Learning how to declutter a small space is important for making sure it stays organized and usable. Even just a few displaced items can make a place look messy, which is why it’s a good idea to get on top of tidying it up.

Living in a small space myself, I understand how easily they can get filled up with items. One minute I’ve put down a few things, and then the next minute, bam — my whole place looks super unaesthetic. I also know how overwhelming it can be to get started on getting everything in order.

Thinking decluttering could be a good idea for your small space? I’ve spoken to experts to find out how to do just that. They’ve given plenty of tips and tricks that will make the process super easy, and that you can do straight away, too.

6 tips for decluttering your small space 

Follow these steps for decluttering your home, and your place will look so much better.

1. Adopt a minimalist mindset

Yes, I know — it can be hard to let go of things. But if you want your place to be tidy, you’ve got to be a little bit ruthless. “Focus on keeping only what you truly need, use, or love,” says Hashi Mohamed, president of Ivy Cleans. “Begin with one area or room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.” As the queen of clean Marie Kondo says: If it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let it go. 

2. Use sectional organizing

Second of all, go into each space and assess what you use it for. “Sectional organizing involves dividing your area into sections based on specific activities, such as studying, lounging, and dressing,” explains Nicole Gabai, professional organizer and founder of B. Organized. “Take some time to think about what activities you plan to do in each area so you can create a layout that works for you.” To make this easier, you could write these down and draw out how you want each room to be organized. 

3. Divide your spaces into zones

For an efficient organizing system, it's useful to divide your space into zones. “It's important to prioritize frequently used items and keep them in zone one, which is the most accessible area,” Gabai says. “Less often used items can be placed in zone two or zone three.” For example, in a small room's study section, you should place items you use daily in zone one, such as your computer, pen, and notepad. Items like a textbook that you reference occasionally can go in zone two, which could be a small bookcase.

4. Use vertical space

Another crucial factor to take into account is the vertical space. “The aim of optimizing any given space is to utilize the height efficiently and avoid wasting valuable vertical space,” explains Gabai. “A practical solution could be employing Command hooks to hang your hats on the wall or adding extra shelves.” Gabai also recommends using shelf extenders, if you have a small kitchen and need more storage space inside your cabinets.

5. Consider multi-purpose furniture

Being thoughtful about what furniture you choose will help you maximize your space’s usefulness. “Consider multi-purpose furniture like a storage ottoman or a wall-mounted desk,” says Mohamed. Lift-top coffee tables and beds with storage are also useful options. Anything that provides dual services is not only great for organization but also will allow you to get more bang for your buck.

6. Regularly reassess your space

Once you’ve initially decluttered, it’s important to keep on top of your hard work, to prevent it from being untidy again. “Remember, the key to decluttering in small spaces is to prioritize what truly adds value to your life and let go of the rest, creating a more functional and peaceful environment,” Mohamed finishes by saying.

3 buys to help you declutter your small space 

Want to take your decluttering game to the next level? Here are three budget-friendly buys that are savvy and stylish. 

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article. 

FAQs

Now you’ve taken all the trash out of your small space, you might want to bag some buys to make your place look even neater. These small space organizers are so clever and are shopper-approved. 

Figuring out how to organize under the kitchen sink can be a nightmare for most of us. It's a place where your antibacterial wipes, bleach and sponges balance like a game of Jenga or Buckaroo. But when it comes to keeping toxic household items out of the reach of kids and pets, you'll find organizing far from child's play.

Perfect for clearing space from your worktops, finding things quickly and easily (saving money on dupes) and generally keeping things organized, kitchen storage ideas like these are genius for giving your under sink space a well-needed glow-up.

Where to start

'First take everything out of your under sink cupboard and group similar items together as you do so,' says Lizzie Grant, founder of Declutter on Demand.

'This allows you to really see what you have in there. It also gives you a fresh perspective on using a different layout and organizing products for this space. Declutter anything you no longer need or use as well as expired products.'

1. After sorting, measure the space

'Under sink storage can be tricky due to pipes and lack of shelves. Before you rush to buy organizing products, measure the space,' says Grant.

It's all about maximizing on the space you have, depending on what you need to stow there also. ''Consider the amount and size of the products you have to store - are they tall, small, narrow, wide? Look for ways you can maximize the space, for example, adding hooks or clothes pegs to the back of an under-sink cupboard door or adding over-door storage.' Adds Grant.

'If shelves are lacking, buy stackable or freestanding drawers to double the amount of storage space. There are even freestanding shelves you can buy which can fit around pipes.'

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2. If in doubt, go with wire under-sink storage

Under-the-sink organizers made from stainless steel wire are often superior to plastic ones. They are easier to clean, not prone to water damage, and, importantly, are lightweight and easy to remove when needed. Speaking from the experience of having had to organize many kitchen sinks over his lifetime, Licensed Realtor® Scott Browder tells us that 'since it is made of steel you don’t have to worry about a leaky faucet messing up your nice drawers the first time you have a leak. I make sure to hit the tracks with silicon spray or wD-40 also so that the shelves pull out with ease and if they are to get wet they will not rust. I check every couple of months to make sure I spray it down so the shelves move fast and again if the sink is to leak that it doesn’t rust.' 

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3. Double up on tiered organizers

Even the smallest under-the-sink space can accommodate a tiered organizer. And most sinks will be able to fit in two of them, which means you've just quadrupled your storage space. Never underestimate the power of multiple tiers to house all your bottles, clothes, and brushes. It's a much more efficient way of organizing your space than trying to cram in everything on one level.

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4. Choose your organizing products

'There are lots of different ways to organize your space so choose products which appeal to you and work for your space,' explains Grant.

'You may want to have a portable caddy for daily/weekly cleaning products so you can take them to other areas of your home if needed. Alternatively, you might prefer to use a turntable to organize items.'

'Smaller storage containers, such as small plastic takeaway boxes, are useful for smaller items. Using see-through tubs or bins will ensure that you never lose track of items.'

Find this iDesign™ Clear Undersink Sliding Tray unit at Bed Bath and Beyond for just $29.99 (Beyond+ Members pay $23.99).

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5. Sort your supplies with a spin board

'If you have a deep kitchen cupboard and hate fighting through the maze of supplies and products, spin boards, also known as Lazy Susans, are great to place your spray bottles on, allowing easier reach to your products,' says Katie Thomas, founder of KTM design.

'On the other hand, if you haven’t got enough room for a spin board, tension rods can be used across the cupboard which will then allow you to hook the spray bottles onto the rod. This then allows for extra room underneath for any storage boxes, maximizing the space available.'

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6. Where possible, make the sustainable choice

'Baskets are a good choice for under sink storage as they’re easy to maneuver and importantly are the only ‘breathable’ type of storage so good for dishcloths, tea towels and wipes,' says Craig Sammells, manager at Orthex Group.

'Our SmartStore Baskets have the added aspect of being a sustainable choice too – they are made from recycled plastic and have the option of a bamboo lid. The lids rest snugly on top of the basket making them stackable.'

'We also have the Classic range of recyclable plastic boxes with durable clip lids. These are available in a variety of sizes and are good for more long-term under-sink storage such as for liquid soap or surface cleaner refills.'

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7. Consider adjustable and removable organizers

The space under the sink often turns into a bit of a dumping ground for carrier bags, cleaning products and anything else to quickly stuff in a cupboard out of sight – especially in a small kitchen design where space is at a premium.

So, an adjustable under-the-sink organizer not only means you can maximize storage space, but also offers an effective management and stock control system of cleaning products. The days of frustratingly rummaging through cupboards trying to find a new bottle of bleach that doesn't exist are officially over.

No matter if you have a large or small kitchen storage unit you can organize under the kitchen sink with ease knowing that this unit is adaptable to the space.

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8. Use pull-out shelves

'Make sure every item under the sink has a designated home as this will help you keep your under sink space organized. Only keep products you use regularly under the sink,' warns Grant.

'If you bulk-buy items, find another place to keep these to avoid your under sink storage becoming cluttered. Organize items by category and remember if you cannot see things then you probably won’t use them.'

'Keep more frequently used items at the front and lesser used items towards the back. Remove packaging as much as possible to save space and make everything look more uniform.'

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8. Maximize your cabinet door space

'The cabinet doors are an ideal place to store everything from trash bags and shopping bags to paper towels and sponges. There are two basic designs of cabinet door organizers. Those that hook over the door and those that mount to the door directly.' says Brad Neel, a content creator, The Container Store.

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10. Work around obstructions

'The hardest part of organizing the space under your sink is working around the pipes and your garbage disposal. Using several two-tiered under sink organizers is one way to solve the problem,' says Neel.

'They help you make use of the vertical space and the pull-out drawers keep items from getting lost in the back of the cabinet. Another solution is to use expandable organizers made especially for cabinets under the sink.'

11. Label items under the sink

What can actually distinguish clutter from usable items is knowing exactly what you're dealing with and labels can help! 'Finish off organizing your under sink space by labeling containers and drawers so it is clear exactly where items live.' says Grant, adding how labels help identify but also tidy things away in their rightful home. 

'This lets all household members know where everything goes and avoids things being put back in the wrong place. You can buy custom labels online or make your own labels with a label maker or just use white labels and a marker pen.'

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12. Keep detergents out of reach of kids and pets

Kitchen detergents and bathroom bleach are made up of strong formulas that can cause harm if ingested so it's best to keep these liquids out of reach of young children and pets – especially as newfound scented products come in food-like fragrances.

Place drain cleaners and corrosive oven cleaners toward the back of the cupboard when you organize under the kitchen sink. After all, we don't envisage you'll need to tackle those tasks on a weekly basis. But when you do, we've got lots of expert advice on how to clean an oven correctly.

13. Consider collapsible storage 

When space is at a premium, you'll need ingenious solutions and this smart and practical pop-up kitchenware. This black and grey bucket fully collapses for quick, convenient storage under the sink, so you’re never faced with the problem of where to put it.

With a little pressure the flattened bucket will become three-dimensional and deceptively strong. The collapsible sides are made of durable, flexible silicone to make it easy to fold, whilst the polypropylene handle and rims give it some rigidity and support.

Packed with tonnes of space, you’ll be able to utilize the entirety of its generous nine-litre capacity without questioning its integrity. Fantastically multipurpose, yet modest-looking, this collapsible bucket is an indispensable tool for a small apartment, or family home that's crying out for a little extra room.

14. No light? Choose a sliding caddy

While the items under your kitchen sink might look clinical, the tools you choose to organize your products with don't have to be. And, if you haven't got kitchen lighting specifically sorted for this space—you needn't worry.

Because this cute RollOut under sink caddy, available from Wayfair, tackles the nightmare of that deep, dark cabinet. Items roll into the light with sturdy handles and smooth wheels.

Adjustable dividers create separate storage spaces and a bonus basket hangs where you want. So, when under sink supplies are this organized, you can clean (and rest) easily.

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How should you organize multiple bottles under a sink? 

'We are all prone to storing a surplus of cleaning products under the sink,' says Elaine Penhaul, interiors expert and owner of award-winning national home staging company, Lemon and Lime Interiors. 

She recommends that when you're working with multiple bottles, including half-used bottles, to begin with a big sort through to see where you can decanter remnants of the same products into one bottle. 'You’ll be amazed by how many half-used bottles can be consolidated and save you from buying new ones.' Adds Penhaul. Remember of course to never mix different cleaning products as it can be dangerous.

Katie Thomas, founder of KTM design then says that Lazy Susans are her go-to for storing and organizing this kind of item under a sink, as they make it much easier to reach products, especially if it's a deep space.

'On the other hand, if you haven’t got enough room for a spin board, tension rods can be used across the cupboard which will then allow you to hook the spray bottles onto the rod. This then allows for extra room underneath for any storage boxes, maximizing the space available.'

Katherine Blackler, immediate past president of APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers, CPO® (Certified Professional Organizer), and founder of SortMySpace Ltd shared some final top tips on successfully organizing items under the kitchen sink:

• Use a tension rod to hang any spray bottles up in the awkward gaps that the sink and pipes create.
• Have a cleaning caddy (with a handle) to easily store the cleaning products you need to take around the house on a regular basis. This then just slots back in under the sink when chores are done.
• Use plastic boxes to group similar products in 1 box (eg keep dishwasher tablets, salt and rinse aid together). If you can use long boxes (and place from front to back) they become makeshift drawers allowing you to easily reach the bottles at the back of the cupboard.
• Store rolls of bin liners and recycling sacks upright in a small box to take up a smaller footprint in the cupboard.
• Adjustable shelving can fit the gaps and allow a row of baskets or containers on the bottom shelf and some storage into the alcoves between pipework.
• Use the insides of doors to add hooks for tea towels of cloths, a kitchen roll holder or carrier bag holder (ensuring enough clearance when you close the doors).

What's the best way to organize shopping bags under the kitchen sink? 

Penhaul is with us on storing excess bags, ripe for reuse, under the kitchen sink. But they can get out of hand so quickly. She recommends a simple hack to cut down on the volume of space they acquire.

'This nifty trick involves vertically folding the bag in half twice over before folding upwards in triangular shapes. By maintaining a tight fold and slotting the excess handles into a pocket created by folding, you can store these in a fraction of the space that stuffing them into one another would have taken up.'

How to maintain a well organized under kitchen sink space? 

Finally, Penhaul says how compartmentalizing and creating better access is the key to effective organization beneath the kitchen sink. But what if you're all organized under the kitchen sink but not sure how to keep it that way?

The trick is to be realistic with your approach in the first instance.

Blackler notes how this space needs to work for all those using it and that keeping your expectations real is a must. After all, this area will not be part of the guest tour, or your Instagram stories—although we can't speak for everyone of course. So curating a space that works for your home visually and functionally is the real marker of success!

Thanks to celebrity organizers such as Marie Kondo and The Home Edit, Instagram and TikTok are filled with wardrobes and homes curated by professional organizers

In the last year, Google searches for 'professional organizer near me' increased by 100 percent in the US. I decided to put the ultimate social media-fueled tidying trend to the test and arranged for a professional organizer to tidy my closet, and sort out my closet organization ideas.

Vicky Silverthorn, founded her professional organizing service You Need a Vicky in 2010. Based in London, Vicky and her team of organizers have helped tidy up the homes and wardrobes of celebrities such as Lily Allen and Rachel Stevens, and now she was helping me.

On the day Vicky turned up at my flat with an assistant ready to transform my large closet in 4 to 5 hours. It was an eye-opening experience, and my wardrobe has never looked better - here's what I learned.

5 things we learnt from a professional organiser

1. They don't turn up with a massive range of storage

If you've watched The Home Edit you might expect a home organizer to turn up with bags of storage to neatly arrange all your belongings. However, on the day Vicky explained to me that arriving with a bunch of closet organizers before exploring the space might actually make it harder to keep tidy. 

'I think there is a current trend of over organization. I think some methods can be extremely hard to maintain if you are a busy person who is time poor,' says Vicky.

Instead, Vicky and her assistant worked miracles with the storage I already had and suggested other times that might help if I wanted to invest in the future.

2. It is easier to declutter with a fresh perspective

During the morning sections of my wardrobe were pulled out of my cupboard onto the bed, and Vicky would hold up each item to say if it stayed or went. There was no pressure or gold star if I got rid of anything, but I actually found it much easier to let go of items with a fresh pair of eyes looking at my wardrobe. 

If you can't afford a professional organizer, consider drafting in a friend to help with this process to give you a fresh perspective.

3. Clothes care checks are vital - especially for moths

Before putting every item back in the wardrobe, Vicky checked every item for moth holes, stains, marks, or holes. Luckily, my clothes were moth-free, but organizing your wardrobe is the best time to work out if you need to research how to get rid of moths before they start nibbling your favorite cashmere jumper.

4. It is important to get your hangers right

Prior to the organization, I had already invested in matching slimline velvet hangers from Amazon. However, Vicky let me in on a secret that while these are a great investment, they were a little too big for some of my clothes, in particular my favorite suede jacket, where it was pulling on the shoulders.

Instead, Vicky recommended trying the hangers with no bar on Amazon. 'They are slightly smaller in width and may work a lot better if you are around a women's size 6-10ish,' she explained.

5. Well-used labels are a game-changer

The final stage of my wardrobe transformation was labeling, for which Vicky cracked out her Cricut Joy to create custom labels for any boxes I had. 

Vicky explained that it is important not to go overboard with labels. However, using them in the right place can make all the difference in finding something quickly, and reminding you that the item is there. 

My closet tidying experience with Vicky was gifted, however, the average cost of a professional organizer can range from $75 to $169 per hour. My closet that has magically stayed in order for the last month is a testament to the value of hiring an organizer. 

However, if that isn't in your budget, you can still get the same effect by following the steps above.  

Whether you love it or loathe it, working from home is back. And with the New Year rolling around, we really need some satisfying desk organization in our lives. 

Marie Kondo has revealed the one item that will keep your desk looking oh-so neat, plus, it'll stop you from constantly looking for your charger. There are endless home office organization ideas out there that will make you look forward to sitting down and ticking off your to-do list. 

As far as organization sensation Marie Kondo is concerned, you need a compact container for storing all of your tech.

Now, we know it's not sexy, but it sure is practical. When we asked Marie Kondo which storage items we should all be investing in, she said all home offices/kitchen tables need a Tidy Tech Kit.

'This organizer keeps all your cords, earbuds, and chargers in one place,' Marie explains. We're feeling less stressed already.

'Whether you have a home office or work remotely, this kit helps you "shut down" for the day by putting everything in its place after you’re done for the day,' Marie Kondo adds. Marie Kondo also swears by this bathroom storage item to restore order in your bathroom cabinets – and these Marie Kondo tips for organizing your closet.

One of our main WFH gripes is how hard it is to switch off when there's no geographical distinction between work and home. Zipping up and stowing away your laptop charger, headphones etc. might be a helpful ritual to tell our brains that work time is over. 

Considering a couple of home office design ideas to revamp your space might also help you to be productive and to switch off at the end of the day. 

In keeping with the KonMari approach, this little tech case helps organize 'like with like'. The best bit, in our opinion, is that when you unzip the pack, it lies flat. So you can see everything that's inside and access it all easily.

With different sized compartments, it keeps larger items like a mouse and laptop charger separate from those small items that we're always misplacing. Picking up one of these will hopefully mean less time panicking because you've lost your charger, and less time spent untangling your headphones. 

A place for everything and everything in its place, as the saying goes. The tidy tech pack is made from sustainable fabric created from 100% recycled PET bottles. Nice.

In an ideal world, the bathroom would be a calm, clean, and spa-like place we love being in. But the reality is rarely quite so zen. 

With Christmas around the corner, our cabinets and shelves will soon be fuller than usual, but Marie Kondo is here to help. We asked the world-famous home organizer which bathroom storage ideas everyone should invest in. 

For a bathroom that sparks joy even on sleepy nighttime trips and days when there are five minutes to get ready, she recommends one key piece: a glass storage jar.

Marie Kondo bathroom storage item

Marie Kondo suggests buying some sleek, sealable glass storage jars for the bathroom. On the KonMari website, there are two versions, a small and large jar with a wooden lid (see below). Unlike the Marie Kondo kitchen tidying hack, this is very easy to implement!

'These containers add a touch of elegance to everyday items like cotton swabs,' she tells us. 'It is a small solution that brings me joy in my bathing ritual,' Marie adds.

It's a very simple idea, but one that will help to keep things orderly. Plus as they're quite lightweight and minimalist, a few of these jars would look great nestled together among any other bathroom shelving ideas you have, such as succulents and candles. 

Marie Kondo's bathroom storage item suggestion shows that it's worth spending money on storage boxes and baskets that we actually like looking at. If they're made of high quality, tactile materials, we're a lot more likely to use them.

So if you're as keen as us to make it look like your bathroom's had the Marie Kondo treatment, have a good clear-out and consider picking up more (pretty) storage jars for the items you do keep.

Before you know it, you'll be tackling the closet — check out how to do KonMari folding for elite levels of organization. How do you keep your bathroom organized?

Nothing divides us more than how to load and unload the dishwasher. And that's not even going into the pre-rinsing debate.

A professional home organizer trained by Marie Kondo has revealed a tip for when it comes to unloading your best dishwasher. She says we should work from the bottom to the top to avoid water dripping on the dishes on the bottom shelf. 

Her advice comes just in time for the holidays when our kitchens will be busier than usual.

Global appliances manufacturer Hisense has teamed up with Sue Spencer, founder of A Life More Organised. As a certified KonMari™ Consultant, she helps clients to declutter their homes and businesses.

Dishwasher unloading tip

'It’s a good idea to unload the bottom of the dishwasher first to prevent items from the top layer dripping onto the plates,' says Sue. We tend to work from top to bottom, but doing the opposite is bound to speed up this household chore over the holiday season.

It goes without saying that knowing how to clean a dishwasher helps to keep it functioning properly. To avoid any problems over Christmas when it'll be working harder than usual, it's worth and stocking up on the best dishwasher rinse aid.

'The bottom rack of the dishwasher benefits from a hotter wash, and stronger water jets so it's ideal for cleaning plates, saucepans, and roasting tins,' Sue adds. 'On the other hand, the top rack is cooler and offers a slightly gentler wash, which is ideal for glasses, mugs, cups, any plastics, and large utensils.'

Dishwasher manufacturers Hisense spoke to 1,500 people across to find that over a third (38%) had fallen out with a friend or family member over the dishwasher. 70% said they think that there is a ‘right way’ to stack the dishwasher.

A whopping 50% said that they were the only person in their household that took on the responsibility of loading this kitchen appliance. Howard Grindrod, Vice President of Hisense UK, says, 'Almost all of us have a clear idea of how we like to stack the dishwasher. 

'But the key to clean crockery is making sure you’ve selected the right program and spaced out your crockery and pots so the detergent can be as effective as possible.'

If you've not yet tuned into one of Marie Kondo's organizing shows, or read her cult favorite book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, then we'd advise you to get onto that ASAP. Not only is her work inspiring and motivating, asking us to shed our clutter – but it might even give you the motivation you need to tackle that one messy room, or perhaps your closet...

On her recent Netflix show Sparking Joy, the Japanese organization expert revealed some straightforward closet organization ideas to revolutionize your clothes storage situation and make outfit selection a breeze. So once you've given the space a vacuum, here's how to get started...

How to use Marie Kondo closet organization tips

Step 1: Take everything out of the closet

When showing her clients how to organize a closet, Marie tells them to start from scratch by removing every single item. This will mean you know exactly where everything is, with no long forgotten shoes buried at the back.

Step 2: Categorize clothing by item and material

Organize clothes by category, putting the same items all together in one area. This will mean when you've only got two minutes to decide which pants to wear to work, you have all the options in front of you.

Marie Kondo also recommends grouping similar materials within a category – so putting all wool sweaters together because they have a similar feel.

Step 3: Make Marie's 'sparking joy line'

Put clothes of the same color together so you don't even have to think about where to put things back, says Marie. And go with darker items on the right of the closet, and lighter items to the left: 'creating a line that goes up to the right.'

Marie calls this the 'sparking joy' line – inspired by her classic line that if you are keeping something, it must 'spark joy'. 

Step 4: Use racks to store shoes in the lower area

Organize shoes by style, putting boots, sandals and sneakers together with similar items. Use stackable racks so that you can make use of the vertical space in your closet efficiently, and add more if your shoe collection grows.

Step 5: Organize accessories by using boxes within boxes

Use storage boxes that contain smaller boxes within them in order to keep more delicate miscellaneous items safe. This way, you can remove the smaller boxes containing things like jewelry and hair accessories when you want to use them.

It doesn't necessarily mean buying brand new containers – mix and match containers already in your home like shoebox lids or paper jewelry boxes. As long as similar looking items are grouped together, that's fine.

Step 6: Remove any tags

'Because the tag is on, you may not necessarily reach for it and use it,' says Marie Kondo. If you've bought an item and it sparks joy, take off the tag and commit. 

If the fact you've kept it on feels like a sign that you don't love it, decide whether it could find a better home. Marie compares taking the tag off to adopting an item and welcoming it into your home – it now belongs to you.

Step 7: Think about how items are arranged in store

When organizing accessories, jewelry and makeup, think about how they might be displayed in your favorite store when you're out shopping. Arranging items carefully to make a visually appealing display will make the process of getting ready in the morning much more fun.

When you're nearly done, make sure you invest in the best clothes storage containers for clothes. If you have plenty of baskets and boxes, it'll be easier to maintain your new, highly organized closet. 

Good luck!

For many, the arrival of a new season is the perfect opportunity to refresh their wardrobes and living spaces. Donating unwanted belongings helps to clear out our minds as well as our homes. 

But no matter how much Marie Kondo we watch or how many clever organization ideas we try, decluttering can feel endless. Some recommend we imagine we're selling our homes - we asked an expert what she makes of the trick.

Pretending you're selling your home and preparing it for viewings is a great idea. By framing your tidying sessions in this way, you'll find it easier to look at your belongings more objectively. 

Detaching yourself from the process a little will make it easier to see what needs to be given a new home and what has earned its place. By imagining how we would make our home as visually appealing and inviting as possible to a total stranger, we're able to be more ruthless than when tidying for ourselves.

Suzanne Roynon, Interiors Therapy Expert and author of Welcome Home, How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationship, on Amazon says she uses a similar technique.

'This is one of the methods we use with Interiors Therapy when clients are living surrounded by clutter,' she comments. 'They know it’s causing problems with their health, relationships, sometimes even their weight and finances, but they simply don’t know where to start.

'I ask them, “Imagine you’re moving to the home of your dreams, what would you actually take with you?”' Suzanne explains that by encouraging her clients to be honest about each item; will they use, need or love it, and how it will serve them in the future, it’s much easier to identify what really matters amongst piles of amassed stuff. 

'It’s immensely cathartic – especially if things have been a bit of a struggle recently,' she continues. 'By the end of the process, everything has justified its presence in their home.'

We love this idea because it frees us up to let go of anything we feel lukewarm about. It gives us more storage space for the things we love and, as Suzanne explains, it can totally change how we feel.

She adds that giving yourself the space to see a room differently is a superb way to notice the negative impact some possessions have on your emotions. 'By creating a fresh, clear and inviting space to live in, it’s much easier to shift your mindset into a more positive and enjoyable place,' she says.

A supportive home environment is so important to our well-being - if you're battling a cramped space, check out the best storage ideas for a small house for inspiration. We all deserve a space that welcomes us home at the end of the day, that houses our treasured belongings and gives us a place to unwind.

It's impossible to prepare delicious meals in a chaotic kitchen. If we don't start with a clean and clutter-free space, we end up making way more mess as we go. 

If you find the kitchen a tricky space to stay on top of, cleaning and decluttering expert Marie Kondo has shared a kitchen idea to help keep things neat and tidy – but it's not for the faint-hearted....

Marie Kondo's tidy kitchen hack

The world-famous tidying expert and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying says we shouldn't store anything on the countertop areas around the sink or stove.

Yes – that means no coffee maker near the tap, no olive oil ready to heat in the pan for frying onions, no salt and pepper for extra flavor, and no Instagrammable layered chopping boards. It also means storing washing up sponges, dish soap, hand soap and so on out of sight, or perhaps on a shelf.

Organizing consultant Marie Kondo shares her somewhat extreme tidying advice on an Instagram story dedicated to keeping the kitchen in order. For a kitchen that sparks joy, she tells fans, 'Don't store anything on the counter near the stove or sink.'

She goes on to say that we should decorate our kitchen in a way that makes cooking fun, and to be sure to store all utensils in one place. We can get on board with this last tip as it makes cooking much easier, but we're not sure we have the discipline to maintain totally empty countertops.

Even the most stylish of kitchens have a few pieces on display - what's wrong with a vintage glass butter dish or ceramic coffee container? Following the clutter-free KonMari method in the kitchen will definitely make cleaning the kitchen super easy, but day-to-day, we reckon we'd find it hard to achieve. 

But that doesn't mean we're not inspired! When it comes to how to organize kitchen cabinets in a way that stops them descending into chaos, it's well worth buying some transparent storage baskets. We recommend picking up a clear Lazy Susan 2 Tier Turntable on Amazon for storing away olive oil, frequently used spices and condiments in a kitchen cabinet. 

The spinning storage solutions make everything easy to grab while cooking, and the height of this particular Lazy Susan makes the most of the vertical space in your cabinets. Having a tidy up just before you get groceries will also keep on top of things and give you a chance to clean out any spilled food.

The world-famous KonMari method started by Marie Kondo isn't limited to your home though, with lots of ways to Marie Kondo your garden – from using clear boxes in your shed to storing according to frequency of use.

Marie Kondo is synonymous with ruthless decluttering, space-saving folding methods and all-round tidiness. She has made the world consider whether their belongings truly 'spark joy,' single-handedly inspiring millions to try new organization ideas and simply get rid of their stuff.

When asked if there's anything she regrets letting go of, the organization guru revealed that she wishes she had held onto a pair of scissors once given to her as a gift.

Marie Kondo explained in an interview that the item she most regretted decluttering was a pair of small kitchen scissors for preparing her children’s food, given to her by her younger sister. 'I thought I would never use them, so I gave them away to another mother,' Marie laments. 

'But now that my children are getting older, I sometimes think those scissors would be much easier to use than a knife!' She comments that the lesson to be learned here is that it's important to find out how an item works if you're not sure, rather than just passing it on.

Generally speaking, it's rare that we end up regretting anything we give away - and if you do make a real mistake, most items can be replaced. Have you ever put clothes and miscellaneous items away in storage and totally forgotten about them? Exactly. 

Marie has helped people across the globe to organize their homes and get on top of mess with her four books and Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. The KonMari method encourages you to declutter by category rather than room - getting rid of clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous and sentimental items.

We know we couldn't maintain her methodical and minimalist approach ourselves - she recommends keeping no more than thirty books, after all. But there's just something about Marie Kondo that inspires you to look at how to declutter your wardrobe once and for all. 

The mere mention of her name can motivate us to tidy up our chest of drawers, clear out the clutter building under the bed or look at new kitchen storage ideas to restore order in our cabinets.

Unless it's your birth certificate, driver's licence or another important document, the chances are you can let it go.

Many of us have been at home a whole lot more than usual this year with the result that even the most easy-going of couples has been in the kind of sustained proximity that can lead to bickering, if not full-blown rows.

In fact, more than one in five couples (22 per cent) argue about shared space around the home every few days, according to recent research*. What are the flash points for these home disputes? It’s the bedroom and bathroom that set off many pairs. Some 27 per cent said they’d had arguments about how much room their partner’s clothing takes up in the wardrobe.

The bathroom has also proved contentious when it comes to sharing with 19 per cent admitting to having argued with their partner over how much space they take up in the room.

Being together for longer didn’t appear to stop the rowing – although it did reduce it. Couples in a relationship for less than six months were found to be more likely to argue at least once a day, whereas more than a third of couples (34 per cent) in a longer relationship – between five and nine years – admitted to arguing a few times a month about living space. 

How to put a stop to these enduring battles? A beautifully organized home is the way out of sharing troubles and who knows better how to banish clutter and tidy than Marie Kondo. The KonMari method is the way to keep only items that speak to the heart, and organize those that remain.

If you want to cut out the fights, and share nicely, just scroll down for tips from Marie Kondo expert Sue Spencer and let peace reign (over storage anyway) between your four walls.

 *Research conducted by TLF on behalf of self-storage company Space Station in October 2020.

The Marie Kondo way to share storage

Marie Kondo expert Sue Spencer offers advice on organizing storage and resolving arguments at home. 

1. In the bathroom, give yourself and your partner separate shelf space to differentiate which products belong to whom.

2. Be mindful of each other’s space and only store products used every day in the shower.

3. Put personal products in boxes with a lid or in your own drawer.

4. Store water-based or fluid products separate to make-up to avoid spillage.

5. Try to keep everyday products central on shelves so they’re easy to grab. 

6. When it comes to the wardrobe, don’t hang everything. Look at alternative ways to organize and try folding clothes to make the most of the space. Consider using boxes or baskets to store items that can be folded.

7. Don’t keep things just in case. Always donate items you haven’t worn in a while. 

8. Store seasonal items away from items worn regularly.

9. If you’re bringing two households together, establish some ground rules early on for keeping on top of things. For example, putting the lid on the toothpaste, throwing away old toiletry bottles so they don’t clog up space in the bathroom and not using each other’s special products. 

10. Remember, communication is the key when trying to tidy away each other’s things. You can’t declutter each other’s belongings, but you can pop things back to their rightful home.

For all of us who crave a home that’s free of clutter and well organized, and in which we surround ourselves with the things that give us pleasure (that’s everyone, right?), Marie Kondo is an inspiration. And ticking off everything on the KonMari checklist is not just a recipe for calmer living for homeowners, but renters can achieve equal benefits in their pads too...

From Marie’s very first appearance on our screens, her decluttering and tidying have motivated us here at Real Homes, along with legions of viewers, to tackle our accumulated stuff, and keep only the items that, in Marie’s words, ‘spark joy’. 

Creating a calm and ordered home is an ongoing project, of course, given how life is, and we like to keep checking in with Marie’s Insta feeds to make sure we’re following the golden rules of the KonMari method of tidying and organizing. Want to make sure you are, too? We’ve put together a reminder of how to tidy like Marie Kondo below, including some tips you may find rather surprising. And if you’re looking for more, head over to our storage hub. 

1. Focus on your space solely (to start with)

If yours is a family home, it’s the shared spaces you’re probably tempted to tackle first. After all, they’re likely to contain everyone’s clutter. Remarkably, Marie’s rule is not to start here, as shown above. Working in the right order means tackling your own things first. So start with your own closet before the lounge.

2. Step away from sentiment (for now)

While we’re talking order, don’t start your tidying with items you feel sentimental about, Marie says. First-time Marie Kondo-inspired organizers generally don’t expect this guideline. Let’s face it, the things we feel this way about can really accumulate, and you’d think you had to get to grips with them early. 

The reason you shouldn’t begin here is that you need to perfect your skills at distinguishing the items that spark joy from those that don’t. In other words, step away for now.

3. Work by category, not by room

Another of Marie’s golden rules: don’t work room by room. This one still catches us out. The reason for it is that you could end up merely moving things from one space to another, which you’ll agree is a big old waste of time, leaving you with the same amount of stuff.

Marie’s alternative is to work by category so, in her example, you put all your items of clothing in one place first. This way, you can see what you’re dealing with. The other categories – which come after clothing and closet organization in tidying order – are books, papers, and miscellany (komono).

Take a look at Marie Kondo's tips for organizing a closet here too, when you're ready.

4. Don't confuse folding methods

While we’re talking clothes, there are different ways to fold like Marie Kondo and she also has two different approaches for storing trousers, so don’t get caught out. Those made of denim and cotton should be folded, while the flowing and the formal should be hung up.

5. Change your state of mind

Turn the decluttering process on its head. Marie Kondo's tidying up advice is that instead of thinking you’re choosing what to discard (the standard way to begin tidying and organizing), you’re selecting what to keep. We love this rule for the way it frees us up to donate and recycle.

Remember, though, that the things you haven’t chosen to keep, do need to go first. As Marie Kondo says, you won’t know how much you have to store until you’ve done that.

As all Marie Kondo fans know, you should discard before you organize. If you practise the KonMari method, then these creative office wall organization ideas are sure to impress, and they might even help you let go of some of the items you've accumulated – for a more clutter-free WFH life. 

If, like us, you became addicted to Marie’s decluttering and tidying when she first appeared on our TV screens, and never miss an Insta post, you will know that living a Marie Kondo-inspired life requires that you hang on to only the things that bring you joy. And who would quibble with that? Certainly not us.

But is it the case that some of us need more joy-sparking stuff around us than others – especially when we’re WFH or have a home workspace for projects like writing, drawing, crafting and so on? The way to find out, Marie says, is by doing the tidying and organizing, which will allow you to discover what kind of office space will spark joy in you, to help your creativity bloom. 

The home office space Marie shared on Insta definitely looks like one for those who need plenty of inspiration around them, and if you’re in that camp (along with 100 per cent of the Real Homes team, we have to say), we’ve found some brilliant home office storage ideas and display solutions so you can follow suit. 

Calling all Marie Kondo fans! Well, that’s all of us, right? Who can resist the supreme organizing that is the KonMari method. A home that’s clutter-free, calm and that sparks joy gets a big thumbs-up from us. 

Back when Marie first hit our screens with her Netflix series there was plenty of overreaction to her decluttering and tidying. The gist of the screaming headlines? That it was all too drastic. Fans know better, it’s a vastly sensible and achievable way to deal with all the stuff we have in our homes. 

Fellow Marie Kondo followers will also know that there’s plenty of room for creativity and gorgeousness in her world, and the book storage idea Marie shared on Insta was the perfect example with shelves suspended from rope alongside a staircase. As the organizing expert says, "Be sure to keep them upright, but get creative!"

You can take inspiration from this Marie Kondo-approved shelving idea, just below, to help build out some more book storage ideas in your home.

More top storage ideas:

• Living room storage ideas
• Bedroom storage ideas
• Bathroom storage ideas

Tidying and organizing have become well-loved topics of discussion over the years. Between Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Instagram-turned-Netflix darling The Home Edit, finally tackling those problem rooms or clutter collections have never been more en vogue—or accessible.

Whether you’re familiar with the organizational finesse that Clea and Joanna of The Home Edit have become known for or you’re just looking for a quick and easy way to tackle a cluttered room or corner, here are some of our favorite storage organizers on Amazon—from closet organizers to aesthetically pleasing food storage containers.

These highly rated storage solutions were made to adapt to your existing habits and flow and will make getting and staying organized easier than you could imagine (even if you’re not exactly the most tidy person).

Storage solutions have you stressed out? Be sure to check out our best bedroom storage ideas if you’re ready to get your problem areas under control once and for all.

Read more:

• Prime Day 2020: The ultimate guide to scoring the best deals

Marie Kondo's Instagram has quickly become our go to place if we are looking for some organising and tidying motivation. Sure it might be the Bank Holiday weekend, but the weather is a bit meh, plus you have a whole extra day to just chill out so why not FINALLY dedicate just an hour or so to tick a few chores off your list – starting with using these storage hacks to do a bit of a tidy.

Keep scrolling for some beautifully clean spaces that will inspire you to get yours looking just as good. If you are after cleaning tips as well as decluttering ideas check out our guide on how to clean a kitchen like a pro.

1. Tidy up your kitchen cupboards and shelves 

There are so many tips and hacks over on Marie Kondo's Instagram about how to sort out your kitchen and make it feel less cluttered, but the general gist tends to be, get everything into jars. Jars look pretty so you can keep them out on display but they are also really practical for organising inside cupboards too. Packaging takes up a lot of extra room, plus you often can't tell how much you have left so never know when to stock up – a glass jar solves this problem. 

Oooh and get a label maker too just to make it all the easier. 

2. Get you drawers organised to save on space

It's Kondo's signature move – the folding. We have given it a go ourselves and it does save so much room and make everything more accessible. So this Bank Holiday, pick a set of drawers (be it clothes, sheets, underwear) and organise it using the Marie Kondo folding method. It's oddly satisfying actually, so grab a coffee (or a gin, it's the Bank Holiday after all) pop Netflix on and get folding. 

3. Declutter your bathroom and throw away out of date toiletries 

Did you know makeup and toiletries have expiry dates? Maybe we did, but we didn't really think to pay any attention to them. But obviously they are there for a reason, we doubt the Body Shop strawberry body butter you have had since Christmas 2012 is going to be doing much good for your skin. Marie Kondo suggests that you should regularly declutter your bathroom drawers and get rid of anything that's out of date.

For more tips on makeup storage ideas head over to our feature. 

4. Organise your cupboards by size

Marie's top tip of organising places like laundry cupboards or any storage cupboard for that matter, is start with the big stuff and put that away first. Use these items to then arrange smaller items around them. Also think about what you use most frequently and make sure that's near the front of the cupboards so you don't have to get out everything in the cupboard just to reach the washing detergent. 

5. Pick out pretty storage to make you want to get decluttering 

Call us shallow, but give us some cute storage and we will be all the more keen to get tidying. Hey, Marie Kondo thinks so too! These lovely coloured crates have been all over Instagram recently, they are stackable and available in an array of gorgeous muted colours. They will work in any room, but we like this idea of them helping to make the cubby holes in a wardrobe into more usable spaces.

Read more:

• Bedroom storage ideas: 29 stylish ways to declutter your space
• Clothes storage ideas: 20 decluttering tips for your wardrobe
• Hallway storage ideas: 14 clever ways to clear the clutter in your hall
• Marie Kondo shares a hack for a tidy kitchen - but we're not sure we have the discipline to pull it off

Do you tidy like Marie Kondo? If you fell for the KonMari method back when she first hit our TV screens, you’ll be familiar with the rules for tidying. But just in case your focus has slipped a little since your first Marie Kondo-style decluttering and organising efforts, here’s a little reminder.

First, you need to discard before you tidy. Keep only the items that spark joy. You should also tidy by category, and within your category items of similar uses and similar sizes should go together. 

• Marie Kondo tidying up: 10 house tidying tips

All of which brings us to: your undies. Marie has shared on Insta the approved method of storing bras and pants, and we can see its total adherence to the tidying rules. Undies are a category, the bras (similar size) go together, the pants (similar size) go together... As for the joy part, Marie explains, ‘Undergarments may be invisible from the outside, but should be stored in a joy-sparking display because they come in direct contact with your body.’

Your mission? Sling out the washed-too-many-times, greying or fraying in your underwear collection, as we can guarantee they won’t create a display like Marie’s and nor will they be sparking joy. Then, once the discarding is over, keep your remaining bras and pants in the Marie Kondo-approved fashion shown just below. We’ve found some brilliant organiser dupes to get you started, then head to our storage hub for more tidy ideas.

More top storage ideas:

• Book storage ideas
• Bedroom storage ideas
• Bathroom storage ideas

Want to know how to clean a home office? More of us are working from home at the moment, with employers, and the government, encouraging anyone who can to work remotely in a bid to limit the spread of Coronavirus.

And aside from the fact that we should all be keeping on top of our cleaning at the moment, keeping your workspace decluttered can help boost productivity. In this guide to cleaning a home office, we take you through everything from cleaning a phone to the desk – and even highlight a few gross-out germ-growing havens you might not have thought about. You're welcome.

Check out our home office ideas if you need new inspiration for your space.

• Home office design – everything you need to know

• See our list of the best 50 cleaning products to find one that suits

1. How to clean a home office desk

Your desk – at least at some point in the day – is probably home not just to your computer, keyboard, phone and all sorts of home office accessories and paperwork, but to your coffee cup and possibly your lunch, too. 

That means it will need regular deep cleaning to keep it not just tidy but hygienic, too (we’ve heard rumours that a desk is about 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Yuk). Here are our top tips:

• Clearing it as much as possible, wipe it over with a dampened cloth and an anti-bacterial spray. You can use a shop bought cleaning product or simply use a combination of one part water and one part white vinegar, which is effective at getting rid of household germs (use our guide to find more germ-killing solutions). 
• If yours is a hard wood desk that’s been damaged by marks here or there, take a clean tennis ball and rub it over them. If that doesn’t do the trick, take a little bicarbonate of soda and apply it with a damp cloth, gently rubbing. Rinse with damp kitchen roll and dry.
• Water rings from slopped tea left behind on a wooden desk may be able to be removed with a hair dryer. Simply turn it on high, aim it at the rings and watch it disappear. If it doesn’t, try to rub mayonnaise on it. 

2. Organise a home office desk to stay clutter-free

Now’s the time to make like Marie Kondo and adopt her KonMari method to declutter your desk. Of course, it’s unlikely that the piles of paperwork will spark joy, but it’s a good idea to spend a few minutes every Friday afternoon (or Monday morning if you can’t face a Friday) to sort through the pile, file away what you don’t need and make a priority list for the week ahead. 

If you don’t have good home office accessories, such as filing trays, files, pen holders, nip to the shops now (or better still, stay in and order online) to help keep your desk organised. Tidy desk, tidy mind and all that...

3. Don’t eat at your desk

We know, we know… it’s easy – especially if you work from home – to catch up with a quick bit of admin/surfing YouTube while you eat your lunch. But food is a big problem, especially if it’s anywhere near your keyboard, because it contributes to those household germs and, of course, it leaves a smell behind.

4. How to clean a home office chair

Your office chair is likely to suffer all the indignities of your desk, but if it’s upholstered in fabric, it’s likely to be a) more stained and b) harder to clean. 

To clean a home office chair fast, start by removing the dust that gets into your chair’s cavities – a small vacuum cleaner or a handheld vacuum cleaner (browse our useful buyer’s guides for both) will get rid of not just dust but food particles, hair and muck, too. You can also use a damp cloth or damp rubber gloves to sponge off dust and hair. Aim to do this once every couple of weeks, and if you use an upholstery cleaner spray once a year, you’ll find the chair’s better protect from dust and dirt all year round. 

Using an upholstery cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth, work at each stain, following the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Pay particular attention to the seat and arm rests. 

• Home office chair beyond cleaning? Check out our best home office chairs

5. How to clean a keyboard

Look into yours… go on. What can you see? Dust, hair, last week’s crab sandwich. Yup, it all ends up in there, making it a germ-laden hot house. Here's how to clean your keyboard in minutes:

1. If your keyboard is wired, start by disconnecting it from your computer. If it's built-into your laptop, ensure it's shut down before you get started.

2. Start by holding your keyboard upside down in a bid to encourage any crumbs, or bits of debris, to fall away.

3. Use a can of compressed air, or the duster attachment on your vacuum, to blast any bits of leftover debris away.

4. Take a sustainable cotton bud, or twist up a piece of kitchen roll, and dip lightly into isopropyl alcohol. Gently work your way around each of the edges of your keys. Remember that liquids and electrics don't tend to be friends, so you want to avoid getting your keyboard too wet.

5. Next, take a microfibre cloth and gently dip it in your isopropyl alcohol. Gently wipe each of your keys.

Our advice for future? Only drink your tea or coffee from a lidded travel mug when you’re at your desk. It’ll protect your keyboard and your paperwork, too.

6. How to clean a home office computer screen

Your computer screen probably has everything from the odd fingerprint (tut, tut, shouldn’t touch it) to the contents of a surprise sneeze (sorry, we went there, but you know it’s true). 

Cleaning a home office computer screen should be done really, really careful if you’re to avoid damaging it. Mix a solution of one part filtered or distilled water, one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray it on to a clean, soft microfibre cloth (screens are scratch-sensitive and even kitchen roll could damage them; similarly, the minerals in tap water could leave deposits, hence the use of the word ‘distilled’). Don’t spray the solution directly on to the screen.

Turn off the screen, then wipe the cloth in small circular motions over the screen. Do not apply pressure. Repeat, this time using a cloth for cleaning glasses. 

You can, of course, use specific computer screen cleaning wipes and cloths, too.

Allow the screen to dry completely before turning it back on.

7. How to clean a phone

Just like your keyboard, your phone will be covered with all kinds of muck, from fingerprints to… well, do you ever take your phone into the loo with you? Enough said. Aaaanyway, you can use a lint-free or microfibre cloth to clean it (you should have been given one along with the phone when it was new). That’ll keep it free of smudges. But for a freshening, germ-ridding clean, use exactly the same approach as for cleaning a computer screen. 

Remember that many phone manufacturers don’t recommend using any cleaning products on their phones, so do so a) at your own risk and b) with the utmost care. The phone should be off and any cleaning solutions applied to your phone should be applied with a cloth that’s barely-damp with them. Ensure it’s fully dry before switching your phone back on.

For household phones, use the same method but make use of some cotton wool buds to remove any grime from between keys. 

8. Clean light switches and knobs

Light switches, door knobs, cabinet handles are all surfaces we touch without thinking, and sometimes with dirty hands. A weekly wipe over with a damp cloth will keep them smudge free, but if you eat in your office or have someone at home who’s unwell, it’s worth swapping the damp cloth for an anti-bacterial wipe (or spray an anti-bacterial cleaner on a cloth). And wash your hands after the loo and after eating…

An e-cloth Home Starter Kit has all you need to make the switch to quick and convenient chemical-free cleaning and remove dirt and bacteria with just a wipe and water.

9. Clean home office windows and blinds with vinegar (and a sock)

You know that spray bottle filled with half water half vinegar that you used earlier? Dampen a sports sock with the solution and give your office windows a quick wipe over once a week. 

Then, with the sock over your hand, wipe down shutters and plastic blinds to remove fingerprints fast. The smell will fade quickly.

Use our guide to the best ways to clean windows for more tips (we've got the best window cleaning products, too).

10. How to clean scissors (and other office accessories) 

While you’ve got that vinegar-doused sock out, give sticky or dirty scissors a quick wipe over. It’ll make the scissors quickly shine and will stop them rusting (from where you’ll spill your tea over them in future). You can also use the vinegar mix to clean everything from your hole punch to in-tray.

11. How to remove Permanent Marker From a white board

Oops! Used the wrong pen on your white board? Permanent marker will come off with the application of nail varnish. Easier still (since you’re already in the office), use a dry erase marker. 

More cleaning tips and hacks:

• Best bathroom cleaning hacks
• Best kitchen cleaning hacks
• 10 signs you need to declutter your home urgently

Swedish Death Cleaning, on course to take over the world of decluttering and replace the hugely popular KonMari method by Marie Kondo, is another approach to clearing and organising your home. While originally intended for the older population, it's incredibly therapeutic for the rest of us, too. We all know that cleaning and decluttering is not just really good for mental wellbeing, it can be good exercise, too. So, for anyone struggling with clutter and letting go of things, find out more about Swedish Death Cleaning, how to do it – and how not to be too put off by its morbid aspect.

Find out more about different tidying and decluttering approaches at our cleaning hub page. 

1. What is Swedish death cleaning?

'Swedish Death Cleaning' comes from the Swedish döstädning. Based on Swedish artist and writer Margareta Magnusson's book the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, this method has its origins in traumatic events – the deaths of her mother and husband. As Magnusson explains in her book, going through all of their possessions after the deaths of her loved ones was incredibly emotionally taxing, and she decided to come up with a way of sorting through things that will help other's family and friends be less affected by their passing. 

In some ways, Swedish Death Cleaning is similar to Marie Kondo's approach to decluttering. Unlike Marie Kondo, though, Magnusson advocates thinking about your things not only in terms of how they make you feel, but also how they make your loved ones feel. Would they really want your furniture/clothes/home decorations if you were to pass away? 

2. Who is Swedish Death Cleaning for?

While Magnusson's intended audience is primarily people over the age of 50, she emphasises that it can work for anyone who wants to live a simpler and more satisfying life (that makes it pretty much everyone). The idea is not so much that you have to start imagining your own demise, but rather to change your approach to accumulating more and more stuff every year. There's a good dose of Swedish minimalism in Magnusson's thinking, and this will appeal to adults of any age. 

And don't worry: you don't need to be a cleaning obsessive to use this method. 'Death cleaning is not about dusting or mopping up,' Magnusson told The Chronicle. 'It is about a permanent form of organisation that makes your everyday life run more smoothly.'

3. Swedish Death Cleaning is a long process

Magnusson's approach is the very opposite of blitzing or quickly purging your house of all possessions. Instead, it's a process that can go on for weeks or months, or longer if you need it to – the end result should be a lasting change to how you organise your life and your home, rather than short bursts of decluttering followed by more buying of things you don't need. 

You may need to stock up on storage boxes or bags while you are reorganising your possessions; it's a good idea to label the different boxes according to whether you'd like to keep their contents or give them away. 

4. Talk to your family before and during Swedish Death Cleaning

This is not something to do in isolation. You should communicate your intentions clearly and simply your loved ones, explaining to them that the intention is to make everyone's lives easier and more peaceful. They still may react emotionally, so give them time to adjust to this process, and keep emphasising the positives – a less stressful, simpler lifestyle while everyone is still around, not the idea of someone they love dying. 

Next, begin asking their honest opinions on things you own: would they keep this furniture if it wasn't for you? Would they want your collection of coins/teapots/porcelain figurines? If they genuinely don't want your stuff, and you are able to let go of it, donate it or put it up for auction. 

5. Categorise your possessions

Try to create a taxonomy for all the things you own, based on how easy it would be to sort through this type of possession. For the very organised types, a spreadsheet may well be in order, but a diary, wall organiser, or even a simple written list will do, too. Rank all your possession types from easiest to let go of to the hardest. This process is highly individual, as only you know what types of things you value more than others. 

6. Start Swedish death cleaning with things you can't see

If it's mouldering in the attic, forgotten in the basement or has been lingering in the back of a cupboard for years, it's very likely you won't miss it when it's gone, so start there first. This includes items you might keep 'just in case' but never, ever actually do. 

7. Then Swedish Death Clean your clothes

Part of Magnusson's approach is accepting that you don't need to keep things in order to preserve a memory, because memories exist independently of material things. For most people, clothes are fairly easy to sort through – it's no wonder Marie Kondo also advocates beginning with clothing – so it's a great category to start with. You'll find it much easier than you thought to part with that dress you wore the first time you met your spouse, or the high heeled shoes you adore but somehow never got round to wearing. Donating your things will make getting rid of them easier, as you will know that they will bring joy to someone else.

it's also a good idea to keep your remaining clothes well organised. Take a look at our clothes storage ideas and the best clothes storage boxes for useful buys. Find out, too, how to declutter your wardrobe in our expert guide. And, if you want tidy drawers, use our guide to find out how to fold clothes like Marie Kondo. You can't beat the approach.

8. Sort through personal items last

This is likely to be the hardest category of things to go through – in fact, even Magnusson was unable to let go of some truly personal possessions such as letters and photographs. You don't have to force yourself to get rid of what's truly important to you, but it might be a good idea to put all of these things in a designated box that can be disposed of (without being opened) after you pass away.

Swedish Death Cleaning is all about being kind to others and making sure that people aren't hurt by what they may find among your things. If you don't want them to find something and can't get rid of it, store it in a way that will spare them later. 

9. Get rid of things that can embarrass your family

The personal items mentioned above can include everything from love letters to, er, sex toys, and that's not something that Magnusson is shy of confronting: 'Save your favorite dildo – but throw away the other 15!' she comments in her book. So, have a good think about who you'll ask to clear your home after you're gone, and imagine what they might think and feel when they find things you wouldn't have happily shared with them when you were alive.

10. Give your things away as gifts

Of course, no one is talking about gifting your old stuff in lieu of Christmas or birthday presents. The idea is simply to casually present your friends with things you think they may genuinely like or need that you think you can do without. Have they always praised that lamp, which you incidentally never switch on? Or perhaps they look nicer in that dress they once borrowed from you? As long as your gifting is based on thoughtfulness, your friends are likely to be pleased. And – if you gift wrap them prettily, they'll be even happier. 

11. Consider your digital afterlife, too 

This may not seem like an obvious issue, but since the advent of social media, many people have found that their grief is compounded by not being able to access loved ones' online accounts in order to delete them. Which is why it's a good idea to keep all your digital passwords somewhere there'll be easily accessible to your family, so that they can deal with your digital footprint quickly. Swedish Death Cleaning at its most detailed, we think.

12. Don't get too hung up on the 'death' component 

It does sound a bit morbid, and it's a downer to have to think about your own death while decluttering your home, but this process doesn't have be coloured with sadness. Instead, Magnusson (above) says to think of it as a way of streamlining your life and making it less taxing on the people around you. Younger people may also find it useful to think about this as a way to make their lives easier when they decide to move, for example. 

And if it does get you a bit down, make sure to reward yourself afterwards by doing something life-affirming, such as walking, baking, or going to the cinema – just not another shopping trip. 

Consider some of our favourite craft activities to give yourself a positive boost, perhaps.

More decluttering tips:

• How to declutter your wardrobe: 13 tips for tidying clothes
• 8 ways to Marie Kondo your garden this weekend
• How to fold clothes like Marie Kondo

Yesterday we reported that Stella McCartney isn't keen on washing clothes – in particular her bras, despite being a world renowned fashion designer. Fascinated? And Marie Kondo seems to have got half the nation obsessed with folding clothes the KonMari way. 

• Best Amazon Prime Day cleaning deals: grab a last-minute bargain. Ends tonight!

All well and good, but it has left us somewhat confused about how often we should be doing laundry. Washing jeans, in particular, continues to be a raging controversy. How often do you wash yours? Once every three wears? Every other week? Or... never? 

It all began with the CEO of Levis advising people to never wash their jeans in order to preserve their quality. According to the denim manufacturer (and inventor), all you need to do is pop your jeans in the freezer every once in a while in order to kill the bacteria that have accumulated on them. Human bodies shed tens of thousands of bacteria every day, so that's a lot of germs we're talking about that need to be frozen out.

Depending on where you look online, you'll find opinions both for and against this method of disinfecting your jeans, as well as many websites quoting 'a doctor' who tells them that human skin is 'resilient' and can take a bit of germ warfare.  

Does any of this advice stand up to scientific scrutiny? The short answer is 'no'. In an article by the Smithsonian, two scientists, experts on bacteria and skin microbiome respectively, have disputed the claim that freezing our jeans is enough to get them clean. The gist of their argument is that freezing will never kill all the bacteria on your jeans, as some can survive very low temperatures, and that it's more important to physically remove dead skin cells from the fabric, rather than attempting to exterminate bacteria. It's the dead skin and dirt that become a breeding ground for infection. Among the many nasty consequences of not washing your jeans could be acne and fungal infections, including in your, err, more delicate body areas. 

The good news for those who really don't like washing their jeans too often is that the mechanical process of removing dirt with warm water regularly will make them safe to wear, even if you do leave it a couple of weeks, rather than days, between washes. Just stop putting them in your freezer, please. 

'Marie Kondo your garden'. Sounds mad, right? But actually, using Marie Kondo's KonMari method of tidying up doesn't have stop with kitchen cupboards and bedroom drawers: you can use her step by step approach to decluttering your garden, too, to make it feel bigger and better.  

Marie Kondo's tidying up and decluttering method is really easy to apply and is perfect for dedicated of hoarders who want to break the habit. So, if you've got a bit of spare time this weekend, or over the summer holidays, here's how to make like Marie Kondo and tidy up your garden. Get ready to feel the joy. 

You can find more garden ideas on our dedicated page.

Marie Kondo your garden in 10 easy steps

We're applying Marie's KonMari method on gardens in a straightforward way. Within each of the 'rules', you'll find added tips and tricks. Our recommendation? Set aside a dry, warmish weekend to do this, not a wet, cold one or a scorcher (or you'll just give up halfway through and sunbathe).

1. Put everything in a pile on the lawn or patio

What to do

You're going to hate us for starting here, but there's nothing for it: begin by emptying the shed, storage box, side return, down the side of the deck of everything that's in it on to the lawn or patio, be it unused pots, old garden ornaments, spare bicycle wheels...

Put each item with others in the same category. So, garden tools in one area, garden toys in another, garden furniture in another. You get the idea.

Make piles, too, for things you immediately know you want to bin, sell or give away.

Why do this?

Getting everything out by category all in one go lets you to see just how much stuff you've got in each category. So, if you discover you've got four paddling pools or 15 pairs of gardening gloves, you know that you can either a) get rid of the extras or b) not buy any more in the near future. 

Sorting garden items by category will allow you to identify gaps, too. No garden trowel? Mislaid the secateurs? Run out of tomato feed? You can pop those on a guilt-free shopping list.

• The best garden tools – our pick of all the kit gardeners need

2. Know that it gets worse before it gets better

What to do

Feel like giving up? Get yourself a drink, take a break, go back to it and stick to the plan.

Why do this?

If you become distracted from the category you're currently working through, your plan will go off track. Sticking to and finishing each category before you move on is key to doing a proper job. If you really don't have time to do all of the decluttering in one go or you have much more stuff than you thought, it's better to finish off the biggest category properly and leave the rest until next weekend.

• Find more inspiration with these ways to declutter and tidy the inside of your home like Marie Kondo

3. Only keep garden items that 'spark joy'

What to do

We know. You're British. Or American/Canadian/Australian/Indian (etc etc) with no time for this type of thing. But bear with us. 'Sparking joy' is no New Age empty phraseology. What we're asking you is, 'can you bear to live without it; do you love it?'. If you can do without, it goes in the discard pile. If you can't keep it.

Why do this?

Asking yourself if throwing something away would be something you'd really regret helps you discern between clutter you're hanging on to and valuable items. It's hard to be ruthless, but if it's in the shed (and not your jewellery box), it's unlikely to be of sentimental value, which should make decluttering your garden much easier than doing the same indoors. 

4. Organise categories by size

What to do 

Marie Kondo advocates storing like with like. So, all garden tools together, all garden toys together. Makes perfect sense. But what about those items that don't really fit into any category? That's when she defines categories by size. 

So, if you've got bundles of wire, random tent pegs, spare bulbs for garden lighting (etc, etc), in other words, all items of a similar scale, keep them together. That will mean you might need to invest in smaller garden storage units to either go within the shed or out to help keep them a) neat and b) findable. 

Why do this?

Marie Kondo says so. And it means you'll always know where those smaller items that tend to get lost are. And you'll use them. And you won't buy extra ones you don't really need because you know where the original ones are. Simples.

5. Store garden items depending on frequency of use

What to do

Marie Kondo says that it makes to have items that you use frequently within easy reach, and that items you use infrequently can be stored in difficult-to-reach areas. In other words, sledges at the back of the shed, garden chairs at the front in summer and possibly vice versa in winter...

Why do this?

Want to repeat that shed wrestle year after year after year? Thought not.

6. Give everything in your garden a home

What to do

Marie Kondo's KonMari method works on the basis that every category has a designated home. We've already talked about smaller stuff like wire or garden lightbulbs having to go in a smaller storage unit, freestanding or wall-hung, but this also might mean that all garden tools are hung from hooks on the shed's wall, that all garden toys go into a storage seat with a lift up lid or that garden fertilisers or chemical go up on a high shelf, out of reach of small children and pets. 

Why do this?

Doing this means that the garden will remain tidy and that's you'll always be able to find everything because it's got its own home.

7. Use clear boxes to store your garden clutter

What to do

There's no way that after a good garden declutter and tidy that you won't be left with some remaining clutter that will need storing. So, it's a given that you'll need garden storage that can sit within the shed, beneath a raised patio or in a side passage. Best way to store if you're packing lots of items into one area? In see-through, lidded storage boxes. 

Why do this?

You can pile up lidded boxes neatly in one corner of the shed, or along a shelf, but you'll always be able to see through the clear plastic to see exactly what's in each one, so you can find everything quickly and without having to unpack anything. Lidded plastic boxes will help keep your items dry, too. We have got tons of garden storage ideas and garden shed storage ideas for you to check out, but here are our favourite storage boxes at the best prices.

8. Fold your garden clutter the KonMari way?

What to do

Okay, we know this doesn't make sense, but there is a special way to fold your clothes like Marie Kondo (see our guide for an easy to follow step by step) that you can apply to your garden storage. 

Why do this?

Marie advocates folding clothes so that they stack vertically in drawers, meaning you can see every single item in there. Try it with garden clutter that's in those storage boxes: use dividers to neatly file seed packets upright; use dividers to tidily corral garden wires into one neat section; use dividers to make it easy to get your hands on everything from skipping ropes to gardening gloves. You get the drift.

9. Hide what doesn't 'spark joy'

Useful as they may be, who wants to see wheelie bins? Whether they're at the front door or by the back door, they bring no aesthetic appeal to a garden, but can't be gotten rid of. So why not hide your trash in a bin shed? There are tons on the market. But we like the Heritage Bin Store from B&Q; it fits two wheelie bins and has lifting lids that attach to the lid of your bin so it is still easily accessible. 

10. KonMari your garden planting scheme

What to do

Mentally divide your garden into sections: would you like a cluster of containers in one, a vegetable patch in the other, and a group of herbaceous perennials in the next? If you need to, draw an actual plan on a sheet of paper. If you have a garden wall, what kinds of tall plants might go well there? Try to be logical and avoid dotting plants haphazardly throughout the garden. 

Why do this?

This isn't about creating a garden equivalent of a neatly organised shelf – but, there's definitely something to be said for actively organising your planting scheme in a way that will bring you joy and will be easier to maintain. Even the most natural-looking garden has a well thought through plan behind it.

More on decluttering and tidying up:

• 10 signs you need to declutter your home urgently
• How to clean with Zoflora (thanks for the inspo Mrs Hinch)
• How to clean a washing machine in six simple steps

We can only imagine Marie Kondo proceeding calmly through an airport, perfectly packed suitcase trailing neatly behind her. And while, for the rest of us, there are very few negative things about going on holiday – sitting next to a stag do on the plane, humidity hair – packing a suitcase is definitely up there. 

There are just so many ways you can mess up packing. You can, of course, overpack, stuff your suitcase to the brim with every item in your wardrobe, just in case you have the burning desire to finally wear that pink sequin mini skirt, or you could under pack (this to be honest is never a problem we have encountered) and end up living in the same three kaftans for two weeks.  

Thankfully, both of these scenarios can be avoided with the help of decluttering guru Marie Kondo. So keep reading how you can apply the KonMari method to your packing...

For more tips on how to tidy and declutter like Marie Kondo head over to our dedicated feature. 

1. Pick a good quality suitcase

Does you current suitcase 'spark joy' as Marie Kondo would say? Does the almost broken zip, the half falling off wheel, the lining ingrained with sand spark joy? No, we thought not. It's probably time to invest in a new, good quality suitcase. Marie Kondo recommends choosing a suitcase that's durable, lightweight, and most importantly a size that’s appropriate for the length of the trip. Oh, and make sure it's smooth-gliding; if it doesn't glide through that airport like a warm knife thought butter then it's not the one. 

2. Categorise your packing

Once you've picked everything you think you want to pack, first apply the number one KonMari rule: check that everything 'sparks joy'. That cute new cozzy? Yep, that can stay. A just-in-case fleece? It's going to be 38 degrees, get rid. To make things easier, divide your packing into sections, then you can see what you have too much of (swimwear) and what you might be lacking in (anything that isn't swimwear). We recommend planning outfits before you pack, too; that way you avoid throwing unnecessary items into the suitcase. 

Marie Kondo says that you should only use a maximum of 90 per cent of your suitcase. That way, nothing is going to get crazy crumpled because you've over-stuffed your luggage. Plus, you then have plenty of room for joy sparking souvenirs! 

3. Start folding (the Marie Kondo way)

Once you've made the cull, it's time to start folding and rolling. As you all probably know, there is a 'right' way to fold your clothes to ensure they take up as little space as possible. For an in depth guide on how to fold like Marie Kondo, head over to our feature; but the basic premise is to fold clothes so they stand vertically. For thinner items, such as dresses or skirts, that are more delicate roll to prevent wrinkles.

With your underwear and socks, Kondo recommends saving space by tucking them into bra cups. Nifty. 

Top tip: It's an obvious one, but make sure if you are having more than one layer in your case, pack the heavier items at the bottom, and lighter, more delicate pieces on top. 

4. Organise your miscellaneous items 

Marie Kondo is a big fan of corralling similar items into smaller pouches so everything is easy to find and has it's place. So get yourself so packing cubes, bags or pouches for all your stuff that isn't clothes – think tech, toiletries, makeup, jewellery, etc. Then group them together into a category for each pouch. You could take things even further and get a different coloured pouch for each category, or use a label maker to make things easier when you are unpacking on the other side. 

Top tip: Avoid spills. Is there anything worse than arriving on holiday, opening your case and finding your Moroccan oil has leaked all over your case? Stained clothes and nothing to tame the aforementioned humidity hair? Nightmare. So, to avoid such calamities, unscrew the lids of any suspect looking toiletries (yes hair oil is a number one culprit), cover the openings with clingfilm/saran wrap, then screw the lid back on.

5. Choose slim pickings for your reading matter

Don't forget to add in your fave summer reads (check out our list of the best for 2019). Only pick books you know you are going to read though, leave War and Peace at home, now is not the time for Tolstoy. And better than packing a pile of books, why not treat yourself to a slim, light Kindle? The newest, Kindle Oasis, is now available. 

Magazines are also joy sparkers obviously, so don't forget to take a copy of Real Homes. The September issue (on sale at the end of July) even comes in a Marie Kondo pleasing travel size. Get your copy now, or subscribe and pay just £3 per issue. 

Learn more of Marie Kondo's life changing techniques:

• 8 ways to Marie Kondo your garden this weekend
• How to declutter your wardrobe: 13 tips for tidying clothes
• Swedish Death Cleaning: 10 ways to declutter your home and life

Wondering how to clean a house for a new baby? Becoming a new parent is a wonderful but challenging time, and one of the first things to go is our usual routines, with cleaning the house at the top of the list. However, keeping the house clean for a new baby is not just worthwhile from a hygiene and safety point of view, we can absolutely guarantee that it contributes to the good mental health of the new mum – and dad. 

We're not going to tell you to clean up while the baby naps (that's when we think you should be lying down rather than scouring). So, recognise that you can't do it all and tackle these essential jobs*; and if you've got the energy, you can tackle cleaning the main areas: the kitchen, bathroom and living room being the most important. We've tried to stick to chemical-free cleaning solutions to make it safer for your baby. Or better still, get one of your many well wishers to tackle them for you, when they say, 'Is there anything I can do?'.

Find out more about cleaning advice, hacks and buys on our dedicated hub page. If you're planning for your baby's arrival, don't miss our guide to designing a nursery.

1. Declutter like Marie Kondo before the new baby arrives

Less clutter = less cleaning, so it really is using that time before the baby (while you have that surge of nesting energy) to declutter the house. Don't just get rid or store away of things you don't need, think about what's difficult or usually takes time to clean, and consider whether any of your current furnishings might be unsafe with a baby about – an obvious one is that beautiful but slippy rug you always trip on when you walk across it; not something you want out when there's a baby in your arms. Use our guide to how to declutter and tidy up like Marie Kondo if you need help being brutal.

2. Learn to fold baby's clothes like Marie Kondo

While we're on the subject, it's also worth finding out how to fold clothes like Marie Kondo – you'll find it a useful tool when you're trying to find that particular baby grow or change of top for yourself but are doing so with a baby in your arms. This technique puts every item of clothing you own on show to make life easier. 

3. Banish new baby smells (the bad ones)

1) Open windows. Fresh air can only benefit your baby, as long as they're warm enough, and as long as nothing can get in through the window (thinking next door's cat).

2) Combat the stinky smells surrounding the changing table by keeping it clean (more on that below). 

3) By simply filling an old jam or marmalade jar halfway with baking/bicarbonate of soda from the cupboard and placing it on a shelf of the changing table, you’re left with a natural, child-friendly deodoriser that’ll diffuse some of the odours. Find more ways to use bicarbonate of soda to clean your home.

4) Add house plants to every room: they'll help keep the air healthy. 

5) Place a few chunks of charcoal into the bottom of your nappy bin, to help soak up some of the nasty smell. 

4. Use baby wipes to clean (but choose eco-friendly ones)

Baby wipes will soon become the best friend of any new parent and a heralded household item – their uses are unparalleled. In terms of cleanliness, baby wipes are perfect not just for the baby's bottom, but for tackling muck on the changing table, on the baby carrier, push chair, high chair, your own clothes, and then around the house. They'll quickly get rid of dust and cobwebs. They can reach into all the nooks and crannies of your home and are a time-saver when trying to balance a new parenting routine. Use your leftover wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day. And, in the quest to be eco-friendly, choose wipes that will bio-degrade.

5. Clean sippy cups with vinegar

Sippy cups and baby bottles can often fall victim to getting smelly. Although your baby bottle steriliser should see off the smell of sour milk, once they progress to sippy cups, you might no longer be using one. And if the dishwasher won't shift it, you might need to take more drastic action. One neat trick is to soak the sippy cup – and the lid in particular – in white vinegar and warm water (an equal mix will do). Then drain it out and run the cup or bottle through the dishwasher's hot cycle as usual. For more ways to use vinegar to clean your home, see our guide.

6. Clean baby bottle brushes in the dishwasher, too

Your dishwasher needn't just be for baby bottles and your own crockery and pots and pans – you can use it to keep your baby's cleaning equipment, such as bottle brushes, clean, too. This goes for anything else that's dishwasher-safe if not traditionally cleaned in a dishwasher: think teething toys, plastic bibs... and anything else they come into contact with. Find more weird ways to use a dishwasher to clean your home quickly in our guide.

7. Know how to clean a baby's mattress

Babies' mattresses get covered in everything imaginable (and worse), so knowing how to keep your baby's bed clean is a must. First, invest in a waterproof mattress protector; ensure you have the best baby mattress to cope with the stains it'll endure (our pick is the Eve baby mattress); and then get your cleaning know-how lined up. Use our guides to help you:

• How to clean urine
• How to clean up vomit
• How to clean a mattress

8. Remove food stains from baby's clothes with lemon

Why is it that baby grows and bibs are often white? Okay, we know it's a gender-neutral colour that's a safe buy for expectant parents but, come on, it's so easily ruined by stains from milk, posit and solids, when they move on to them. The good news is that you can brighten your baby's whites by a) washing them first and then b) soaking them in five litres of cold water with the juice of one lemon. Leave them to soak for an hour. Put them on a spin cycle to remove excess water afterwards. See more clever laundry hacks to get stains out of your baby's clothes (and yours, especially on tops around the shoulder area – new parents, you know what we mean). And don't miss our tips on more ways to clean your home with lemons.

9. Get your toddler involved in cleaning

It's well documented that cleaning is good for mental health, and this extends to kids, too. So, if you're having to keep your eyes on your new baby and older toddlers too, get your toddler to help out with the cleaning, even if it's just wiping down their own high chair or the table after they've eaten. It will make them feel like they're helping with the new baby and give them a sense of accomplishment. We are, of course, that they might make more mess than they clean up while they're doing it...

Find clever hacks for cleaning kids' rooms in our guide.

10. Put a catch-all basket at the top and bottom of the stairs

You can't carry everything you need for a new baby with one hand, unless the baby's strapped on to you in its baby carrier as you go around the house. So having a basket of items to go up, and another of items to come down, means that you can easily carry lots of little must-haves up or down as you go. Better still, your other half might notice they need taking up or bringing down and do it for you...

*Thanks to 247 Blinds for some of these tips.

More baby-related must haves:

• Best nursery storage ideas
• Nursery room ideas
• Best cots and cot beds