In this strange and troubling time, we all found ourselves in our homes so much more than we could have ever imagined. Calm and organised surroundings can really help our mood, outlook, and our overall well-being. Here are 5 simple ways of organising and styling to help you and your family in your home.

Get equipped!

All you need to start the process are a few boxes/containers, bin bag, recycling bag and a cleaning cloth or polish & duster.

Start small

Decluttering and organising can be a challenge at the best of times and so start with a small area or storage space that 1 – won’t take long to sort, 2 – won’t be too stressful to tackle and 3 – will (most importantly), have an immediate positive impact.

So, for example, in your kitchen, don’t try and clear out ever cupboard, just start with one drawer. This will probably take you 20 or 30 minutes. This quick win will inspire you to do the next drawer or small cupboard when you have another half an hour free and before you know it the whole kitchen will be decluttered.

Tackle flat surfaces

It always surprises me just how quickly flat surfaces accumulate the most incredible amount of ‘stuff’ and look so messy and out of control – in my house, it’s the dining table!

The dining room is situated between the lounge and kitchen and so we walk past the dining table constantly, making it an easy dumping ground. I am also currently using it as desk space, creating additional clutter.

Tackle one flat surface at a time – use your ‘equipment’ that you have already gathered and start tidying and sorting into categories (e.g. post & office paperwork, children’s toys & art items), throwing away unwanted items into the bin and recycling other items wherever possible. Once your flat surface is clear, give it a clean (while you can) and then start to organise only those items needed back onto the surface.

If you are tackling your kitchen worktops, put away as many appliances and equipment into cupboards and drawers to free up the space and then display those items that you purchased because you loved the look of them. Our kitchen is a very practical place and many of us spend so much time in them that we deserve them to look gorgeous and inviting. Group and lean those beautiful oak chopping boards against the wall and display the colourful loose tea tins you have hidden away. A bowl of fresh fruit and Kilner jars filled with nuts and dried fruit are healthy snacks to display easily accessible for all the family.

Use a weekly planner

Although most of us are at home most of the time now, there is still the need for planning. I have been having plenty of zoom meetings and socials and I have almost missed a few – I have lost track of what day it is a few times I must admit!

Using a planner will help keep a routine – whether it is your 10 minutes exercise in front of the TV or your facetime meetups with friends, it’s good to see your activities written on a calendar. Its gives me a sense of purpose and allows me to organise something (however small) to fill those quiet days. A family wall planner works well so that you can plan in group activities. You can just print off an online weekly diary and pop it on the fridge where everyone can see it.

This can also double up as a ‘jobs’ rota – I don’t know about you, but our house is much more untidy and dirty with everyone at home, so get the whole family involved in the cleaning, washing and general tidying – there might even be treats in it for the younger ones…..

Bring the outside in

Studies show that indoor plants can boost your productivity, concentration, and creativity. And more importantly in these difficult times they can reduce stress, fatigue, and improve your mood.

So, the next time you do your once a week food shop, grab yourself a few house plants or herb plants (which are inexpensive) and pop them in the most used rooms of your home and enjoy! If you don’t have ceramic plant pots available just pop them on a saucer or in a recycled container to protect your surfaces.

Alternatively, cut a single stem from your garden (or nearest path) and put it on your window ledge in a used bottle – it makes all the difference.