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Declutter your home: organised kitchen bench with smart storage solutions using baskets and open shelving
The new year is the perfect time to declutter your home. Four experts share their easy decluttering tips for 2025, making organisation effortless for the whole family.

 

The new year is the best time to reset and establish routines to clear the clutter, restore order and help save time. We’ve gathered expert tips on garage storage, moving house, cleaning shortcuts, and meal planning. Declutter your home or set up some new systems and you'll find it easier to stay organised. These expert tips can help. They will guide you in creating a clutter-free space.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

How to declutter your home fast: Expert strategies

Want to declutter your home but short on time? Our experts say that successful decluttering relies on three main principles:

  • Create dedicated zones for everyday items;
  • Set up simple systems that work; and
  • Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.

Our easy decluttering tips below show you how to tackle each area of your home efficiently – whether you have 20 minutes or a full weekend. Each strategy will help you create lasting results with not much effort, so you can maintain your clutter-free home all year round.

Planning decluttering and organising tasks using a diary and digital tool

Tip 1: Dedicate a drop zone

Professional organiser Mel Barry of House of Calm has found one of the biggest game changers in keeping homes clutter-free is a functional drop zone by the front door.

“It’s incredibly effective and doesn’t have to cost a fortune,” says Mel. “It can be as simple as a bench seat with baskets underneath for each family member, a hanging system for bags and coats, a space for pet essentials, and a handy ‘grab-and-go’ area for keys, sunglasses, sunscreen and umbrellas.”

Tip 2: Return to routine

Help your family by getting back into school hours before the term starts, suggests professional organiser Natalie Morey of The Lifestylers Group. “Ease into the term schedule a few weeks before school starts, with an earlier dinner and bedtime,” she suggests. “Also, check if school items and uniforms need to be bought, and batch-cook freezable lunchbox snacks.”

Tip 3: Stream the clean

One good multipurpose cleaning product that can be used throughout the house is a great way to save both money and storage space, advises renovator and stylist Hayley Little.

“I love The Pink Stuff paste cleaner and use it for everything from the kitchen sink and oven to bathroom grout and tapware, even the soles of sneakers,” says Hayley. “Another tip is to reserve a TV series to enjoy only while I clean. It helps with motivation and makes chores far more enjoyable.”

Tip 4: Maximise the garage

This space offers incredible storage opportunities. To make the best use of it, professional organiser Maria Patisso of Organise My Life suggests working upwards, using height and allowing for access pathways.

“One of our favourite garage storage solutions is the Montgomery 5-tier shelving unit. It’s inexpensive, fits garage containers perfectly and is easy to assemble. For heavy items, we suggest the Pinnacle 4-tier heavy duty unit,” says Maria.

Decluttering and organising a garage with D.I.Y. shelving units for maximum storage]

Tip 5: Get label smart

Labels are essential for keeping track of stored items, and QR code stickers are perfect for the job, says Maria. “We like Organise by Inabox QR stickers. You simply take photos of what’s inside each container and use an app to upload the photos for easy reference.”

Tip 6: Use your walls

In the garage, aim to lift stored items off the floor and place them on shelves or walls. “This will improve safety, functionality and the look of the garage,” says Maria. She also suggests investing in pegboards to hang your tools and keep them in easy reach. “For sports equipment, use bike racks and heavy-duty hooks to hang gear.”

Tip 7: Plan meals

Devising a weekly menu and batch cooking can help to reduce the dinner time rush – and waste. Natalie plans evening meals on Sunday nights and, as she knows exactly what she needs, organises ingredients in advance with a ‘click and collect’ grocery order.

“Another tip is to batch-cook on the weekend,” she says. “A favourite is bolognese four ways: for spaghetti, as a base for shepherd’s pie, in lasagne and as a topping for baked potatoes – and it freezes well.”

Tip 8: Pack down post Christmas

Hayley’s hack for storing Christmas lights so they don’t tangle is to wrap them around a used wrapping-paper tube. “I push the power plug into one end of the tube, wrap the lights around the centre and secure it by making a small slit in the tube for the end of the cord,” she says.

“I keep it with the Christmas tree in a storage bag along with leftover wrapping paper, so it’s all together.” And when the decorations come down, she categorises them by colour or theme and keeps them in big plastic stackable tubs, layered with bubble wrap.

 

Tip 9: Share the calendar

Whether scheduling kids’ activities, medical appointments or even fitting in ‘me’ time, Maria suggests documenting it all on paper or digitised in an app or online calendar, to free your headspace.

Hayley is also an avid list maker and uses her phone to keep track of multiple projects. “I have lists for daily tasks, small projects I’m working on and renovating timelines,” she explains. “I break down larger projects into categories like step-by-step tasks, trades to organise and keep pictures of colour palettes or inspiration photos with lists, to stay on track while sourcing products.”

Tip 10: Move ahead

Natalie’s biggest tip when moving house is to allow plenty of time to pack – and to begin the process as soon as possible. “As a guide, a standard three-bedroom house will take around 20 to 25 hours to pack,” she says.

“It’s beneficial to declutter as you go, so you don’t pay to move items that won’t fit into your new house.” She suggests mapping out where furniture will go on a floor plan of your new house, as this can help you work out what to take, sell or donate.

Tip 11: Pack it up

Instead of wrapping valuables in newspaper, which can leave marks, Natalie prefers to use butcher’s paper. She also recommends stocking up on packing tape and cartons – for a standard three-bedroom place, she suggests around 85 boxes.

“It’s helpful to create an ‘essential moving box’ with items you’ll need when you first arrive, like snacks, tea and coffee equipment, chargers and toilet paper,” she says. “And mark any priority boxes that need to be unpacked first with coloured stickers.”

Tip 12: Detox digitally

Minimising digital clutter can help reduce stress and enhance productivity, says Mel. She suggests refining the contents of your phone, computer and inbox. “To reduce distractions and free up space, delete unused apps and group what’s left into categories like social, news and travel,” she says.

“Cull your inbox by unsubscribing from automated emails you no longer want to receive, and aim to set aside time each week to delete or file correspondence.” To streamline computer files, Mel recommends using consistent naming and folder systems. “Also, back up files regularly and ensure you have antivirus software for added security.”

Tip 13: Hone the home office

Decluttering is a great way to boost productivity and creativity in a home office, says Maria. Her top tips include scanning papers and storing them in an online folder, keeping important documents in upright labelled file holders, corralling stationery in a desk organiser, reducing cables with a tidy box and regularly dusting surfaces.

Tip 14: Form a ‘tidy-up’ habit

Your initial decluttering and organising efforts are just the start, of course, and now it’s time to maintain your new order – but don’t worry, this is much easier than your first big decluttering effort. Each evening, invest time resetting for the following day.

“Before kicking back at night, set a timer and spend 20 minutes tidying key spaces around the home,” recommends Maria. “This might include putting away washed dishes, decluttering benches, getting the kids to tidy their toys, removing dirty washing from bedrooms and organising school uniforms and lunches for the next day. This helps ensure you keep on top of things during a busy week.”

Tip 15: Review services

You may make savvy savings by annually reviewing services such as insurances, utility suppliers and subscriptions. Mel likes to use a spreadsheet to compile comparisons and notes. “I directly contact competitors and gather two to three quotes for a more straightforward comparison,” she says. “Also, check if paying annually instead of monthly offers savings.”

Tip 16: Find a spot for it all

When items have a designated place, finding what you need is quick and effortless. Some of Mel’s go-to systems include clear storage trays for bathroom drawers and vacuum-seal bags for seasonal clothes and blankets kept at the top of wardrobes. “A turntable is great for everyday essentials on the laundry bench and within the pantry,” she says. “Easily removable adhesive hooks are also handy, particularly for renters to use inside cupboards and on the backs of doors to hang cleaning tools, brooms and mops.”

These easy decluttering tips will help you transform your space and bring peace and order to your home. Remember that decluttering and organising isn’t just a set-and-forget practice. It's an ongoing process – the key is to maintain these systems once they're in place.

Looking for more organisation tips?

Check out seven ways to declutter common problem areas at home.

 

Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Alamy Stock, Organise My Life.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.