Last week I worked with a Client to declutter her basement under-stairs storage area.

The Clutter Problem

It was initially built to provide storage for the usual ‘hardware’ items, but over time had become a dumping ground for all manner of things.

Empty vases, tennis rackets, almost finished paint tins, children’s craft items, and screwdrivers galore!  You know the kind of thing I’m talking about, because if you admit it, you’ve probably had a space like that at some point in your life too!!

As the shelving space filled up, family members were putting things into the space ‘willy nilly’. Stuff was piling up at the entrance of the store and access to the shelving was blocked.

 

 

 

 

 

The Clutter Solution

In a short time, we were able to reduce, re-use, recycle & re-home the things in the storage area, giving my Client a good-sized space to keep her less-used items for the home.

She acknowledged the fact that at although one time she did a lot of DIY, now – due to a change in family and work circumstances – she was more likely to employ a decorator, plumber, joiner, etc to complete any repairs in her home, rather than to spend three times as long trying to achieve the same outcome using her own DIY skills!

She was realistic about what needed to be kept and was elated to be free of all manner of paint-rollers, wallpaper strippers, drying cans of paint, sandpaper and so on, knowing that she’d now call in a professional to undertake major room overhauls.

Fewer ‘I’ll never use it’ clutter in her under-stairs cupboard, and more space to walk in, find what she needs and bring it out unscathed!

She is not the only person to have felt free after getting their space organised! Read what my other Clients have to say.

My top decluttering tips for store/under-stairs cupboards:

1. Allow a sufficient amount of time to go through the ‘odds & sods’.  These often take longer than expected.  What appear to be big boxes or crates often contain lots of little items to be sorted!
2. Find a space big enough to work in.  Cupboards are usually stuffed full. What you pull out of there needs to be worked through in a good space.
3. Store the items that you put back in, in a logical manner.  Frequently used items near the entrance and less frequently used items further back. Breakables away from heavy or unsteady items.
4. Label any boxes/crates so you don’t waste your time looking for things in the future.
5. Look out for local charity groups who may be able to make use of good condition tools, unused paint, etc. Better used by someone else rather than into landfill!

For 1-2-1 help to get your space organised get in touch!