10 of the biggest mistakes people make when they're decluttering
Autumn is always a perfect time for a spot of decluttering.
Firstly, we are spending more time indoors, which means that that pile of old boots, and that stack of books you haven't read yet, and the clothes you loved last year but aren't feeling for AW24 are right in your eyesight... and annoying you.
Plus, if you have kids, Christmas is coming, and most likely bringing along more toys, gadgets and general crud - it's time to make some space for it.
Previously, 'home-fluencer' Laura Mountford shared her top tips for a September reset, but if your living space needs something more hardcore than sprucing, scrubbing and new bedsheets, then keep reading.
Penny Moyses, who is the founder of the Clean and Tidy Home Show, which takes place at London's ExCel Centre from October 19-20, is passionate about living your best, streamlined life.
At next weekend's event, you can expect inspiring talks from experts (including Marie Kondo!) and the chance to look at the latest storage and organisation tools revolutionising how people overcome - or simply hide - their household mess.
Below she shares her top 10 most common decluttering fails...
1. Taking on too much at once
'Trying to declutter your entire home in one go can be overwhelming and exhausting. It's better to tackle one room or even one section of a room at a time.'
2. Not having a clear plan
'Without a strategy, it's easy to get sidetracked or give up. Setting specific goals, creating a timeline, and knowing what to do with items you're discarding can help maintain focus and motivation.'
3. Not having a disposal plan
'Deciding what to do with unwanted items (e.g., donating, selling, recycling) before starting the decluttering process can prevent piles from accumulating and causing frustration.'
4. Buying storage solutions before decluttering
'Purchasing bins, boxes, or shelves before assessing what you actually need can result in wasted money and space. Declutter first, then determine what storage solutions are necessary.'
5. Feeling guilty about getting rid of gifts
'Keeping items solely because they were gifts can lead to unnecessary clutter. It's okay to let go of things that don't add value to your life, even if they were given to you by someone else.'
6. Not finishing the job
'Starting a decluttering project but not seeing it through can lead to more mess and disorganisation. Completing each task fully before moving on to the next ensures steady progress.'
7. Focusing too much on perfection
'Seeking perfection can lead to procrastination or discouragement. Aim for progress and improvement rather than an unattainable ideal.'
8. Underestimating the time it will take
'Decluttering can be time-consuming, especially if you haven't done it in a while. Be realistic about how long it will take and set aside sufficient time to do it properly.'
9. Not getting help when needed
'Decluttering can be a daunting task, and it's okay to ask for help from friends, family, or professional organisers if needed. Support can make the process more manageable and enjoyable.'
10. Not maintaining decluttered spaces
'Once you've decluttered, it's important to establish habits and systems to keep spaces organised. Regularly assessing and decluttering as needed can prevent the accumulation of new clutter.'
More about decluttering...
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Taking on too much at onceTrying to declutter your entire home in one go can be overwhelming and exhausting. It's better to tackle one room or even one section of a room at a time.Not having a clear plan: Without a strategy, it's easy to get sidetracked or give up. Setting specific goals, creating a timeline, and knowing what to do with items you're discarding can help maintain focus and motivation.Not having a disposal plan: Deciding what to do with unwanted items (e.g., donating, selling, recycling) before starting the decluttering process can prevent piles from accumulating and causing frustration.Buying storage solutions before decluttering: Purchasing bins, boxes, or shelves before assessing what you actually need can result in wasted money and space. Declutter first, then determine what storage solutions are necessary.Feeling guilty about getting rid of gifts: Keeping items solely because they were gifts can lead to unnecessary clutter. It's okay to let go of things that don't add value to your life, even if they were given to you by someone else.Not finishing the job: Starting a decluttering project but not seeing it through can lead to more mess and disorganisation. Completing each task fully before moving on to the next ensures steady progress.Focusing too much on perfection: Seeking perfection can lead to procrastination or discouragement. Aim for progress and improvement rather than an unattainable ideal.Underestimating the time it will take: Decluttering can be time-consuming, especially if you haven't done it in a while. Be realistic about how long it will take and set aside sufficient time to do it properly.Not getting help when needed: Decluttering can be a daunting task, and it's okay to ask for help from friends, family, or professional organisers if needed. Support can make the process more manageable and enjoyable.Not maintaining decluttered spaces: Once you've decluttered, it's important to establish habits and systems to keep spaces organised. Regularly assessing and decluttering as needed can prevent the accumulation of new clutter.
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