Whether you have a whole weekend or just an hour to spare, decluttering your home will help to clear your mind as well as your space. It'll also help you save money in the long run, as you'll take better care of the things you do have and won't double-up on items you forgot about.
From shampoo bottles in the shower to pillows that are past their prime, we promise that shedding these common clutterbugs from your cupboards, drawers, and surfaces will pay off in no time.
Click or scroll on for our list of what needs to be shown the door right now...
While it’s useful to keep leftover paint for touch-ups after finishing a home project, a DIY stash can soon get out of hand. Instead of keeping whole tins that will soon dry up, try decanting them into smaller jars to take up less space. If you have tester pots you know you’ll never get around to using, why not offer them for free on selling sites?
When it comes to disposing of tins of paint that are past their best, check your local recycling centre's rules. In some areas, you may need to add something absorbent to dry up the paint, like cat litter or sawdust, before disposing.
Are you guilty of hoarding instruction manuals for appliances you have long since parted ways with? See also instructions for furniture that you built years ago. If you have a stash taking up space in your home, it’s time to recycle or get shredding as they no longer serve a purpose.
Even if you still own an appliance, many manuals can be found online, so only keep essential ones in a binder and do away with the paper clutter.
It's always a good idea to have a sort-out of batteries now and then. First of all, organise them into types. If you’re not sure if they still have power, invest in a battery tester to check.
Make sure you dispose of any used batteries safely, rather than disposing of them at home, as they pose a fire hazard. Many supermarkets or shops offer safe recycling points.
We all have it, that junk drawer of electronics: long-forgotten digital cameras, game console controllers, ancient mobile phones, and a tangle of cables. As overwhelming as it is to tackle these items, you’ll be thankful you did. First, start by sorting and keeping anything you will use again, such as a spare iPhone charger, then look at items you can give away to charity or sell.
Before giving away or selling, just make sure you factory reset any phones and laptops and save any treasured images you want to keep before removing memory cards from cameras.
While some indoor plants are evergreen, some flowering varieties, such as peace lilies and orchids, follow blooming cycles. Orchids, in particular, can appear completely dead before springing back into life the following year.
Take an inspection of which houseplants have seen better days and decide whether they're likely to be revived with a change of position or a little more/less watering, or whether it's time to let them go.
Most people have a veritable graveyard of cleaning products stashed under their sinks, but you don’t want too many chemicals cluttering up your space.
Take the opportunity to sort through, decide what you need and will use, and (responsibly) throw out any that are out of date or, worse still, you can’t identify!
You could save money and space in the future by making your own eco-friendly multi-purpose cleaning solutions from storecupboard items such as white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Most of us can admit to owning too many mugs, from novelty ones to freebies, but do we really need them all? Say goodbye to your motley crew of mismatched and chipped mugs and embrace a reduced collection of coordinating china. If you're on a budget, look for quality preloved sets on Vinted or Facebook marketplace.
You’ll thank yourself when that particular unexpected neighbour comes for coffee and a chat.
We're all guilty of buying new food products and shoving old ones to the back of the cupboard without checking the expiration date, resulting in a waste of food and money.
Reclaim your pantry and make a point of checking the dates on every box, bottle, and tin, freeing up space in your cupboard and allowing you to prioritise items that go out of date imminently.
When it comes to cookware, you’re allowed to treat yourself to a non-rusty pan set for the sake of your cooking. Aside from the health implications of using rusty old pots and pans, it will also impair the flavour of your precious stews and roasts.
You’re also compromising the cooking process itself, as those bacon rashers will fry a lot easier in a nice, new non-stick pan.
Hands up if you refuse to throw away old takeaway boxes and plastic containers. If you have an ever-growing stash, it's time to rid yourself and your cupboards of anything without a properly fitting lid and cut it down to a manageable number.
Glass containers are the way forward for a stylish yet practical storage solution for your food.
It's tempting to leave old shampoo bottles balancing on the edge of the bath just in case there’s enough left for next time, but all that clutter will not make for a blissful bathing experience.
Little and often works with this declutter, but it's worth taking the time to organise your bathroom storage to create a serene space and allow you to see what products you already have.
Medicine cabinet in a pickle? Have a sort through and dispose of any old medications and medical supplies that you don’t need any more. Any out-of-date prescriptions should be taken to a pharmacy to be disposed of.
Cardboard boxes can be recycled, as can any paper inserts. Inhalers contain gases which are harmful to the environment, so they should also be recycled at any pharmacy.
It's so easy to hang on to cosmetic products long past their expiry date, particularly those we don’t use often and feel too guilty to throw away when they’re half full.
However, it can be harmful to your skin and eyes to use products that have been sitting open for too long, as you run the risk of introducing bacteria they’ve accumulated. Taking the opportunity to do a good purge of your make-up drawer or vanity may even reunite you with products you thought you'd lost, so it will save you rebuying them.
Over the years, you've probably collected a random assortment of clothes hangers that have left your closet looking unkempt and messy.
So, for a wardrobe upgrade, get rid of any hangers that don't match and purchase a matching set that will last. Slim, non-slip flocked hangers are a great choice as they take up less room in your wardrobe and clothes stay in place more easily.
Inevitably, we all end up with odd socks after doing the laundry, but if your underwear drawer is starting to look cluttered with sad single socks, a purge is in order.
Start by getting a drawer divider and matching up your pairs. Then be ruthless and say goodbye to any odd socks. The same goes for any threadbare ones or ones with holes in the toes.
Love this? Take a look at more organising tips and tricks.
Most experts agree that pillows should be replaced after 1-2 years. If you are waking up with a sore neck or finding it hard to get comfortable at night, it means that your pillow isn't giving you the support you need, so it's time to invest in some fresh bedding.
No one likes an old, rough towel or bobbly bed sheet, but sometimes it's hard to part with these handy items. To avoid throwing out perfectly good linen, pop those items you’re unsure about in a box and leave them for up to three months.
Anything you don’t use within those three months can be given to charity shops, animal shelters, or recycled.
If you work from home or are a hybrid worker, it's time to clear the decks to keep your home office looking tidy. Invest in an accordion file and put all of your paperwork in there. Do the same for any home admin; put bills and household records in alphabetical order, anything from an invoice to house deeds.
Be ruthless with pens, pencils, and other stationery, too – if it doesn't work or you don't love it, get rid of it. Some random uncategorised items are inevitable, so allow yourself one box or basket to put things like spare batteries and staples out of sight.
Modular home office desk with storage available from Shelved.
We’re all guilty of this one. With so many brilliant new reads published every year, books can easily pile up around the home. There's no time like the present to purge what you no longer need. Make a pact to stop buying books before you've read the ones you already have.
For an easy win, get rid of any duplicates or books you are unlikely to read again. Donate them to a charity shop or a community library so someone else can enjoy them, and you'll be rewarded with valuable shelf space.
Manhattan living room storage available from Sharps.
Nothing collects clutter quite like a toy bin, so now's the time to have a sort-through and clear out the kids' room storage.
Regift outgrown toys that still have plenty of play in them to charity shops or even friends. Then get rid of any broken bits and bobs at the recycling centre.
If you're at all crafty, you will know how easily your stash can get out of hand. If you have lots of scraps of ribbons, fabrics, or yarn, gather them in one bag or basket and either look for quick stash-busting projects to use them up or consider donating them to a local school or charity.
If you have any work in process, make a pact with yourself that you won't buy any more stash until your projects are finished.
We can become adjusted to the scent of our own homes. Over time, we may not notice smells coming from pets, as well as chew toys and bedding. So, make sure blankets and germ-laden toys are regularly washed. Anything still in good condition that they don't play with or use can be donated to an animal shelter.
It's also best to keep their treats and food in airtight jars shut away in cupboards, ideally away from your own food.
Do you have a tower of plastic, terracotta, and ceramic plant pots in your garden or shed? If you’re not planning to use them anytime soon, it’s time to part ways with them. Any with chips in can make excellent bug hotels for insects or DIY fairy gardens, while those that are in good condition could go to a new home.
If you simply must keep some, consider painting them to give them a new lease of life.
After a busy summer of outdoor activities, assess picnic wear, park toys, and beach gear that may have seen better days. Throw away or repair deflated balls and paddling pools, saggy deck chairs, ripped picnic blankets, or broken buckets and spades.
Give anything that still has plenty of use a good clean and store it away, ready to use as soon as the sun next pokes out from behind the clouds.
When it comes to bulky winter clothes, go through your wardrobes and get rid of any items you haven't worn for a while.
Assess the condition of woollen knits, hats, and scarves and decide if they are still to your taste. If not, make some extra cash by selling them on sites like Vinted or eBay. A good sort-through will keep wardrobes uncluttered and spacious, and you may even rediscover old favourites you forgot you had.
When the holidays come around, have a good cull of your Christmas decorations. Dispose of any broken baubles or lights that no longer work after a fuse change, and if there are any you no longer love, list them on selling sites, such as Facebook Marketplace, and put the money towards the gift budget.
A thorough clear-out will save you vital space in the attic or garage, too. Love upcycling? See if you can give any ornaments a brand-new look first.