time to free yourself of the mess. Whether you donate it to charity, give it to a friend, flog it at a car boot sale or take it to the tip, it couldn’t be easier to let go of the items you no longer need.
Stay Organised
There are so many fun and clever ways to organise your things and prevent the clutter building up again. If you’re working on the kitchen, consider a pan rack; or in your bathroom, buy a shower caddy to store your sponges, shampoos and what not. In your bedroom, buy removable inserts for your drawers. These small hacks will make your life easier and will help keep the mess at bay.
So, what are you waiting for? Tidy house, tidy mind, and all that!
