As a household advice writer, I did my fair share of decluttering, but even I can get in a rut with it sometimes – procrastinating, starting jobs but never finishing them and sometimes frankly just doing a bad job. It happens when we’re low on time or low on motivation, so it always helps to have some extra guidelines to help navigate our way through a task – and thanks to the genius mind of professional organiser Cassandra Aarssen, we can now use decluttering guidelines specifically tailored to our personalities.
The clutterbug methods are made up of four varied techniques for tidying with the hopes that one of them will be your perfect fit. They’re tailored to your lifestyle and preferences in the hopes that it minimises decision fatigue and makes getting the job done a whole lot less painful, all while making it more likely you’ll actually stick to it too.
So without further ado, below are the four different (adorably named) clutterbugs. Read on to find out which one you are.
Butterfly
If you consider yourself a visual learner or just someone who naturally gravitates towards visual strategies, you might be a butterfly. Butterflies don’t have the best memory, easily forgetting about items as soon as they’re out of sight. They also aren’t fans of overly specific or detailed organising systems, preferring strategies that involve large, fewer and slightly vaguer categories when it comes to sorting their things. Butterflies like some wiggle room – anything too constrictive is far from attractive to them.
An example of a classic Butterfly move would be, for instance, the dreaded floordrobe or chairdrobe, leaving clothes out so they can visually see them instead of organising them inside a wardrobe. People with a Butterfly organising style often feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting organised because traditional systems haven’t worked for them in the past. Many organising solutions are designed for people who prefer to store items out of sight, whereas Butterflies thrive with simple, quick, macro-organising systems that keep belongings visible and/or clearly labelled.
Solutions for Butterflies
Use clear, labelled storage
Out of sight often means out of mind for Butterflies. Clear containers make it easy to see what’s inside at a glance, while labels provide an extra visual reminder of where things belong. If transparent storage isn’t an option, opt for large, easy-to-read labels on baskets, boxes and drawers instead.
Make the most of open shelving and hooks
Open shelving keeps everyday items visible and accessible, helping to prevent clutter from building up on floors and worktops. Hooks are equally useful for coats, bags, keys and other frequently used items, giving everything a designated home without the need to tuck it away in cupboards.
Follow the one-minute rule
If a task takes less than a minute to complete – whether that’s hanging up a coat, filing a letter or putting away a pair of shoes – do it straight away. Small actions completed in the moment can stop clutter from accumulating and make organising feel far less overwhelming.
Ladybird
If a cluttered shelf or worktop is your pet peeve, if you take great pride in maintaining a clean and organised home – while secretly hiding clutter away in a deep dark corner – you might be a ladybird. Ladybirds are called as such due to their appearance: beautiful, cheerful exterior, but when they open their wings, what lies beneath is far from pretty.
I myself can be guilty of Ladybird tendencies. Having a clean, organised exterior is very important to me, though I have been known to simply shove stuff under the bed to achieve it. You’re probably a Ladybird if your surfaces look clean and tidy, but your junk drawer is overflowing and you’d rather guests didn’t peek inside your cupboards. Ladybirds like things to look neat from the outside, but without simple systems in place, clutter can quickly get shoved into drawers, closets and anywhere else out of sight. The key is to create quick, easy macro-organising systems inside those hidden spaces, so everything has a home that’s just as simple to use as it is to maintain.
Solutions for Ladybirds
Choose easy-to-access solutions
The easier it is to put something away, the more likely you are to do it. Opt for storage solutions that don't require extra effort, such as open containers and baskets rather than boxes with lids. Clear labels can also help ensure everything has an obvious home, making it easier to stay organised day to day.
Use matching baskets to hide clutter in style
Pretty baskets are a Ladybird’s secret weapon. They keep everyday items neatly contained while maintaining the calm, uncluttered look you love. Use them for everything from toys and paperwork to office supplies and cookbooks. Choosing baskets in the same colour or style can create a streamlined, minimalist feel while still providing practical storage. Just make sure you don’t simply turn them into dumping grounds.
Declutter little and often
Rather than tackling a huge clearout, set aside a little time once a month to go through items you no longer use. Regular decluttering prevents cupboards and wardrobes from becoming overcrowded, making them far easier to keep neat and organised in the long run.
Bee
Bees are aptly names for their busy buzzy-ness. If you’re someone who loves a project and keeping busy, you might be a bee. Bees are also very visual people, preferring to ‘see’ their important and frequently used items, rather than store them away in wardrobes or containers. But bees can also have a tendency to procrastinate until they feel they are able to get the job done ‘properly’, often hoarding piles of tools or items waiting for the right moment to tackle them – a moment that doesn’t come all too often.
Bees are often passionate collectors of supplies related to their hobbies and interests. Whether it’s fitness gear, craft materials, family photos, art supplies, books, baking equipment, DIY tools or gardening essentials, these items can quickly accumulate and start to take over your space if they don’t have a dedicated home.
Solutions for Bees
Limit the number of active projects
Bees are idea people and often have multiple hobbies on the go at once. Rather than trying to tackle everything simultaneously, focus on two or three active projects at any given time. Finishing one before starting another can help prevent supplies, paperwork and equipment from spreading throughout the house.
Embrace ‘good enough’ organisation
Perfectionism can sometimes be the biggest barrier to getting organised. Instead of waiting until you have time to create the perfect system, aim for something that works well enough for now. A simple, functional solution is far better than piles of items waiting to be organised properly.
Regularly reassess what you really use
Bees are natural optimists and often keep things for future plans, projects or hobbies. Every few months, take stock of what you’re actually using. Letting go of materials, equipment or unfinished projects that no longer excite you can free up valuable space for the interests that genuinely bring you joy.
Cricket
Crickets are often drawn to calm, minimalist spaces where clutter – and sometimes even everyday items – are tucked neatly out of sight. They thrive on detailed organising systems and once they’ve established a process, they're usually very good at sticking to it. In fact, they can sometimes become a little too focused on getting everything exactly right.
If you’re a Cricket, it’s worth remembering that organisation doesn’t always have to be perfect from the start. While detailed systems may be your end goal, there’s value in beginning with a simple sort-through to get things under control. A quick, practical approach can create momentum, allowing you to refine and organise things in more detail later. Sometimes, ‘done’ really is better than ‘perfect’.
Solutions for Crickets
Create a simple paper management system
Paperwork is often a Cricket’s biggest source of clutter. Rather than letting documents pile up while you decide exactly where they should go, create a few broad categories, such as Financial, Insurance, Home and School. A straightforward filing system makes paperwork easier to find and prevents important documents from getting lost in the shuffle.
Use labels to make systems easy to maintain
Crickets thrive when everything has a clearly defined home. Labelling folders, containers and storage areas helps remove any uncertainty about where items belong, making it easier for both you and other members of the household to keep things organised.
Avoid letting perfection slow you down
A perfectly organised system isn’t always necessary. Setting a timer can help prevent overthinking and encourage faster decision-making. Remember, a system that exists is far more useful than one that's still being planned.
Handy storage solutions
