Hey all,

This goes out to all you out there that can help me declutter my house and so my life.

After suffering 3 bereavements and a broken leg in 8 months I feel that the time has come for me to gain control of my life and house once and for all

I look round my home and KNOW that it needs a total overhaul both in decoration and decluttering but feel theres no point decorating until its decluttered. My family and I have been here for 3 years and are not even close to getting the house of our dreams so any help anyone can offer would be great. I'm due back in work in approx. 3 weeks so before then would love to get started but look round and dont know where to - so....... this is an SOS to anyone and everyone to give me some pointers and help as I would love to get my home in order in time for Christmas

So come on all of you out there - please please please help this harrassed wife and mum of two out - looking forward to hearing from you

Hi Starburst,
We're sorry to hear you've been having a hard time lately. We've chosen your question to be answered by our Homes and Property Expert, Donna. Her reply will be live on the site soon, so keep checking back!

Starburst
one point for you to remember when decluttering is this
if you havent picked something up or read it or used it in 3 months , bin it , it is obvious you dont need it
dont be sentimental about the things that are lying around.
shut your eyes and throw it !
Dont do it alone, get the children to help by telling them the same and they can do the same with their things
get a friend to help you so that wehen you decide 'ooo i think i will keep this just in case' your friends can say NO bin it

good luck and keep us informed as to how you are going in :0
i do hope you pick up soon and leave your past traumas behind you and lookk forward to your future

luv
laura

Hi Starburst


I totally agree with what Laura said about getting rid of things that you don't use,we are all guity of hanging on too long to junk.

That said,their may be some things that you can give to charity shops,or even sell on second hand,for example :
Clothes,books,dvd's, video's,cd.s childrens toys,odd household items you no longer have a use for.

You will be amazed how much more room you will create,and then you will be in the mood for the decorating.

Good luck,and keep positive

Love from Karen

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your feedback - its all been so positive and has given me quite few ideas to be getting on with Its just such a daunting prospect and the fact that I have to declutter an entire 3 bed, 3 storey house is SCARY

I will definitely check back and would love to hear from you all again as I cant afford to have a professional come in and help but am pleased to let you know that I am starting this afternoon - so.......wish me luck. Any other ideas you have guys please let me know. 1 question I have got is as Im new to this site is 1 message says that Donna the style expert will be dealing with my question on live chat and to check back soon - what is this please.

Thanks so much to all that have replied so far and please keep the ideas coming

Love from Starburst xx

i'm not sure but i think it means that Donna one of the experts will be answering your post here.

I think if you try to do it all in one will get you so fed up that you will stop
so try and do one room at a time or half a room ,or set yourself a target of say 6 square feet to completeley sort out , then go for a coffee break, then when you come back to it you will see that you have made a headway and will be more motivated
I had to do the same in a three storey house but with 5 bedrooms so it can be done
Have faith in the decisions you make of what to junk and stick to them
you could have seperate boxes
as karen said , one for charity a BIG one for rubbish and maybe a car boot box, do a car boot and make some of that cash you need to decorate

keep up your family's morale at the same time and keep them encouraged, as soon as they see the difference in such a short time they will feel as though they have accomplished big things
keep on moving !!!
LOL

Laura

Hi Starburst, Donna's Expert response is now live! The feature is called 'House Detox'. To find it, type 'House Detox' into the search box, or visit the Ask the Expert section of Homes. We hope you find her advice useful!