Want to make a clean start to 2026? Francesca Harrison from Tidy Your Space in Farnham has some easy advice for refreshing your home
With the rush of Christmas and New Year behind us, it’s time to look ahead. This season is all about fresh starts – a chance to clear away clutter, both physically and mentally.
No matter your circumstances, releasing unnecessary items can help you feel focussed and less stressed, boosting your overall wellbeing. It’s very easy for clutter to accumulate in our homes, but tackling it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
Here are my top tips to help you to declutter for a fresh start this year:
Have an exit plan to avoid DOOM: Without a plan for what to do with the items you declutter, you can end up with DOOM (didn’t organise, only moved) boxes which just lurk in cupboards, corners and car boots and never quite make it fully out of your space. Before you start decluttering, consider which items will go to a charity shop, recycling centre, bin and plan when you’ll be able to drop them off.
Start small and build up: It can be very tempting when you start decluttering to head straight in to the area that is the most problematic to you (room of doom, loft, memorabilia). However, you’re much more likely to have success by starting somewhere small (a drawer, a shelf etc) which will be easier and more manageable. Once you start to see the results from the small areas you’ve decluttered, you’ll build momentum and find the larger, trickier areas far easier to sort.
Focus on the positives: Letting go of items, especially ones that hold sentimental value to you, can be emotionally difficult and may prevent you from wanting to face decluttering at all. But by focussing on who could best benefit from the item, it becomes much easier to let go. Your donated items could help someone in need or be loved and cherished by someone else.
Habits are key to staying clutter-free: Decluttering isn’t something you do just once, it’s a continuous process. After you’ve cleared the spaces you want to tackle, the secret to keeping things tidy is building simple habits that stop clutter from piling up again. The start of a new year is a great time to build fresh routines, whether it’s a quick daily tidy or a weekly reset. One helpful trick is “habit stacking,” where you pair small tasks together to make them feel effortless e.g. tidying the kitchen counter while you wait for the kettle to boil.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a tidy, organised space that not only looks great but also feels wonderful to live in. Happy decluttering!
Find more tips at yourtidyspace.co.uk