The time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve is an opportunity. It’s a moment of pause to reorganise and reset, and rid your home of unwanted items so you can start the new year unhintered by clutter.
Organising your home can be daunting, but small jobs can have a big impact. The link between messiness and mental health is real, and the new year is a perfect time to take stock of what’s around you and remove those unwanted or unused items that create disorder in your life. A new year can quite literally revel a new, happier you.
It’s not uncommon to feel so mentally exhausted that the task of decluttering can lead to overwhelm. You’re still recovering from Christmas after all. But if you start small, break down the home detox into smaller tasks by addressing one culprit at a time, you will notice a big impact on the feel of your space. Here are 9 common clutter culprits to get you started.
1. Wrapping and packaging
We all love an Amazon delivery, but not so much the pile of empty delivery boxes in the corner of the room, nor the task of taking them into the recyling bin. If the box is unmarked and you’re likely to reuse it, make sure you have a place to store it first, or press it straight into service as you pack away your Christmas decorations. Ask yourself how many of these boxes you really need, and then recycle the rest.
2. Old containers
If your home has been a revolving door of guests and parties to attend with plates of food, now is a good time to gauge which food containers simply don’t suit your needs.
You can repurpose these containers in your own home (they often come in handy when organising a pantry). If they’re still in good condition, consider donating them to an op shop or contact your local council to find out how to recycle the containers correctly.
3. Old swimming costumes and towels
Summer is underway, and it’s time to sort out old swimmers and beachwear you haven’t embraced this season and part company with them. Go through clothes drawers and laundry for towels and sarongs that are past their best and donate them, or cut up for rags.
4. Summer shoes
Like swimwear, summer footwear gets a big workout in the summer months and the sun, sand and sea can take their toll on sandals, thongs and sneakers. If you’re not wearing them, they’re ready to be discarded. Anything not being used or appreciated is taking up valuable space so, if you find yourself reaching past a couple of pairs in favour of newer ones, either give the shoes a wash and a polish to freshen them up for the season, or toss them out.
5. Platters
Serving platters are one of the most cumbersome items to store and must earn their keep on big occasions. If you didn’t use it this Christmas, let it go. If the platter is something you’ve inherited or treasure, but don’t typically use, find a way to hang it on a wall or display it. Don’t prop it on a bookshelf to gather dust but treat it as you would another treasure or artwork.
6. Christmas cookware
It’s actually a great time to donate seasonal kitchenware items that you’ve grown out of or have replaced. With the feasts of the festive season still fresh in our heads, people are more likely to appreciate their worth.
Contrasting timber tones bring warmth and character to the dining area (here & opposite), care of No. 18 Thonet chairs in Dark Oak and a generous ‘Mockelby’ dining table from Ikea. A still life by Southern Highlands artist Kate Vella adds richness to the scene.
7. Christmas cards
Shocking, but true! Christmas cards are a joy to receive and form part of the celebration at the end of each year, but they are not designed to clutter your life all year thereafter. Store with your Christmas decorations only if you have a craft idea in mind for next year, otherwise, read again, enjoy update your own list of recipients and… recycle!
8. Toys
This is the time kids will feel less attached to their old toys and more interested in the new stash they’ve received, which you may well be struggling to find space for!
If it’s still a challenge getting them to let go, remind them how happy they were to receive toys at Christmas and encourage them to give other children that same joy by way of donating them to charity.
9. Broken, unwanted or outdated Christmas decorations
Fix what you can, store the rest with care and chuck out those you continue to leave at the bottom of the box each year.
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