Move that mess

from Our Home Winter 2022

Turn on to energy savings

It may be too early for a spring clean, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until September to get on top of your clutter.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: FIONA LLOYD

We all have THAT drawer in the kitchen, shelf in the linen cupboard and sometimes even a whole (spare) room. Filled with could be useful but I don’t know what for items and objects that are just too hard to find a forever home for. Amy Revell and Kirsty Farrugia, the duo behind The Art of Decluttering, describe themselves as “experienced professional organisers and declutter coaches”. In a recent episode of their The Art of Decluttering podcast, they detail simple activities for different spaces to help declutter your home. Here’s an abridged version of their advice. In the lounge room

• Books. Ditch any double ups.

Consider downloading a digital

version rather than buying the real thing. • DVDs. Be honest—it’s highly unlikely you’ll watch any of them again. And it’s highly likely they’re now available on a streaming service. • CDs. As above but swap ‘watch’ for ‘listen’. • In the study • Broken printers/old appliances/ old mobile phones. Let them go. • Old paperwork. Get it under control by using any of a million available online software options. • Old stationery. You will never use it so ditch or donate. In the kitchen

• Utensil drawer triplicates. It’s okay to have one wooden spoon for each hob on your cooktop but no need for two graters or multiple

mashers. Group like with like, keep your favourite and let go of the rest. • Broken saucepans/pots. Let.

Them. Go. • Orphan plastic containers. Pull it all out, match bottoms and tops and get rid of the rest. In the bedroom

• Clothes. Listen to one of Kirsty’s and Amy’s ‘deep dive’ podcasts on how to sort your wardrobe out. • Paperwork. It doesn’t belong in the bedroom. Move it to the study. Kids’ bedrooms

• Clothes. They grow very quickly, so if it doesn’t fit and is in good condition pass it on. • Toys. Interests change so get your kids to help decide what’s going and where it goes. In the bathroom

• Products with a past use by date.

Ditch them. • Products bought but never used and never going to be used. Ditch or donate. • Duplicate or broken appliances.

Pass on if they’re in good working condition, otherwise, get rid of them. More tips at: https://www. theartofdecluttering.com.au/ The Art of Decluttering podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.