Professional organiser Andrea Lewis, from The Organised Curator, has shared her top tips for getting a messy home under control, including the 25% approach to decluttering.
A survey from Smiths Fitted Wardrobes & Kitchens found that 40% of people would judge someone’s home if it was messy, with kitchens (41%) and bedrooms (34%) named as the messiest spots.
The 25% rule for wardrobes
Lewis recommends the 25% rule for decluttering wardrobes. “It’s about balance,” she said. “Some people are great at throwing out jeans but can’t get rid of T-shirts. I’m not expecting you to have the same momentum with all your items of clothing.”
She added: “Decision fatigue is a real-life thing. You’ll start off really well, positively, and then the tiredness will kick in and you start to doubt yourself. It doesn’t happen overnight, and the more you do it, the better you are at it.”
The seasonal swapover is the best time to declutter, according to Lewis. “The end of summer is a really good example. If you’ve not worn it that summer, you’re not likely to wear it again. I usually say if you’ve not worn it within a year, it’s time to let go.”
Psychological aspects of clutter
Lewis noted that clothing can control how people feel. “Often I see a woman put on a dress and say, ‘I love this dress, but it’s too small or I don’t feel great in it.’ And I say, ‘Well, that’s your answer. That item is still controlling how you feel. It should be the other way around.’”
She added: “A lot of it is psychological, but once you start to think out loud and catch yourself, you clock it. A minimised capsule wardrobe is what we should be aiming for.”
Lewis also warned that decluttering alone is not enough. “You can be really good at it, but if you have a shopping habit and things are constantly coming in, you’re never going to be on top of it. The two have to go hand in hand: decluttering and slowing down the flow of new items coming into your home.”
Storage tips for small bedrooms
For small bedrooms, Lewis said the biggest mistake is having too much stuff. “I often see books that have been read gathering dust, or excess products that could live in the bathroom. The bedroom should be calm and chaos-free.”
She recommended under-the-bed storage as a “real game changer,” adding: “Suitcases are good to store under there, as are seasonal items like swimwear or ski wear. If you’ve got children’s clothes you’re waiting for them to grow into, that’s a good place to store them.”
Lewis also advised using hooks and over-the-door storage for clothes that are not dirty but not ready for the wash basket. “Keep your bedroom as clutter-free as possible. Once a week, if you can, clear out the things that tend to pile up with normal day-to-day life.”
She concluded: “Don’t strive for perfection, strive for good enough. That’s my approach when it comes to organising homes. None of us live in a glass house. Even though we want to, it’s just not attainable.”
