Winter decluttering before the big Spring clean

Dealing with a home that feels cluttered can be overwhelming at the best of times, but even more so in the New Year, just after Christmas when you’ve had an influx of visitors, and the gifts you’ve received need somewhere to be kept.  

Our recent survey found that 19% of Brits think that the increased cluttered, mixed with having less time to sort things out than usual, is the most depressing thing about their home. According Clever Closet, 78% of Brits say their homes lack adequate storage space – this is key variable when it comes to keeping your home clean and organised. 

33% of those surveyed stated that they planned to declutter their homes in January. If you’re planning to declutter your home (maybe you were planning to in January and you haven’t quite gotten around to it yet), then this article from David Joyson, of Chief Customer Officer, will help you understand why we are so desperate to take part in “Spring cleaning”, what the benefits are, and our top tips for effective decluttering. 

The benefits of decluttering 

Decluttering before renovation 

Planning a home revamp or full-on renovation is a common plan when heading into a new year, and 15% of our survey respondents say they take advantage of the January sales to purchase new furniture. 12% of respondents our preparing for a larger renovation job, such as a kitchen or bathroom refit, so taking some time to clear out the old to make way for the new is crucial.  

Decluttering before moving house 

According to Rightmove, Spring is the most popular season for buying and selling a home, so if this is the year of the big house move for you, now is the perfect time to declutter. This will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and make your life much easier when it comes to packing. 

For more information, see our Guide for Belongings During Moving and Probate. 

Decluttering to sell items 

Looking for a little extra cash? Whether you’re saving up for something special or just trying to boost your bank balance, jump on the growing trend of selling unwanted items on second-hand marketplaces such as eBay, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace. Selling a few small items such as clothing or household items can make a big difference financially and for freeing you of clutter.  

Some of your items might be worth more than realise! 

If you would prefer to donate or give away your items, try Freecycle or Gumtree, or your local charity shops (check with them first about what items they can and can’t take). 

Decluttering to protect your wellbeing 

In general, we spend more time in our houses during the Winter months. It can be easier for piles of belongings to pile up in unexpected areas. Large quantities of miscellaneous items can even pose a risk, both as a trip hazard and fire hazard. Items in hallways and doorways could block a path to the exit in case of emergency, and overcrowded spaces near radiators and overloaded electrical sockets increase the risk of fire. 

It’s also worth considering how the clutter is affecting you day-to-day. Whilst it can just be an eyesore, it can actually have a significant impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. A large number of belongings not stored away properly can make it harder for you to clean your property, and can therefore increase the risk of mould growth, dust, and even pests.  

According to an article in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, living in a cluttered space has been linked to mental health concerns including increased stress, anxiety and depression, so tidying up and starting to clear out your space is a positive step to look after your wellbeing.   

How to tackle clutter   

Beginning to declutter seems like a daunting task, and you may not even know where to start. With the right attitude and following a logical sequence of steps, decluttering can become much more manageable. 

#1 Set realistic goals 

Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to make your home 100% clutter-free in one hit. Break it down into more manageable tasks, perhaps by going one room at a time. Even tackling one drawer is progress, and the process is much more likely to be successful and rewarding if you are not overwhelmed.  

#2 Create a system 

Having a clear plan will be way more effective than aimlessly sorting through your belongings. Not having a plan will mean you are more likely to get distracted and could potentially result in a bigger mess than what you started with. If you’re going through a drawer or your wardrobe, create four piles or have four labelled boxes for ‘keep’, ‘sell’, ‘donate’, and ‘throw away’. This will make getting rid of unwanted items much clearer before you start putting things back, minimising the risk of accidentally throwing away something you actually wanted to keep. 

#3 Avoid unnecessary sentimentality 

Many of us keep items with sentimental value and there’s nothing wrong with that, but if they have no real purpose or they take up space unnecessarily, it might be time to consider whether they are worth keeping.  

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do I need it? 

• Do I use it? 

• Will I forget that I have it? 

• Can the memory attached to it be preserved in another way? 

If it will only sit in an attic or garage gathering dust, it unfortunately should probably go. 

#4 Focus on seasonality 

With Christmas out of the way, Winter and the beginning of Spring are the perfect times to go through and get rid of any unwanted items. This could include broken decorations and seasonal clothing from the festive period. If you found yourself overlooking certain decorations or there’s an ugly Christmas jumper that you bought as a joke, but you’ll never actually wear, do you really want them in the house this time next year? 

Decluttering and home insurance 

When it comes to your home insurance policy, any high-value items should definitely be included in your contents insurance to keep them protected. If you’re lucky enough to find something valuable that you forgot about during your decluttering, it may be worth investing in specialist insurance. Equally, if you sell any high-value items that were listed as specified items on your policy, you’ll want to update your home insurer.  

If you find any items you think could be valuable, it’s better to be sure. Always do your research before you decide what to do with them. You never know when you may come across a hidden treasure. 

Any important paperwork should be documented by taking photos and/or scanning them to make digital copies. Some documents can be irreplaceable in the event of a fire, damage, or loss.   

If you are thinking of selling your property this spring, make sure your home insurance needs are covered – if the sale ends up being delayed, or the house you’re selling (or buying) is empty for a period of time, you’ll likely need unoccupied home insurance to ensure you’re covered.