Anyone got any decluttering tips?

[Swanky]

I really need a declutter.....on the surface my house is clean and tidy but open most doors and behind them you will find 7 years of "stuff"....

do a little at a time - so it is not too daunting. Go through each room methodically with 3 boxes
1 bin
2 charity/sell
3 relocate **
be ruthless, if you haven't used it in a year get rid

*The relocate box is for
-a dress that may fit a friend
-a book your OH has been looking for
-bank statements to be filed in the proper place
-photos of loved ones to be put in an album

after dealing with one area, then deal with the charity/sell- put it in the car and take it NOW
do a car boot sale this weekend!
the relocate- put things in their proper place there and then , if they need more time ie photos etc , give yourself a week NO MORE. I suggest you deprive yourself of some treat, chocolate/wine/bath etc until you deal ,properly with one space, then enjoy it when you see your home become clear of junk.

Hope this helps- btw this has given me incentive to go home and do a bit myself later!

do you know what it is? CHUCK
do you need it? CHUCK
do you like it? CHUCK
can you give it away? CHUCK
can you recycle it? CHUCK

basically CHUCK everything! i love a black bag full of rubbish!

like your style mrs Flux

If you can get rid of lots of things then do - it's all well and good moving them to their rightful place but you'll be moving them forever more - just get rid of them! I live in a small flat and we have rule that whatvercomes in through the door (except food) has to be matched by something of equal volume leaving the house.

Our most ruthless clear-out was when the school had a table top sale and the girls realised tht they could make some money. They were a lot more ruthless than I ever dared be with their things.

The other good thing is to do it drawer by drawer- a good night in front of the telly sorting through a drawer really gets it moving and isn't too hard. Just keep the bin nearby.

We also had our stuffin a container for 6 months wile we moved house and distance didn't make the heart grow fonder. I managed to get rid of a lot of stuff with no emotional pain as I had to find a homefor it. But I do keep the good stuff - kiddie's pictures, school reports, love letters (yeah, right!)