5 Smart Ways to Get Your Home Back in Order After Self-Isolation

For many people, self-isolation provided the perfect opportunity to clean the house, declutter, and tick things off the to-do list. But for those who found themselves working from home, homeschooling, or suddenly stuck inside all day with young kids, it’s likely the past few months have thrown your home into chaos. 

If spending more time at home meant more mess, more meals to cook, and sacrificing your dining table to create a makeshift home office or school desk, you’re probably desperate to get your home back in order by now.

Jo Carmichael, the decluttering specialist from All Sorted Out, understands that isolation has turned our lives upside down and, in many cases, our homes, too. As life starts to return to normal, Jo shares some tips on getting rid of the isolation clutter in your home.

Start with one room at a time.

Jo recommends starting slow and working your way around your home, getting each room in order one-by-one. “Start with one room a day or week even, and work your way around the house,” says Jo. “All too much at once can begin to make some feel overwhelmed and not as committed to downsizing the clutter. Always remember the old trick if you haven’t used it in 6-12 months get rid of it.”

Find key areas to target.

“Make sure you target areas such as the linen cupboard pantry, as these are key areas that seem to hold a lot of junk. The pantry can be home to a whole heap of junk that has been stocked up, especially over the self-isolation period. Check expiry dates and be sure to take note of what you do NEED to buy.”

Claim back your dining table.

“You may have been working from the kitchen bench or dining table, while another family member was working from the bedroom. Now is the time to sort through work-related items, and ensure they can be packed away somewhere at the end of the workday, so home time is reinstated.”

Keep your kitchen clean.

“We have been preparing meals and eating more at home these last few months. Kitchen counters are overloaded with leftover containers and other household items. To keep your kitchen in order, clear the counters and put items into a pantry or cupboard rather than leaving them out. It’s more calming and less distracting to have clear benches, especially when spending so much more time at home.”

The hoarding must stop.

“Remember at the start of isolation when families were bulk buying toilet paper like they would never get our hands on it again? Well, it’s still happening and those families are still trying to get through their 10 packs of jumbo toilet paper they thought they would run out of,” says Jo. “Keep stock to a minimum, and save space and storage areas around the home by only having what you need. I promise you, you won’t run out of toilet paper.”

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love.