Although it felt a new year would never come we are officially in to 2022. The Kids are back to school and the parents are back to work. Christmas decorations are (mostly) back in their boxes in the attic and the Baileys put away for another year.
Most people wait until the evenings get brighter for the spring clean. We here at Meadows & Byrne love a New Year declutter. With the influx of new there must be an output of old and we think January is actually the right time for this rejuvenation to your home and here is why…
With most shops having their New Year sales you can score some incredible deals on storage items. Whether that’s just some new food containers or something as fabulous as a smart storage ottoman!
Everyone wants to start the New Year with a clear mind and clear space. Unless you are superhuman, garnering the energy to get up and start the cleaning process in that strange vortex of time between Christmas and New Year’s where the days all meld in to one epic lazy day is virtually impossible. (At least for me!) Once you are back to the ‘real life’ headspace it’s much easier to make decisions based on your everyday lifestyle on what to donate, dump and keep.
The donations are needed! A lot of households do at least a small clear out Pre-Christmas. With family and friends visiting you naturally want your space to look its best. A lot of donations are made in November & December which is amazing! However there is usually a lull in donations to charities between December and the spring clean but there’s never a lack of need. As we head in to what looks like it’s going to be a cold start to the year your donations at a time that isn’t as heavily populated as others could mean the world to someone.
If I have convinced you of a January declutter let me give you a few tips on how to ensure you get the most out of this clear out.
Declutter slowly – When we start we can sometimes get a rush of energy. We want to do everything at once. Take your time maybe take a room a day or even a room a week. This is a big change for some and the slow but steady approach can be so rewarding.
The floor is your declutter friend – When it comes to surfaces less is more. Clear off all the surfaces and lay everything out on the floor. Add back only the essentials. Allocate the rest to drawers, storage hampers like our Cotton Rope Basket or hang them from hooks!
Make the mess beautiful – As much as I would like my kitchen to look like a showroom, I do in fact have to eat. A lot of food packaging doesn’t really fit my clean aesthetic. One of my favourite ways to store my food is in the OXO- Good Grips Pop Containers. I use these for my pasta, flour, sugar, cereal anything that otherwise might come in a bulky container. Putting these on a high shelf or an open cabinet is not all for aesthetic. I can clearly see how much I have left in each container. No more late night shopping when you realise you weren’t as well stocked as you thought.
Double the storage space – Using something like the Joseph Joseph Under-shelf Drawer or the Joseph Joseph Under-shelf Storage Container set can be a game changer. Perfect for apartment dwellers or those of us not blessed with huge open plan kitchens!
If you haven’t used it in six months you never will – I cannot stress this enough! I am prone to holding on a little too long to the t-shirt I loved when I was twenty. Will I wear it again? Definitely not. If you haven’t worn it in six month to a year it’s time for it to go. It helps to imagine that t-shirt getting the love it deserves from someone who may pick it up in a charity shop.
Shoes away – When you get home from a long day all you want to do is kick off your shoes and put your feet up. In my case that can lead to stray shoes by the door, next to the couch and even in the hall. To spare yourself the shoe hunt in the morning before work, use a shoe storage box like the Hallway Stool Shoe Storage. That way you know exactly where to look. The added bonus of that seat on top means you can easily and comfortably slip them on before you go.
Smart Storage Solutions – Living rooms are a breeding ground for clutter. Relaxing with the family in the evening results in books, remotes, blankets and various chargers dotted around the room around. A lot of these things do need to stay in the living room. Using some smart storage that fits your décor like the Orion Storage Ottoman is the perfect solution.
Just ten minutes – Lastly what my mother lovingly calls the ten minute blitz. Taking on a massive job can seem overwhelming and for a lot of us that means it never gets done. If you want to continue to keep your place at a steady level of clean, ten minutes a day can make all the difference. Set a timer and do a quick sweep. If you’re mid-job when your timer goes off drop it you can pick it back up tomorrow for the next blitz.
Happy Cleaning everybody!
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