All set for autumn: five easy ways to clear the clutter and make your home feel bigger — and brand new

So long hazy summer days, autumn is fast approaching and so too are our plans to rid homes of clutter before the winter chill sets in. Here are five easy ways to get started... 
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It seems spring isn't the only time of year we feel the need to have a good clear out, as a recent survey by Pinterest reveals 43 per cent of Brits want to declutter and re-organise their homes between the last few weeks of summer and the onset of autumn.

While we’re all happy to turn a blind eye to a bit of clutter during the summer heatwave, come autumn the lights have most definitely been switched on.

Storage solutions are becoming increasingly popular, too, with concealed storage searches up 59 per cent and handbag storage searches up by 99 per cent on Pinterest in the year to May.

Seven out of 10 Brits feel stressed by household clutter, according to a report by self-storage company Space Station. But, if you’re living like most Londoners, it is likely you are short of time as well as space – so why not start small?

“Instead of looking at the home as one huge declutter project, take a measured approach, do a little bit daily and start small,” advises Victoria Jackson, Editor & Founder of Apartment Number 4, “When it comes to updating your home for the new season, a good place to start is by organising cupboards, packing bags for the charity shop and getting order back into the house again.”

Where to start: our pick of what to buy to help declutter your home

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“Having a tidy space to come home to is a sure-fire way of feeling calmer, more productive and motivated for the months ahead,” says Jackson.

We’re in. Here are Victoria Jackson’s five top tips for decluttering your home before autumn arrives.

1. Start small

Start with a drawer. Not a room. Not even a cupboard. Start small and tidy one drawer. Why? Because the feeling of ticking that task off the to-do list will motivate you to do more. We all have that drawer filled with random wires, chargers and earphones. Get an old soap bag or even a sealable freezer bag to store them in so you’re not dealing with a tangled mess every time you open the drawer.”

2. Tackle the wardrobe

“This is the time to be ruthless. If you haven’t worn something in a year, then it needs to go to the charity shop. Be honest with yourself and if it doesn’t fit, or it’s still got the label on months later, then give it to someone who will feel the benefits.”

3. Bag it up

“Vacuum bags are a lifesaver when it comes to organising and decluttering. How many bedspreads, duvets, pillows and sleeping bags etc do you have taking up valuable space? Shrink them down and store them above your wardrobe, loft or under your bed. You could also vacuum pack your summer holiday clothes away until next year, creating even more space.”

4. Take on the kitchen

“Treat your kitchen as a project within itself. From the cupboard under the sink where cleaning products are stacked upon cleaning products, to out of date spices, the kitchen is often where you’ll get the most satisfaction from a deep clean and organisation.”

“Buy plate stackers to create more room in cupboards and sort through tupperware boxes with odd lids – try to use the plastic pots you have before buying anymore. Use a basket under the sink to store away any cloths, polish, bleach etc and go through every single thing in your fridge and cupboards to check best-by dates.”

5. Why are you keeping it?

“The most important question to ask when you’re decluttering is, do I have realistic plan to use this? If you’re keeping hold of something “just in case”, “you’ll fix it in the future”, or even “because what if it comes back into fashion”, then you need to learn to let go. Unless it’s serving you with a sentimental purpose, put it in a bin liner and move on. The therapeutic feeling of decluttering will be worth it.”