The simple guide to tidying up

Declutter – identify what you don't need

Credit: Ju Design Studio

1/14

More things lying around in your room means more things to pack. First, clear out things you don’t need. You will then know how much storage you need.

Declutter - getting rid

Credit: The Carpenter's

2/14

Use this as a guide: If you haven't worn a piece for six to eight months, get rid of it. Or, if you are hoping to lose weight to fit into a dress and realise it has been far too long, get rid of it.

Declutter – Recycling

3/14

Recycle old CDs, DVDs and tapes. More on that here. Throw unused cables, especially if they belong to obsolete gadgets. Pick out a few free hotel toiletries and throw away the rest.

Organise – away with the holiday wares

4/14

Keep seldom used objects like wide-brim holiday hats and winter clothing in neat boxes or luggages. The only time you’ll wear them will be on your next vacation, anyway.

Organise – get a new shelving unit

Credit: Ottimo Spazi

5/14

Sometimes throwing away items is not possible, especially if you are a collector of shoes, hats or toys. The least you can do is display or store them in a neat and organised manner.

Organise – grouping clothes

6/14

Group your clothes by category and then by colours. This will make it easier to find what you are looking for. Fashion director Furqan Saini, 36, says: “I wear only a certain palette and it creates a sort of uniform for me. I have another rack of coloured clothes for when the mood strikes.”

Clever storage ideas – functional furniture

Credit: Ikea

7/14

Get handy multi-functional ottomans. Your belongings will be within easy reach, while staying out of sight.

Clever storage ideas – wall to wall

Credit: Ikea

8/14

Make use of walls, which are often under-utilised. Choose rails and baskets that are the same colour as the walls to keep things from feeling too cluttered,” says Jo Ong, Communication & Interior Design Manager, Ikea Singapore.

Clever storage ideas – d.i.y

Credit: Hello Embryo

9/14

Install peg boards on the inside of your wardrobe doors or behind your bedroom door. You can customise the layout with hooks, plastic cups or shelves to hold sunglasses or extra buttons.

Clever storage ideas – for the kitchen

10/14

Why not use a cake stand to hold bottles of salt, pepper, oil and other forms of seasoning close to the hob, conveniently at hand during cooking, and with space round the pedestal to store herbs and spices?

Clever storage ideas – steamers not just for dimsum

11/14

A bamboo steamer, which lets in air, is an ideal storage device for onions, garlic and shallots. You can also stack a few of them into tiers, so that you can store other types of food that do not need refrigeration, such as potatoes or dried noodles, on the other levels.

Downsize – furniture

Credit: Akihaus

12/14

Instead of a traditional coffee table, opt for smaller side tables that do the same job of holding your drinks without the bulk!

Downsize – hangers

13/14

Maximise wardrobe space by using thin hangers for shirts and light jackets, and folding T-shirts, to save space. Use thicker hangers to retain the shape of your blazers.

Sell, sell, sell!

14/14

Package your clothes as a set e.g. three pieces for $50, instead of selling it piece by piece. It will move faster!

This article was first published in Home and Decor.