The problem with the internet is that everyone stashes all their shit just out of shot, for that perfect interior image. Pinterest and Instagram are populated with lust-worthy interiors posts that frankly don't translate to real life.
Even though your IRL bedroom might look a little lacklustre, it is still possible to get a bit closer to the dream. The key to this, as well as a good eye for decor, is decluttering. If you can just keep what you like, and what is useful, then the chances are it'll make your life easier, not just your Instagram feed.
Click through for our best tips to declutter without the pain.
The beauty product hoard
You know that little symbol on the back of all your products – a pot with what looks like a floating lid? Contrary to what we'd expect, it doesn't mean 'hats off to 12 million sold and counting!'.
This little symbol really indicates the shelf life of a product, after opening. For example a pot that has 6M on it, means it'll expire 6 months from popping the seal. Ruthlessly binning everything that has expired is an easy way to rid yourself of probably three quarters of your old and useless products in one fell swoop.
Taste (and size) changes
It's hard to part with those items of clothing you've loved and worn over the years, but admitting to yourself that taste does change is a step in the right direction. If it doesn't work with your current capsule, there's no point holding onto it. The chances are there's someone out there who would really love it, so why not bag these up for charity or head to eBay.
As well as taste, our shape and size fluctuate too, so clothes we love can end up too big or small, and that's another reason to rid yourself of space-guzzling stacks of unworn garms.
Photographed by Eva K Salvi
More than one?
You know those black jeans you've got two pairs of, because you ruined one pair painting the stairs (true story)? Get rid. And not just for duplicates of ruined items; having three pairs of identical Vans in varying degrees of despair doesn't grant a reason to keep them. You will thank yourself for all the freed up cupboard space.
Courtesy of Chocolate Heels
Keep tabs on keepsakes
It's obviously okay to hold onto things of sentimental value, but these can easily rack up, finding yourself with boxes and boxes of junk. Go through the boxes splitting them into things to have on display, and things to store away. It might be an idea to put up a pinboard for things like postcards, photos and letters, and once they get old just replace with new ones.
Give yourself a cap on how many boxes to keep, like two nice shoeboxes that can stow away neatly.
Photographed by Cristelle DeCastro
Get a hold on magazines
It's so easy to keep stacks and stacks of immaculate collections of magazines, but as time passes you'll curse yourself for letting them build up so much. If recycling the whole lot is too difficult, dedicate a few hours to flicking through them and cutting pages out you can't live without, and add them to a folder. Then on your next round of clearing, if these pages haven't been useful, you might find it easier to dump the lot.
Courtesy of My Scandinavian Home
That mountain of shoes
It's so easy to let a shoe collection mount. Buying a new pair for separate occasions is tempting, but dangerous for both storage and your bank balance.
Start by sorting shoes into three groups. One group for pairs you wear all the time, another for those you wear on special occasions and a third for shoes you don't wear at all. Next step, get a bin bag and fill it with the third pile, and ship them off to your favourite charity shop, or directly to a cause such as Refugee Action.
Courtesy of Design*Sponge
Ancient tech
Probably the easiest of all – old tech that can't be supported anymore has to go. Upload all your CDs onto iTunes and ditch the VHS, if they're still knocking about. Say bye to the DVDs too. Ever heard of Netflix?
Photographed by Amy Lomard
Change the way you fold
This might just change you life. Arranging your clothes vertically isn't just neat, it makes you constantly aware of what you've got as the whole array is on show. This mean it's easier to see when something hasn't been worn. When that's the case, sling it.
Photographed by CJ Isaac
Pace yourself
Don't try and de-clutter everything in a day. Section off time to do each task, and then you won't resent it. If it gets too difficult, reach for a target and then stop. Using the bed to do the sorting works well, as you will HAVE to clear it before hitting the sack.
If in doubt, ask yourself these two questions
As William Morris said,"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".
Photographed by Julia RobbsLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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