Every inch of space counts when you have a small garden, especially when warmer, sunnier days are on the horizon. Because of this, you need to be incredibly mindful of what you’re putting in that small space - and what shouldn't be there at all.

Of course, it’s almost impossible to have a perfect, pristine garden. But if you want to be a bit more like the people with consistently tidy gardens, the key is to be intentional and keep your priorities in check. Do you want your garden to be a plant paradise? Do you want it to be the ultimate kids’ playground? Or do you want to find a middle ground that works for everyone?

Whatever the case, getting rid of items that don’t serve your outside space is a great starting point. That’s why I asked professional organisers what small gardens really don’t need, and what you should be decluttering for a more enjoyable space - whether you want to relax, host, grow, or make the most of family time.

1. Too many ornaments and planters

Small gardens deserve pretty lights, decorations, and plants as much as bigger gardens do. But when space is limited, you do need to be mindful that too many things can clutter up a space and make it look much smaller than it is. So, editing can go a long way.

This is echoed by Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutterer at Ace Your Space. She explains, ‘Too many decorative ornaments can overwhelm a small garden, creating visual clutter. Start by gathering all the planters and ornaments together and discarding anything that’s rusty, missing pieces or broken.’

You can then work on recycling any plastic pots, and selling or donating anything that will no longer serve you. When that’s done, you can choose your favourite items and place them in a way that creates interest - not clutter - in your garden. Anything seasonal (such as cushions or outdoor Christmas decorations) can then be stored in this Keter Eden Storage Bench (£125 at Argos).

2. Leftover garden waste

According to Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, ‘If you have waste waiting to be taken to the recycling centre, now is a great opportunity to clear it.’ After all, leftover garden waste is one of the biggest sources of clutter in small gardens, and something Kate regularly sees with her clients.

She says, ‘I often find clients have old windows, doors, pallets and even bathroom fixtures cluttering up their side alley after a renovation or upgrade. Remove any garden debris, whether that’s piles of bricks, wood or old plastic plant pots, using rubble sacks for easy disposal.’

The same goes for any grass clippings or chopped trees that are cluttering up your small space, so it’s well worth booking a slot at your local recycling centre as many garden items can no longer be recycled kerbside. Alternatively, consider at-home composting so you can then feed your garden for free.

3. Bulky garden furniture

If your intention is to make your small garden look bigger - and keep it as tidy and clutter-free as possible - you may also need to rethink your garden furniture choices. That’s because bulky garden furniture can instantly make an outdoor space feel tiny and chaotic, and you may even have broken or unused furniture taking up valuable space.

Thankfully, the best garden furniture comes in so many shapes and forms, and Kate says, ‘Consider compact, foldable furniture for the off-season that can easily fit in a small shed or storage box. Bench seating is also a clever solution, as it takes up less space than individual chairs and can be tucked under the table when not in use.’

Choosing to sell items after a declutter can help here, as you can sell your old and unwanted furniture on resale sites like Facebook Marketplace and use that money to buy newer, more streamlined options that suit your smaller garden - like this Habitat 2 Seater Folding Wooden Garden Bistro Set (£80 at Habitat).

4. Old or broken kids’ toys

If you have children or use your garden to store bikes, you’ll know just how much toys and recreational items can clutter up a small space. And while these things absolutely do have their place in a small garden, it’s still important to regularly declutter to weed out old or broken items.

Decluttering toys can be incredibly therapeutic and clear up a huge amount of space, especially if they’re no longer needed. And Shannon advises, ‘If children have outgrown ride-on toys, sports equipment or garden games, consider donating them to another family, school or community group where they can continue to be enjoyed.’

To keep things tidy and organised in the long run, Kate suggests reducing some of the outdoor toys to reclaim usable, adult space - while storing and rotating the remaining ones so they’re easy to get to without getting in the way.

5. Duplicate garden tools

The key to a happy and thriving garden is maintenance, and garden tools are required to get those jobs done - whether that be the best secateurs or a robot lawn mower. But it’s easy to get spend-happy when tending to a garden, and many people buy unnecessary and duplicate garden tools.

These items can clutter an outdoor space and lead to an overflowing shed, which is why it’s important to take the time to go through them and declutter anything you know you no longer need. Then, you can focus on organising the remaining items so they don’t encroach on valuable usable space.

Shannon suggests, ‘Ask yourself: Have I used this in the last couple of years? Is it broken or beyond repair? Do I have multiples of the same item? This process often highlights tools, pots and garden accessories that have been kept 'just in case' but no longer serve a purpose.’

If you declutter these things from your small garden, it'll make a HUGE difference.

After a long day, there’s nothing quite like watching TV on the sofa or just hanging out with your loved ones. But if you’re anything like me, you probably can’t relax if your living room is a mess. And because living rooms are used so often, they seem to become magnets for clutter.

Of course, most of us want to be like people with consistently tidy living rooms, but the reality is that smaller lounges are constantly losing the battle against clutter. That’s because these cosier living rooms often don’t have enough space to maintain the levels of tidiness and organisation they require. And once they get messy, it’s easy to simply let them get messier.

As Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, explains, ‘Small living rooms work best when every item has a purpose. When a space is limited, even a small amount of excess can quickly make the room feel crowded, visually busy, and harder to relax in.’ So, these are the items you should declutter now to create a calm, clutter-free living space.

1. Unnecessary furniture

There are certain design rules that you should consider when you have a small living room, but every living room needs furniture - whether that’s a sofa to sit on, a unit for your TV, or a side table for your evening cuppa. However, many people with small living rooms quickly build up too much clutter.

This is echoed by Shannon, who says, ‘One of the most common things I see in clients’ homes is additional furniture that simply isn’t needed, particularly extra chairs that end up becoming landing spots for bags, clothes, or “things to deal with later.” Instead of adding value, they often become accidental storage and contribute to a sense of clutter.’

Simple swaps here can help immensely, and it’s well worth ditching this old, unwanted furniture (which you can sell to make money) for multi-purpose furniture that doubles up as hidden storage - like this Yaheetech Lift Up Coffee Table (£64.99 at Amazon). This way, you can limit visual bulk without compromising on practicality.

2. Children’s toys

For many families, the living room also doubles as a playroom. And while this is a great way to keep an eye on your kids and spend quality time with them, these children’s toys can quickly clutter up a lounge - especially if it’s on the smaller side and doesn’t have proper toy storage ideas in place.

Thankfully, Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutter at Ace Your Space, says you don’t need to break your kids’ hearts by throwing everything away to create a calm, relaxed living space. Sure, regular decluttering of unwanted, old, or broken toys is a must, but the key is to find a storage solution that works for what you have.

She says, ‘While toys absolutely belong in a home, they don’t need to dominate the living room floor. Without clear boundaries or storage systems, toys can quickly spread across the space, making it feel chaotic and harder for adults to switch off at the end of the day.’ And in small spaces, vertical toy storage or pretty-but-practical storage baskets can work wonders.

3. Decorative clutter

There’s a fine line between decorative clutter and actual clutter, especially if you’re someone who loves to fill window sills and shelves with family photos, vases, candles, and more. And while professional organisers don’t expect you to ditch everything and live in a sparse, clinical box, it is worth editing your knick-knacks if you have a small living room.

This is echoed by Shannon, who says, ‘Decorative clutter is a subtle but powerful factor. Too many ornaments, or even unused candles, can make a room feel visually heavy and smaller than it actually is. When every surface is filled, the eye has nowhere to rest, which can create a constant sense of overwhelm. In small spaces especially, less really does create more impact.’

Of course, it can be hard to get rid of emotional clutter - but once you experience the rewards and turn your small, cluttered living room into a relaxing space you can enjoy, I have no doubts that it’ll be worth it. And if you can’t bear to part with it completely, using clutter buckets to keep it out of sight can work as a compromise.

4. Paperwork

Every living room needs to serve multiple purposes, and for some people, it is also their home office, homework space, and admin area. Because of this, paperwork can quickly pile up and clutter up a small living room. So this can be organised and decluttered.

Kate explains, ‘Piles of paperwork lying around won't provide the relaxing space you need to unwind. Be ruthless with what you keep and create a designated storage area for your essential paperwork. Bookshelves with cupboards at the bottom work well, as you can organise your paperwork into magazine files or hanging file boxes. Making sure it's easy to access is key to avoiding future piles.’

You could also take inspiration from our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, who created a family command centre in her home for all of her important paperwork, doctor's appointment reminders, and essential information that she needs to keep organised in one place.

5. Spare cushions and blankets

In my eyes, a living room isn’t complete without a few blankets and cushions - whether you’ve added them for comfort or decorative reasons. But there are rules to how many sofa cushions you should have, and it’s fair to say that too many blankets can make a space feel (and look) messier. This is especially true if you don’t use them.

These spare cushions and blankets are items your small living room doesn’t need, and removing them can reduce clutter and maximise the space you can relax in after a long day. You don’t have to get rid of them completely, though.

Shannon advises, ‘Items like spare blankets or cushions can be vacuum-packed and stored under sofas or in concealed storage, freeing up valuable space elsewhere.’ In fact, that’s why I always recommend that people have a pack of these Argos Home Pack of 6 Mixed Vacuum Storage Bags (£10 at Argos) at home at all times.

If you declutter these items from a small living room, it'll instantly feel calmer (and bigger!)

When you think of IKEA, you probably think of larger flat-pack furniture and, of course, the meatballs. But if you know where to look, you can come across smaller (and much cheaper) products that will transform your home in more ways than you’d think. The OSTBIT Plate Holder (£2 at IKEA) is the perfect example of that.

There are so many small home clutter-busters I swear by as an organisation-obsessed Ideal Home Editor, but IKEA always seems to nail the easy and affordable storage options. That’s largely because this Swedish retailer knows how to design products that serve so many different purposes - like a dish rack that can be used in every room of the house.

At first glance, the OSBIT Plate Holder appears to be a relatively unassuming product. But there’s a reason why customers are buying up to seven of them to organise their home, as this £2 game-changer can be used to store everyday essentials, maintain a tidy kitchen, show off precious collections, and so much more.

Made from bamboo and consisting of two rows of six pegs, the IKEA OSBIT is designed primarily as a plate holder and dish rack. This can help you keep your worktops tidy when washing up, while also protecting - and perhaps even showing off - the plates in your drawers or cabinets.

But as IKEA explains in the write-up for the product, ‘You can also use the plate holder for anything from lids and chopping boards to letters and children’s puzzles.’ And the storage and organisation solutions don’t stop there.

Ideal Home’s Digital Editor, Rebecca, swears by this £2 dish rack to organise the pots and pans in her kitchen cupboards. She told me that the compact rack not only keeps clutter at bay but also makes it much easier to grab the pot or pan she needs at the time.

And if you’ve always dreamt of open shelving in your kitchen, you could also use a few of the IKEA OSBITs - coupled with a few shelves like this Anika Floating Shelf (£19.99 at Amazon) - to fake it for a much more affordable price.

Happy IKEA customers have also raved about the multi-purpose nature of this £2 product, too. At the time of writing, it has over 1,000 reviews with an average star rating of 4.7 out of 5, with one customer raving, ‘This little item is more than you think.’

They add, ‘This item is so useful, it's incredible. It stores plates, DVDs, and books near the bedside, ready to read on your bedside table; it can also make a rack to hang things on, etc. It’s amazing; I always buy from IKEA when I go in. I have seven now!’

Another wrote, ‘I picked this up in store to use as a bow maker for crafting, but after seeing other hacks online, I have fixed it to a shelf by the bedside as a rack to keep my phone & tablet while charging them. Also, a handy place for TV remotes. I can imagine picking up more of these over time as I find new uses for them!’

So, the opportunities really are endless! And for just £2, you really can’t go wrong.

More multi-purpose storage solutions

Will you be snapping one up?

Just over six years ago, my husband and I bought our first home - a small Victorian terrace with lots of character, but not a lot of storage space. And because we assumed that it was the proper thing to do, we immediately bought ourselves a wardrobe for our small bedroom. Within weeks, though, we began to regret our decision… and we got rid of it.

Yes, for those wanting to follow in the footsteps of people with consistently tidy clothes, it’s easy to assume that you need a wardrobe to keep things organised - whether that’s a freestanding wardrobe or bespoke built-ins. But I’m proof that you don’t have to follow the norm when it comes to bedroom storage, and that it’s sometimes worth getting creative when you’re a small home dweller.

And while we did initially wonder whether we made the right decision when we ditched our lovely (and admittedly not cheap) wardrobe for a rail like this SONGMICS Clothes Rack on Wheels (£34.99 at Amazon), we’re still confident it was the right choice for us six years later.

In fact, we love our clothes rail so much that we’re going to continue using it as our main source of clothes storage when we move to our new house soon - even though our bedroom will be bigger.

And while the exact rail we bought six years ago is sadly no longer available, there are so many similar options out there, like this Habitat Arnie Clothes Rail (£20 at Habitat) that our Sleep Editor, Amy, is always raving about, too.

But if you’re still scratching your head and wondering why on earth I’d ditch the obvious practical choice of clothes storage for a rail, these are the three reasons why I’ve chosen not to use a wardrobe in my home.

1. It’s so much cheaper

Let’s be honest: wardrobes are expensive. And for the amount of clothes that my husband and I had when we moved in, we knew that a wardrobe alone wouldn’t cut the mustard. So, we bought a large wardrobe for around £500, as well as two separate chests of drawers for around £100 a piece.

Admittedly, £700 isn’t a lot when you consider the cost of fitted wardrobes, but it still felt like a major blow to our bank balance. And while hanging space is definitely necessary for certain items of clothing, I personally prefer to fold most of my clothes, so that £500 stung even more. Especially as they felt rather flimsy and we weren’t confident in their longevity.

So, when we spotted the heavy-duty hanging clothes rail for SO much cheaper, we decided to chance it. We sold the wardrobes to recoup some of our money, and the result was a combined clothes storage set-up that cost just £135.

2. It’s easier to keep tidy and organised

I’m constantly trying to emulate people with tidy bedrooms and what they use to keep them that way. And while regularly decluttering is a huge part of that, so is keeping things tidy and organised - and I find that having my hanging clothes on show on a single rail actually keeps things way tidier than they did when I had a wardrobe.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a wardrobe in my spare bedroom that’s used for all of my bags, big coats, and other items that can’t hang prettily on the clothes rail in my bedroom - but that’s my case in point. Wardrobes can quickly become a jumble of clutter that makes you feel stressed every time you open the doors. And you’re often less likely to tidy it when you can hide these things.

With everything on show, I tackle messy things immediately. And I also swear by seasonally switching up my clothes, so the rack is never overflowing and my out-of-season clothes are stored in vacuum bags - like these Argos Home Pack of 6 Mixed Vacuum Storage Bags (£10 at Argos) - in suitcases in the loft.

3. The size works so much better

Big furniture can make a small bedroom look smaller, and that’s exactly what we found out when we first bought wardrobes for our 3x3m bedroom. And while the rail isn’t exactly smaller in terms of length, it’s a lot shorter - which means it visually opens up the space and feels less overpowering.

For us, switching from a bulky wardrobe just made sense for our small space - and I no longer feel like a big piece of furniture is closing in on me while I’m sleeping. The sleeping space feels calm and relaxed, with everything in order.

Not only that, but having a clothes rail with wheels also helps me maintain a dust-free home as I can easily dust the skirting boards behind it - and I don’t have to worry about damp (or even mould) rearing its head behind any wardrobes, which is common when you have big furniture in small rooms.

For me, switching from wardrobes to a clothes rail has transformed my small bedroom. But I appreciate that it might not work for everyone!

As a small home dweller, I know firsthand just how cluttered these cosier homes can get. And no matter how much you tidy, the house is always a mess, and everything is always in the way. This is particularly annoying in small kitchens, as it’s impossible to cook a meal without wanting to pull your hair out.

But while it’s important to make the most of small kitchen storage ideas, the reality is that they’re often not enough to curb the clutter that can build up in this multi-purpose space. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home - serving as a cooking area, pantry, washing area, hosting hotspot, and sometimes even a dining space, too.

As a result, small kitchens become dumping grounds for anything and everything - creating a buildup of clutter that doesn’t accurately reflect how you actually live and cook. That’s why I asked professional declutterers and organisers for their take on the things your small kitchen really doesn’t need - and what you should declutter for a more streamlined cooking space.

1. Non-kitchen items

According to Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutter at Ace Your Space, one of the biggest small kitchen storage mistakes you can make is using it to store non-kitchen items. And I’m guilty of doing that myself, as my small kitchen is even home to my dreaded junk drawer.

She explains, ‘When you've got a small kitchen, every single cabinet and drawer is prime retail space. There's no room for items that don't belong in a kitchen, such as medication, the junk drawer(s) and arts and crafts. These belongings need to be decluttered and then re-homed elsewhere in the house.’

In fact, freeing up a single drawer in a small kitchen can make a huge difference, giving you space to rehome items from a cluttered countertop and follow in the footsteps of people with tidy kitchen worktops. And when you have tidy worktops, you create the illusion that your kitchen is bigger than it actually is.

2. Old pots and pans

If you take all of the pots and pans out of your kitchen cupboards, there’s a high chance that you’ll unearth many that you haven’t used in years, hidden at the back. And as pots and pans are large in size, they can clutter up a small kitchen without you even realising.

Kate says, ‘These large, bulky items can take up huge amounts of space in a kitchen, and we often have more than we need. Strip out any duplicates, worn-out non-stick pans and aim for a capsule collection of good-quality pans.’ Then, you can focus on organising the pots and pans you have left, which can also free up space when done correctly.

There are many pots and pans organisers out there that will keep your cupboards and drawers tidy, but if your small kitchen is really short on space, Kate suggests using a ‘ceiling-mounted hanging pot rail or a pegboard pot rack on a spare slice of wall to create a stylish and practical solution.’

3. Shopping bags

Does anyone else have an entire shopping bag filled with other shopping bags? I certainly do, and it makes my small kitchen look both ugly and cluttered. Especially as mine lives on a door handle in my kitchen cupboard, so the door doesn’t shut properly, and it regularly pushes the contents inside the cupboard onto the kitchen floor.

However, the reality is that I have never (and probably will never) use the sheer number of reusable shopping bags I have at my disposal. And they’re taking up much-needed space in my small kitchen that could be used to house items I do actually use, with the help of clever space-saving clutter busters that keep them organised.

Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co. has a solution, though. She advises, ‘Rather than storing an overflowing collection in a cupboard, consider returning excess bags to the supermarket and offering them to people who may otherwise need to buy one. It keeps them in circulation and frees up valuable space at home.’

4. Duplicates

I’m a huge fan of bulk buying, as it’s often a great way to stock up on essentials at a lower price. However, I’m also guilty of bulk-buying non-essential items, and the pros say this is one of the biggest contributors to clutter in a small kitchen. Then, you lose track of what you have… so you buy even more.

Kate explains, ‘I see this so often with my clients, and all that happens is the cupboards are so tightly packed that often food is lost at the back of the cupboards and goes out of date. As well as your cupboards causing you stress on a daily basis, the money you save is often negated by the amount of food that goes out of date.’

This doesn’t just apply to food, either. This also applies to your collection of messy food containers, cooking utensils, mugs, and more. So, it’s well worth taking your time to declutter and organise your kitchen cupboards so you’re only filling them with the items you actually need - and to stop them overflowing with duplicates.

5. Gadgets and appliances

Small or not, no kitchen would be complete without at least one gadget or appliance - whether that’s one of the best air fryers or coffee machines. But often we get swept up in crazes and trends and impulse-buy large items that clutter a small space. These are the items we need to declutter and dispose of safely.

It’s important to ask yourself if you actually use the gadget or appliance before donating or selling on a resale site, and Hester Van Hien, a Home Decluttering and Organising Consultant from Tidylicious, says we need to be especially ruthless with single-purpose gadgets - especially when buying new ones.

She says, ‘Before purchasing kitchen gadgets, consider if you can get the job done with another kitchen tool that is fit for multiple purposes. For example, herb scissors. Do you really need them, or could you use your standard kitchen scissors or a sharp knife instead?’ If you do need new appliances in the future, try to opt for multi-purpose ones that take up less space in a small kitchen.

After decluttering these items, your small kitchen will feel so much more organised!

Like many others in the UK, I live in a small home with limited storage - and since my entryway is the tiniest (but busiest) area of my house, it’s full of clutter. But while I’ve tried to find a handy shoe storage solution, I’ve always come up short as they’re just a bit too obvious. So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across the new Rowan Shoe Storage Cabinet (£179 at Dunelm).

Sure, I know that one of the most important things people with tidy hallways always have is shoe storage, but I’m someone who likes things to be both practical and pretty. And while wire shoe racks and wooden shoe shelves are certainly practical, they’re rarely ever pretty and can become a hallway eyesore instead.

The Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Unit doesn’t look like any regular shoe storage, though, and you’d never guess that this stylish unit is hiding space for up to 15 pairs of shoes. It’s a game-changer if you want to curb hallway clutter and make a good first impression on your guests - and I’m adding it straight to my basket!

At first glance, the Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Cabinet looks like a relatively normal (albeit incredibly chic) piece of furniture. The oak effect makes it look sturdy and strong, and the slatted door design is bold and modern.

But hidden behind those doors are four shelves for your shoes - as well as the fifth shelf at the bottom, which can be used to store the shoes you use every day, or house some aesthetic storage baskets to keep practical clutter like post, keys, and parcels out of sight. It's truly one of the most practical yet stylish shoe storage solutions out there.

According to Dunelm, all five shelves hold up to 15 shoes up to size 10, so every family member can dump their shoes in the cabinet instead of by the front door for everyone to trip over. And as the cabinet has raised legs and is just 36cm deep, it can also serve as a great shoe storage idea for small spaces.

But what I love most about this shoe storage cabinet is that it perfectly blends practicality and style. It can serve as a must-have storage addition to a hallway without compromising on aesthetics - and the design lends itself to any home decor style. And that’s pretty rare.

You can even use the top of the unit as a makeshift hallway console table, adding anything you like - from a trinket tray like this Habitat Harlequin Blue Trinket Tray (£8 at Habitat) for your keys to some greenery like this Green Artificial Foliage Arrangement in Lydford Vase (£65 at Next). It really is so versatile.

Dunelm has only just dropped this new storage unit, but already the rave reviews are coming in thick and fast. One customer wrote, ‘Looks great and was easy to build, holds plenty of shoes and is a solid piece of storage.’ Another wrote, ‘It’s really smart and space-saving for a small hallway.’

However, one customer did note that the legs are made from a slightly different material, but for £179 I still think you’re getting a bargain - especially when shoe storage units from some brands can cost you over £500.

But if you love the Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Unit but have a slightly tighter budget, I’ve also found three alternatives that will still help you with your hallway storage ideas. Say goodbye to shoe clutter for good!

Will you be snapping up this space-saving shoe storage solution?

I don’t know about you, but I’d be nothing without my freezer. It’s where I store all my leftovers, and it helps me meal prep for the week (and sometimes even months), so I’m not stuck with the never-ending question: What shall I cook? But the one thing I hate is how messy my freezer is all the time.

I’ve recently been taking inspiration from what people with tidy fridges always have, and it’s made a huge difference to the space available and the freshness of my food. And while these products and tools have been transformative, it’s fair to say that it’s made my freezer look even worse - especially as everything is just shoved in there, and the drawers get stuck every time I try to open them.

So, I’ve made it my mission to organise my freezer and invest in the things people with tidy freezers always have in theirs. And I thought I’d share them with you, too.

1. Freezer bags

I’ve recently been introduced to Kate Hall, a Home Food Waste Expert, who shares her freezer tips and tricks as @thefullfreezer. And one thing she swears by in her enviable freezer? Freezer bags! She uses them to freeze everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to nuts and hummus.

The beauty of reusable freezer bags is that you can freeze solids or liquids (as long as you freeze them flat first) and then store everything vertically - almost like a filing cabinet of freezables - to maximise space and even improve visibility. Then, when you want to defrost the contents, you should be able to pull the bag out without having to move anything out of the way and making a mess in the process.

To make this as efficient as possible, though, it’s a good idea to file them either by expiry date or by category. For example, vegetables with vegetables, meat with meat, and sweet stuff with sweet stuff. I’d also recommend keeping a freezer thermometer - like this Pack of 2 LCD Digital Fridge Freezer Thermometer (£7.49 at Amazon) - in there to ensure everything lasts as long as possible.

2. Labels

Let’s be honest, frozen food can be a bit of a mystery. The spaghetti bolognese you cooked three weeks ago looks like an indistinguishable orange mess when it’s frozen, and frozen soups basically all look identical when they’re bagged up. But labels can help you remove what you need from your freezer without rummaging around and knocking everything over.

I’m a huge fan of labelling anyway and find a label maker is one of the best tools for decluttering, so using them in your freezer is a no-brainer. Especially when you can label them simply and cheaply with a freezer-safe marker pen like these Fine Tip Freezer and Label Permanent Markers (£3.99 at Lakeland).

There are so many different ways to label your freezer, too. You could label each frozen item - such as each freezer bag - so you know exactly what the food is, when it was cooked and when it expires. Or, if you organise your freezer items by drawer, you could label each drawer with its contents so you always know where everything is.

3. Rectangular containers

If freezer bags aren’t quite your thing, food containers can also help to keep a freezer tidy - and these also come in so many different forms, from the soup storage the Ideal Home team swears by to these Lakeland 10 Stack a Boxes Food Storage Containers (£11.99 at Amazon) for chunkier or more fragile foods that you don’t want to damage in the freezer.

But while there are so many different food storage containers out there, the key to a tidy freezer is choosing rectangular containers that can not only be slotted next to each other easily, but also stacked on top of each other to make the most of the freezer space.

Airtight containers also minimise the chance of freezer burn, which you often get with freezer bags, as they keep air out and also trap any moisture inside. Plus, the beauty of these containers is that you can use them elsewhere when you’re done with them. Including tidying your kitchen cupboards.

4. Dividers and bins

Whether you have a traditional freezer with drawers or a deeper chest freezer, these spaces are often much larger than the things inside them, which means the contents rattle around and look messy. That’s where dividers and bins can help.

Yes, just as if you want to organise a fridge or organise your clothes drawers, these dividers and bins allow you to bundle the same kinds of foods together and break up the large space to ensure you can always stack them and keep them tidy without them falling over themselves or encroaching on other foods.

Food storage bins also make it easier to get your frozen items out of the freezer, as you can simply remove the smaller bin instead of removing the entire drawer and potentially exposing your other foods to hotter indoor temperatures.

5. A list

I know for a fact that my freezer is full of items that have been there for years, since it’s so easy to forget about them when they're stuck at the back. But that’s exactly why people with tidy freezers always keep a list - or inventory - of the contents inside this appliance. This way, they always know what’s in there.

If you have a magnetic freezer, you could use something like the SWEETZER & ORANGE S&O Magnetic Notepads (£5.99 at Amazon) to stick to the freezer door, making a note of the food in there and any relevant cooking or expiry dates. When you have a list to look at, you should stop buying any duplicates and wasting any money - and it can even inspire your weekly meal plans.

The downside is that unless you have an empty freezer right now, you’ll need to set aside some time to go through the contents and backdate everything in there. But once that list is compiled, it should be super easy to add things to it when you’re next batch cooking or food prepping.

Say goodbye to your messy freezer!

They say that a tidy house is a tidy mind, but the same applies to your outdoor space, too. After all, many people find it difficult to enjoy their gardens or balconies when it’s a cluttered mess of furniture, plant pots, toys and more. And when the weather is this glorious, you need to make the most of your outdoor space.

Yes, there’s nothing quite like sitting in the garden while the temperatures are soaring and the sun is shining. But gardens in the UK are often multi-use areas, serving as chill-out spaces, outdoor kitchens, growing spaces, and kids’ play areas. And this can result in a disorganised, cluttered outdoor area that’s overrun with so many things.

But if you want a spotless patio, a clear grass area, or just a garden that doesn’t fill you with dread every time you open the back door, it’s well worth taking inspiration from the things that people with tidy outdoor spaces always have. And these space-savvy solutions can help you enjoy your garden without compromising on practicality.

1. A shed (or other storage)

The first step towards a tidy anything is storage - whether that’s inside or outside the house. And by having proper garden storage, you have the option to give everything a home, from your kids’ toys to your gardening tools. In many cases, a shed is best. However, you can also use other types of storage, from bike stores to smaller garden storage boxes and garden wardrobes.

When you have this main storage option in your garden, you can then go one step further to add another layer of organisation. And if you want to organise a shed to keep all your garden tools in one place instead of cluttering up your patio or grass area, using something like this Keter Corner Tool Storage Rack (£28 at Argos) can keep everything neat and organised.

By putting all the ugly-but-practical items that would typically be on show behind a shed door or inside a storage box, you can reduce visual clutter and enjoy the natural beauty of your garden instead. Just remember to regularly declutter the contents of your storage to ensure you’re only keeping what you really need behind these closed doors or lids.

2. Multi-purpose furniture

Whether you have a big garden or a cosier outdoor area, the best garden furniture often takes up the most space. And when you have bigger pieces - or even multiple pieces - of furniture coupled with everyday garden items, it can make a space look messy and cluttered. That’s why opting for multi-purpose furniture can make such a difference.

This could be choosing a foldable bistro set like this CASARIA 3-Piece Bistro Table and Chairs (£79.99 at Amazon) for smaller balconies, so it can be folded away when not in use, or even choosing garden furniture that comes with hidden storage so you can once again hide the garden clutter that would typically be on show.

As garden furniture can often serve multiple uses, Ideal Home’s garden furniture guru, Sara, also loves it when one piece of furniture can double up as both a lounging area and a dining area. The space this frees up can instantly make a space feel tidier.

3. Dedicated ‘zones’

Your outdoor space serves so many purposes, and it is often where clutter builds up. And it’s when these areas and purposes overlap that garden items start to take over the usable space and impact how you feel when you’re hanging out in the garden. Because of this, it’s important to consider your garden layout.

If you want to maintain a tidy garden, it’s a good idea to create dedicated ‘zones’ for each purpose, keeping items related to this zone contained within that area. For example, you could use this Yaheetech Garden Potting Table (£59.99 at Amazon) to keep all of your spare pots, gardening tools, and seedlings away from your patio, which should ideally just be reserved for seating.

Of course, you can integrate an outdoor kitchen into your patio, too, but even then, you should use creative storage and furniture options to create a distinct divide between the seating and cooking areas. This will allow you to enjoy these spaces separately, without unwanted clutter spilling from one to the next.

4. Vertical solutions

One of the best ways to maintain a tidy garden is to keep as much as possible off the floor, as this curbs clutter and even makes it look more expensive. But this doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice all of your belongings to keep your outdoor space organised. You just need to work with your vertical space, instead.

This can also work in your favour, as moving your potted plants to the side of your patio or lawn can hide an ugly fence or garden wall and free up usable space. But this can also work for practical items, like your garden tools or your washing line.

In fact, ditching your freestanding washing line for a wall-mounted version like this Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line (£148 at Amazon) is one of the best ways to tidy up your outside space and ensure you’re only using your main garden area for fun, summer activities. The same applies to your garden hose, as nobody wants to trip over that with a plateful of BBQ sausages.

5. Robot lawn mower

A long and unruly lawn always makes my garden look so much messier than it is, and that’s why another thing people with tidy outdoor areas always have is a lawn mower. After all, lawns often take up a large area of a garden, so keeping them neat can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the outdoor space.

And while the best lawn mowers come in various shapes and sizes, the best robot lawn mowers are gaining traction - and for good reason, too. They’re hands-free, quick and efficient, and they’re becoming smarter and smarter, which means that they do an incredible job, too.

Our Gardens Editor, Sophie, is a huge fan of robot lawn mowers and credits them for her tidy garden. This is especially true when it comes to the mental side of things, as when she keeps the lawn tidy, this gives her motivation to keep the rest of the space tidy and clutter-free.

Once you've tidied your garden, it'll be so much easier to keep it tidy too!

Anyone who has ever lived both with and without proper storage in their home will know just how essential it is for everything to have a dedicated place. But while storage is key to a clutter-free home, many storage options can actually make your house dustier without you ever realising.

Yes, just as there are many items you need to declutter to prevent damp, there are so many storage options out there that are making your home so much dustier and dirtier. And before long, this will affect your home’s air quality, leave you struggling to get rid of dust, and potentially accelerate the deterioration of your belongings.

Cleaning more is obviously an easy solution to this problem, but making quick (and relatively inexpensive) changes to these storage options can also make a huge difference. So, these are the home storage mistakes making your home dustier - and what to do about it.

1. Open shelving

Many people aspire to have open shelving in their homes - from stylish open shelving in a kitchen to custom storage units in their living rooms. And while there’s no denying that they look good and make a space look so much more inviting, they’re a breeding ground for invisible particles like dust, dirt, pet dander, and even pollen.

This is echoed by Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co., who says, ‘Open shelving and uncovered storage (especially for items not used daily) can quickly become dust traps. This is particularly true in bedrooms and living spaces where soft furnishings are already holding onto allergens. Open shelving looks great, but it does mean committing to more regular cleaning.’

For those who love their open shelving but still want to maintain a dust-free home, regular damp dusting is the way forward. This dusting method will help you trap this dust with each pass over the open shelving, so you don’t simply spread it from one area of the shelf to the other. Just remember to damp dust underneath the items on the shelf, too.

2. Fabric and woven baskets

I’m a sucker for pretty-but-practical storage baskets that help to hide clutter and give everything a home. But if you’re worried about rising dust levels in your home - or you want to pollen-proof your home - it’s best to avoid using fabric or woven baskets.

Shannon explains, ‘Wicker, along with fabric storage boxes and rope baskets, tends to trap dust and is much harder to clean thoroughly. They can look lovely, but they’re not always the most practical choice for anyone sensitive to allergens or wanting to keep things in pristine condition.’ That doesn’t mean that you need to avoid storage baskets completely, though.

In a kitchen, swapping to glass containers can still be pretty and practical, and there are many plastic storage baskets and boxes that will still make a statement. Plus, fabric and woven baskets can still be used if you pick them properly - like choosing a wicker basket with large gaps between each weave, instead of choosing one that’s tightly woven. This way, you can still dust them.

3. Long-term storage

Unless you’re a keen minimalist, most people like to keep items that they don’t use regularly. These are those ‘just in case’ items, or memories that they just can’t bear to part with. And while there’s nothing wrong with this per se, these long-term storage areas can be a breeding ground for dust. In fact, professional organisers say that garages and lofts are forgotten too often.

Shannon says, ‘Boxes that are packed away and forgotten about (especially in lofts, cupboards or spare rooms) can become hotspots for dust and even mould if conditions are right. Regularly getting these items out and editing what you keep is important and gets the air moving.’

This is particularly dangerous if you opt for cardboard boxes, as they are difficult to clean and can damage the contents if they become damp or damaged. That’s why I’d suggest swapping these cardboard boxes for plastic storage boxes with airtight lids to keep dust and moisture at bay.

4. Under-bed storage

When you’re working with a small home and limited in-built storage space, the space under your bed can seem like the perfect solution. But what many people don’t realise is that experts don’t want you to store anything under your bed if you can help it - mainly because it’s a major dust hot-spot.

Shannon agrees, stating, ‘Overfilled or disorganised storage under the bed can restrict airflow and allow dust to gather in a place that’s already difficult to clean. This is not ideal in a space where you’re sleeping.’ This is especially true if you opt for fabric under-bed storage bags that can trap dust and dirt within the fibres.

Of course, you don’t have to avoid using the space under your bed if you really don’t have any other storage options. Opting for vacuum storage bags or roll-out plastic boxes can be a great compromise, as long as you regularly get under there and dust them. I’d also suggest using one of the best robot vacuum cleaners to vacuum under the bed, too.

5. Keeping clutter

While the above storage options can all lead to a build-up of dust and dirt in your home, one of the biggest contributors to dust is your belongings themselves. And Johnny Liang, Air Purifier Specialist at Levoit, says that a build-up of clutter will ultimately affect your air quality more than you think.

‘Cluttered spaces tend to accumulate more dust and pollen,’ he says. ‘Reducing unnecessary clutter, prioritising closed storage solutions, and running an air purifier continuously can help minimise allergens both at the source and in the air. This not only keeps the space tidier but also significantly improves overall living comfort.’

Because of this, knowing how often you should declutter and using one of the best air purifiers are key to keeping dust at bay. And when you get rid of items that you no longer want - or no longer serve you - you’ll find it easier to manage dust as time goes on, too. So, it’s a win-win.

Say goodbye to dust... not to practical storage!

I live in a Victorian mid-terrace home, so I have a very small garden. But while I don’t have oodles of space, I do have a lot of big garden ideas - and these two things don’t coexist very well. That’s why I couldn’t help my excitement when I spotted that this compact OUTSUNNY Garden Shed was reduced from £618.99 to £234.60 at Debenhams.

Like everyone else, I’m gearing up to spend the next few months enjoying the much-anticipated British summer. I want to tend to my plants in the sunshine, and hang out with friends and family (ideally with a burger and an ice cream in my hands). But with gardening tools, pots, cushions, dog toys and more cluttering up my small outdoor space, it’s not very relaxing.

So, I started searching the Debenhams garden storage sale for a compact shed that would help me hide and organise these ugly-but-practical garden items without taking over the entirety of my small garden - and I think I’ve found it!

In smaller outdoor spaces, it’s always best to opt for small garden storage ideas. But anyone who has gone in search of a compact shed will know that it’s still pretty difficult, with even the smallest wooden sheds still being too large for cosier spaces.

However, the OUTSUNNY Plastic Garden Shed is the perfect size, measuring 4 x 3 ft. This means it’s nice and compact, but still has roomy storage for everything from lawn mowers to large outdoor cushions. It also comes in two different colourways, so you can choose between light grey and dark grey.

If you do have a slightly larger space and need to store bigger garden items, though, the OUTSUNNY 7 x 4ft Metal Garden Shed is also reduced from £557.99 to £213.35 at Debenhams - making it even cheaper than the smaller size.

Personally, the smaller option suits my Victorian terraced garden best, and I love that this space-savvy shed also comes with a window to let natural light into the space while adding some much-needed character to what could be a very ugly addition to a small garden.

Plus, the vent above the door allows for proper airflow to prevent damp and mould from forming on your summer essentials throughout the year.

If you want extra peace of mind, the bargain OUTSUNNY shed also includes a secure latch lock, so you can rest easy knowing the contents are safe and sound. And for under £250, I really do think it’s a steal. Especially as it was over £600.

What I love most about this shed is that it builds on the garden wardrobe trend that’s taking over small gardens across the UK right now. This has allowed those who might typically avoid sheds to find more compact options that suit these smaller spaces - meaning small home dwellers can tackle garden clutter right there and then.

But these aren’t the only Debenhams garden storage deals to be had right now, and I’ve popped some of my favourites below.

Yes, small gardens CAN have storage too! And it's just a bonus when it's on sale.

I hate a messy fridge, but I also really struggle to keep it tidy. This ultimately creates a domino effect that has me second-guessing what to make for dinner, the foods I need to buy in my weekly food shop, and why it always smells so funky. And that’s why I’ve decided to finally make a change.

Of course, I know that the first step to organising a fridge is to go through and get rid of anything that’s out of date, and to group foods by shelf. But one thing I’ve learned from the things that people with a tidy kitchen always have is that storage solutions are key to clutter-free, organised spaces.

That’s why I’ve done my research and asked my tidiest friends, family and colleagues for their top tips on keeping a fridge tidy. And these are the game-changing tools and products they’ve used to turn their messy fridges into spaces that inspire them, save them money, maximise freshness and minimise odours.

1. Pull-out containers

Whether you have a small under-the-counter fridge or a giant American-style fridge-freezer, one thing they all have in common is that they are deep. And while this means that you can tuck the food items you don’t often use to the back of the fridge, this depth can also make things messier.

So, instead of reaching to the back of the fridge and knocking over everything in the process, those with tidy fridges always use pull-out containers. This way, you can always reach every item in there - no matter whether it’s at the back or the front.

Many retailers also offer specific containers for specific fridge items, like Joseph Joseph’s Fridgestore Under-Shelf Collapsible Bottle Holder (£14 at Joseph Joseph) and this Clear Fridge Storage Egg Box (£5 at Dunelm). Alternatively, you could opt for regular rectangular-shaped containers so you’re not restricted by the contents.

2. Herb growers

There’s nothing quite like using fresh herbs in your cooking, but piles of herb bags from the supermarket can quickly make a fridge look messy. And I don’t know about you, but I always find that they go limp and wet way before their use-by date. That’s why herb growers are such a win-win.

Both our Content Editor for Kitchens and Kitchen Appliance Editors, Holly and Molly, swear by herb organisers as essential fridge storage, and find that they help them keep their fridges tidy while also keeping herbs fresher for longer, so you’re not having to buy more every time you pop to the supermarket.

The KLIPPKAKTUS Herb Storage for Fridge (£6 at IKEA) slots neatly into the door of your fridge, but there are so many other options on the market to choose from - whether you have a lot of free space to work with, or you need it to be as compact as possible. Either way, you’ll be thankful to see the back of those plastic bags of herbs.

3. Lidded produce baskets

Most people don’t realise that a messy, cluttered fridge can lead to a buildup of moisture - and this moisture can be absorbed by your fresh produce to make them spoil more quickly. And while organising your fridge can work wonders, lidded produce baskets are the ideal addition to a tidy fridge.

Often called ‘crisper baskets,’ the sole purpose of these baskets is to keep fresh produce fresh and crisp. And being able to keep all of your fresh produce together, instead of having them loose and floating around your fridge, can also add a level of organisation to your fridge.

If you want to go the extra mile, you could also use vacuum-sealed containers for your fruit and veg, like the John Lewis Vacuum Seal Glass Storage Container (£10 at John Lewis), to remove the oxygen and keep fresh food fresher for longer. It even has a drainage tray insert to keep moisture away.

4. Fridge deodoriser

A tidy fridge isn’t just an organised one. A tidy fridge is also clean and odour-free, which is why it’s so important to regularly clean your fridge and keep on top of any smells you notice when you open up the door. Odour eliminators are ideal for keeping these odours at bay.

Many of these odour eliminators - like the Acana Fridge Odour Absorber (£4.99 at Lakeland) - also come with extra features, like built-in temperature gauges or even bacteria-busting filters. This all contributes to a clean and tidy fridge.

And when a fridge looks and smells clean, you feel more inclined to keep it clean. So, it’s somewhat of a mental game.

5. Lazy Susan

If you want to organise a fridge quickly and don’t want to spend too much money, a lazy Susan can be one of the best tools in your toolbox. That’s because, just like the pull-out containers, they allow you to reach everything in your fridge - so you always know what’s there, and don’t have to make a mess when finding what you want.

In fact, a lazy Susan can be used anywhere in the kitchen, and Bake Off star, Prue Leith, even uses one on her kitchen island. But if you choose to add one to your fridge, you can organise everything from your condiments and sauces to your cold drinks.

The 360-degree spin design of a lazy Susan will ultimately make access easier and prevent food from being forgotten or spoiling. Grouping foods and fridge items together like this can also allow you to declutter your shelves and fill ‘dead space’ in an organised fashion. So, it really is a worthwhile, but very cheap, investment.

So, it's time to start organising that fridge!

I’ve always struggled to keep my kitchen worktops tidy. Even if I’m not in the midst of cooking up a storm, they seem to act as the dumping ground for everything from my kitchen utensils and appliances to unwashed dishes and even junk mail. This then makes my entire kitchen look messy…. all the time.

And while I’ve recently been inspired to make changes to my kitchen based on what people with tidy kitchens always have, the worktops are particularly difficult to organise. Of course, I know that the first step is to declutter my kitchen worktops and get rid of anything that no longer serves me or my cooking space, but I need more to restore order once and for all.

That’s why I asked my tidiest friends, family members and colleagues for their tips on keeping their kitchen worktops tidy - and the tools and products that they use to maximise space while also minimising clutter. This is what they said.

1. Smart storage solutions

The key to organising kitchen worktops is to use smart storage solutions that give everything (or at least most things) a proper home. This will allow you to stop using your kitchen worktops as a ‘landing pad’, as you’ll know exactly where everything should go when you’ve finished using it.

This is a trick that so many people use to make their kitchen worktops work harder, but it’s important to note that the storage you use is typically determined by the space that you have available. For example, people with cluttered galley kitchens like me need to make use of the vertical space - so hanging hooks like this KINGRACK Kitchen Rail (£15.99 at Amazon) can work wonders.

If you have an oddly-shaped kitchen, corner shelves and racks can also help you slot storage into those worktop angles. Of course, you don’t have to get rid of everything on your kitchen worktops, but you do need to integrate some storage to keep your items organised.

2. A clutter bucket (or tray)

Smart kitchen storage is the first step toward tidy, clutter-free kitchen worktops, but it won’t work for everything you dump in the kitchen. After all, most of us also use this area for letters that need to be sorted, keys, and other items that don’t really have a proper home - or they’re just staying in the kitchen temporarily.

In this instance, you could take a leaf out of our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny’s, book and create a family command centre. But if that’s not quite your style, a clutter bucket or tray could also work in your kitchen. This is essentially a designated (but stylish) dumping ground for these items that you know you’ll eventually move elsewhere.

And opting for a clutter bucket with a lid - like the small basket in this Woodluv Set of 3 Seagrass Storage Boxes (£29.99 at Amazon) will also keep this clutter invisible as the days go by. Alternatively, a decorative tray keeps everything together in a neat little corner of the kitchen.

3. Appliance gliders

The bulkiest things, and ultimately the most clutter-inducing, found on kitchen worktops are generally the appliances - whether you have one of the best coffee machines, air fryers, toasters, or all of them and more. And as they’re used on a daily basis, it may seem like there’s not a lot you can do to tidy them up.

However, our Editor-in-Chief, Heather, swears by using the castor wheel appliance glider hack to tidy up her worktops and keep them clutter-free when she’s not cooking or making her morning coffee. She has used wheels like these 8 Pack Self Adhesive Mini Casters (£5.99 at Amazon) in her kitchen for a few years now.

She loves how they let her push her appliances into discreet corners of her kitchen worktops, then pull them out easily when she needs them, preventing scratches in the process. But you could even go one step further and create your own appliance garage, dedicating a cupboard or pantry to storing all your appliances in one place. This will keep them off your worktops completely.

4. A countertop vacuum

Cluttered worktops aren’t only caused by things. They’re also caused by crumbs and other dirt and debris that accumulates over time - especially if you’re not following cleaning experts’ advice to wipe down your worktops every day. But this is where a countertop vacuum can help you out, something I swear by as Ideal Home’s Vacuums Expert.

A countertop vacuum isn’t like the other best vacuum cleaners out there. It’s small, perfectly formed, and designed specifically for countertop cleaning and is compact enough to be stored in a kitchen drawer - or even on top of the coffee machine.

I use the Lakeland Mini Countertop Vacuum (£9.99 at Lakeland) religiously in my kitchen, using it to suck up spills as soon as they happen so they don’t get worse and make the worktops look messy. But there are so many other options out there, too, including mini dustpans and brushes.

5. Organised cupboards and drawers

If you want tidy kitchen worktops, you also need to understand what people with tidy kitchen cupboards always have. After all, messy kitchen cupboards can often spill onto the worktops and have a domino effect, making things much worse in the visible areas of your cooking space.

This is especially true if you want to prevent your cooking utensils, pots and pans from cluttering up your kitchen worktops, as the right storage inside your cupboards and drawers should not only free up space for everything to fit - but also keep them organised so they stay tidy as the months go by.

In my opinion, you can’t really have too many storage solutions in these critical kitchen areas, but you need to make sure that you choose the right option for the right items. For example, organise your cooking trays and chopping boards with this Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Baking Tray Rack (£20 at Amazon).

Say goodbye to kitchen worktop clutter! Now it's time to move on to tidying your fridge...

Now that the winter months have (thankfully) passed us by, it’s the perfect time to do a summer wardrobe switch-up - replacing your bulky winter clothes and coats with your warm-weather outfits. And Lakeland’s 50L Underbed Vacuum Clothes and Duvet Storage Tote Bag (£16.99 at Lakeland) is the clutter-free companion you need to get the job done properly.

Yes, one of the golden rules of organising a wardrobe is to rotate your clothes as the seasons change. It’s traditionally best to do this in the spring and then again in the autumn, removing the clothes you no longer need and replacing them with the ones you will. This will stop your wardrobe from bursting at the seams, so you know exactly what’s in there - and where to find it.

But where do you store the clothes you won’t wear while they’re not in season? Well, vacuum storage bags have long been my go-to for safe and easy clothes storage in small spaces. And while they tend to all look the same, I can understand why shoppers are raving about Lakeland’s underbed option. After all, it’s genius.

When you have a small wardrobe, it’s well worth storing your seasonal clothes so that only the essentials are taking up space. But where storage baskets and tubs are bulky and not small-space friendly, vacuum bags can instantly make big things smaller - especially long winter coats and chunky knits.

Lakeland’s 50L Underbed Vacuum Clothes and Duvet Storage Tote Bag is so much more than just a regular vacuum bag, though, and technically it’s two bags in one. You can store your out-of-season clothes inside the inner bag, then vacuum out the air before zipping the outer bag for an extra layer of protection.

This is particularly handy for winter clothes, which are often susceptible to damage from clothes moths, dust, and moisture during storage. But by adding this extra, outer bag, you can keep your clothes in pristine condition - and pop it anywhere from under your bed to on top of your wardrobe or even in the loft if you really don’t have any extra space.

The beauty of Lakeland’s storage bag is that it’s also big - and its 50L capacity has been designed to hold a double duvet and four pillows if you’re also looking to switch up your bedding for summer. Then, with easy-to-carry handles and a viewing window, you can also remove your clothes if you’ve realised you’ve accidentally packed something you shouldn’t, or check on their condition as the months go by.

But if you think you have more clothes or bedding than 50L will allow - or that just seems like way too much - you’ll be happy to know that Lakeland also has this exact design in a variety of different sizes.

This includes a jumbo 87L version (from Lakeland for £19.99), or a standard 38L version (£14.99 at Lakeland). And if you’d rather not have the outer bag so you can stuff your winter clothes in an empty suitcase in the loft, you can buy the bags on their own from Lakeland - including this pack of 6 Lakeland Shrink & Store Vacuum Bags for £14.99.

Personally, I think the 50L version will be perfect for my smaller wardrobe - and I’m not the only one excited about this space-saving saviour, either.

The reviews of this Lakeland bestseller are seriously impressive, with a large share of reviewers giving it a perfect 5-star rating. One happy customer raved, ‘This is the best vacuum bag I have used,’ while another echoed this and wrote, ‘These are the best vac bags I’ve tried. They look neat and tidy and are so well protected.’

Many have also praised the outer bag for not only protecting the clothes but also protecting the vacuum bag itself.

One customer wrote, ‘I have been looking for something like this for ages. I have used previous vacuum bags, but often end up snagging the bag on something, causing it to re-inflate! The outer bag for this prevents that, and the handles make it very easy to get in and out of the cupboard.’

Wardrobe organising essentials

So, if you’re planning on switching out your winterwear over the next few weeks, I’d definitely consider this genius Lakeland product to help keep things organised.

It’s been over a month since England’s new ‘Simpler Recycling’ rules came into force and allowed for simpler, standardised waste collection. And while they have undoubtedly allowed us to be more mindful of what we’re throwing into our recycling bins, those looking to declutter their sheds this spring might have a few questions.

Ultimately, there are so many things you can no longer recycle when decluttering inside the home. But as I perused these new recycling rules, I couldn’t help but notice that outdoor spaces are affected as well. And as it’s currently prime time to declutter a shed and set your garden up for summer success, these new rules have definitely put a spoke in the wheel.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t purge your unwanted items or get things organised, though. I’ve broken down all of the garden items you can no longer recycle when decluttering your shed to help you understand how these new rules and regulations will affect you. Plus, options for what to do with them instead.

Garden items you can no longer recycle

Just as there are many kitchen items you can no longer recycle when decluttering, there are also many garden items you can’t recycle at home if you live in England.

The full list of excluded items is available on gov.uk’s Simpler Recycling Scheme page. However, I’ve laid out the garden items you’re most likely to come across (and want to get rid of) when decluttering a shed below:

• Garden waste
• Plastic plant pots (black ones specifically)
• Metal packaging that has contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze
• Plastic bottles that have contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze
• Bulky waste (including garden furniture and fencing)
• Garden tools or other gardening equipment

Many local authorities may have already excluded these items from kerbside pickup before the new recycling rules came into effect, but it’s important to note that this is now the standardised rule for all waste collectors across England. This is to maintain consistent recycling, reducing confusion and potential contamination.

It is worth noting that some councils are exempt from these new regulations until 2043 at the latest. But it’s a good idea to understand the dos and don’ts now so you know what to do with items after decluttering.

Throwing them in your normal waste bin isn’t the only option, after all. Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co., says, ‘When it comes to decluttering your garden, the new recycling rules in the UK are encouraging more mindful disposal, but they also present a great opportunity to rethink how we pass items on.’

She adds, ‘As a professional organiser, I always remind clients that decluttering doesn’t always mean throwing things away. Often, there are more sustainable and community-driven options available.’

What to do with garden items if they can’t be recycled

1. Garden waste

The new Simpler Recycling rules have had a big effect on how you dispose of your garden waste. That’s because it’s now government-mandated that both food and garden waste must be collected separately from recycling waste.

To make things easier, many local authorities offer garden waste bins to residents (sometimes for free, sometimes for a small fee). However, some councils don’t have the funds or infrastructure available to do so. That’s why it’s important to also know how to get rid of garden waste without a garden waste bin.

Shannon explains, ‘Composting at home is another great long-term solution if you have the space, turning waste into something beneficial for your garden,’ and you can use something like this Crystals 300L Garden Compost Bin (£28.97 at Amazon) to help you do that. Alternatively, most household recycling centres accept green waste.

2. Plastic plant pots

It’s easy to assume that plastic = recyclable, but that isn’t always the case. Under the new Simpler Recycling rules, the Horticultural Trades Association states that it's become somewhat of a 'postcode lottery' when it comes to recycling these pots. Non-black pots are recyclable, but black are not. So, you'll need to find other ways to recycle them when decluttering your shed.

Thankfully, there are so many ways to do that, including many take-back schemes that promote a circular economy. This includes B&Q’s plant pot recycling scheme, which uses old plastic pots to make new ones that they sell in store.

Shannon also adds, ‘Many people are happy to take them for seedlings, so a simple “free” box outside your home can work brilliantly. You could also donate them to local allotments or independent garden centres, where they’ll almost certainly be reused. If you’re feeling creative, they’re great for repurposing too, for example, getting children involved in decorating them and growing their own plants.’

3. Packaging containing white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze

While plastic and metal bottles have typically been recyclable, there are caveats. That’s because any packaging that contains white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze is no longer able to be recycled when decluttering a shed - even if you’ve washed them out. This is because residual solvents can linger and contaminate the process.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t use them yourself, though. After all, there are so many ways to use plastic bottles in the garden - including making your own plant labels. Just try to avoid using them to water your plants, as you don’t want to contaminate them with any potentially hazardous material.

For paint, it’s a good idea to understand how to properly dispose of paint or find alternative ways to use paint around the house. If in doubt, your local household waste recycling centre should have a dedicated area for disposing of hazardous waste. Just make sure you check with them beforehand.

4. Bulky waste (including garden furniture and fencing)

Although wood, plastic and metal garden items can be recycled, they can’t be recycled via kerbside pickup. Most councils had these rules in place before the Simpler Recycling Scheme came into effect, but it’s now standardised across England, with waste collectors unable to collect it from outside your house at all.

This is generally because many of these materials - whether they’ve been used to make garden furniture or fencing - are stained or treated with chemicals that will contaminate the recycling process. However, many of these materials can be used for upcycling ideas for the garden. This includes making pallet furniture or even outdoor kitchens. So, keep that in mind when decluttering your shed.

Shannon adds, ‘If it’s in good condition, it’s worth contacting your nearest charity shop warehouse, as many accept larger items and even offer free collection after reviewing photos. Selling through Facebook Marketplace is also great at this time of year, when people are looking for affordable outdoor pieces.’

5. Garden tools or other gardening equipment

It may seem like common sense to avoid putting garden tools or other gardening equipment in your recycling bin when decluttering your shed, but the new recycling rules explicitly prohibit waste collectors from accepting them.

This could give you the chance to second-guess your decluttering decision, and you may simply need to invest in better shed storage or give your tools and equipment some TLC to bring them back up to scratch. Something like this Spear & Jackson 6-in-1 Blade Sharpener (£16.99 at Amazon) can help to revive things like garden shears and loppers.

Shannon adds, ‘Allotments and community gardening groups are often grateful for donated tools, especially if they’re still functional. Some recycling centres also have reuse shops on-site, where tools can be passed on rather than thrown away. Alternatively, including them in a car boot sale alongside other unwanted items can be a simple way to sell a larger amount of stuff in one go.’

Happy shed decluttering!

It’s been almost a month since the new ‘Simpler Recycling’ rules came into effect across England. And while this new scheme aims to simplify and standardise waste collection nationwide, there’s no denying that many people (myself included) still have a lot of questions - especially when it comes to decluttering the kitchen.

While there are many things you can no longer recycle when decluttering under these new recycling rules, a quick glance at the full list shows that the kitchen is one of the worst-affected areas of the home. And as recycling has always been one of the best ways to get rid of items after decluttering the kitchen, these new rules have certainly put a spanner in the works.

To help you understand how these new rules affect you and your decluttering efforts this spring, I’ve broken down the exact kitchen items you can no longer declutter - and what you can do about them instead. This way, you can continue your decluttering efforts without any unanswered questions.

Kitchen items you can no longer declutter

While it’s fairly common knowledge that recycling isn’t your first port of call when you want to dispose of kitchen appliances, there are many other kitchen items you might assume are recyclable.

But in accordance with the government’s new 'Simpler Recycling’ scheme, these are the kitchen items you also can't recycle at home in England:

• Drinking glasses
• Glass cookware (like Pyrex jugs)
• Ceramic crockery
• Cutlery
• Pots and pans
• Coffee pods

Many local authorities may already have restricted kitchen essentials, such as drinking glasses and cutlery, from kerbside pickup due to the dangers they pose if broken. However, waste collectors have now been told they don’t need to collect any of the items above (though they can if they want to).

It’s worth noting that 78 local councils are exempt from these new regulations until 2040 (and beyond). Because of this, it’s important to check in with your own local authority to see if these new rules apply.

If you find that these new recycling rules do affect you and you’re worried about how they'll impact your kitchen declutter, you don’t need to be.

What to do with kitchen items if they can’t be recycled

1. Drinking glasses

Recycling glass has always been a grey area. That’s because different types of glass melt at different temperatures, which makes the recycling process difficult (and that’s before we mention their tendency to shatter). In most cases, drinking glasses have rarely been accepted in household recycling bins.

Under these new recycling rules, however, items like glass tumblers and wine glasses are banned completely - but that doesn’t mean that you can’t bin them at all. If they’re broken, wrap them in protective paper and put them in your general waste bin. Alternatively, take them to your local Household Recycling Centre to recycle them properly.

If they’re not broken, they may just need a more thorough clean using something like this Dri-Pak Clean & Natural Bicarbonate of Soda (£3.99 at Amazon). You could then donate to a charity shop, or sell online or at a car boot.

2. Glass cookware

Similar to the above, the new rules also state that you can’t recycle glass cookware in England. So, if you’ve decluttered your kitchen and come across old Pyrex jugs, ovenware or casserole dishes that you no longer want or need, don’t throw them in your recycling bin.

If they are unbroken, you can donate them to charity or upcycle them. In fact, just like reusing Gu pots, there are so many ways to reuse glass cookware. You could use them as a storage solution for smaller items or even turn them into candles using a set like this Candle Making Kits for Beginners (£19.99 at Amazon).

If they are broken, it’s best to wrap them in paper and pop them in your normal waste bin or recycle them at your local recycling centre.

3. Ceramic crockery

From mugs to plates, bowls, and earthenware, ceramic cookware and crockery have become increasingly popular. However, these are some of the many items that have been banned under the new recycling rules.

Thankfully, there are ways to reuse them around the house. One of my best hacks for reusing old mugs is to make a DIY bird feeder and chirpcuterie board. All you’ll need to do that yourself is some string and a bird feed mix like this Extra Select Seed Mix (£8.19 at Amazon).

You can even use an old bowl as a DIY bird bath. But if you don’t want to keep it, any ceramic crockery that’s still in good condition can easily be donated to charity shops, and you may even find that you can fetch a nice price for it by selling online. If it’s broken, wrap it and place it in your general waste bin to prevent injury.

4. Cutlery

Cutlery trends come and go, and if you’re decluttering your kitchen and come across old cutlery that you no longer want, don’t put it in your recycling bin, as it can’t be collected via kerbside pickup. Donating is your best option here.

If you’re not sure who to donate to, Anglo Doorstep Collections can pick up your old kitchenware - including your cutlery - for free. This initiative will also take many of the other items on this list, including pots and pans, crockery and glasses. They will then donate it on your behalf to those who need it more.

Of course, you could also sell it - especially if it’s silver cutlery. Emma Eldrige, a valuations expert at H&T Pawnbrokers, explains that the price of silver is at an all-time high right now and ‘If you’re unsure whether something is genuine silver, look for hallmarks such as ‘925, ‘Sterling’, or traditional assay office symbols.’ But if you really don’t want it, recycle it with scrap metal at your local recycling centre.

5. Pots and pans

There comes a time in every kitchen pot or pan's life when it needs to stop being used for everyday cooking. And instead of leaving it to clutter your kitchen cupboards, why not donate it? Kate Dufton, a Professional Organiser at Ace Your Space, says, ‘Donate pots and pans to nurseries or schools for role playing and outdoor mud kitchens.’

If you want to use them elsewhere, there’s a lot you can do with old pots and pans. You can use them in the garden to make your own planters and hanging baskets, use them for your seedling starters, or even as makeshift bird baths. To jazz them up, you could use this Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface Gloss Paint (from £12 at Dunelm).

If you really don’t want your pots and pans any longer and want to get rid of them completely, there’s a high chance that your local household recycling centre may be able to take them, generally in the scrap metal section.

6. Coffee pods

One thing everyone should know before buying a coffee machine is that, while coffee pods can be recycled, they can’t be recycled at home - especially now that the Simpler Recycling rules have come into effect. However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be recycled at all.

Some coffee machine manufacturers offer their own take-back schemes when you use their subscriptions, but you can also use schemes like Podback, which will pick up and recycle your plastic and aluminium for you. Many household recycling centres have also introduced their own designated coffee pod recycling bins, too.

A lot of them will also ask you to separate your plastic pods from your aluminium ones. And disposing of coffee pods is incredibly important, as these kitchen items are often too small to be separated from other recycled materials.

New recycling rules came into effect across England on the 31st March 2026. And while this new 'Simpler Recycling' scheme has many benefits, it’s hard to ignore that it’ll also make decluttering harder. So, it’s important to be aware if you’re having a clear-out this spring.

I’m a huge advocate for a good decluttering session. Purging unwanted items can create a calm, clutter-free space, and until recently, recycling has been one of the best ways to get rid of items after a declutter. But under these new recycling rules, many items we could previously put in our recycling bins are no longer allowed.

The caveat is that many councils are exempt from these new regulations until 2043, but if your local authority has already made changes, it’s important to understand your options. And if you plan to declutter anytime soon, these are the items you can no longer recycle and what to do with them instead.

Clutter you can no longer recycle

To make things easier, I’ve compiled a list of items you can no longer put in your recycling bin under the new 'Simpler Recycling’ scheme:

• Drinking glasses
• Candle jars
• Glass cookware
• Vases
• Mirrors
• Ceramics
• Cutlery
• Pots and pans
• Kettles
• Irons
• Plastic plant pots

Depending on your local authority, items such as drinking glasses and candle jars may already have been restricted from kerbside pickup due to their potential to contaminate the recycling process.

However, these new rules have standardised these exclusions across England, with every local council required to comply - either now or by 2048 at the very latest.

Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you have to hold on to your clutter. Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, says, ‘Whilst the new regulations may make it feel like fewer items can be recycled at home, there are still plenty of practical and sustainable options available.’

What to do with your unwanted items if they can’t be recycled

1. Use a recycling scheme

It’s important to note that while the items above are no longer available for kerbside pickup, many can still be recycled - it just requires a little more work on your part. This is especially true if you want to recycle plastic plant pots.

Not only can you use schemes like B&Q’s plant pot recycling scheme (which is available in over 100 stores nationwide), but it may be that your local authority offers alternative static recycling sites for glass bottles and jars too. These can typically be found in supermarket car parks or by community centres.

As Shannon explains, ‘Your local recycling centre is still a great first port of call if you need to dispose of them. Many accept items that can’t go in household bins, and some even have reuse shops where usable pieces can be donated.’

2. Rehome them

Whether you’re decluttering to save money while moving house or just switching up your home decor, and want to get rid of items that still have lots of life left in them, rehoming them is another great option.

You can offer up your unwanted items to friends and family instead of simply throwing them away, and most people would jump at the chance to take them off your hands - especially if this involves a new (well, old) mirror or sturdy Pyrex dish, as you can no longer declutter certain kitchen items.

If they don’t want them, offer them to the local community. ‘Candle jars and similar containers can be ideal for charity art groups or community centres, where they’re often used as water pots or for storing supplies,’ Shannon says. ‘Plant pots can be offered to local allotments, community gardens or forest schools, where they’re usually very gratefully received.’

3. Upcycle them

If you can’t recycle your clutter under the new regulations, why not try upcycling? Many unwanted items can be given a second life if you’re willing to get a bit creative - especially if something is simply not your taste.

You could turn an ugly mirror into something that suits your style with simple adornments, or pop it outside to create a unique garden mirror idea. The same applies to candle jars and vases, as you can use a set like this Candle Making Kit (£24.99 at Amazon) to refill them yourself.

If you want to avoid spare jars and vases in the future, our Home Decor Editor, Sara, is a huge fan of refillable candles - and one of her favourites is the M&S Apothecary Calm Candle & Refill Set (£12 at M&S). This way, you know you’ll always be able to upcycle and repurpose your purchase.

4. Sell them

You know what they say: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and this is something to remember when decluttering. After all, you can often turn clutter into cash if you’re willing to sell it.

You’d be surprised what people will buy, so it’s always worth trying to sell as much as you can - whether that’s at in-person car boot sales or online via reselling sites such as Vinted, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.

As Shannon explains, ‘For vases, platforms like Facebook Marketplace are great, as many people search for affordable options for weddings or events, especially for DIY table settings.’ This way, you can ensure your unwanted items have a new life instead of being thrown away.

5. Think about future purchases

These new recycling rules affect everyone in England, so it’s worth keeping them in mind when you make future purchases too. To make this easier, keep track of what you can still recycle - which will also help you understand what you can’t.

To get around these rules and make life easier in the long run (especially if you plan on decluttering again soon, or just want to maintain a clean and tidy home), you could invest in new recycling bins or a compost bin for your garden to adhere to the rule changes for garden waste bins, too.

But more than anything, it might make you think twice before making that next purchase - especially if it’ll only serve a temporary purpose. Will it be easy to get rid of when you no longer want it? Is it worth it? In some cases, it might not be.

Happy decluttering!

There's nothing worse than a cluttered house, but you don't need to throw out everything you own and live like the ultimate minimalist to have a tidy home. Instead, you just need the right storage.

But to be totally honest, a lot of the storage options out there aren't pretty. They're big, bulky, and often made from plastic that just doesn't fit anyone's home decor - and finding pretty storage baskets out there can feel like an impossible task.

Luckily, I've done the hard work for you! I've scoured the internet for the prettiest (but still practical) storage baskets on the market today, helping you curb the chaos no matter whether you're looking for unique toy storage ideas or a clever clutter buster for a small home.

So, feast your eyes on these aesthetic storage options you can add to your home - without compromising on style.

These storage baskets really do offer a win-win situation, but if you're looking for more organisation tips, it might be worth checking out the other things people with a tidy home always have.

IKEA has just dropped a new space-saving bin for just £4, which is perfect for organising your recycling. With new recycling rules coming into effect around the country, it couldn't have landed at a better time.

There aren’t many instances where I feel excited writing about kitchen bin ideas. But, with the new Simpler Recycling rules having come into effect on 31 March, and for some of us, bringing with it more bins to contend with, IKEA is providing an easy way to keep your waste organised.

The TRÖSKNING £4 bin looks very similar to Lakeland’s Rotho Albula Recycling Waste Bin Fern Green Colour 25L (£19.99), with both convincing me that this style of caddy is exactly what I need to keep my recycling waste organised.

Space isn’t a premium in my flat, and doing the bins is my least favourite job. So, I do use ‘being a home’s journalist’ to justify spending lots of my work time researching space-saving bins that promise to make the job easier. At home, I’m using the Habitat 55 Litre 2 Compartment Recycling Bin (£70), which is a great size for storing both the general waste and recycling of two adults.

My building has large communal recycling bins outside, so the two-compartment bin works well for us. However, for individual homes, investing in the TRÖSKNING bin can be especially helpful if you’re short on space and have a lot of recycling waste.

Unless you’re under one of the 79 councils that have delayed the new recycling rules, you’ll be getting used to separating all your recycling into different bins. The TRÖSKNING Bin makes this a breeze. With a large 12L, this compact recycling bin can be used freestanding or stacked on top of each other to save space, and allow for recycling organisation before you take your waste outside.

Available in an icy blue (which is a popular colour trend for 2026) and classic beige that will blend right into your home’s decor. It has a small hatch at the front, allowing you to dispose of recycling such as plastic, tins and glass. You should bear in mind that it’s designed for dry materials, so if you’re looking to recycle food waste, the Joseph Joseph Food Waste Caddy (£29.99, Amazon) is a far better choice.

We’re not the only ones impressed with this smart bin, either. The TRÖSKNING Bin has already racked up a host of positive reviews, with shoppers raving about how effective it is at organising recycling.

‘I have two for recycling that fit neatly and discreetly in my kitchen. May get more. Well made, good value for money,’ said one review.

‘Perfect size, so easy to carry out to recycling bins. Love the flap to add the rubbish in. Stackable, which is handy!’ said another.

Trust me, organising your recycling as you go does make the job faster and easier. Investing in these incredibly affordable bins helps you do exactly that. Select one for each waste type, and see how much easier sorting recycling becomes.

Currently, my husband and I are selling our first home and buying our second. And while it was a long and arduous task to get offers accepted due to instability in the housing market, the feedback on our house was always the same: viewers loved it and thought it was in perfect, clutter-free condition.

This wasn’t just a fluke, though. Before putting our house on the market, we spent a great deal of time researching how to declutter before selling a house and decided to go through it from top to bottom. We thought hard about what we wanted our new house to look like and what we wanted to take with us, and we decluttered anything we knew we definitely didn’t want.

This process was hugely beneficial to us, not only in cutting moving costs but also in adding some extra cash to our pockets during one of the biggest financial commitments we’ve ever made. After all, every penny helps and turning your clutter into cash is an easy way to do just that.

1. Books

One thing to know about me? I’m a big reader. I’ve also dreamed of having a huge library in my home (I blame Beauty and the Beast for that), so I’ve happily hoarded books for decades. But the sad reality is that I’ll never have the space for what I want, which is why they’ve been piled up in my office or stored in the loft since we moved in.

As it’s not wise to store books in the loft, I knew I had to start decluttering the ones I definitely wouldn't read again, and those that didn't have any sentimental value. I then sold many of them via World of Books, which lets you recycle books for cash quickly and easily through the app.

All in all, I've made about £80 selling my unwanted books, and not having piles everywhere made the space look so much more inviting during the valuation and subsequent viewings of my house. Just be warned that World of Books doesn’t accept every book, so I just donated my leftovers to my local charity shop.

2. Old clothes

It’s not a decision everyone would make, but I don’t have a single wardrobe in my house - and I never have. That’s because we have an (admittedly very small) dressing room off our master bedroom, and we’ve always used a combination of chests of drawers and a large hanging rail for our clothes. In fact, this SONGMICS Clothes Rack on Wheels (£34.99) has lasted us a few years now.

And while having clothes on display has always kept things relatively tidy, I’d known for a while that it was still full of clothes that no longer fit or weren’t quite my style. As I also rotate my clothes seasonally, some were stored in these Mixed Vacuum Storage Bags (£10 at Argos) in the loft too.

So, I went through everything and sold 90% on Vinted. The rest I offered up to friends and family, or donated to the local charity shop. Freeing up space instantly made the room look brighter and bigger, which is always a great selling point. Because of this, it was a win-win.

3. Unwanted furniture

When we moved into this house, the furniture came with us. But while we've we've since bought new stuff, we kept the older furniture just in case we needed it. We know we don't want to take this to our new house, though, so we decided to declutter it.

Thankfully, there are so many ways to get rid of items after a declutter, and while we donated some pieces of furniture to charity and even popped some outside our house for neighbours to grab for free, there were other pieces that seemed a little too nice to simply give away. So, we sold them instead.

My go-to choice when selling second-hand furniture is Facebook Marketplace, and we sold some spare dining room chairs, an office chair and desk, a bookcase, and even old freestanding lamps for around £200 in total. This meant that they weren’t stashed away in cupboards, either, which made the available storage space look so much better during viewings.

4. Garden and DIY tools

There are so many garden features that help sell a home, and I always think a large shed is a major selling point. This is something we have, but until recently, it was a dumping ground for all the outdoor ‘things’ we struggled to store. In fact, the whole shed was bursting at the seams and looked awful.

While I knew this wouldn’t be a dealbreaker for potential buyers, I still wanted to make it look presentable and clutter-free for viewings. So, we took some time to declutter the shed and go through everything that had been stashed there over the years. We uncovered an old lawnmower, an old BBQ, and lots of garden and DIY tools we no longer needed or wanted to take to the new house.

So, we decided to sell these on Facebook Marketplace, too. They didn’t fetch much compared to what we paid for them, but the shed honestly looks brand new. We then used these 5m Adjustable Cable Straps (£9.99 at Amazon) to bundle all the leftover garden tools for easy moving (a nice hack suggested by our removals company).

5. Everyday clutter

While a lot of my decluttering efforts before putting my house on the market revolved around actively removing things from my home and selling them, I didn’t get rid of every piece of clutter. After all, clutter can still be useful, and we all need to keep essentials and everyday items nearby.

That’s why I also focused on simply rehoming every day, visible clutter in the run-up to the professional photos being taken and the viewings taking place. It’s well-known that this can help to sell your home faster as it makes a home feel more inviting and allows the viewer to imagine themselves in the space.

Hiding clutter for house viewings can be difficult when cupboards are inspected by estate agents and viewers, but I found my DUSK Ascot Ottoman Bed (£299 at DUSK) to be the key to our success, as I could hide things like my dog’s toys, bathroom toiletries, smaller kitchen appliances and anything else that looked unsightly in there.

Decluttering these things has not only helped me turn clutter into cash, but it will also help us spend less on moving day. It really is the gift that keeps on giving...

It may be a cliché, but spring is one of the best times to give your home a spruce-up and tackle excess clutter. And for my spring reset this year? I’ll be using the Doom Diamond method.

As someone who can sometimes struggle with making snap decisions when decluttering, I need a decluttering method that breaks decisions into a logical, organised process. The Doom Diamond method helps give somewhat ‘homeless’ items a permanent place, or allows you to let go as part of a logical process, making it a great choice if you’re someone who finds decluttering overwhelming.

Requiring you to make a ‘diamond’ shape of four boxes, this organising method is as visual as it is effective. Here’s how it works, and why I think it’s great for any spring reset you have planned this year.

What is the doom diamond method?

I’ll admit that when I first read ‘doom’, I immediately assumed that it was referring to the feeling of dread that can come about when faced with a huge decluttering task. I was wrong. It is actually an acronym for ‘didn’t organise, only moved,’ referring to the items in our home that never seem to have a permanent place.

The method was posted to an Instagram reel by content creator and pro organiser Abigail Roe, who explained that for this method, you take your ‘doom’ items. Place them in the middle of four boxes, which are categorised as trash, action items, items with a home and items with a home. Simply, put each item in the box that aligns most with its purpose. Old birthday cards might be best placed in the trash box, while a broken bracelet could be an ‘action item’ as you can fix it before using it again.

‘Rather than tackling everything all at once, the method encourages you to place that pile in front of you and sort items into four distinct groups, arranged in a diamond shape. These usually include things to discard, items that have a place elsewhere in the home, tasks that require action, and items you want to keep but haven’t yet assigned a permanent home,’ explains Hannah Randall, furniture and decluttering expert at Oak&More

‘A helpful way to approach it is to work in small sections, like a drawer or a single surface, rather than an entire space. This keeps the process manageable and stops it from becoming overwhelming. The idea is to create quick momentum, rather than aiming for perfection straight away.’

For this method, I recommend picking up some large storage boxes (like these Really Helpful boxes at Argos) to help with organising your belongings, while a label maker (£15.99 at Amazon) can help distinguish your categories.

Is this a good method for a spring reset?

A spring reset does what it says on the tin, it's a natural point in the year to have a clear out and clean. It's a new version of the classic idea of a 'spring clean', which focuses on the decluttering aspect as much as the cleaning.

I'm using the Doom Diamond method to declutter my home before carrying out a spring clean to help me visually break down excess clutter in my home, making the process quicker and easier.

‘Traditionally, spring is the time for deep cleaning, but you cannot clean properly if your surfaces are obstructed by stagnant piles of items. The Doom Diamond approach emphasises quick wins, such as disposing of waste and moving objects, which immediately gives you a sense of visual satisfaction and motivates you to keep going. It shows a path to efficiently resetting your home this spring,’ says Max Wilson, Co-Founder at Pocket Storage.

‘This method is ideal for anyone paralysed by ‘all-or-nothing’ thinking. It works especially well in busy households where miscellaneous piles of paperwork, toys, and hobby gear accumulate in high-traffic areas. By providing structure and clear categories, it prevents overwhelm and ensures decluttering feels achievable and even satisfying.’

It’s also a great method for those of us who have short attention spans or don’t want to spend hours decluttering and organising.

‘Setting a timer, even for 20 minutes, can be a great way to approach this method. Because you’re working in clear categories, you can see progress almost immediately. Even short sessions can make a noticeable difference, which helps build momentum. For many people, that initial sense of progress is what keeps them going,’ says Hannah.

‘It also mirrors how people naturally declutter, starting with quick decisions and building momentum. This makes it feel more intuitive than stricter organising systems. It’s important not to overthink each item. If you hesitate too long, it’s usually something you don’t need day-to-day. Keeping that mindset can help speed up the process and make it far more effective.’

If this sounds like you, it can be beneficial to try this method this spring. I’d also suggest investing in some clever clutterbusters to help keep your home in order after you’ve finished decluttering.

My home is well overdue for a reset this spring. But with a method like the Doom Diamond in my decluttering arsenal, I know I can achieve fast and effective results.

Your hallway is the first thing your friends, family, and visitors see when they enter your home. How it looks sets the tone for the rest of your house and invites nosy guests to make their first impression, and that comes with a lot of pressure for it to look perfect.

And while it’s always a good idea to be inspired by the things people with a tidy hallway always have, I know from first-hand experience that you can’t always trust your own judgment. After all, when you live in a space for so long, and your cleaning schedule becomes almost robotic, it’s incredibly easy to become houseblind to your own clutter.

This means your visitors can spot things in your hallway that just don’t register with you anymore, which is why I thought I’d remind you of the messy things guests always notice in your hallway so you can tackle them head-on before they arrive.

1. Cluttered shoes

There are so many benefits to being a shoes-off household, but ditching shoes at the door can result in a lot of clutter - especially if you have a small, compact hallway with limited space for proper shoe organisation. And when guests arrive and add even more shoes into the mix, your hallway can become an instant mess.

This is why temporary or permanent shoe storage is key when hosting. Personally, I swear by this shoe storage hack I used while hosting over Christmas, where I invited all of my guests to pop their shoes into this Storivo Shoe Organiser (£14.99 at Amazon) when they arrived. I stashed it under a table and out of the way when in use, and then folded it down for easy storage when they’d gone.

There are so many other options you could choose from, though - and sometimes simply asking them if they’re happy for you to move their shoes into another room can work wonders. But if you want to add proper shoe storage into the mix, just make sure to avoid anything big or bulky, and opt for something that’ll hide the actual shoes from view.

2. Messy coats and bags

A hallway is one of the most practical areas of the house, and it’s often where many families store the ‘outside essentials’ - like their coats, bags and school backpacks. And while this makes sense for everyday life, nosy (and judgmental) guests can often think that this collection of essentials looks messy.

And while you could simply let guests think what they want, those who want to make a positive impact on their visitors could consider organising these things in advance of their arrival. Personally, I always find that a coat rack is so much tidier than hooks on a wall, as all the coats and bags can be kept in one small area rather than cluttering an entire wall. This coat rack, £34 at Habitat, is the perfect size for a small hallway.

In fact, I prefer to keep hooks among the things people with a tidy under-the-stairs cupboard always have. But I do think that slimline units that can house both shoes and a small selection of coats can also work in a larger hallway - as long as they’re not encroaching on essential entryway space.

3. Piles of post

I don’t know about you, but my hallway always becomes the dumping ground for the post that comes through the door. I don’t know what to do with it, so I place it on the console table and hope that it (along with the rest of the pile) magically sorts itself out. But this is one of the messy areas that guests always notice.

Of course, I don’t want my nosy visitors peeking at my bills or my next doctor’s appointment, either, so sorting out this pile of post is in everyone’s best interest. And while the best way to combat this clutter is to file it in a different room and in something like this Albers Chrome Filing Cabinet (£85 at Habitat), there are other ways to organise it while still keeping it in the hallway.

Focus on storage solutions that will keep all of the post together in one tidy corner of the hallway, or you could be inspired by Jenny, our Senior Digital Editor, who set up a family command centre to deal with all of these important documents and reminders.

4. Bulky furniture

Unless you’re blessed with a hallway of dreams, most people’s hallways are relatively small in size. And just like the messy things that guests always notice in your bathroom, using the wrong furniture can make a space look cluttered and chaotic.

Bulky items like big storage benches may seem like a surefire way to organise your hallway and keep all of the essentials in one area, but using them in the wrong hallway - i.e a small one - can actually have a negative impact. That’s why it’s well worth ditching the bulky furniture in favour of slimline, space-saving ones instead.

Our Print Assistant, Maddie, swears by the IKEA Bissa unit for her narrow hallway, and almost every retailer out there now offers space-saving furniture that’ll still add practical storage to your space. They’ll make a hallway look so much tidier and combat the messy look they might have previously judged you for.

5. Those ‘when I get round to it’ items

A hallway often becomes a halfway house for the things that don’t quite belong in the home. These are the ‘when I get round to it’ items, like the parcels that need to be taken back to the Post Office, the piles of kids’ clothes that are waiting to be picked up by your mum friend, and the other temporary items that don’t have a home in your house.

And while it makes sense to keep them in your hallway so you don’t forget, these items can instantly make a space look messy - which is something your nosy guests will undoubtedly judge you for. That’s why the first port of call should always be to relocate them before your guests arrive, or, better yet, actually take them to the Post Office and drop them off at your friends’ house.

However, if you don’t have space, making the most of a clutter bucket could be a solution. These come in so many different shapes and forms, and one option I love is utilising a stair basket to keep these items nearby but out of reach of prying eyes when you’re hosting.

Combat this clutter, and your guests won't have any reason to judge...

If you love hosting, you’ll know that there’s nothing better than opening up your home to friends and family. But it’s hard to deny that there’s also a lot of pressure to make your home look perfect - especially in shared areas that you know they’ll be using (and probably judging).

And while one of the best ways to ensure your house is always guest-ready is to make use of the rooms they won’t be using, this gets a little complicated in communal areas like the bathroom. All it takes is one trip to the loo, and nosy guests will be quick to judge everything they see in front of them… even if you think you’ve done a good cleaning job.

After all, so many of us are houseblind to our own clutter, which is why it’s important to step back and see things from your guests’ point of view. Is there something on show that needs to be hidden? Do you need to move something elsewhere? These are the messy things guests always notice in your bathroom, and what to do about it.

1. Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Bathroom essentials are exactly that: essential. That’s why it’s not a bad thing to find toothbrushes and toothpaste in a bathroom, as they’re the everyday items you and your family use regularly. But while they probably don’t look messy to you, guests often find them a little off-putting.

This is because toothbrushes and toothpaste (and other tooth-y items) are usually kept by the same sink that guests wash their hands in, meaning they’ll stare directly at them for at least 20 seconds - probably while humming "Happy Birthday" twice from start to finish. This can be especially horrifying for guests if they’re dirty and scummy.

The trick here isn’t to get rid of them, though. Sometimes, relocating them to a different area of the bathroom, or using one of the things people with tidy bathrooms have to hide them from view, is the solution. There are also so many aesthetically pleasing toothbrush holders out there, too. My current favourite? This Wavy Stripe Bathroom Tumbler (£6 at John Lewis).

2. Shower and bath toiletries

The logical place to keep shower and bath toiletries in your bathroom is right beside (or even inside) the shower and bath. And while caddies and in-shower shelves like this Kitsure 2 Pack Rustproof Shower Caddy (£12.99 at Amazon) can be a game-changer when you need clever bathroom storage, they can look incredibly chaotic.

These bottles and potions are some of the messy things guests always notice in your bathroom, as they’re typically big, bulky, and always look out of place alongside your bathroom fittings and decor. Of course, it’s not the end of the world if your guests know that you clean yourself (shocker!), but you can make it look tidier if you want.

Focus on decluttering what you no longer need, pop the uglier items in a cupboard while guests come by, or you could decant your products into sleeker, more stylish bottles that can be attached to the bathroom walls for that luxe, hotel-like feel.

3. Toilet paper

One of the first rules of hosting is having enough toilet rolls in the bathroom so nobody gets caught short, but there’s no denying that toilet rolls aren’t easy to store - and they’re not the prettiest, either. Because of this, it’s easy for them to look messy if they’re placed on top of or to the side of the toilet.

But what can you do about it so your guests don’t judge you for it? Our Content Editor, Holly, swears by a bathroom toilet-roll storage hack that lets you add a small curtain around your sink or open shelving to hide them from your guests’ view. Something like this Frilled Slot Top Unlined Undercounter Curtain (£15 at Dunelm) would do the trick.

If that’s not a route you want to go down, there are so many other options out there - from buying sleek and stylish toilet roll holders to storing them in wicker baskets with lids so they’re not visible at all. This way, they can remain nearby without making the space look messy.

4. Wet, crumpled towels

In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than visiting someone’s house and wiping your hands on a damp, crumpled towel. It makes me wonder what kind of germs are lingering there, and it makes the whole bathroom look (and feel) messy and unloved - especially if there are other towels hanging haphazardly elsewhere.

Your guests probably think the same when they visit your house, which is why it’s always a good idea to refresh and fold your towels before they arrive. This will only take you seconds, but in the long term, you might want to think about your bathroom towel storage ideas.

Sometimes, simply switching up how you store and present the towels in your bathroom can make a huge difference to your experience - and your guests’. This can be especially handy if your towels are looking a little old and worn out, as you could opt for a solution that completely hides them from view.

5. Bathroom bin

In my eyes, a bathroom bin is a must. It’s a handy way to dispose of all manner of bathroom items, from sanitary products to tissues, floss, cotton buds, makeup wipes, and any empty cosmetics and toiletries that can’t be recycled. But a bin is also one of the messy things that guests always notice in your bathroom.

This is primarily because bins aren’t attractive items, and they can often stick out like a sore thumb - especially if they don’t have a lid and are in an open, visible area of the room. They can be off-putting, and most people (both the guests and the hosts alike) don’t want the other to see what’s in there.

To maintain privacy and hide it from your nosy visitors, the solution here is simple: hide or change the bin. Hiding can work if you’re confident your guests won’t need it while they’re in your home, but changing it to one that looks better and has a lid is a happy medium for everyone.

With these handy storage solutions in your bathroom, you'll impress your guests AND keep clutter at bay.

Because I live that rock-and-roll lifestyle, I’ve spent the weekend decluttering my shed. And do you know what? It was SO satisfying. The whole thing was bursting at the seams after years of neglect, and it was filled with clutter we no longer wanted or needed. But now it’s a lot emptier, I’m on a mission to make it tidier (and keep it that way).

Of course, there are so many amazing shed storage ideas out there, but the reality is that most people - like me - have a relatively small shed that’s main aim is to house the lawn mower, gardening tools, outdoor furniture cushions, and anything else that’s just a bit too dirty to be housed inside. And when space is limited, it’s easy for things to look messy and unorganised.

But in a bid to become more like the people with tidy sheds, I’ve been scouring the internet for the storage solutions my shed desperately needs. And these are the clever clutter-busters I’m snapping up to make my shed neat and tidy - and prevent mess from building up again.

1. A shelving unit

I’m no Charlie Dimmock by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to wiggle my green fingers every once in a while - so I have a lot of pots, compost and gardening items in my shed. My husband is also a big DIY man and car obsessive, so he also uses the shed to store his tools, car cleaning solutions and a collection of rags and sponges.

At the moment, all of these smaller items are shoved in buckets or in cardboard boxes for safekeeping. This means that they not only take up a lot of valuable floor space (making it impossible to actually walk inside the shed), but they also make it look incredibly messy. But now I know that one of the best ways to organise a shed is to use shelves.

Sadly, my old wooden shed isn’t really strong enough for wall-mounted shelves, which is why I’m on the hunt for a shelving unit that distributes the weight across the base instead. This way, I can keep all of the essentials in one place and organise each shelf by category. These are the ones I’m eyeing up right now.

2. A tool organiser

Around 60% of my garden is covered in grass, but we also have a large patio and a few flowerbeds, which means my shed also serves as the go-to storage space for larger tools such as our spade, grass strimmer, broom, and more. It’s also where we store one of my prized possessions, the weed-pulling tool our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, swears by.

Up until recently, I’ve tended to lean them up against the shed wall to keep them handy, but this has always made them look extremely messy. And when things already look chaotic, I rarely think twice about adding more clutter into the mix, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

That’s how I know I need a tool organiser to keep these items neat and tidy. At the moment, I’m torn between buying a freestanding garden tool organiser and a wall-mounted one for lighter tools. So, perhaps I’ll buy both so there’s some spare space for when I need it.

3. Bungee cords

Although I’ve spent the weekend decluttering my shed and getting rid of anything that’s no longer needed, there are still a lot of rogue essentials left behind. This includes bamboo sticks for taller plants, broken-down wood we’re going to use in our chiminea, and even poles for a gazebo we use for much-needed shade in the summer.

These smaller items don’t really have a proper home in the shed, and it’s incredibly easy for them to fall over and get in the way. But one of our gardening writers has the perfect storage solution for these rogue items: bungee cords.

Our writer, Lisa, has used bungee cords throughout her shed and swears by them for a neat, tidy outdoor storage area. She’s attached them to the walls, in corners, and even to the roof of her shed to organise those things that don’t always have their own proper place. So, I’m going to stock up on some, too.

4. A cushion storage box

The best garden furniture is often hardwearing and durable, but I personally always like to keep my cushions in the shed to protect them from unnecessary exposure to the sun or bad weather. And while I’ve always just thrown them in the shed with very little thought behind the action, this just makes my shed look messy and unorganised.

It also leaves them susceptible to so many cobwebs and even mould during the colder, wetter months, which is why I’ve been on the hunt for a cushion storage box or bag to keep them safe and clean - and raised off the ground. There are so many options out there, and most can even be stored outside of the shed, too.

My garden cushions also have handles on the sides, so I’m also considering buying some hooks like this 6-pack of Heavy Duty Garage Storage Hooks (£5.99 at Amazon), as they can also be used for bikes, garden hoses, and ladders.

Excuse me while I stock up on these shed storage essentials...

I don’t know about you, but the under-the-sink cupboard in my kitchen has to deal with a lot. It’s the dumping ground for all of the cleaning products I don’t want on display, as well as my (many) washing-up tools, bin bags, and other random items that don’t have a proper home. And I can’t stand it anymore.

And while I’ve tried to organise my under-the-sink cupboard every so often, I’ve always struggled to traverse the awkward placement of the sink pipes, the small space, and the fact that I have so many different items to store in there. So, the result has never been very effective, and most of the time I’ve just moved things around without actually making a difference.

But I’ve recently been taking steps to follow in the footsteps of people with tidy kitchens, and the only area of my cooking space that I haven’t tackled properly is this under-the-sink area. That’s why I’ve taken inspiration from the people who have organised under-the-sink areas to see what they use to keep things clutter-free. And this is what I’m adding to my basket.

1. Cleaning organisers

At Ideal Home, it’s my job to test the best cleaning products - so you could say that I have more of them in my home than the average person. But I know I’m not the only one who struggles with the game of Tetris, you have to play with all the bottles, packets, and boxes of cleaning products that live under the sink.

Our Editor-in-Chief, Heather, has experienced the same problem before and fixed it with a genius under-the-sink storage solution. Sadly, the exact pull-out shelves she bought are no longer available, but I’ve found alternatives that offer the same sliding design and integrated storage boxes. She’d suggest decluttering your cleaning products first to ensure you’re only storing what you need, though.

The beauty of these organisers is that they negate the need to reach into the back of the under-the-sink cupboard to get the cleaning product you’re after. This will prevent bottles from tipping over as you reach, and allow you to keep everything in its organised place.

2. Stackable baskets or boxes

If you don’t want to add integrated organisers into your under-the-sink cupboard in your kitchen - perhaps because it’s just really not tall enough - another option is to use stackable baskets and boxes to store your under-sink items.

Of course, you don’t have to stack them if you don’t have too many items in there, but opting for boxes with lids is perfect if your under-the-sink cupboard is overflowing. This way, they can sit neatly on top of each other, making the whole space feel so much tidier and more organised.

I’d also suggest opting for clear baskets or boxes, as you can easily see what’s in them without having to take them all out of the cupboard. But if clear boxes aren’t quite your style, it’s well worth using a label maker like this Dymo Omega Label Maker Hand Embosser (£20 at Argos) so you can still clearly distinguish between your box of dishwasher tablets and your oven cleaning tools.

3. Tension rods

I’ve been pretty vocal about my love of using tension rods to create extra space in a small home, and this is actually something I’ve already implemented into my under-the-sink cupboard - and I can’t recommend it enough. After all, tension rods instantly double the storage space you have, without getting in the way.

The beauty of tension rods is that they can be used in any space, small or large. All you need to do is adjust them to fit your under-the-sink cupboard, and watch as they provide hanging space in an area that typically doesn’t have it. Then, you can hang everything from your cleaning bottles to your cleaning cloths on there. You could even hang them there to dry.

If you’re going to do the latter, though, I’d suggest adding a non-electric moisture absorber like this Minky Moisture Absorber (£25 at Argos) to the cupboard to keep musty smells and mould at bay, as under-the-sink cupboards are already at risk of leaky pipes and damp.

4. Door storage

One of the biggest under-sink storage mistakes you can make is not using the door as extra storage space. And when you think about it, it makes total sense - especially as the doors offer rare vertical space that’s not hindered by the under-sink pipework.

Thankfully, there are so many under-the-sink door storage options out there, from self-adhesive hooks and over-the-door baskets suitable for renters to drill-in options for homeowners. And you can chop and change them to suit whatever you’d like to store.

Personally, I think this door-mounted storage is ideal for smaller items such as rubber gloves, cleaning sponges, cloths, and brushes. This means that they won’t get lost at the back of the cupboard, either, as I’m very guilty of buying new ones when I think I’ve lost them forever (but they’re just hiding behind big bottles).

5. A lazy Susan

A lazy Susan is one of the things that people with tidy kitchen cupboards always have, and it’s something that I’ve utilised to organise my food packets with ease. But what failed to realise is that the under-the-sink cupboard is a kitchen cupboard too - so why not use a lazy Susan in there, too?

This is something Heather has added to her under-sink cupboard, and she’s found the circular, spinning storage option to be a game-changer for her bottled cleaning products, as they fit perfectly and are easy to reach. It’s also a great way to check what you need to stock up on, too.

Personally, this is one of the under-the-sink storage options I love most, but I’ve decided that I’m going to pair mine with an absorbent mat like this URMONA Waterproof Silicone Under Sink Mat (£16.99 at Amazon) to keep things as dry as possible. Just in case!

Curb the under-sink clutter in no time!

I live in a small home with minimal built-in storage, but I do have a very handy (and surprisingly large) under-the-stairs cupboard. However, as it’s one of the only places to store coats, shoes, bags, cleaning products, and just about anything else that doesn’t have a proper home, it’s also the certified ‘dumping ground’ in my house. And I know I’m not alone in that.

Sure, I may dream of streamlined, organised under-the-stairs storage ideas, but the reality is that this area quickly becomes the go-to for all of the practical junk that I need to keep but don’t want on show. Because of this, I hide it all behind a door and hope that it doesn’t all come spilling out the next time I open it.

But as I’ve recently been inspired by the things people with a tidy hallway always have, I’ve decided to move on to the next logical area and tackle my chaotic under-the-stairs cupboard. So, I’ve asked my tidiest colleagues, friends and family members how they keep this dumping ground a clutter-free, organised storage area - and this is what they suggested I add.

1. A shoe rack

I may only live with one other human (and my dog), but shoe storage is a real issue in my home thanks to my husband’s obsession with trainers. And while I swear by this £17 shoe storage solution for my hallway, I always need more - and everyone says an under-the-stairs shoe rack is the way to go.

There are so many different shoe rack options out there, from smaller shoe racks to narrow shoe storage cabinets, wall-mounted shoe racks and even modular boxes that you can configure to your own specifications. And as under-the-stairs cabinets can vary in size and awkward shapes, it’s easy enough to find one that’ll suit your space.

Shoe racks can even work if you’ve converted your under-the-stairs cupboard into a downstairs loo, as proven by our Editor-in-Chief, Heather. Without any floor space, she’s utilised her toilet door as her designated shoe storage with an over-the-door shoe rack that’s perfect for her family home.

2. Wall or door-mounted hooks

The under-the-stairs cupboard is the perfect place to store coats, jackets, backpacks, and all of the other essentials you need to grab before leaving the house. And from talking to my organised friends about the things people with a tidy under-the-stairs cupboard always have, hooks are a must-have.

Over-the-door hooks and racks are always a safe bet if you don’t want to permanently drill hooks into your walls or doors, and they also allow you to hang heavy coats and bags without the worry that they’ll fall down if you opt for self-adhesive hooks.

However, I’ve previously used these pickpiff 6-Pack Stick on Hooks (10.99 at Amazon) to hang items in my home office, and I can vouch for how seriously heavy-duty they are. So, I’m going to buy some more and streamline my under-the-stairs space even more.

3. Storage baskets

One of the biggest struggles I face in my under-the-stairs cupboard is that a few shelves are way too high and awkwardly placed, making them hard to reach. Because of this, they become a dumping ground for a lot of random objects that I might need eventually, but don’t use very often.

Of course, I know that decluttering my under-the-stairs cupboard is the first step to calming the chaos on these shelves, but another way to curb the clutter is to use storage baskets. This way, I can separate the remaining items into categories - for example, all of my cleaning products in my basket and spare batteries/cables in another. Then, I can easily pull down each basket when I need it.

The beauty of storage baskets is that there are so many different options out there, and you can even buy baskets designed to hang from hooks - so you keep them on the wall or door if you don’t have any designated shelf space.

4. Cleaning tool organiser

As Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor, I have a lot of cleaning products and tools in my house - and I struggle to find space for them. So, most of them are dumped in my under-the-stairs cupboard, making the whole thing feel cluttered and unorganised. But I know many other people have a similar issue.

This is where a cleaning tool organiser can help, as these wall or door-mounted accessories can hold everything from your broom to your dustpan and brush and even your dusters and spare tea towels. They keep everything in place, without the risk of them falling over or falling onto your head when you open the door. You could even buy a vacuum stand holder if you have a cordless model.

Luckily, I already have the Joseph Joseph CleanTech Set (and the matching tool organiser that you can buy separately for £20 at Amazon), but there are so many other options out there that you can customise to the space - and the cleaning products - that you’re working with.

5. Modular storage

Under-the-stairs cupboards aren’t like spare rooms, where you have lots of 90-degree angles to work with. Some are big, some are small, and all of them are built around the shape of your staircase - which means traditional storage cabinets probably won’t work.

One thing I’ve noticed people with tidy under-the-stairs cupboards have, though, is modular storage that can be chopped and changed depending on what you need and the size of your cupboard. In most cases, these are modular storage cubes that can be stacked on top of each other and clicked together to create a fully unique unit.

Adding this extra storage to an under-the-stairs cupboard allows you to keep everything from shoes to cleaning products to important paperwork and more. You could even turn it into an extra pantry if your kitchen is bursting at the seams. And this is something I’m definitely adding to my basket…

Well, excuse me while I add these to my basket and turn my dumping ground into a tidy and organised dream space.

As Ideal Home’s Editor for all things storage and organisation, I’d like to think that I’ve mastered the art of keeping *most* of my home neat and tidy - but my clothes storage is a different story. My ‘floordrobe’ has taken over my sleeping space; it takes approximately six million years to find what I want to wear in the morning, and my wardrobes and drawers are bursting at the seams.

And while I’ve always dreamed of amazing wardrobe ideas and perfectly folded drawers, the reality is that I have a small home with limited storage that just isn't equipped to handle the many (many) clothes I own. But after taking note of the things people with tidy bedrooms always have, I’ve made it my mission to curb the clutter and finally take action.

So, I asked my most organised friends, family, and colleagues for their tips on the things people with tidy clothes always have in their drawers and wardrobes, and to see if there were any game-changing gadgets or gizmos that would transform them into a perfectly curated, chaos-free option for clothes storage. And I thought I’d share them with you, too.

1. Space-saving hangers

One of the biggest problems I have in my small bedroom is that my wardrobe space is very small, and for some reason (I thought they looked better than metal hangers, so sue me!), I opted for chunky wooden hangers to hold my clothes. Apparently, this is the worst thing I could do.

When you’re working with a small wardrobe but a large collection of clothes, you can triple your wardrobe space with space-saving hangers designed with vertical (not horizontal) space in mind. These are generally more slimline - often made from metal and velvet - and often come in different forms for different items of clothing.

For example, you can buy specific space-saving hangers for your trousers, hanging skirts, T-shirts, shirts and more. And as I have all of these in my wardrobe, I’m going to mix and match a few of them to organise my wardrobe as efficiently as possible - while freeing up space in the process.

2. Drawer and shelf dividers

Most people have a chest of drawers and shelves in their wardrobes, and I’m the same. But this is typically where things get messiest, as my folded clothes quickly become a jumble when I’m rummaging around for that one top I really want to wear. That’s where drawer and shelf dividers can help.

Drawer organisers are particularly handy for tidying deep drawers, as they let you separate clothes and make them easier to see and reach when you need them. Plus, they’re ideal for smaller items like underwear and accessories that could get lost among other items in the drawer.

I’ve also recently heard how effective shelf dividers are when you’re trying to keep a home tidy, so I’ve also got my eyes on ones like these Okydoky Acrylic Shelf Dividers (£13.99 at Amazon), to keep clothes folded and prevent any unnecessary crumpling of clothes in my wardrobes. From the looks of things, they’re what I’ve been needing all this time.

3. Hanging organisers

Wardrobes generally rely on horizontal space, from the hanging rail itself to the shelves you may have in them. But from listening to people who have tidy clothes storage, utilising the vertical space is just as important as the horizontal space when maximising space in a wardrobe.

Most retailers have hanging organisers that hook onto your wardrobe rail, equipped with shelves and even extra hangers for everything from your bags and accessories to your shoes, or simply extra folded clothes space. This means that you can use up what is often considered ‘dead’ vertical space and make it worthwhile.

Personally, I always struggle with my handbag storage and just dump them in a pile at the back of my wardrobe, so I’m going to invest in this The Edited Life Bag Organiser (£15 at Dunelm), to solve that problem. And stock up on some other hanging organisers to turn my wardrobe into an extension of my chest of drawers.

4. Vacuum storage bags

One thing I will give myself credit for is seasonally rotating my clothes, which does take a lot of pressure off my drawers and wardrobes. After all, there’s no point in my chunky winter knits taking up much-needed space in my drawers during the summer months, or my summer dresses overpowering my small wardrobe space in the winter.

This is one of the things people with tidy clothes always do, too. They streamline what they know they’ll be wearing over the next few months by putting the clothes they won’t wear elsewhere. This could be in a spare wardrobe in a different room, or by using vacuum storage bags.

These bags are deceptively spacious, as you can suck all of the air out of them and make your clothes as compact as possible - meaning you can pack them away into your suitcase in the loft, hide them under your bed, or hide them out of sight. Just make sure you have your iron on hand when you get them out again.

5. Stackable storage boxes

The main takeaway I got from people who keep their clothes as tidy as possible is that maximising vertical space is everything. And another way to do that is by adding stackable storage boxes to your wardrobes.

What I love most about these boxes - and what has made me add some to my basket immediately - is that they can be used to store everything from the shoes that are usually thrown to the back of your wardrobe to those folded clothes that you don’t have space for in your drawers. Plus, just about anything else that doesn’t necessarily have an obvious home.

Opting for stackable options rather than standalone boxes also ensures that they stay neat and tidy without folding in on themselves or falling over and creating even more mess in your small space.

With these affordable buys in tow, your clothes storage will be organised in no time!

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you can’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to decluttering. How I declutter is so different to how my colleagues clutter, and what works for me might not work for you, either. But this got me thinking: does your birth month impact how you can (or should) be decluttering your home?

After all, everyone has their own personality traits - and if you’re onboard with astrology and how your birthday affects them, the logic suggests that certain decluttering methods would suit you better. That’s why I reached out to astrologists and decluttering experts to ask if there really is a link… and you’ll be happy to know that there is.

As Max Wilson, Co-Founder at Pocket Storage, explains, ‘Understanding your personality helps you adopt a decluttering process that feels energising rather than overwhelming. Over time, this rhythm becomes part of your decluttering identity and often aligns with the seasons you feel most connected to.’ So, scroll along to find what works best for your birth month. Mine is scarily accurate.

1. January

January is the month of New Year’s resolutions and fresh starts, and Professional Astrologer Jessica Adams (who also happens to be the author of an entire book dedicated to the magic and meaning of the day you were born) says that those born in January should lean into this when decluttering - but not immediately.

She says, ‘You are ambitious and patient. You are best suited to big goals with your home, carried out over months. A quick fix does not suit your style. You are also a practical earth sign, grounded by nature and work best with a plan.’

Jessica says that you may want this plan provided by a professional organiser or declutterer, but you could also create your own plan or use decluttering methods that span the year, rather than focusing too much on how often you should declutter.

You may find that methods like the Project 333 decluttering method work best for you, or you may benefit from a yearly decluttering calendar that breaks down your tasks month-by-month to avoid overwhelm.

2. February

If you were born in February, your decluttering style is a little more free-spirited, reflecting your personality. And Joanne Jones, an Astrologer and Founder of Trusted Psychics, says that, ‘You likely find traditional organisational ‘rules’ quite suffocating as Aquarius and Pisces have an electric spirit, which makes a rigid room-by-room approach seem like a dreadful chore, not a release.’

Because of this, she suggests turning decluttering into a game where you can have fun and get the job done without forcing yourself into a box or sticking to strict guidelines and rigid timescales. In fact, she suggests the scavenger hunt decluttering method for those born in February.

She also urges those with February birthdays to focus on decluttering their phones, emails, computers and other digital aspects of their lives. ‘Digital decluttering is also massive for you because your creative mind tends to gather a mountain of screenshots, half-finished projects, and unread newsletters. Take an afternoon once a month to prune your digital life.’

Personally, I’m a huge fan of digital photo frames like this Kodak 10.1 Inch Digital Photo Frame, £74.99 at Argos, so you can delete photos from your phone (and even get rid of excess physical photo frames in your house), and collate them onto one handy slideshow.

3. March

March is when the seasons change, and the start of spring is often associated with spring cleaning and fresh starts. But what about decluttering? Well, the decluttering style associated with those born in March is similar, with Max stating that those born during the spring months tend to favour a ‘clean slate’ philosophy.

He explains, ‘Decluttering feels like a form of rebirth, and they tend to be decisive and fast-paced, often following a strict one-in, one-out rule. The challenge for a Spring Purist is the ‘rebound effect’, being so ruthless in clearing items that they later regret discarding something useful or sentimental. Their homes often reflect minimalism but require ongoing vigilance to maintain.’

After all, there’s nothing wrong with minimalism and sticking to the things that minimalists throw out every day - but you need to be careful if you’re born in February, and learn to control your ruthlessness. This could be as simple as taking a few seconds to consider each item before throwing it out and starting anew.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the signs that you’ve taken decluttering too far, so you know what to look out for if your home starts to feel cold and clinical, or if you’re regularly having to re-buy things that you’ve previously thrown out.

4. April

If you were born in April, you’re either an Aries or a Taurus, which means that you undoubtedly have a practical, ‘get it done’ attitude to decluttering - and this is something that you can definitely use to your advantage when tidying and organising your home.

Joanne advises, ‘A good option for you is the ‘One-Touch Rule’: the moment you pick an item up, you must decide its fate, where you either put it back where it belongs, toss it, or bag it for donation immediately.’

She also suggests decluttering in shorter bursts, as those born in March thrive on seeing a visible transformation, and being able to see a distinct change so quickly will encourage you to continue and boost your motivation tenfold. That’s why the 10-minute declutter can work wonders.

Joanna even says you can stretch to 20 minutes and make a game out of decluttering. She says, ‘Set a timer for twenty minutes and see how much of the hallway you can clear because the race against a clock can bring out the competitive side often associated with your star signs.’ A tidy-up timer like this LIORQUE Visual Timer (£12.99 at Amazon) can help with that.

5. May

Wondering how to declutter according to your birth month if you were born in May? Well, you’ll either be a Taurus or a Gemini, and Jessica says that these star signs struggle with hoarding and holding onto things that they really don’t need - especially if there’s an emotional attachment there.

Joanna agrees, explaining, ‘Your challenge is separating trash from a collection of treasures,' and suggests using the William Morris decluttering principle to sort through your belongings and make a dent in overflowing piles and items stashed in cupboards.

The William Morris quote states that you should, ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful’ - which is why it’s worth clueing yourself up on how to get rid of items after a declutter, so you can ensure your beloved belongings are going to the perfect new home.

If you were born in May and don’t quite know where to start with your decluttering efforts, though, Joanna advises, ‘Focus most of your energy on the wardrobe and the kitchen because these are the hubs of your daily comfort and prioritise quality over quantity.’

6. June

Those born in June either have to deal with the curious nature of the Gemini or the sentimentality of Cancerians. Either way, those born in June often have a home filled with stuff and struggle to declutter efficiently. You can lean into this, though.

‘The thought of “minimalism” might actually sound a bit cold to you, but it can allow you to manage your collections so they don't manage you,’ explains Joanne. ‘A fantastic option for you is digital preservation. If you have a box of old greeting cards or travel brochures that you can’t bear to toss, you can take a high-quality photo of them to keep the memory in your pocket without sacrificing your shelf space.’

Of course, it can be hard to declutter without guilt for those born in June, but having the right storage systems in place and using the right decluttering method can help you do it. Joanne suggests using multi-purpose furniture to manage those items that you really don’t want to part with, and something like this Medium Fabric Ottoman (£20 at Argos) can work wonders.

If you need some extra motivation, Joanna also suggests involving others. ‘Involving a family member or a close friend in the conversation and hearing someone else say that you haven’t used or looked at that in five years can be the thing you need to finally donate or toss items that make room for your next big adventure,’ she says.

7. July

Now we come to my own birth month! And as someone who sees my home as my sanctuary, Joanna hits the nail on the head when she says, ‘As a Cancer or Leo, you are deeply connected to the spaces where you feel like yourself and can relax, particularly the bedroom and the kitchen. You are the most likely sign to be the keeper of the family heirlooms, which can lead to a house full of things that may not even be yours.’

In fact, this is something I’ve struggled with for years, which is why I’ve had to invest in clever clutter busters to keep my small home organised - especially as a chaotic home does nothing to cure my chaotic mind. That’s where smart storage solutions come into play, though.

Joanne suggests those born in July make the most of hidden storage solutions, ‘Such as under-bed storage or custom cabinetry, because you likely want your surfaces clear to keep your mind calm.’ This couldn’t be more true, as I’ve waxed lyrical about how much my new Ascot Ottoman Storage Bed (£299 at DUSK) has transformed my bedroom into a calming sanctuary.

For those things that you definitely don’t need to keep around, Joanne suggests finally letting them go. ‘The trick for you is selective preservation. Choose the most meaningful pieces to display and let the rest go to someone who will actually use them. Donating to a local charity or gifting it to a younger relative can also make the process much easier.’

8. August

Born in August and curious about how you can use your personality traits to your advantage? Of course you are. Joanne explains, ‘Those born in August are natural leaders, taking charge of the entire household organisation because of their Leo energy that wants a Pinterest-perfect closet or the Virgo traits that demand peak practicality.’

This means that you don’t shy away from decluttering, but this isn’t always a good thing. You can often get caught up in decluttering - and shying away from help - that you become overwhelmed and exhausted by taking on the burden all by yourself. That’s why it’s well worth taking a step back and bringing in the cavalry to help.

It could be that you encourage the kids to help you declutter their toys, or employ the Swedish Städdag method to get the whole family involved for a weekly declutter and tidying session. Joanne says, ‘Step back from the leader role once in a while and delegate some chores to family members or housemates, giving everyone a specific “mission” and a deadline.’

As you like to be organised and thrive on seeing the visible results of your hard work, it’s also well worth investing in professional-style decluttering products, like storage baskets, colour-coded boxes, and labels. For you, a label maker like this Nelko Label Maker Machine (£23.99 at Amazon) is always a good idea.

9. September

If you were born in September, there’s a high chance that you struggle with those once-a-week clean-up sessions you always thought you were supposed to do. They’re overwhelming, overstimulating, and, most of the time, not very effective. That’s because you’re what Joanna calls a ‘surgical declutterer.’

She says, ‘You don’t have piles of mess, but tiny clutter that tends to migrate to the wrong places. What you need is micro zoning, where you designate specific places for small items, whether that’s a single slot for outgoing mail or a tiny dish for loose change. Once every object has a home down to the millimetre, you’ll find that your anxiety levels and calmness tend to change drastically.’

In this instance, it’s highly likely that the micro-decluttering method will work best for you, as it allows you to clean as you go in small bursts rather than getting everything done in one fell swoop. This means keeping on top of tasks as they come up, such as folding and putting away your clothes as soon as they’re dry or even organising that pile of paperwork while the kettle is boiling.

Joanne advises, ‘Sticking to a small but consistent ten-minute reset every evening can keep your home in a permanent state of perfection, which will allow your analytical mind to finally be at ease.’

10. October

Libras (those born between October 1st and 22nd) have always been regarded as the social butterflies of the zodiac, and Scorpios born at the end of the month also live for their friendships. But what you might not realise is that this can have an impact on your decluttering style.

‘You might find that you’re most productive when you have a deadline, like a dinner party or a holiday gathering, because nothing gets you moving quite like the thought of a guest seeing a messy coat rack,’ explains Joanne. In fact, you’re probably in your element when it comes to decluttering before guests arrive at Christmas.

Those born in October also like their homes to look visibly clean and symmetrical, but Joanne says that this can lead to a cold and minimal home that lacks character and warmth if you’re not careful. So, you need to try to find the balance between clutter-free and clinical.

She advises, ‘My recommendation is to look for edited warmth by replacing items that mess with visual harmony by using coordinated storage containers that blend into the walls. Because you’re great at editing a space, you can further refine the space by removing one or two things from a shelf to let the remaining items breathe.’

11. November

Whether you’re a Scorpio or Sagittarius, those with November birthdays can be quite intense when it comes to decluttering. You typically prefer to get the job done by yourself - whether that’s at 9 am when the kids have gone to school or in the middle of the night when you suddenly remember a rogue box that’s been stashed in the attic. With you, it’s all or nothing.

Those born in November tend to be quite ruthless with their decluttering techniques, but Joanne says it’s important that you follow through on your decisions as quickly as possible. ‘When you have decided to purge, you'd better do it quickly and take the bags to the donation centre the same day. This act of clearing out the old can be symbolic for you as it gives a sense of starting fresh,’ she says.

If you’re willing to shy away from your private, intense decluttering sessions, you could even turn it into something fun and host a ‘Purge Party’ for your friends and family. Just make sure that you strike a good balance to keep yourself in line.

Joanne explains, ‘A great strategy I can offer for your 'all or nothing' energy is the 80/20 principle, which is where you try to have 20% of your storage space empty at all times. This space removes the possibility for your cupboards to become overwhelming and gives you space to grow and store new items.’

12. December

December is a festive month filled with celebration - but it’s also filled with a lot of extra stuff. Thankfully, those born in December can use their personality traits to thrive during this festive period, as they’re both generous and always on the hunt for the next adventure. This means that you don’t hold a candle for these extra things and find them easy to declutter.

Like those born in March, Joanne says that both Sagittarius and Capricorn can also naturally drift towards the ‘One-In-One-Out’ rule. She explains, ‘If you get a new sweater, an old one must be donated. This simple habit keeps your home from becoming a warehouse of stuff you'll never use.’

You don’t just have to throw those items away, though. Those born in December are givers, which means you can donate the items you know you don’t need or use to friends, family, and others who you know will truly use and appreciate them in the way that you wouldn’t.

But what about storage? Joanne says that December birth months should lean towards flexible storage. ‘Stackable boxes, modular shelving, or furniture on wheels can make your home able to change as quickly as your interests do,’ she explains. This Habitat Jessie Modular Wall Shelf (£150 at Habitat) even doubles up as a work-from-home desk, too.

So, there you have it! That’s how you can use your birth month decluttering style to your advantage for a neat and tidy home year-round.

There’s a new decluttering method dominating CleanTok right now, which sorts mess into three distinct categories that contribute to mess and clutter. I’m talking about the 3-Layer Mess Theory, and experts say this method is more than a social media fad.

Some homes look effortlessly clean and organised every time you visit. While we can be certain this homeowner probably has the best decluttering methods under their belt, or even owns a few of the things people with tidy living rooms always have, according to the 3-Layer Mess Theory, they also have a certain three layers nailed, too.

According to the 3-Layer Mess Theory, unless you address each of the three layers of mess, your home will never look clean and tidy. These are the layers, and what you need to do for that effortlessly clean and tidy look, too.

What is the 3-Layer Mess Theory?

First of all, let's dive into what each layer is:

• Layer 1: Visual clutter. The daily mess you see and deal with every day. This can be a buildup of post on your side, or clothes not put away in your bedroom
• Layer 2: Disorganisation. This is where you don’t have set organisation systems for your home. For example, you don’t have any method for organising kitchen cabinets, you lack storage solutions, or you haven’t utilised the storage you have.
• Layer 3: Buildup. This refers to all the dust and grime that builds up when your home is cluttered and disorganised.

Unless you address all three layers, your home can still look untidy or even dirty after you’ve finished cleaning it.

How to approach three layers of mess

When applying the 3-Layer Mess theory to your home, it’s important to tackle in the same order as the layers. Decluttering comes first, then organising, and finally cleaning. If you jumble the order up, it will not work as effectively.

‘The first step is to declutter your space by removing unnecessary or unwanted items. This could be recycling broken appliances, donating clothes to charity or even using sites like musicMagpie to turn your unwanted tech, CDs, DVDs and books into cash,’ says Katie Lillywhite, floorcare and cleaning expert at AO.

‘Secondly, wipe down surfaces, mop, scrub, vacuum and dust. The lack of clutter will make this part easier as it eliminates any potential obstructions that can get in the way and cause frustration.

‘Last but not least, put your belongings back in a thoughtful way. You could consider creative storage solutions or even add a bit of decoration to give the newly tidied space a more personal touch.’

Is this a good method to use?

‘It’s an excellent framework because it separates tidying, organising and cleaning, which most people wrongly treat as the same task,’ Max Wilson, Co-Founder at Pocket Storage.

‘Many people feel like ‘bad cleaners’ because they scrub their kitchen, and it still feels stressful. The issue usually isn’t hygiene, it’s disorganisation. This theory removes the shame and replaces it with structure. It gives people a roadmap instead of trapping them in endless surface resets.’

However, this method is not a quick fix. It requires lots of time and effort to go through each step thoroughly. So if you’re someone who finds decluttering overwhelming, it might not be the best choice for you. However, if you’re feeling a little at your wits' end about the state of your, a structured method and thorough method like this one can be beneficial.

If you’ve been looking for some spring cleaning inspo, why not test out this viral method. There’s a good reason it’s so popular!

I love hosting, but the anxiety of tidying my home before guests arrive is real. I can often be found finishing vacuuming, mopping or dusting as my guests walk up the driveway. Not the relaxed start to hosting I want.

While there are plenty of methods to help you declutter a house fast, I needed some instant tips and tricks to keep the clutter out of sight while I waited for a spare moment to have a thorough declutter.

Incorporating the things people with tidy homes always have into my own home made a huge difference to my overall organisation, but I still found a few pinch points that need addressing. These few items specifically helped me get my house shipshape before guests rocked up at my door.

1. Robot vacuum

My robot vacuum is one of my best friends when I've got guests coming to visit. It means we can divide and conquer when it comes to cleaning. The robot takes care of the floors, while I manage everything else. Plus, since it's so easy to use, it's massively reduced the load on my daily cleaning checklist, meaning the floors are pretty much always clean – even if everywhere else is covered in clutter.

While smart home appliances have a reputation for being expensive, plenty of the best robot vacuum cleaners are becoming more affordable – especially if you shop the sales.

2. Stair basket

The stairs are another hotspot, usually with a few things piled up that need to be taken upstairs. Not only is this unsightly when you come into the hallway, but it is also a trip hazard. Enter the stair basket.

This compact basket sits comfortably over two steps, ready to be filled with anything that needs to be taken upstairs. Then, the next time you head upstairs, take the basket with you. Unpack and place the basket at the top of the stairs. Fill with anything upstairs that needs to be taken down, and repeat. The empty basket can then be placed back at the bottom of the stairs, ready to go. Adding this simple routine into my day has been one of the best decluttering methods I've found.

Even if the basket isn't empty before guests arrive, it looks much tidier than having a pile of clutter on the steps.

3. The storage ottoman

One of the best home organisation tips I've received is to prioritise the spaces that will be seen. For us, the living room and bedroom are hubs for clutter. Rather than all the clutter gathering on the floor or units, I have two empty storage ottomans which are ready to hide clutter out of the way and keep everything out of sight until I have a moment to put it away.

These storage ottomans are definitely a decluttering saviour and helped stop me feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of decluttering, as everything that needed sorting was in one place, and the rest of the room was clear – making the process of tidying up much quicker and easier.

The living room ottoman not only helped me tidy my living room fast but also doubles as additional seating when needed.

Will you be adding any of these star buys to your home?

I've approached tidying my home in big weekend clear-outs, frantic evening resets and the odd rage clean thrown in, when clutter finally tipped me over the edge.

But I've actually realised very recently, due to a few life changes, that it's not the big messes that make my house feel chaotic, but actually the smaller everyday habits that seem to undo all my good intentions. The small tasks that don't rank highly on any decluttering checklist.

What I've realised from writing various storage and organisation articles (and shadowing my enigma of a MIL), what most people with tidy homes always have in common isn't endless storage to work with or hours of free time. It's actually a few simple daily routines, quick decision-making and the ability to not let little jobs pile up into overwhelming ones.

So instead of vowing to be tidier this year, I'm breaking up with a few bad housekeeping habits that I'm guilty of and that make my home harder to manage than it needs to be. It's definitely a work in progress, but my logic is that if I write it down here, I have to stick to it! You'll all have to hold me accountable.

1. Not decluttering toys as I tidy them away

This is definitely my most hated task that I always leave until we're at a crisis point: tidying the kids' endless toy collection.

Every time I tackle tidying the playroom, it's more of a shove every item I find out of place in the various clutter buckets and toy storage, until they get pulled out again half an hour later. What I've realised is that I'm just storing the same chaos for tomorrow's tidy job.

Now, I've started to include little mini declutters at the same time. Armed with a bin bag, any broken things get chucked out, outgrown toys go into a donate box, and anything no one has even looked at or touched in months gets some serious scrutiny. It does take a little longer, but it's totally worth it to stop clutter from building up.

Cute toy clutter buckets

2. Using my chairdrobe

For as long as I can remember, I've had the bedroom chair. You know the one, that slowly becomes a wardrobe for the clothes that aren't dirty but not clean enough to hang back up.

It's always stacked with jumpers, jeans, you name it, but this year I'm forcing myself to make a quick decision instead. I either hang it up, put it in the wash or fold it away. For those particularly difficult decisions, I've installed this peg rail, £9.99 from Amazon, to hang the few items I know I'll wear again the next day.

Chairdrobe alternatives

3. Not sorting before putting away

I used to 'tidy' fast, and not necessarily smart. When I was in a rush, I'd hide things in drawers and cupboards with the idea that I would sort them at some later stage, and then, well, never really sorting them.

Everything always went back to where there was space, and surfaces were cleared without much thought. Now I try really hard to sort as I go so that kitchen clutter, for example, gets returned to its proper home and random items don't just get hidden.

It takes a little extra time and mental capacity, but when I put my mind to it, the process stops the cycle of constantly re-creating and re-tidying the same mess over and over again.

4. Leaving clean laundry in baskets for days

This is such an issue in our house! We do so much washing, mostly of tiny kids' things, so it feels like a lot of hard work to sort it all out right there and then when the dryer's just finished, even with the laundry room upgrades we installed to make it all more manageable.

I realised, though, that I was prolonging the agony by leaving it all heaped up in baskets. Freshly laundered clothes would sit in baskets, waiting to be folded and put away "later", which somehow always turned into a few days.

What I've done to make it easier is to fold the items as part of the washing routine. Then it's easier to take the basket upstairs and put the clothes straight into drawers and cupboards. It takes a little longer, but it saves future me a big headache.

5. Forgetting to put on my robot vac

I bought one of the best robot vacuum cleaners to make life easier, but do I use it? Not as much as I should do. Mostly because I simply forget to open the app and schedule it, and also because it can be a faff to make sure there are no obstacles in its way, completely defeating the purpose of having it, I might add.

I've now scheduled it to run a few times a week, overnight, and I'll press it on before we go out. The floors stay cleaner without any effort, cleaning up while we're fast asleep. All those crumbies are long gone.

I'm not going to lie, breaking these small habits hasn't been easy, and they haven't made my home picture-perfect by any stretch, but it has made it feel and look calmer and easier to manage. Goodbye, decluttering overwhelm!

While I may be Ideal Home’s Editor for all things decluttering and organising, I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle to get rid of clutter. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I’ve spent years filling my (admittedly very small) home with stuff. But recently, I added ‘clutter buckets’ to my home, and I have to admit that it’s tidier and more organised than ever.

Yes, I’ve recently been taking inspiration from the things people with tidy homes always have and making changes to the way I organise my small house. But the reality is that a huge portion of the stuff I’ve collected over the years can’t just be thrown away, as they’re still used on a regular basis - and that’s where a clutter bucket can help.

A clutter bucket is one of the best clutter busters you can use in a small home, offering a home for those ugly-but-practical items you know for sure you can’t get rid of. The idea is that you make clutter invisible by popping it in these buckets, freeing up surface space in the process - and this is how you can use it in your home, too.

What is a clutter bucket?

The beauty is that clutter buckets can be whatever you want them to be. For example, there’s the option to add them as a more temporary fixture to your home, like a stair basket that collects everyday clutter and can be taken back upstairs in one fell swoop.

Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, explains further. She says, ‘Clutter buckets can be incredibly supportive for those in-between items, the things that don’t currently have a defined home or simply need to be returned to their proper place later.’

She adds, ‘They give you somewhere to put items, which means you can clear surfaces quickly when guests are coming over or when you’re feeling overstimulated by visual clutter. Used well, they act as a temporary holding zone that restores calm in minutes and prevents small items from spreading across every surface.’

Alternatively, you could make them a more permanent addition to your home and turn them into what some may also call a ‘drop zone.’ This is a designated, intentional area in your home used to store essentials you still need nearby but don’t necessarily want on show.

This is generally how I’ve been using them in my house, which is why I’ve opted for storage baskets with lids, as I can quite literally shut the clutter away without it impacting how my home looks. I’ve used them to store everything from remote controls and spare blankets to tidy my living room, to the kitchen essentials that would typically spread out across my worktops.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a bucket or basket, though. You could opt for a bowl to put your keys in when you walk through the door, a caddy to give your miscellaneous bathroom items a home, or a storage ottoman bench in your bedroom for those items you don’t want sitting on a pile on the floor. The opportunities really are endless - and pretty-but-practical storage baskets ensure they're not an eyesore either.

However, Shannon warns that you do need to be careful when adding clutter buckets to your home, as they can just as quickly make clutter worse if you take them for granted. She says, ‘Over time, one bucket can quietly turn into several piles around the house, and that accumulation can start to feel overwhelming.’

Because of this, it’s important to take stock of your clutter buckets every couple of weeks to ensure they’re serving their purpose and not hoarding unnecessary clutter.

Why you need to add a clutter bucket to your home

1. They keep ugly-but-practical items nearby

Like most of us, I dream of a home that’s tidy and clutter-free. But the reality is that everyday life requires many ugly items that serve a purpose and need to be kept nearby. That’s why a clutter bucket can work wonders: it allows you to keep these items invisible while still available when you need them.

By stashing them away in a clutter bucket and placing it in a corner of a room, or even underneath a sofa or in a cupboard, you know exactly where they are when you need them. They’ll also be out of sight, so will keep visual clutter to a minimum and let your home decor shine. This is especially true if you opt for one with a lid.

2. They can be used in any room or space

Storage baskets and boxes are so well-rounded that they really can work in any room, meaning you can add a clutter bucket to any space in your house. Like those who have a tidy hallway, I have a small clutter bucket just inside my front door, but a larger one works equally as well in my bedroom.

There are so many different options on the market, too, so you can choose a design that works for your space - whether that’s a wicker storage basket or cheaper plastic baskets that you know you’ll be able to stash somewhere that’s out of sight.

3. They encourage better routines

One of the main reasons I swear by clutter buckets is that they’ve completely changed my mindset around decluttering and cleaning. Before, I used to struggle with the lack of storage in my house, so every day essentials would have to be on show on any available surface. Since adding clutter buckets into the mix, however, I’ve started tidying and cleaning more - simply because I can.

After all, a clearer, clutter-free space opens up the space for cleaning and makes it easier than ever. And I’ve found this to be especially noticeable in my kitchen, and now I’m able to clean my entire kitchen in 15 minutes or less. Plus, I set aside a few minutes each week to go through the clutter bucket and ensure I’m only keeping what I really need.

The best clutter buckets to buy right now

Will you be adding a clutter bucket or two to your home?

While I’ve always dreamed of a huge house with a separate utility room, the reality is that I - like many others - live in a relatively small house with limited space. So, you can imagine my excitement when I spotted that Dunelm had released a clever new storage solution to help you fake a utility room even when you don’t have one. Say hello to the Olney Utility Cabinet, £499 at Dunelm.

The tiny utility trend is still alive and kicking, but unless you have a cupboard or, better yet, an entire room that’s completely empty, most people don’t have the space to store all of their utility essentials. I’m talking about those items you need to clean your home, wash (and dry) your clothes, and maintain the day-to-day running of your house.

Personally, I shove mine in any available free space or cupboard, which means that everything becomes a jumbled, unmanageable mess. But our favourite retailer has solved my problems and released the Olney Utility Cabinet, combating clutter and faking space that I’ve desperately needed for so long. And maybe you have, too.

Dunelm has become my go-to for small and tidy home essentials over the past few months. I’ve already raved about their impressive fridge organisers, and I’ve bought many of the new clothes organisers to finally tidy up my bedroom. But none of these game-changing products can help you fake a room quite like the Olney Utility Cabinet can.

Although it looks just like a regular (albeit very stylish) cabinet from the outside, the inside is a treasure trove of storage space for those ugly-but-practical items people would typically put in a utility room. This includes your vacuum cleaner, cleaning tools and products, your iron and ironing board, and even your spare towels or blankets.

That’s because the Olney Utility Cabinet comes equipped with multiple shelves for the items of your choosing, a bottom drawer, and racks and hooks on the doors. It really is convenience in cupboard form, and can be added to any room without looking out of place.

To make the most of this utility space, I’d suggest buying plastic storage baskets like these Stacking Storage Baskets (£3 at Dunelm) for your cleaning products so they can be wiped clean if there are any spills or leaks. But if you plan on storing towels or other non-liquid items, this set of 2 Fabric Storage Boxes (£18 at Dunelm) can make the inside space look even more stylish and organised.

And while this product is a new addition to the Dunelm family, the Olney Utility Cabinet has already scored 5-star reviews across the board. One happy customer raved, ‘This is a fantastic, spacious and sturdy cupboard that provides ample space. It looks pleasing to the eye, and I couldn’t be happier with it!’

Another customer noted that it took two of them about three hours to build it, though, so just be warned that there will be a fair bit of assembly - but being able to fake a utility room even when you don’t have one will be well worth it. Dunelm hasn’t stopped at a fake utility room, though.

If you want to add even more hidden-but-handy storage to your house, the home of homes has also just released the Lynton Kitchen Larder Unit, £549.99 at Dunelm. This will allow you to fake your very own pantry, and make the most of the built-in shelves for all of your food items and dishware essentials.

Alternatively, if you want to embrace the things that people with a tidy home office always have, you could invest in the Olney Hideaway Desk, £549 at Dunelm - which, as you can tell by the name, hides a handy desk with oodles of storage behind its doors.

Alternative utility cupboards

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My husband and I are currently selling our first home, and while our experience as first-time buyers six years ago was admittedly stressful and expensive, I’ve quickly realised that buying and selling is a whole different ball game. From stamp duty to countless fees and the deposit itself, it all adds up. But one of the highest costs I didn’t anticipate? The actual moving day.

During this whole process, we’ve done everything we can to sell our house fast, and we’re slowly but surely making our way through the moving home checklist. However, I’ve hit a roadblock with moving from one house to the next, as hiring a removals company or even renting a van to do it ourselves is pricier than I could have ever anticipated.

Although I (perhaps naively) assumed that removal companies would charge by the size of your house or the number of rooms you have, the reality is that they quote based on how much there is to move. And as we’ve acquired a lot of stuff over the past six years, our quotes have been extortionate - which is why I’ve reached out to experts to help me out. Their advice? Declutter!

Why you should declutter before moving house

It’s a well-known fact that decluttering while your house is on the market is a surefire way to improve viewing feedback and potentially lead to a quicker sale. But experts say that adding an extra decluttering session before the big moving day can also save you a lot of hassle - and money.

Dave Sayce, who worked as a removal man before founding Compare My Move, explains, ‘Arguably, the biggest cost factor when moving house is the volume of items that need to be transported. Compare My Move data shows that the average removals cost per bedroom was £451 last year. That means for every bedroom’s worth of belongings, you can expect to pay around £451 on average. The more you reduce the volume, the more you reduce the cost.’

He adds, ‘If you clear out half a wardrobe, cut down your books, or remove unwanted furniture, you could realistically reduce your load by the equivalent of half a bedroom, potentially saving around £225.’ And if you repeat that process in each room of the house, that could reduce your overall moving costs by thousands.

And while hiring a van and doing it yourself, in lieu of using a professional removals company, is generally considered a great way to save money when moving house, the same logic applies to this hire cost. After all, the more stuff you have, the larger the van you’ll need - or the longer you’ll need to hire it for. Based on my own research and quotes for my house move, this can even make hiring a van more expensive than hiring a team of movers.

Personally, I know I have a lot to declutter before moving day, but Dave assures me it’s not just about throwing things away. He says, ‘Time is another major factor in removal costs. Simply organising and sorting your belongings properly can help bring costs down. When items are already in the correct rooms and grouped together, packing becomes much quicker and easier.’

This should also lift some of the mental load that moving house can pile on me, and I must admit that using decluttering methods before moving house has me excited for a fresh start. This is something that Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, loves about moving.

She says, ‘Moving house is one of the best natural reset points we get. It’s an opportunity to decide what you want to take into your next chapter, and just as importantly, what you want to leave behind. Decluttering beforehand means you arrive knowing everything you’ve brought with you is something you actually want in your new home. It protects that fresh-start feeling rather than immediately recreating the same overwhelm in a different space.’

After all, those first few weeks after moving are normally filled with paperwork, address changes, and other admin tasks that can all add to your stress levels - so taking a load of unnecessary items out of the mix sounds like a dream!

How to successfully declutter before moving day

1. Give yourself time

The process of selling my current house and buying our next one has already happened very quickly. But when you’re trying to declutter before moving, it’s important to give yourself some time to get the job done properly. However, this should be easy to do as you can do it alongside packing.

Shannon explains, ‘Moves are also one of the rare moments in life when you physically touch almost every item you own. That makes it the perfect opportunity to let go of the “just in case” items and reassess what still fits your current life, not a past version of it.’

2. Start with the bulkiest, lowest value items first

When you have so much stuff, it can be hard to know where to start. Dave’s advice? Start with the bulkiest, lowest value items to get the ball rolling. Then, everything else should fall into place.

He says, ‘Large pieces of furniture, old shelving, unused desks, garden equipment and anything stored in the loft or garage tend to add the most volume but often bring the least value to your new home. If you can remove even one or two bulky items, you may reduce the size of the van or the time required on moving day, which can have a noticeable impact on cost.’

3. Be realistic and ruthless

Many people find it hard to declutter without guilt, but you need to be realistic and ruthless if you want to declutter and save money while moving - especially if you only want to take things with you that you’ll actually use. That means parting with those ‘just in case’ items you may have previously held on to.

Shannon adds, ‘That might be clothes in your wardrobe you realistically won’t wear again, children’s toys that have been outgrown, or items you’ve been keeping purely out of habit rather than purpose.’

4. Declutter before getting quotes

One big mistake I’ve made so far is getting removal quotes before decluttering, as they’ve been seriously expensive. But luckily, removal companies and van hire providers are used to last-minute bookings, so you can get your decluttering done before moving forward.

Dave explains, ‘The more accurate your inventory when you get removals quotes, the more accurate your pricing will be. Adding extra items later can lead to re-quotes or higher final costs. By properly sorting and reducing your belongings early, you give removals companies a clear picture of the job, helping you avoid surprises and stay in control of your budget.’

If you're moving this year, make sure you declutter to cut down your moving costs!

I know I’m extremely lucky to work from home, but there’s no denying that it also has its downsides - especially if you have a small house like me. My ‘home office’ also serves as the spare guest bedroom, junk room, and the just-about-anything-else room, and the constant clutter seriously impacts my productivity (sorry, boss).

And while I’ve been making a conscious effort to add things that people with a tidy home always have to my house over the past few months, my work-from-home space has always slipped to the bottom of the priority list. But now I’m finally putting myself - and my work first - in an effort to make my home office more streamlined, efficient, and organised.

That’s why I’ve been taking stock of the things people with a tidy home office always have and adding them to my basket to boost productivity, organise my desk and create a workspace to be proud of. And I thought I’d share them with you, too.

1. A cable management system

It’s surprising how something so small and unassuming can make such a big impact, but wires and chargers can instantly clutter a home office. This is something that really grinds my gears, as I have a desktop computer, a laptop, a clock and a lamp on my desk - which means I’ve also had to add an ugly extension lead into the mix.

The result is a messy work area covered in wires, chargers, and leads, which are all very distracting. That’s why I’m going to invest in a cable management system to hide the wires without hindering their practicality. My first step is to buy a much prettier extension lead, like this sage green Cube Extension Lead with USB Slots (£17.99 at Amazon). It comes in three other colourways, too.

People with tidy home offices also make the most of cable tidies and boxes to keep these extension leads out of sight, and I’m also considering where I can cut cords out of the equation altogether. Dunelm’s new cordless lamp range seems like a good first step to do that.

2. Desk organisers

Although I work primarily online, a lot of my personal life also seeps into my office space. It’s the place where I store all of my stationery, printer and printer paper, and a lot of paperwork in general. And since I don’t have much storage in my home office, it tends to get dumped on my desk, which means almost all the clutter is limited to one small space.

Not only is this not conducive to a productive work environment, but it also means that a lot of things go missing. In fact, I’m notoriously bad at losing important documents like utility bills and bank statements, and I’ve even lost my marriage certificate before (thank goodness for spares). That’s where desk organisers can come in.

Desk organisers make up one of the best home office storage ideas as they’re small but effective. They also come in so many different shapes and forms, from stationery pots to paperwork trays and more.

3. A wall-mounted memo board

For me, my home office is so much more than just a place to work. It’s also the place I venture when I want to sort out my calendar for the month, and tackle any household admin tasks that need to be ticked off the to-do list. That’s why I’m going to invest in a wall-mounted memo board, too.

I was inspired to do this by Jenny, our Senior Digital Editor, who bought one for her family command centre to banish clutter in her home, and I think it can work just as well in a home office, too. It’ll become the place I hang up any important documents, post reminders to myself, and even keep track of any work ideas that come to mind throughout the day.

This should banish the pile of Post-It notes that get stuck to my desk and the other clutter that fills the rest of the room. I’m also hoping that by creating a system where I choose what goes onto the memo board and what doesn’t, it’ll also help me get rid of things that I would often keep hold of just because.

4. A desk with storage

One of the biggest mistakes I made when buying furniture for my home office was buying a desk without storage. It’s the largest piece of furniture in the room (aside from a sofa bed and an overflow wardrobe that’s filled with clothes), and I assumed that a smaller, sleeker design would suit my home office idea.

The reality is that no desk storage means all of the ugly-but-practical items in the room have to stay on show, making the space look extremely cluttered. That’s why I’m going to follow in the footsteps of things that people with a tidy home office have and invest in a new desk with storage - whether that be one with drawers or cupboards.

The beauty of having a desk like that in a workspace like mine is that it can be used for work items and home items - and serve as an extra piece of storage when I’m dealing with a multi-purpose room that has to be a home office and a spare room at the same time. But more than anything, it will free up space and banish clutter… hopefully!

My once-cluttered home office won't know what's hit it when I'm done with it!

As someone who lives in a tiny home with very limited storage, I’ve learned to rely on novel solutions and products to create space where I don’t have it. The one bargain buy I swear by to instantly double storage space in any room? The humble tension rod.

There are so many ways to use tension rods around the house, and while many of them focus on home decor (who can forget the viral tension rod Christmas garland hack?!), I don’t think enough people are using these handy, renter-friendly additions to organise their homes and keep everything neat and tidy.

But tension rods are one of the clever clutter busters I swear by as a small home dweller, and now I’m sharing how exactly I use them to double my storage in every room - and sometimes even create storage where there previously was none.

1. Hang kitchen essentials

I’m not the only one who loves using tension rods around the home for storage, as Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, says, ‘The main benefits are that they save space, are inexpensive, and can easily be moved or adjusted as your needs change.’ And this is why I love using them in my kitchen.

I tend to pair them with these GAViA S Shaped Heavy Duty Hooks (£7.99 at Amazon) to hang everyday kitchen essentials, like the mugs above my coffee machine and utensils above the hob, so they’re readily available and don’t take up limited drawer space. I simply install them underneath my upper cabinetry, and they’re barely noticeable.

Tension rods also come in different forms, though, and I’ve also invested in tension rod shelves (these Hershii Tension Shelves, £19.99 at Amazon) for the insides of my cupboards to create extra storage space. Just be warned that they do have a weight limit, so you’ll need to be careful you don’t overload them if you want to organise pots and pans.

2. Store bathroom basics

When you think of tension rods, you probably think of using them horizontally to hang things from. But what you might not realise is that tension rods can be used either horizontally or vertically - and the latter can work wonders to create extra storage in a bathroom.

After all, one of the best ways to organise a bathroom is to use a shower caddy system for all your basics, like shampoo, conditioner, soap, and more. But, often, these wall-mounted or over-the-shower-screen caddies are small and ineffective if you have a lot of people using the same bathroom, or you just have a lot of products.

That’s why I swear by tension rod caddies. These don’t require any mounting and can be adjusted to fit between the ceiling and the bath or the shower floor. They typically have multiple baskets for all your essentials, so you’ll have less clutter on your bathroom surfaces.

3. Create extra wardrobe space

I’ve tried so hard to adopt the ways of people with tidy bedrooms, which means I’ve put a lot of effort into re-jigging my wardrobe so clothes don’t spill out and I can maintain order even when I’m working with limited space.

What I’ve learned is that you don’t have to throw away half of your clothes to do that. Instead, the best way to organise a wardrobe is to invest in tension rods and use them to create an extra layer of hanging space. You can then use space-saving hangers like these Black Magic Space Saving Hangers (£15.99 at Amazon) to ensure the extra rail doesn’t overwhelm the space.

The tension rod options don’t end there, though. I also use the tension shelves I've already mentioned in my wardrobes to create folding space where there previously wasn’t any - and it’s been a game-changer for keeping everything tidy and keeping my actual chest of drawers free from clutter.

4. Organise drawers

I used to be the person who would simply throw (well, not literally) items into my drawers without thinking about them. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But then I realised that unorganised things take up way more space than organised things - especially in smaller spaces like drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

The average tension rod wouldn’t work in such a small space, which is why I went in search of tension drawer dividers instead - and they’ve helped immensely. With these drawer organisers, I was able to turn jumbled messes into compartmentalised areas of my home, allowing me to use every inch of available space.

They’re particularly handy if you want to organise deep drawers in kitchens or bedrooms, and they’ve also been a huge motivator for me. I can now spot clutter and mess a lot easier, which means I can quickly and efficiently get rid of items that no longer serve me - instead of keeping them around for those ‘just in case’ moments.

5. Store cleaning products

It’s my job to test the best cleaning products at Ideal Home, which means I also need to store them somewhere. Thankfully, I use tension rods for that - something Shannon loves to do, too. She says, ‘I think they are particularly great under the sink for hanging spray bottles, as this keeps everything visible and frees up space underneath for other items.’

That’s what I’ve done in my under-the-sink cupboard, as I’ve installed a small tension rod towards the top of the cupboard and hooked the bottles onto it. This is incredibly effective and allows me to pick out exactly what I need when I need it. However, it also frees up the space in the cupboard itself

Without the bottles all piled together in the cupboard and creating a mess in the process, it can be used to store other items - like my cleaning tools and other kitchen essentials. If you want to do the same, I’d suggest decluttering your cleaning products first, as it’s highly likely you’re holding onto bottles you no longer need (or are out of date).

Will you be adding some tension rods to your basket? I honestly couldn't recommend them more!

If you’ve ever stepped into someone’s home and been blown away by their beautifully tidy, organised shelves, I’m here to let you in on a little secret: they’re definitely using shelf dividers (like these £9.99 transparent organisers from Amazon).

A true storage and organisation hero, shelf dividers or organisers are a must-have if you want tidy kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets and shelving free from clutter.

Not to mention, there are so many different styles to choose from (which I’m about to show you!), that there truly is a shelf divider to suit every need. Let me tell you, a tidy home is never left to chance; there’s always a clever organiser behind the scenes doing some heavy legwork.

After enlisting your favourite decluttering method to clear clutter from your home’s shelves, it’s time to get organised and keep it organised. Although we love a little bit of shelf-faffery, it can be all too easy for our shelves to succumb to clutter again, which is where shelf dividers come into effect.

‘Most people don’t actually need more storage; they need better structure. Shelf organisers turn ‘dead space’ into usable space by giving every item a defined home. When shelving is layered thoughtfully, you can see everything at a glance, which reduces clutter and stops things from getting lost or forgotten. It’s a small shift that completely changes how a space works day to day,’ says Jonathan Clark, creative director at Shelved.

‘The beauty of shelf organisers is their versatility. We see them used to zone wardrobes, streamline kitchens, organise hybrid workspaces, and turn shelving into curated display areas rather than just storage. Organisers allow shelves to adapt over time, whether that’s accommodating changing seasons, growing collections, or shifting from practical storage to more design-led display. They’re less about tidying up and more about making spaces work smarter.’

I’d even go as far as to argue that this shelving idea is a staple of any tidy home, allowing us to showcase our belongings in a thoughtful, considered way (which is what makes it look fabulous, too).

‘Shelf organisers shouldn’t be bought to hide clutter, but to support the items you genuinely use. Before installing organisers, it’s best to review belongings: anything unused in recent months can be donated or moved to long-term storage. Once you’re left with your essentials, organisers create a structure that keeps shelves tidy with far less effort,’ says Max Wilson, Co-Founder at Pocket Storage.

‘Tidy homes tend to rely on systems rather than willpower. Shelf organisers are a staple because they create natural boundaries and limits. When shelves are clearly divided, it’s obvious where things belong and when a space is full, which prevents clutter from creeping back in. Instead of constantly rearranging, you’re maintaining an organised framework.’

Shelf dividers and organisers can double shelf space and make the most of vertical space, too. They’re a practical solution when space is limited, can help reduce clutter and improve a shelf’s visual appeal. It sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Despite my dreams of living in a huge house with a swoon-worthy open-plan kitchen, I’ve been living in a tiny house with an even tinier kitchen for the past six years. In fact, my galley kitchen is barely big enough for two people to walk through without bumping into each other - and storage is a serious issue. Mostly because we barely have any.

For a while, I let the constant clutter and lack of storage space really get me down, and it got to a point where I started to resent the house that we’d spent years saving up for. But then I made it my mission to invest in clutter-busting items for a small home and incorporate them into my own space. Including my tiny galley kitchen.

Understanding what people with tidy kitchens always have also helped this process, and I can now confidently say that I’ve curbed the chaos and maximised the space in my tiny space. The kitchen feels spacious and organised, and I don’t want to run for the hills every time I open the door - and these are the clever clutter busters I have to thank for that.

1. Over-the-sink (and hob) additions

When you have a tiny kitchen, you need to make the most of all available counter space - especially when you’re trying to cook. But while much of this space is taken up by immovable essentials like the sink, draining board, and hob in my house, I’ve learned to use this to my advantage rather than see it as a negative.

In fact, when our Content Editor, Holly, introduced me to over-the-sink chopping boards, I realised they would perfectly solve the lack of space and cluttered feeling in my galley kitchen. They instantly increase worktop space, and you can even buy over-the-hob alternatives, like this Typhoon Elements Set of 2 Glass Quartz Effect Hob Protectors (£30 at Dunelm).

However, the over-the-sink options don’t end with food prep. Right now, I have my eyes set on buying either a new over-the-sink dish rack or an extendable one that can sit on my draining board and extend only when needed - saving some serious space post-mealtimes. This Joseph Joseph Platform Folding Over Sink Drainer (£19 at Amazon) is currently top of my to-buy list.

2. Hanging hooks and racks

Utilising vertical space is essential in a small kitchen, and I’ve found that one of the best ways to organise a galley kitchen is to use hanging hooks and racks for items that would otherwise clutter the bottom of cupboards and cause a landslide of pots, pans, and even food items.

There are so many ways to use vertical space to maximise a small kitchen, but in my own home, I’ve utilised the Joseph Joseph Set of 4 Pot and Pan Lid Holders (£13 at Amazon) to hold my lids and allow for better pot-and-pan stacking. I’ve also recently installed this FOMANSH Mug Rack (£14.81 at Amazon) underneath the upper cabinets, and just above our coffee machine, to keep them handy and organised.

Another thing people with tidy kitchen cupboards always have is storage solutions on the inside of cupboards, and many people swear also by adding kitchen rail organisers to their walls for pots, pans, utensils, and even spices.

3. Drawer organisers and shelves

It may sound counterintuitive, but organising the areas of a small kitchen that aren’t always visible is one of the best ways to keep the visible space neat, tidy and clutter-free. I’ve learned this the hard way, as clutter would often spill onto the worktops when I struggled to keep my drawers and cupboards organised.

And while there are so many kitchen storage ideas out there, those with small kitchens like mine have limited space to begin with. So, the key is maximising what you’ve got with clever tools and accessories. For me, a game-changing addition to my kitchen drawers was this Lifewit 25pcs Drawer Organiser Set (£21.99 at Amazon), which I’ve split up and used in different cupboards, and even to organise my fridge.

Using fake shelves can double your storage space in larger cupboards that have no shelves, and even those with shelves can be made more practical. In fact, this Joseph Joseph CupboardStore Under Shelf Storage Organiser (£16 at Amazon) is a firm favourite among the Ideal Home team.

4. Door-mounted bins

What many people don’t realise about small kitchens (until they live in them) is that it’s not just cupboard and counter space that’s minimal. You also have very little floor space, which means it can quickly look messy and cluttered if you use any of it. And while we moved into our house with every intention of having a freestanding bin in our kitchen, we quickly realised that they didn’t work.

The freestanding bin took up way too much of our limited floor space, making the area incredibly impractical. So, we swapped it for a smaller Simplehuman 10 Litre In-Cabinet Kitchen Cupboard Bin (£30 at Argos) that now sits on the inside of the under-the-sink cupboard.

It’s small enough not to encroach on the cupboard's storage space and frees up floor space, making the area look bigger and less cluttered. We also decided to do away with our indoor recycling bin completely to encourage us to place recycling in the outside bin as soon as possible, and it’s worked wonders in decluttering the space.

Tiny galley kitchens can be restrictive, but I'm proof that it is possible to make a small space practical.

It’s no secret that hooks are a home storage essential, an item found in every tidy home. But I’m tired of pretending that home storage must only be functional, especially as Oliver Bona’s stunning fabric hooks prove otherwise.

Storage hooks have fallen under the umbrella of essential clutterbusters for a small home for good reason. Utilising vertical space, they’re excellent for freeing up extra space, providing a secure area to stash coats, bags, scarves, towels and more.

Living in a small, one-bed flat, I know the importance of making the most of vertical space. And on a recent hunt for storage hooks, I’ve decided that Oliver Bonas’ Blue Striped Fabric Wall Storage Hook (£9.50) is the prettiest I’ve seen.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Storage solutions should look good - especially if they’re on show. I don’t think there is any point in putting blood, sweat and tears into a decluttering method if the result doesn’t make your home look good. And storage plays a big role in making your home look good.

When you invest in pretty storage solutions - such as Oliver Bonas’ hooks - they can act as an accent within your home decor or layout. For example, the timeless stripes of the Oliver Bonas fabric hook can contribute to a vintage or cottage style, while the Leopard Print Fabric Wall Storage Hook (£9.50) can add a bold burst of colour and personality.

With a fabric disk, bordered by scalloped edges and a gold metal hook, these fabric hooks will instantly brighten your hallway ideas. Some DIY skills are needed to get them on the wall. Also, due to their fabric material, these hooks are not suitable for bathrooms or humid areas.

If you have a small hallway, however, these hooks are perfect - especially if you don’t have the space for a coat stand. Simply fix to your wall, and these statement hooks will be the first thing your guests see as they hang their coats.

It may be a small detail, but I do think pretty storage can make a big difference to your home’s overall aesthetics. This is especially true in a small home, where our storage is often on show. So, I’ve rounded up a few more of my favourite decorative hooks.

The Oliver Bonas fabric hooks are an inexpensive, attractive, and most importantly, practical addition to your home. It’s time for a pretty storage revolution!

Whether you're already a confident minimalist or have aspirations to become one this year, we can learn a lot from the people who embrace minimalism for a job.

Decluttering methods are a great way to purge your home of unnecessary stuff, but knowing what things minimalists throw out every day can give us some real insight into the items we could be letting go of more frequently.

Because organising your home becomes much easier when you're curbing the clutter on the daily instead of letting it build up over time. In that spirit, I asked two minimalists what items they *actually* throw out every day - and their answers were brutally honest.

1. Children's artwork

This is a tender area for a lot of people, and a tricky one to navigate when deciding what common household items to declutter. But Shannon Murphy, accredited professional organiser and founder of Simpl Living Co., was upfront when I asked her what things she throws out every day.

'I often compare it to a museum - they don’t display every piece an artist has ever created but choose the works that tell the best story,' she says. 'The same can apply to your child’s artwork. That random scribble with a piece of pasta glued on might not hold as much meaning as the drawing you made together where they spent time and care.'

If you're struggling in this area, try Shannon's approach and treat it like you're curating a precious collection. And if you're looking for new storage solutions, I recommend the 4L Really Useful Boxes, £27 for a pack of 5 at Hobbycraft. They'll keep everything nicely contained and allow you to see what's in there at a glance.

2. Receipts

This one is far less sentimental, so in theory, it should be easier - and yet, how many of us are storing receipts that are well past their return deadline? It's easy to slip a receipt into a (semi) organised junk drawer, with a mental note to get rid of it at a later date. Months go by, and lo and behold, the receipt lives on.

'They can quickly build up in bags, wallets, or drawers, which is why I stick to the habit of disposing them regularly,' Shannon says. 'The exception is when they're for electrical items or necessary for financial or warranty purposes.'

3. Junk mail

Paperwork is a running theme when it comes to the things minimalists throw out every day, which makes sense, as it takes on many forms and multiplies by the handful. And none more so than the dreaded junk mail pile, which Shannon makes a point to declutter every single day.

'Instead of setting it aside to deal with later, my technique is to put it straight into the recycling bin as I head out the door each day,' she notes. 'This simple habit creates a system to handle junk mail immediately and stops it from becoming clutter.'

For a temporary place to keep letters, this pretty Letter Rack & Key Hooks holder is only £8 from Dunelm. It's only small, which means you'd have to keep on top of decluttering the mail regularly.

4. "Maybe one day" clothes

Moving on to the wardrobe - a big problem area for many - minimalist Sophia Lorimer, founder of Fine-Tuned Wardrobe, says that clothes kept with the mindset of "maybe one day" are key to keep on top of. She herself makes a point of getting rid of these as often as possible.

'Clothes that don’t fit your body or your lifestyle right now are some of the biggest space stealers,' she says. 'If you haven’t worn it in a year or two and it doesn’t make you feel great when you try it on, it’s clutter, and it has to go.'

If wardrobe decluttering feels too much, try wardrobe editing instead. Rather like the children's artwork, this technique focuses on curation over removal, but it should still help you let go of clothes you're holding on to for a later date.

Have you been inspired to get rid of some of the things minimalists throw out every day?

When my husband and I bought our first home in 2020, we were very naive. Our budget didn’t allow for a huge house, but we were so drawn to the character and cosiness of the small Victorian terrace that the lack of built-in storage didn’t even cross our minds. But as you can imagine, it didn’t take us long to realise that a small home + a lack of storage = clutter everywhere.

Of course, we considered using various decluttering methods to get rid of the visible clutter that wouldn’t fit in the small built-in cupboards, but the reality was that we needed to keep many of those items. Most were practical things we used regularly, so we had to find a way to store and organise them to keep the house tidy while still keeping them readily available.

Six years later, I would now consider myself somewhat of a small-home clutter queen, as my house has never been neater, tidier, or more organised. So, these are the clever clutter busters I swear by in a small house with minimal storage that you can use, too.

1. Clutter buckets

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s impossible to curb the clutter completely - unless you decide to have a purge party and get rid of all of your belongings. However, it is possible to hide clutter in a way that doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed or disrupt your home’s aesthetic, and that’s with the help of a ‘clutter bucket.’

A clutter bucket is essentially a storage basket that holds the ugly-but-practical belongings you need nearby, but don’t want on shelves or worktops. In fact, a clutter bucket is something that people with a tidy hallway always have, and Sophia Lorimer, founder of Fine-Tuned Wardrobe, says, ‘A small ‘landing tray’ or basket near the front door for keys and daily essentials can help to contain clutter before it spreads.’

I swear by this Woodluv Set of 3 Seagrass Storage Boxes (£24.99 at Amazon) as they have lids to quite literally shut out the clutter, and they come in three sizes to suit different rooms around my home. I’ve put one in my kitchen, one in my living room, and another in the bedroom - and they really have been a game-changer.

2. Self-adhesive hooks

Some of my favourite clutter busters for a small home (especially in the kitchen) are the cheapest, and you can buy self-adhesive hooks like these Command Clear Medium Wire Toggle Hooks are just £10.50 at Argos. You can also buy them in so many different shapes and forms - from larger hooks that can hold heavier items to picture hanging strips for family photos.

They’re also ideal for renters, as they don’t require drilling and can be easily removed without leaving any residue or glue. And I can’t deny that I’ve used them to my advantage in my small home with limited storage. I’ve banished visible clutter by sticking them inside cupboards and on walls to tidy everything from my dog’s leads and harnesses to bath towels and hanging storage baskets.

Take it from someone who has used a lot of Command hooks over the years, though; you need to make sure that you choose the right ones for the amount of weight you’re trying to hang. Although they can easily hold heavy-duty items, they can also fall down just as easily if you push them too far.

3. Furniture with hidden storage

Although I live in a house with limited built-in storage, my floor space is limited as well, so adding giant wardrobes and cupboards just doesn’t quite work in my space. Because of this, I’ve had to get creative over the years and choose furniture with hidden storage that has multiple uses.

Perhaps the best clutter-busting upgrade we’ve made has been switching out our regular bedframe (which was quite low to the ground, so storing things underneath was difficult) with an ottoman bedframe - the Ascot Ottoman Storage Bed, £299 at DUSK, to be exact. The extra storage space this offers has been incredible, and the bedroom is completely clutter-free.

However, there are so many other pieces of furniture you can buy with hidden storage for smaller homes. This includes ottoman storage benches, slimline console tables/room dividers, storage footstools, and even bathroom mirror cupboards - something that people with tidy bathrooms swear by.

4. Tension rods

I have tension rods all over my small house, and these cheap and affordable additions are extremely handy - especially if you want to tackle clutter efficiently. That’s because tension rods like this AIZESI Extendable Tension Rod (£14.99 at Amazon) can be tailored to any space in any room and instantly offer more storage.

I’ve used them to organise my wardrobe and create extra space for hanging items, I’ve used them to hang bottles of cleaning products under my sink, and I’ve even used them to hang mugs under my kitchen cupboards. I have this 10 Pack of S Hooks (£14.99 at Amazon) to help me do that - and I genuinely think it creates an impressive focal point in my kitchen, too.

These tension rods also give everyday items that could clutter up my worktops and visible space a new home, without taking up space that’s already there. So, they’re well worth it, and now I wouldn’t live in a clutter-free home without them.

5. Over-the-door organisers

When you live in a small house, you need to take advantage of any available space. And while the backs of doors are often overlooked, I’ve come to realise they are ideal for over-the-door organisers that help banish clutter that would otherwise have nowhere else to go.

This is echoed by Sophia, who says, ‘Over-door hooks or rails for coats, bags and dressing gowns are perfect for removing clutter from chairs and floors.’ However, the beauty of over-the-door organisers is that they aren’t just what people with tidy bedrooms have. They can also be used in any room.

I’ve used them to store everything from shoes on the back of my under-the-stairs cupboard door to towels on the back of my bathroom door, and I I even have one that serves as a ‘junk organiser’ to hold random bits and bobs on the back of my home office door so I don’t have to sacrifice a drawer in my kitchen as a junk drawer. They really do work.

I couldn't be without these small home clutter busters now, so hopefully they can transform your house, too.

Landing the middle aisle today (5 February), Aldi is selling affordable kitchen cupboard storage solutions that will whip your kitchen into shape in no time, and prices start at just £2.99.

I’ll hold my hands up, I’m not the best at organising my kitchen cupboards. As much as I’d like to have neatly organised shelves, spices arranged alphabetically, and a Tupperware drawer that isn’t about to explode at any given moment, I haven’t yet mastered the skill of keeping it tidy.

Until now, that is. On my mission to become one of those people who always have tidy kitchen cupboards, I stumbled across Aldi’s latest range of kitchen cupboard organisers. Here’s why I think they’re a storage must-have.

The first to catch my eye were the kitchen cupboard door organisers (all £2.99). Suitable for all kitchen cupboard doors that have a thickness of 2cm, choose from a hanging basket, set up two hooks or a towel rail.

The storage is available in chrome or black and will make the most of the vertical space inside your cupboard door. I think they are great for under-sink cupboard storage, where (at least in my small kitchen) cleaning products are typically flung inside. I’d use the hanging basket to keep my go-to cleaning products and sprays, and the hooks and tow rail to hang extra cleaning cloths and tea towels.

These hanging storage solutions also come with scratch protection, so you don’t have to worry about your cupboard doors getting damaged.

Aldi is also selling wire cabinet organisers for just £3.99, and these, I’m really excited about. I'll personally be racing to my local Aldi to snap up the pan organiser, which I’m hoping will help transform my pan cupboard from chaos to calm as it aids in neatly stacking saucepans and frying pans.

Last, but by no means least, are Aldi’s new magnetic organisers (£3.99). Opt for hooks, a long basket, a kitchen roll holder and a cutlery organiser, all available in either black or white for a sleek look. These magnetically attach to metal surfaces - such as your fridge - to make the most out of unused spaces. This helps free up counter space, which can easily become cluttered.

While Aldi has some seriously helpful storage solutions, not all of us have a store local to us. So, I’ve rounded up a few more storage heroes to shop online.