Your messy home is making you stressed – here's how to declutter your house in 2025
We all know how quickly clutter can take over, and how quickly excess ‘stuff’ can have a negative impact, not only on the physical space in our homes but on our headspace too.
If you’ve been considering a clear out but need a nudge in the right direction – this is it! It's a new year, so it's the perfect time to start afresh and take the opportunity to focus on decluttering.
It also makes perfect sense to get rid of some unused items – whether you sell, donate or recycle them – to make room for any gifts that you and your family may have received over Christmas.
So, if you find it difficult to let go of possessions, or simply want to have a tidier home in 2025, read on for tips from those in the know…
1. Understand the psychology
A cluttered environment can be very overwhelming to the senses and can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.
Interior designer and decluttering expert Zoe Warren says, ‘When a space is cluttered, the brain is constantly bombarded with visual stimuli. This visual overload can trigger the body's stress response, leading to increased cortisol levels. A cluttered home can also increase cognitive load – the mental effort required to process information. When our brains are constantly searching for items or trying to make sense of a disorganised space, this can lead to fatigue and decreased concentration.’
Clutter can also be associated with negative emotions such as guilt, shame, and feeling overwhelmed, which can contribute to anxiety and stress.
‘A cluttered workspace can make us feel a sense of lack of organisation, or may make us feel guilty about our procrastination,’ says Zoe. ‘Equally, a cluttered bedroom can make us feel ashamed of our ‘messy’ habits and cause anxiety that can lead to more disrupted sleep.’
2. Look ahead to a more organised home
When our surroundings are organised, our brains are able to process information more efficiently. This can then reduce the likelihood of feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
‘Organising your home can also boost your mood and sense of wellbeing,’ says Zoe. ‘The act of decluttering and creating a tidy home space can be empowering and satisfying. It can give us a sense of accomplishment and control over our environment. This can then boost our self-esteem and confidence. A tidy home can also lead to a greater sense of mindfulness. We are more likely to be present in the moment and appreciate the simple things in life. This then helps us to develop a much greater sense of gratitude and contentment.’
3. Prioritise and focus
Write a plan of what you want to get organised,’ says Siân Pelleschi, professional organiser and founder of Sorted, all-sorted.co.uk.
‘Order it in preference of what bothers you the most but is easy to fix, to what bothers you the least and is harder to fix. From there you can start on the easy, big wins that then make you want to continue and work on the harder, not so worrying areas when you feel more in control.’
It can be easy to get distracted, so Siân has this advice: ‘When you’re decluttering or organising a specific area, work only in that area until it's finished. Create four piles: items to give away or sell, items to put back in their rightful places elsewhere in the home, items to go back into that space and items that are no longer fit for purpose. Once you’ve gone through the whole area, put back those items that live there first and then work on the other piles. Setting a timer can be a great way to keep you focused. Start with 20-minute sessions with mini breaks in between but don’t be tempted to start on another area until you’ve finished the first.’
4. Consider your personal goals
When organising and tidying your home, it’s important to consider your personal values and goals. ‘At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary, so it’s important to think about what works for you,’ says Zoe.
‘Cultural influences may also play a part and influence how people organise their space. In some cultures, it is considered important to display family heirlooms and ancestral artefacts, while in others, a more minimalist approach is preferred.’
5. Make a start
‘It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at everything you want to achieve in your decluttering journey but bring it back down a notch and start really small – you want to build up your confidence,’ says Siân.
‘Focus on just one small area that you know is achievable in the time you have. Maybe it’s a drawer that’s been bothering you or one shelf in a cupboard. Once you’ve done that you’ll find one of two things – you loved it and want to do more, or you’re happy with the result but want a break before starting another area. Don't jump right back in if your heart isn’t in it as it’ll only make the job harder. You want to be creating the dopamine that fills you with happiness and excitement in order to do more.’
6. Sort excess stuff
Let’s be honest, excess stuff is part of the problem. ‘Sometimes you have to limit what you keep in order to move forward,’ says Siân.
‘Ask yourself some simple questions to help you make a decision. What is the excess? Is it what’s left over from something you bought but no longer require? Can it be gifted to the local community or to friends? A lot of the problems of excess are those burning statements, such as, “I may need it someday” or “I use it and don’t want to have to re-buy when I next need it, it’s such a waste of money”. Consider: do you need to buy so much of it in the first instance – do you really need that “special deal” where yes it might work out cheaper but it’s going to cause you more stress as you’ve nowhere to store it? Secondly, if it is to stay, do you have a place for it to live? If the answer is yes to the first two and no to the last one, then you need to consider letting it go.’
7. Organise what you're keeping
It’s important to keep items contained, particularly inside cupboards and drawers but also those out on show on occasion too.
Siân has the following advice: ‘Put like with like – there will be the odd occasion when you might split an item up to be housed in a few areas (pens are a good example of this) but otherwise keep similar items together so you know where to find them. Label items wherever possible so that you and others know where they belong. Make sure you complete the decluttering process first so that everything that’s left behind is wanted/needed.’
8. Set yourself a schedule
Remember, the journey towards a tidy home is a process, not a destination. ‘Start small, declutter mindfully, and embrace the sense of accomplishment that comes with transforming your home into a more organised space,’ says Zoe.
‘If it works better for you, plan to do little and often rather than embarking on a non-stop decluttering marathon, which can feel overwhelming. Scheduling in small sessions is a great way to make a start and will help you on the way to creating lasting change.’
9. Decide on a method of attack
The key to decluttering is to find a plan that you are able to stick to, so do your research first, looking into the tried and tested methods of trusted experts.
One method that’s getting attention at the moment is the Swedish concept of death cleaning, or döstädning. While it might sound morbid, it’s highly effective, encouraging you to think about how dealing with your stuff might make loved ones feel and reminding you that memories can be maintained without the physical items.
10. Have a plan
Before getting started, put a plan in place for what you are going to do with the items you no longer need. If you are donating to the charity shop, allow time to load up the car and take it there within the next day or two. Likewise, if you’re planning on selling it, list it straight away.
11. Let go of the guilt
‘Many people feel guilty about letting go of belongings because they or someone else spent money on them. The money isn’t coming back, and a gift is no good if it’s hidden in a cupboard. Holding on to those things because you feel you should is only cluttering your home and adding stress to your life. Let go of the guilt, learn from any purchasing mistakes, and give yourself permission to say no to hand-me-downs if you don’t want them,’ advises Laura Price, founder of The Home Organisation.
12. Question your ties
We’re often told to get rid of items in our homes that we’ve not used in the last year, but emotional attachments can hamper our ability to let go.
Henrique Conceicao, area manager at Total Clean, has a unique way of categorising what to keep and what to get rid of: ‘Try to emotionally tag items: Joy, Memory or Burdensome. It’s astonishing how many fall into the last category without realising it. Labelling helps align your choices with emotional results.’
13. Leave 20% free space
Consider the amount of available storage space when decluttering. This might mean being ruthless if space is at a premium – make sure everything has a specific home, which will encourage you to put things away later down the line.
If you fill your current storage to the max, there will be no available space when something new comes into the house, and that will only mean the clutter starts to build again. Try to leave some empty space, say around 20%, as a contingency, so your storage is never at capacity.
14. Change your mindset
‘The KonMari Method looks at how, and ultimately why, you live as you do in your home,’ explains Jenny Hayes, a master KonMari consultant and course instructor.
‘Completing a tidying festival (examining absolutely EVERY item in your home) means that your everyday standards and routines are looked at and tweaked to serve your ideal lifestyle. Once you have a true taste of simplicity and flow in one area of your life you will only want more.’
15. Cut down on bedding and towels
Keep bedding and towels to two per bedroom/bathroom (maybe three for kids’ rooms), as well as an extra duvet and pillow set for each bed. Any more isn’t needed – use them as rags or dust sheets (stored in the shed or garage).
Store bedding sets folded neatly within the matching pillowcase, so they sit neatly on the shelf and can be located easily. Finally, use vacuum storage for spare duvets and pillows – it will double your storage space!
16. Avoid creating a floordrobe
Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly, otherwise known as the Style Sisters, have some advice to save clothes from cluttering surfaces.
‘Follow the five-minute rule,’ they say. ‘If it takes less than five minutes to put away, don’t put it down. If it’s too clean for the wash, it’s okay to put it back in the wardrobe rather than a chair. Otherwise, introduce a storage basket – items can go there until you have time to put them away and can be refreshed with Lenor Crease Releaser if needed.’
17. Create a daily routine
‘A daily reset is a simple yet powerful way to maintain an organised home. By spending just a few minutes at the end of each day returning items to their designated spots, you prevent clutter from building up and overwhelming your space. This small effort helps reinforce good habits and keeps your home tidy without the need for major cleanups. Over time, this practice becomes second nature, helping you stay organised and creating a more peaceful, functional environment for you and those you live with,’ advises Penny Moyses, founder of Clean & Tidy Home Show.
18. Maximise storage
Utilise your storage space properly and you might find you have more space than you thought!
Simon Glanville, managing director at A Place for Everything, has this advice: ‘The new year is a great time to have a seasonal clothing sort out. It requires patience and planning – and lots of carrier bags! Plus, effective storage. Look at under-bed or back-of-door options. Maximise wardrobe space with shelf dividers and trouser and scarf hangers. Also think about ‘any angle’ clothes hanging rails which fit into underused corner spaces, especially in loft rooms.’
19. Devise a toy rotation
Low storage can go some way to helping kids to put toys away, as can choosing smaller boxes or baskets over one large toy box. Toys that are buried beneath others rarely get played with and can be forgotten, so why not consider a toy rotation?
Firstly, cull anything broken or outgrown. Put the rest into storage boxes, dividing them into types. For younger kids, this might look something like role play; problem-solving; creative and active toys. Take a few out of each section at a time and swap them around every couple of weeks.
20. Clear out cupboards
Think about what works in your kitchen, and what doesn’t. Empty out cupboards fully so you can see what you have. Get rid of multiples, out-of-date items, and things you don’t use. Group items together and work out where they will best fit. Is there anything that will help you to better organise what you have? Pan protectors or shelf organisers for example, or storage caddies that you can pull out easily.
21. Multi-tasking furniture
The key to keeping surfaces and floors clutter-free is adequate storage. When choosing new furniture, ensure you buy multi-tasking pieces that work extra hard for your space.
Ottoman beds can be used to store additional bedding, while bench-style ottomans placed at the end of a bed are the right size for blankets or bulky winter clothing. Storage coffee tables and footstools for the living room can hide throws, magazines, books and controllers, while benches in the hallway can double as shoe storage.
22. Corral serial offenders
Plastic storage pots and tubs, with unclaimed lids, are serious clutter culprits. Followed closely by drinks bottles with lost straws. Reunite plastic tubs, drinks bottles and coffee cups with their lids and store them in groups (reuse unwanted tubs as storage for smaller items).
Stackable holders for bottles are a worthwhile purchase, check out Amazon for a selection. And the best way to store plastic pots and tubs? On her Instagram (@declutterdollies), Dilly Carter suggests putting the lids on plastic tubs and stacking them, unless you have multiples of the same size, then you should store them within each other with the lids separately.
23. Free up your bathroom surfaces
Bathroom cabinets are a magnet for accumulating unused items. Donate unopened toiletries (including any gift sets you are unlikely to use), dispose of out-of-date medicines and throw away anything that no longer looks or smells as it should!
Reorganise groups of items into boxes or trays, so you can see what you have at a glance and avoid doubling up. If the area around the sink or bath gets cluttered quickly, consider a slimline trolley that can easily slide between the toilet and wall, or next to a basin, to house your everyday items.
24. Encourage good habits
‘Allocate one hook to each family member so that coats and bags are hung up neatly as soon as you come in. If you have children, make sure hooks are placed at a suitable height and make the hooks appealing by decorating them with a little animal or the childrens’ initials. This will encourage them to use the hooks and establish the routine of putting things away from the get-go,’ suggests Liz Aitken, wellbeing ambassador at HOLD Self Storage and founder of Carefully Sorted.
‘Invest in a shoe basket for each as well, and a spare one for guests, to stop people leaving their shoes lying around.’
25. Cull hallway clutter
The hallway is an overburdened area of the home so needs a little extra attention. Any furniture needs to earn its place, also acting as storage. Remove kids shoes and coats that are outgrown. Shoes and coats that are in season and used regularly, should live in the hallway – everything else should be stored in a wardrobe.
Don’t be tempted to leave mail in the hallway, action it immediately or put it in a designated holder ready to be dealt with. An ‘items out’ basket, for things that need to be posted or returned can be helpful but use it for this purpose only otherwise it will just become another clutter magnet.
26. Not all clutter is physical
Not all clutter can be seen, but still has the same overwhelming impact on our lives. Our phones, tablets and laptops are full of unused items – take time to delete or merge duplicate photos (smartphones can do this for you). Clear the desktop and organise into relevant folders, update reading lists and delete unneeded emails and messages.
Allievate your mental clutter with organisational tools. Set aside time once a week for a reset – organise the week ahead on a planner (one that allows you to see the whole week is handy), adding things that need to be done/bought/booked or organised within the next week or two.
27. Consider seasonal self-storage
If space really is tight and packing away seasonal bedding and clothing isn’t an option, you could consider renting storage space.
‘HOLD Self Storage offers a dedicated winter wardrobe storage solution which could really help with this. These units range from 10-20 square feet, and you can rent them over the winter months to deal with this very specific problem,’ advises Liz Aitken, wellbeing ambassador at HOLD Self Storage and founder of Carefully Sorted.
While paying for storage isn’t the ideal, it could be a temporary fix. You could expect to pay around £75-£100 a month, but many companies, including HOLD Self Storage, offer 50% off the first 8 weeks.
28. Live more sustainably
There’s a decluttering trend sweeping socials at the moment that encourages people to avoid buying unnecessarily. ‘Underconsumptioncore’ means making use of what you already have and not buying every new item pushed on social media.
Some might argue many of us live this way anyway, either by choice or necessity, but it is a reminder to ask ourselves whether we already have something at home that will do the same job. The simplest way of keeping your home clutter-free is to bring less stuff into your home in the first place!
29. Utilise the loft or garage
‘The loft is a brilliant space to store items you might only need occasionally, while a garage or shed is better for more regularly used items like gym gear and bikes. What they both have in common though is potential damp, especially if stored on the floor. Choose water-resistant storage, which keeps the contents dry and keeps out damp, humidity, dust and insects. It needs to be durable and temperature-resistant, while stackable storage with sturdy lids helps you maximise the footprint and works well on shelves. If it’s transparent, too, then you can see the contents at a glance,’ advises Craig Sammells, country manager UK & Ireland for SmartStore by Orthex.
30. Streamline your home office
If your home office is full of clutter it’s unlikely to promote focus and productivity, but it’s another area of the home that often becomes the family dumping ground.
Get started by removing anything that doesn’t belong there or no longer has a use, such as old printer cartridges, unidentified leads and chargers, old electronics and paperwork that’s no longer needed.
Sort out office supplies, disposing of multiples and rehousing them in a desk organiser. Use trays for items that need actioning and another for items that need filing or scanning, and keep on top of these every week.
