Many busy families and overwhelmed individuals struggle with clutter and disorganisation. If your home feels stressful, you’re not alone — and there are simple steps you can take today to start regaining control.

Here are 5 practical decluttering tips to help you get started:

1. Start Small and Set a Timer

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re busy or low on energy. Try focusing on one small area — like a kitchen drawer or a single shelf — and set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes. Breaking the task into manageable chunks makes it easier to begin and keeps you motivated.

2. Sort Items Into Keep, Donate, and Toss Piles

Be honest with yourself about what you really use and need. Toss out broken or expired items. Set aside things you no longer want but are in good condition to donate to charity. Sorting like this helps clear clutter quickly and makes the next steps easier.

3. Group Similar Items Together

Organising your belongings into categories — for example, all baking supplies or all kids’ toys — improves how your space functions. Grouping like items helps you find what you need faster and reduces food or item wastage.

4. Create Organising Systems That Work for You

Your home organisation system should suit your lifestyle. Keep frequently used items within easy reach and consider clear containers or labels to make everything visible. The goal is to make your space easy to maintain daily.

5. Get Help from a Professional Home Organiser

If you’re downsizing, moving, or just feeling overwhelmed by clutter, a professional home organiser can provide personalised solutions tailored to your needs. I offer compassionate, practical support to simplify and style your home, making everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

Ready to Create a Calm, Clutter-Free Home?

If you live in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs and want to talk about simplifying your space, I’m here to help.

Contact me today for a free consultation and let’s make your home work better for you!

1. Set a timer for 30mins if you are short on time (or energy). Focus on a small area such a single shelf. Decluttering is less overwhelming if you can break it into smaller chunks of time.

2. Discard expired items. Everyone has something that expired in their pantry! Many people find all sorts of things hiding in the back.

3. Remove anything that is broken or things you just don’t use. Broken items/containers can be discarded. Things you just don’t use, but are still in good condition can be set aside for donation.

4. Get rid of impractical storage containers. Whatever you decide to use it should comfortably fit in the space you have, be accessible and visible so you can easily see what you have.

5. Combine multiples or double-ups together. If you have multiple open packets of pasta, biscuits etc... Combine them. You can decant into containers, or even keep in original packaging in a basket. Whatever method you like, they should be together.

6. Categorise remaining items into groups. For example, all cereals together, a baking section... Grouping like items improves the function of your pantry and can help reduce wastage (as you can easily see and use what you have).

7. Organise in a way that is functional for how you use it. Your systems are just that = YOURS. They need to suit you and be easy to maintain.

8. And lastly, labelling makes it easier for everyone!

1. Set up bags or tubs into BIN, DONATE, MEND. If you don’t have enough baskets or tubs, just allocate separate spaces on your bed or floor.

2. Remove unused coat hangers. This creates more space in your wardrobe. Unused coat hangers can be returned to your wardrobe if you have space when everything has been organised, OR you can locate them elsewhere.

3. Discard items that don’t fit, you will never wear or are no longer your style. Use the bins you set up at the start to sort these items.

4. Sort the items you will keep. Place items together by colour or type (I use an over-the-door hook, which allows me to easily ‘see and sort’). Whichever method you choose, it should now be easier to decide what will earn its place back in your wardrobe.

5. Put items back by colour, by type, by occasion, whatever works best for you.

6. Remember that your wardrobe is just that = YOURS. It needs to suit you and be easy to maintain.

1. Focus on one section at a time.

2. Discard all expired items. This include leftovers that won’t be eaten and have passed their time. Don’t forget the fruit and veg that were purchased with good intentions but have now sat in the fridge too long….

3. Food should be stored in the appropriate section of the fridge. Some general layout ideas:

   Upper shelves – leftovers, ready to eat, snacks

   Middle shelves – dairy, eggs, deli

   Lower shelves/Crisper – fruits and veg, meats and fish

   Fridge Door – condiments, drinks

4. Tweak the sections of your fridge, using the layout as a guide. Ultimately, your fridge needs to suit and be functional for YOU.

5. You can decant, place on trays or in tubs. Labelling makes it easier for everyone!

1. Choose one area to focus on if you are short on time (or just cannot face the whole laundry!) Under sink, cupboards, broom cupboard, drawer, benchtop.

2. Clear the benchtop and only keep the items you use every day visible. Discard any rubbish. Everything else (that you are going to keep) will find a place in a cupboard or drawer.

3. Sort through detergents and cleaning products and discard anything expired or you just don’t use. We can all get by with far less products than we think we need.

4. Everything you keep in the laundry should earn its place. If it is multipurpose, even better!

5. Check your brushes, buckets, brooms and discard anything that is broken. Broken bucket handles? Wobbly broom that comes apart? Brush that drops bristles? Don’t remain frustrated in your cleaning efforts because of broken or damaged tools. Replace them when broken so the job is done more efficiently and without irritation!

6. Put the remaining items together in categories. Whatever products you use, keep the same things together.

7. As you are decluttering, keep a list of the items that will need to be restocked, so next time you are shopping, you won’t wonder what it was that you needed!

Having a well-organised first aid kit at home is essential for being prepared for any minor emergencies that may arise. With many years of nursing behind me, I understand just how important it is to have quick access to the right supplies — and to know how to use them properly.

If you haven’t checked your first aid kit lately, now is the perfect time to give it some attention. Here are my top tips to keep your kit practical, accessible, and safe for your household:

Sort and Declutter

First things first: go through your kit and remove any expired medications, used items, or anything that’s no longer safe to use. Keeping expired products can be dangerous and ineffective in emergencies.

Group Similar Items Together

Organise your supplies by category. Keep bandages, antiseptics, medications, and tapes in separate compartments or containers. This way, you can find exactly what you need without fumbling around when time is of the essence.

Labels Matter

Make sure all labels are clear and easy to read. With medications, it’s important to check that nothing has faded or become unreadable over time. Clear labels help prevent mistakes.

Store in a Dry, Cool Place

Many people store their first aid kits in the bathroom, but the humidity there can damage medicines and supplies. Instead, choose a dry, cool spot in your home — like a cupboard away from heat sources — to keep your kit safe.

Keep Out of Reach of Children

Safety always comes first. Make sure your first aid kit is stored in a location where children cannot easily access it, to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.

Know How to Use Each Item

Having a well-stocked first aid kit is only helpful if you know how to use the items inside. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the contents and their proper use. Consider keeping a first aid manual or quick reference guide in your kit for emergencies.

Consider Making Your Own First Aid Kit

While pre-made kits can be convenient, they’re often packed with items you may never use — or missing essentials you actually need. Building your own kit allows you to tailor it to your household’s unique needs.

And the best part is that it is customised! Start with the basics (bandages, bandaids, antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, adhesive tape, antihistamines, pain relief you regularly use, children's medications etc…) then build out based on your family's activities, medical conditions, and age groups.

Why a Well-Organised First Aid Kit Matters

A neat and organised first aid kit means less stress and faster action. Whether it’s a small cut or a more serious injury, having the right supplies at hand — and knowing how to use them — can make all the difference.

As a professional organiser with a nursing background, I combine practical knowledge with organisation skills to create systems that work for you.

If you’d like help organising your home to be safer, more efficient, and ready for anything, I’m here to help.