Sometimes the best way to declutter is not to declutter at all. It sounds counterproductive, but bear with me. We often think decluttering is all about Marie Kondo-ing our way into a minimalist existence, but the reality of that is it’s not very realistic.
Not everything in life fits neatly into the three ‘chuck, donate and keep’ piles – there’s a cluttered grey area. Items that seem messy or like a waste of space often make us feel guilty. But the truth is even professional organisers agree that we don’t need to get rid of everything to have a clean, organised home.
‘One of the biggest misconceptions about decluttering? Clients often think I’m going to make them get rid of everything. And I’m not,’ says Helen Dyson, from Clear Out Clutter, a professional organiser who literally declutters homes for a living. ‘Decluttering isn’t about stripping your home bare,’ she says. ‘It’s about keeping what you use and what you truly love, doing it gradually – thoughtfully – so you can make informed decisions, not emotional, rushed ones.’ So, instead of panic-chucking everything we own, I’ve been speaking to the pros to discover the secret items professional organisers would never declutter from their own homes, finding new ways to look at what we call clutter.
Phone packaging
This first item truly surprised me, but once Helen explained her reasoning, it made perfect sense. ‘Don’t throw away your phone boxes. Clients often assume they should get rid of them straight away, but they actually make brilliant drawer dividers for all those little bits and bobs,’ says Helen.
Using old storage is a great way to be sustainable, cost-effective and organised. Helen suggests they’re ‘perfect for storing charging cables, spare keys, SIM cards, random tech bits – all the “important but tiny” stuff’.
A junk drawer
‘A junk drawer is something people are often embarrassed to show me, but I usually encourage keeping one.’ That revelation comes from professional organiser Emma Kenwrick-Meehan from Home Nip & Tuck.
Emma goes on to explain her surprising statement by saying, ‘Most homes have small, useful items that don’t fit neatly into categories and, without a defined place, they end up scattered across worktops and surfaces. The key is keeping it to one drawer and not letting it spill into a second. When it has a clear limit, it serves a purpose, rather than creating clutter.’
Sentimental items
‘People often brace themselves, assuming I’m about to tell them to be ruthless with memories, but I never do,’ says Jo Jacob, professional organiser behind Benella Home Organisation. ‘I encourage clients to keep the pieces that genuinely mean something – we just store them properly and give them a safe home, rather than letting them float around the house, causing guilt.’
Candle jars
‘I also recommend keeping pretty candle jars with lids.’ says Helen. After all, it’s only clutter if you don’t use the item effectively. ‘They can double up for storing Q-tips, cotton pads or jewellery. Shoeboxes can also be used as drawer dividers! Using these ideas is sustainable and doesn’t cost you a penny.’
Cardboard boxes
‘I often suggest using a simple cardboard box inside cupboards, rather than buying storage containers,’ says Emma. ‘A sturdy delivery box can group similar items just as effectively and it’s usually hidden from view anyway. It creates structure without adding more containers or unnecessary expense.’ It may not be the most aesthetic trick, but it’s certainly effective.
A storage stool or ottoman
While some pro organisers don’t love these multifaceted furniture pieces, as they tend to encourage clutter and over-filling, Jo is all for them – as long as you give them a specific purpose, such as storing shoes. ‘It keeps footwear contained, gives you somewhere to sit while putting them on and can double up as an extra emergency dining chair when guests pop round,’ says Jo. ‘I love furniture that earns its place twice.’
Functional furniture
When asked if there were items she encouraged clients to keep for practical reasons, Jo said, ‘Recently, it was a slightly oversized armchair that technically “crowded” the room, but was where a client read to her children every night. We rearranged around it instead. If something supports connection or routine, it earns its footprint.’ This proves that if you want it enough and if it’s necessary enough, you can – and maybe should – make it work.
‘Decluttering isn't about owning less. It’s about owning what works. When people chase a minimal look instead of a functional home, they often regret getting rid of items that supported their real, everyday life. If you love something, then keep it, show it and use it,’ says Jo.
Clothing of doubt
The wardrobe is usually one of the first places we tackle when it comes to decluttering, but according to Helen, we don’t always need to. Referring to her clients, Helen says, ‘When it comes to clothes or keepsakes, I always remind them: once it’s gone, it’s gone. If there’s genuine doubt, keep it – for now. Decluttering isn’t about pressure; it’s about clarity.’
If you’re umming and ahhing or the answer doesn’t immediately come to you, it’s okay to keep the item for now. But to stop it from lingering too long, create a section in your wardrobe for questioning – the items you will revisit in a month or two to decide. ‘Once items are categorised and given a proper home, everything feels calmer. And, interestingly, that’s when making further decisions becomes much easier. A second cull often happens naturally because you can finally see what you have. Organise first; refine later,’ says Helen.
Trays and baskets
Another hotly contested item when it comes to the age-old question of ‘to declutter or not to declutter’ is storage. ‘Visible trays and baskets can look like clutter at first glance, but they’re brilliant containment tools. A designated tray for post or remote controls stops them migrating across every surface. Boundaries create freedom,’ suggests Jo.
So, in order to ensure they don’t become a hub for clutter and therefore require decluttering themselves in the future, stick to your designated categories – and remember, just because something technically fits in if you squish it hard enough does not mean it actually fits.
Children’s artwork
A classic guilty declutterable item, but according to the pros it doesn’t have to be. ‘I’ve worked with clients who felt pressure to declutter children’s artwork or memory boxes. If those items are meaningful and stored properly, I don’t encourage getting rid of them,’ says Emma. ‘The key is containing them, for example, keeping one box per child, rather than scattering sentimental items throughout the house. When they’re edited and stored intentionally, they can be kept without overwhelming the space.’ Declutter waste, not memories.
Handy storage solutions
