Professional Home Organisers & Declutterers

Crafting is super popular these days and it’s not just the kids who love it. From diamond painting to t-shirt designing and gift making it seems we are a nation obsessed with creating. It is estimated that there are now just over 19.5 million crafters in the UK alone and that is big business for our economy. The value of craft sales has grown exponentially from £883 million in 2006 to over £3.4 billion today! But how do you store your crafts so they look pretty and are practical? Nothing diffuses inspiration like clutter. We know how much kids love to craft, spreading joy and glitter throughout the house. Glitter is not Philippa’s friend, she despises it. But needs must when the holidays, long, long holidays arrive. So we’ve come up with craft storage solutions that will not only look beautiful, but also keep everything organised and be easy to access by your little ones and hopefully avoid any glitter bombs. We promise that your crafting supplies will look so good by the end of this sorting that you will want to sit and colour/paint/create for hours. First off.......the edit!! Get all your arts and craft products together to see what you have. This is what we refer to as the “stock take”. Do you have any dried out glue sticks? Old Play-Doh? Felt tips without lids? Used colouring books? Feel the joy that comes from chucking things away that you really don’t need. Whilst glitter is Philippa’s nemesis, I can’t stand Play-Doh, it’s stressful when they mix the colours, who wants to end up with pots and pots of faintly meat coloured gunge? Now is your chance to throw it away. Perhaps when your children are out of the way. There’s no hoarder like a toddler with a passion for broken crayons and scribbled on paper scraps. Once you have reduced your bits and bobs down to usable and necessary items it’s time for our favourite bit….choosing your storage solutions. Group your items into categories, pens, pencils, glue, paint, card and so on. Measure your shelving or cupboard space, or the area you have chosen to store your crafting bits. Then decide upon your vision. By this we mean do you want to see everything in pretty glass/plastic jars? Would you prefer to store it in baskets? Or do you want it neatly stacked away in boxes or drawers? Then, it’s time to shop for your chosen storage containers or re-purpose items from around your home. You could use jam jars, shoe boxes, Tupperware (the old takeaway containers are brilliant for this). If you’re purchasing budget allows, we love the large glass and acrylic jars from The Range, Etsy and Amazon. We’ll put the links below. We just love seeing the end result of a crafty cleanse, so feel free to send us your pictures. Alternatively, if you want the perfect solution for your home or work but need some helping hands, contact us for a consultation and we would be happy to assist. Happy Organising! x

Why declutter? Life is messy, we understand this. It takes a lot just to keep on top of the day-to-day management of your home, family, work and the rest. But once it is sorted, you’ll see and feel the positive benefits immediately. Plus, it’s easier to keep on top of things when it’s all organised and freed from clutter. But don’t just take our word for it. Scientists the world over have studied the outcomes of decluttering and tidying and proved that it has long lasting effects on your well-being. Having a calm, orderly and organised home can improve your happiness levels, and even make you healthier (according to a BMJ study on clutter and health). Decluttering can also prevent pests and reduce dust, mould and mildew, which can help suppress allergies, asthma and damp related illnesses. Your sleep can improve after decluttering. Surveys carried out by WebMD have shown people sleep better in a neat room with a tidy bed. A decluttered home can also help reduce stress and anxiety, boost productivity, make it easier to clean and tidy. It can also save you money by helping you see what you already have, what you don’t use and no longer need, so you don’t over buy in the future. And it’s not as hard as you might think to clear your home of the things you no longer need, it just takes time and sometimes you might need a helping hand to guide you through the worst of it. We’ve been there, in the past Philippa and I have both struggled with the post-Christmas gift pile, the redundant toddler toys your kids have grown out of, the clothes that no longer fit or are passed their best. It’s all too easy to shove these items to the back of your cupboard and ignore the piles around the house. But trust us, it’s worth sorting it out and it’s such a relief to gain back that space in your home and get rid of what you no longer need. As professional organisers we’ve learned how to make systems that not only look pretty but genuinely make life easier. Look out for our top tips and ideas on how to manage your space in the coming newsletters. And, contact us for a free quotation if you feel you might want a helping hand to get on top of your home, office, garage or business clutter.