Innholdsfortegnelse for Sort My Home Out i Sort My Home Out

If you’ve picked up this magazine, chances are you want to make some changes to how your home and life is organised. And you’re in the right place, as we talked to professional organisers, cleaning experts and interiors stylists to create the ultimate guide to de-cluttering and sorting your home. There are lots of benefits to having a clear out and sorting items properly. On a practical level, less stuff that’s better organised is a massive time saver, both for locating items and time spent cleaning and tidying. Clearing clutter can reduce overwhelm and anxiety, and stop you being distracted. It can also help you let goof things in the past and create a home that’s right for your life now. We’ve included sections covering de-cluttering, spring cleaning and a…

DONATE IT Charity shops are the perfect solution for unwanted clothes, books, furniture and home accessories. The British Heart Foundation is encouraging people to continue to donate to its 730 shops across the UK. As long as the item is in good condition and one that you think someone would want to buy, the BHF would love to receive it. You can post your donations for free or have larger pieces of furniture collected direct from your door. Visit bhf.org.uk/shop to find out more. There may be other local options, too! SELL IT If you’d prefer to sell your unwanted items, try eBay, Gumtree, Vinted or Depop. Just remember to send your items in eco-friendly packaging. Recyclable or reusable is best. If your items aren’t in a condition to be…

List three feelings that you want to get from your home (such as warmth, hope, and acceptance) and three feelings you do not want from your home (such as pain, guilt, and shame). Take the list and pair objects in your home with each of the six words. Identify who brought it or why it’s there, and then for the positive feelings the last time you enjoyed/used it, and for the negative feelings why you keep that item in your life. For example, positive/negative feelings list might look like the list below. The negative feelings list may seem more revealing than the positive feelings list, but look at both for clues about who or what is in charge of your home. Take a moment to journal your thoughts as follows:…

GRASS The best way to treat a grass stain is to soak it for 15 minutes in water with a dash of white vinegar, then take a white cloth and gently dab. Finish by washing the item of clothing as you usually would on a warm wash. MUD Resist the temptation to wipe at the stain. Let it dry and then scrape off the dried dirt, before washing as normal. POLLEN Blot the stained fabric with a damp cloth then prepare to wash the garment. Use a stain remover to help break apart the stain. CHOCOLATE Remove any excess chocolate and blot with a damp cloth. Apply a stain remover and scrub repeatedly. It’s always handy to have Dr Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover in the cupboard as it comes in…

LEMONS Lemons are an amazing addition to your cleaning essentials. My favourite tip is to cut one in half, sprinkle coarse salt over a wooden chopping board, then scrub with your lemon face down, squeezing as you go. Once you’ve scrubbed the board, rinse in hot water and dry in the sunshine. Sun is also a disinfectant, like natural bleach. BICARBONATE OF SODA Useful for just about everything, bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda) is a scourer, a whitener and a powerful antibacterial cleaner in one, and can freshen up stale fabrics, too. It’s a gentle abrasive, so is great at lifting stains without causing damage (just be sure to test it out on a small, hidden area first). SALT The best natural scourer! Sprinkle in grotty ovens…

“A sleep space needs to be warm, quiet, comfortable and calm” When it comes to creating the ultimate bedroom relaxation zone (whether for sleeping, reading in bed or yoga), think about a space that soothes all the senses. Interiors expert and author Rebecca Winward recommends that a sleep space needs to be warm, quiet, comfortable and visually calm. If you can, locate your bedroom away from busy, noisy areas – not right next to the room where your laundry appliances are, for example, or on the other side of the wall from neighbours who are addicted to late-night TV. If you can’t avoid noise in this way, soundproofing can help. Lining the walls with insulation may be beyond your DIY skills or budget, but think about arranging furniture, such as…

We all have our ways of tidying. For some, it’s a regular chore undertaken for a well-turned out home or workspace. For others it’s something that’s pushed aside until there’s no avoiding the task. Whatever your reason for clearing up, most of us have one thing in common: we have an awful lot of things. Researchers at UCLA’s Centre on Everyday Lives and Families (CELF) have identified a direct link between the stress hormone cortisol and clutter (or “a high density of household objects”). A further paper from the American Association for Nurse Anaesthetists suggests that people with messy homes are 77 percent more likely to have weight issues due to the negative interior monologue that living amidst disarray perpetuates. But why is this? Accumulating ‘stuff’ is a very human…

Be inspired by real reader homes and makeovers Affordable decorating ideas & design advice for every room Quick and delicious recipes to feed all the family FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR ONLY £5 * WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR HOME MAGAZINE Simple ways to order Visit www.buysubscriptions.com/YHH23 Or call 03301 358962† and quote: YHH23 OFFER ENDS 31st December 2023 *3 issues for £5 offer only is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. After your first 3 issues your subscription will continue at £14.99 every 6 issues. If you cancel within 2 weeks of receiving your 2nd issue you will pay no more than £5. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are…

There are many ways to tackle the mess in your home, and it’s hard to know where to begin, especially if you’re on a tight budget. It’s impossible to deny there are emotions involved, too, otherwise why is it that we can’t we throw certain items away? For some empathy and advice, we turned to Rebecca West, designer and founder of Seriously Happy Homes and author of Happy Starts at Home. Her company helps clients make sense of their space and transform it into a place where they’re happy. The emphasis is on emotions first, followed by practical solutions rather, than simply going for the latest style trends. “Don’t panic—we aren’t going to count every last book, pillow and piece of Tupperware,” says Rebecca. “Instead, we’ll start with a quick…

REMOVE PET HAIRS If you share your home with a four-legged friend, keeping it clean and fur-free can be hard work. To remove pet hairs without getting the vacuum out every time, simply dampen classic Marigold kitchen gloves with cold water and rub them over the area to lift the fur. CLEAN WINDOWS Never clean your windows when the sun is blazing on them – the cleaner will dry onto the hot window before you get a chance to wipe it away, which will cause streaks. Instead, start cleaning the windows in the shady part of the house or clean them on a dull, overcast day. Use a solution of warm soapy water with a dash of white vinegar and two thick microfibre cloths – one for cleaning and one…

✤ Raid your cupboards for out-of-date food and clean the insides while they are empty. Sort out pots, pans and storage containers. If there are missing lids, recyle or repurpose them for DIY jobs. ✤ Use bicarbonate of soda to clean your oven. Make a paste with 1 cup of bicarb and enough water so that it’s spreadable. Remove the shelves and spread the paste all over the inside, avoiding any heating elements. The paste can also be used on stainless steel shelves, but not aluminium. Leave overnight then remove with a plastic scraper. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. Spray and wipe clean. ✤ Easy clean the microwave by squeezing the juice of 1 lemon into hot water in a microwave-safe bowl. Throw in…

Finding ways to be more planet-friendly is hugely important but we know shopping sustainably isn’t always the cheapest option, especially when it comes to household cleaning products. Luckily, Emilie is here to save the day – and the environment – with five natural ways to get your home feeling fresh and germ-free. Swap out your bleach spray for her surface cleaner, make your own washing powder and pocket the savings, and clean your toilet in a non-toxic way. Give it a try and you’re sure to be converted – to chemical-free products that is, not to actually cleaning your house. You will need THE SURFACE SPRAY ✤ Distilled water✤ 3 tbsp Castile soap✤ ¼ tsp glycerine✤ Grapefruit essential oil✤ Tea tree essential oil✤ Spray bottle, 500ml✤ Funnel THE WASHING POWDER…

The first space many of us see when we come home is, of course, the hallway. According to the ancient Chinese feng shui philosophy, the entrance to your home should be kept free from clutter so that it can allow the natural flow of positive energy into your home. Whether you practice feng shui or not, the principle behind hallway décor remains the same. Does the space feel welcoming, and is it functional? By that I mean, an area that is organised and fit for its purpose. Steer away from the temptation to follow the latest trends and instead start to design with your feelings. For example, what do your senses take in when you enter your home? Is there a lovely scent in the air? Fragrances can unlock many…

We aim to make kitchens both a practical and stylish space suited to the whole family, as the hub of the home – and one way to do this is through embracing open shelving. Replacing bulky cabinets with open shelves will create a spacious, inviting feel and add personality to your kitchen, too. However, unlike the clutter we hide behind closed doors, open shelving requires more thought. Matching your scheme, serving a practical purpose, being easy to clean – a lot to consider, right? But that’s where our interior design experts come in to guide you in the art (because it really is an art!) of styling open kitchen shelves. SOPHIE ALLPORT “When arranging your kitchen shelves, you need a balance of practicality and style – it’s best to organise…

✤ Always get a sample first, as the light levels in your room will have a big impact. Many websites will post them out for free. ✤ Go for a natural finish rather than polished. Anti-slip tiles are only really needed for wetrooms. Porcelain tiles are best with underfloor heating. ✤ Save money with a simple subway tile, but lay them in a different formation for a fresh twist. There are many different alternatives to the typical brickwork style. ✤ Your choice of grout can make a huge difference. Opt for the same shade of grout as your tiles for a colour drench look, especially if there’s a lot going on elsewhere in the room. A dark grout with a light tile (and vice versa) will add definition but can…

Our love of houseplants for their beauty and health has deep roots. The Pharaohs soothed sunburn with aloe vera. Medieval monks tended pots of herbs as ingredients for salves and cures. Centuries later, seafaring explorers brought back dazzling new species and orangeries sprang up across Europe as botany boomed. More recently, succulents and cacti turned the grey-glassed offices of the 20th century green, and by the ebullient 70s, rubber plants and Swiss cheese plants thrived. Clearly, our passion for indoor plants has never waned. And now it’s blooming again. Why? Turns out all the interiors magazines showing gorgeous botanical prints on wallpaper, curtains and cushions were trying to tell us something about the real living things. Recent surveys show that houseplant sales are booming – a trend largely driven by…

Gilt trip Old, mismatched plates ruining your tablescape? Treat yourself to an upgrade that will elevate your dinner-party look (without breaking the bank). Plate up in style with these scalloped side plates and bowls edged in glitzy gold. Pair with crystal-cut glassware, gold cutlery and crisp white tablelinen for a classic table setting. They’ll look chic stacked up on an open kitchen shelf, too. Scallop tableware, from £3.50, Primark Secret storage Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, which means keeping mess to a minimum – easier said than done, of course, unless you find savvy solutions like this ottoman bed. You can stash extra bedding, out-of-season clothes and accessories and more underneath, and keep the rest of your space calm and clear, conducive to a restful night’s sleep. Kenley Oatmeal…

We all have our own ways of tidying and organising. For some, it’s a regular chore undertaken for a well-turned-out home or workspace. For others, it’s something that is pushed aside until there’s no avoiding the task. Whatever your reason for clearing up, or how you do it, most of us have one thing in common: we have an awful lot of things. Piles of newspaper inserts and paperwork. Items of clothing that are never worn. Trinkets, boxes within boxes and, of course, plenty of ‘just in case’ items picked up for an ‘it would be rude not to’ price. And the tidal wave of gubbins extends to the digital world, too, with a huge number of unread emails filling up our inboxes and a desktop that has taken on…

Kids. They change your life, that’s for sure. And yes, there is no denying their arrival will change your home in more ways than one, but this honestly doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style. Those tiny people come with a lot of paraphernalia and they certainly know how to make a mess, but there is no reason why you should succumb to the clutter, unsightly plastic toys and general increased level of 'stuff' when what you actually desire is a minimal, calm living space. OK, you might not achieve pure white rooms with only a carefully placed candle and coffee table book on display, but applying the philosophies behind minimal living to a household with children is a concept that should make a big impact on your life…

With helpful books under her belt and a regular spot on ITV’s This Morning as a cleaning expert, Lynsey shares three home hacks that often get skipped by home cleaners for being too tricky – mattress cleaning, limescale and the shower screen. Which one will you try first? Clean your mattress “Cleaning your mattress can often be seen as a big job, but it really isn’t!” says Lynsey. “Plus, being able to relax on a fresh, clean mattress will give you a far better night’s sleep. Read on for the best way to clean a mattress without stress.” Step 1 Start by stripping your bed and removing the mattress protector, then give it a good vacuum using the upholstery attachment. Ensure you go over the whole surface and pay attention…

A natural home is certainly something to aspire to, but it’s not always realistic. I am the first to admit to failing miserably at times. Supermarket shelves are laden with new eco-alternatives for just about everything we use in our homes, in every single room, from dog shampoo to baby wipes, eye creams to washing powders. But, like all labelling, sometimes they can be confusing. I always felt frustrated thinking I was doing the right thing by choosing one product over another, only to see that something else would be deceiving, or that the packaging was a ridiculous use of resources, or that it just was not natural at all, even though it said so on the packet. After many unhappy experiences, I took it upon myself to make a…

This will clean and sterilise all surfaces – kitchen and bathroom – and leave everything smelling delicious. It’s ridiculously easy to make and uses just two ingredients, with the bonus being that you can use up citrus peel that would otherwise be destined for your compost bin. You will need ✤ Peel from a citrus fruit (orange, lime and/or lemon), to fill a jar✤ White vinegar✤ Small glass jar✤ Spray bottle 1 Tightly pack the citrus peel into a glass jar and cover with white vinegar. 2 Put the lid on, and let it sit for two to four weeks. 3 Strain the vinegar into a spray bottle and top up with an equal amount of water. 4 Spray directly onto surfaces and wipe with a damp cloth. This spray’s shelf life, once…

I’m Medina Grillo, an interiors stylist, author of the book Home Sweet Rented Home and blogger @grillodesigns. I live with my husband and two children who are aged 10 and one. Our home is a rented 1950s three-bedroom semi-detached house in Birmingham and we’ve been here for six years. I give tips on renovating rented homes on my blog, grillodesigns.com and Instagram page @howirent_. THE CHALLENGE My living room is a great space, but it does have a few challenges in terms of its design. For example, the ceilings are really low so the room can feel very suffocating at times and the staircase is in our living space which creates a much narrower floor space. We also have a large bay window with an extra long (not so attractive)…

£22 This unique diffuser uses a flower bouquet and cotton rope to gently emit a delicious scent. Choose from a range of scents including lavender, chamomile and plum. The flower diffuser, The Candle Brand £19.95 Enjoy the spring scent of a bluebell meadow – without the worry of hay fever! Plus, this bluebell scented candle is made from 100 per cent natural, vegan-friendly wax, Annabel James £14 Snake plants help to filter indoor air and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. This creates a healthy airflow, making it great for a stuffy bedroom. Snake plant, Leaf Envy…

Scandi shampoo For lusciously clean locks, we’re ditching the chemicals for a timeless birch infusion. Used for centuries as a hair treatment, this modern-day revival by KaliFlower Organics contains an zingy mix of birch-infused spring water with sweet citrus and cedarwood essential oils, creating a natural, daily shampoo that will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny. From £16.81, www.etsy.com And… relax Scented with cedar, which is known for its ability to aid relaxation and contemplation, these luxurious incense sticks from Sacred Elephant will fill your home with harmonious fragrance. They’re blended and rolled by hand using traditional methods, incorporating only the best natural essential oils that are always ethically sourced and never tested on animals. £3.99, www.sacredelephantincense.com Spread the scent Creating a fine aromatherapy-infused mist, the bamboo Esta Aroma…