04/07/2026
I was on the radio yesterday (BBC London) talking interiors and the presenter brought up the subject of clutter and how to manage it. I gave her my tips on how to manage ‘stuff’ in the house - see below - but it also got me thinking about how we berate ourselves for the mess when modern life creates an almost impossible problem here. We have so much more ‘stuff’ now that we have to accommodate. Bigger wardrobes, more gadgets, specialised tools, personal paper, make ups and toiletries. Even food amounts and ranges. It is overwhelming. Some people have a natural talent for keeping it under control, but most don’t. So if you fit into this majority I think the first step to managing clutter is to stop berating yourself about it. Modern consumerist life creates a tide of ‘stuff’. It’s not your fault.
Here are a couple of tips I gave that might also help. But no self flagellation first ok?
🧺 Contain
Put a tray where you usually leave the post/bits and pieces with no real place. Or a basket where you can throw all the toys in at the end of the day, and cover with a throw.
Find a place for everything. Then it can go in that place.
⬇️ Reduce
If there is an area you know you need to reduce do it in tiny bits. One drawer (or even 1/2 a drawer) at a time. 10/20 minutes a day. Slow progress is still progress. It might take a month but a month will pass and the space will be cleared.
🚮 Thow away/recycle/donate one thing you don’t need every day for a month/year.
🏺Show off your treasures
Put the treasures in show with breathing space and then you’ll be able to enjoy them (you’re more likely to keep the space nice too).
