I believe that clutter is the enemy of interior design, so I like to live and work by the 19th century designer William Morris’s famous quote:

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

Of course, this doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Our homes are busy places and life has a way of accumulating “stuff”. Here are some of the practical tips I share with clients who are looking to create a calmer, more organised and clutter-free home.

Do a little bit every day

Decluttering doesn’t need to happen all at once. In fact, trying to tackle an entire home in a weekend is often overwhelming and rarely sustainable.

Instead, focus on one drawer, one cupboard, one shelf or even one item each day. Small, consistent actions soon add up and before long you’ll begin to notice a significant difference throughout your home.

Create daily habits and routines

A clutter-free home is not created by a single weekend of decluttering. It’s maintained through small daily habits.

One of the simplest and most effective rules is this: everything should have a home and everything should be returned to that home when you’re finished using it.

Whether it’s your keys, handbag, paperwork, children’s toys, remote controls or kitchen appliances, putting things back in the same place every time prevents clutter from accumulating in the first place.

The same principle applies to laundry and clothing. Fold and put away washing as soon as it’s dry rather than allowing baskets to pile up. Hang clothes properly on hangers after wearing or ironing them rather than draping them over chairs, bedheads or exercise equipment. These small habits take only a few minutes but make a significant difference to how tidy and organised a home feels.

Get into the habit of doing a quick 10-minute tidy at the end of each day. Fluff the cushions, load the dishwasher, clear the kitchen bench, put away shoes, fold any washing and return items to where they belong. Waking up to a tidy home each morning creates a sense of calm and makes keeping on top of things far easier.

Remember, organisation isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating systems and routines that make daily life easier. A well-designed home works best when the people living in it develop habits that support the space.

Get yourself some storage tubs

Storage tubs are an invaluable way to store and organise all manner of belongings including toys, photographs, craft supplies, seasonal decorations, kitchenware and keepsakes.

Clearly labelled tubs make it easier to find what you’re looking for and encourage everyone in the household to return items to their proper place.

Discard, recycle, donate or sell

Throw away anything that is broken, missing parts, worn out or no longer serves a purpose.

Recycle anything that can be responsibly recycled including paper, cardboard, glass and electronic equipment.

Donate items that may still be useful to others. There are countless charitable organisations throughout Geelong and beyond that will gladly accept clothing, linen, cookware, furniture and household goods.

You can also sell items of value through Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Rather than spending the proceeds on more possessions, reward yourself with an experience such as dinner out, a massage, a movie or a manicure.

Keep one space toy-free

If you have children, try to keep at least one room in your home completely toy-free.

In a smaller home this may simply be the master bedroom. If you’re fortunate enough to have multiple living areas, designate one as an adult retreat where toys remain stored away.

It’s also important to teach children to pack away one activity before starting another. Learning to tidy up after themselves is a valuable life skill that benefits the entire family.

You do not need more storage space — you need less stuff

Many people believe their problem is a lack of storage. More often than not, the real issue is simply owning too much.

Before purchasing additional storage furniture or organising products, consider whether you actually need fewer belongings.

Part of decluttering is reducing unnecessary duplicates. You probably don’t need three cheese graters, five water bottles, multiple staplers or a cupboard full of mismatched containers.

Don’t be overly sentimental

Just because a friend gave it to you or because it belonged to your Nana doesn’t mean you have to keep it forever, particularly if it isn’t something you genuinely love or use.

Possessions only have the meaning we assign to them. Letting go of an object does not mean letting go of the memory associated with it.

Memories live within us, not within our belongings.

Stop and think before you acquire more

Before purchasing something new, pause and ask yourself:

• Do I really need this?
• Where will it live?
• Will it genuinely improve my life?
• Am I buying it because I love it or simply because it’s on sale?

Being more intentional about what comes into your home is one of the most effective ways to prevent future clutter.

Remember:

“All that clutter used to be money. All that money used to be time.”

Engage a professional

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply don’t know where to start, engaging a professional organiser can be a worthwhile investment.

For clients in the Geelong region, I often recommend A Place of Calm. For clients in Hobart, The Organised Effect offers excellent decluttering and organising services.

Sometimes having an experienced and impartial person guide the process can make all the difference.

• Interior Designer & Building Consultant Kylie Sargent provides professional services throughout the regions of Greater Geelong & the Surf Coast in Victoria along with Hobart & Surrounds in Tasmania.