Spring is on the horizon – and that means it’s time to shake off the winter layers – and we’re not talking about hitting the gym. It’s time to clear out the winter clutter in your home and freshen up ahead of the warmer, longer days. Before you jump the gun and buy a warehouse to store all your extra bits and pieces (which First National Commercial can always help with, too), a good spring clean, declutter, and some storage tweaks could be just what you need. Whether you’re nesting, planning to get your home on the market this spring, or simply craving a calmer space, our easy guide will help you prep your home (and your mind) for a more organised, refreshed space. Here’s how.

1.    Start with decluttering

Out of sight, out of mind is not the vibe this spring. This means orderly storing clutter in cupboards or drawers won’t cut it – you need to work on letting go of things you don’t need, use, or love. We get it, saying goodbye is never easy, and who knows, maybe you will need that ancient fondue set one day? Here are our top tips to help you approach decluttering:

• Use the five-pile method:

  Tried and tested, this involves creating five separate piles (keep, donate, sell, recycle and bin) to help you categorise your clutter. From old, unloved clothes to shoes, or retired hair straighteners, remember that one man's trash is another man's treasure – so donate, upcycle, sell, or recycle to minimise landfill and promote sustainability.

• Finding it hard to say goodbye? Add a “maybe” pile:

  Decluttering can get emotional – there are keepsakes and nostalgic items that often don’t fit into the five-pile method. Place any of these items in a sixth pile that you’ll put aside for three to six months. If you haven’t needed it or missed it after this time, you know what to do!

• Go digital:

  Paperwork, receipts, and documents quickly stack up, adding to clutter and making it difficult (and stressful) to find things when you need them. Dust off your trusty scanner, or pull out your phone and snap photos of important documents, kids' artworks, or receipts. This will free up space and help you get organised.

• Declutter in bursts:

  Often, getting started is the hardest part, so break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. You can tackle a room at a time and set a timer for 10 minutes a day to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Starting with an easy room can give you the momentum to keep going.

2.    Create and activate your storage zones

Even after you’ve decluttered, you’ll still have things that you need to store – but the key is storing these in a logical and tidy way. To do this, group similar items together, choose your storage solution, and get labelling. If possible, store things near where they’re often used. For example, use labelled containers to store pantry staples and winter food favourites, such as soups, grains, or dried herbs, so they’re easy to access. This method works particularly well in kitchens, wardrobes, and garages where there tends to be plenty of ‘stuff’ to store, and good organisation will make the spaces much more functional.

Top storage hacks for your home – create your own built-in robe, whip your pantry into shape, dabble in some bookshelf indulgence, and level up your garage with smart shelving.

3.    Storage solutions that don’t cost the earth

While Pinterest might be awash with matching seagrass storage cubes, hitting the shops for new storage solutions isn’t your only option. Repurposing and upcycling everyday items like jars, shoeboxes, and even tins is a sustainable and clever way to declutter. Alternatively, you can hunt out baskets and containers at your local op-shop or on Facebook Marketplace. It’s not all about boxes, either – make the most of unused spaces with behind-the-door hooks, vertical solutions in cupboards, and maximising space under your beds or sofas.

Top upcycled storage hacks for your home – from repurposing wooden pallets to turning a plant hanger into soft toy storage, there are plenty of clever and sustainable ways to turn old items into fresh and free storage solutions.

4.    Logical labelling

Dust off the label maker and take your organisation to the next level. It’s a super simple hack that removes the guesswork for everyone – including kids and guests – to find what they need and return it to its rightful place. This is especially useful in spaces like kitchens, where labelled containers let you easily grab what you need when cooking, and check if you’re low on essentials for the next grocery shop. Whether you use printed labels, chalkboard stickers or handwritten tags, the outcome is the same – clarity and calm will descend over your everyday routines.

Top labelling hacks for your home – invest in a label maker and watch the organisation unfold, or learn to label like a pro in just eight minutes.

5.    Free up your weekends and tidy as you go

Not many of us look forward to a weekend spent cleaning up the week's chaos, so tidying as you go is key to avoiding this. Create simple routines like making your bed each morning before you leave the house, and turn up your favourite tunes in the evening and get the whole family involved in a 10-minute power tidy – clear countertops, return stray items (to their neatly labelled homes), and fold up the pile of washing. Turning these into small, consistent habits throughout the week will help you avoid an overwhelming task at the end of the week and result in a calmer, more organised home.

Top tidy-as-you-go hack for your home – create a dedicated drop zone near your front door for the inevitable keys, wallets, and mail that end up spilling into other spaces. This makes it easier to manage on a daily basis.

6.    Bring in mindfulness with Feng Shui principles

Once your home is decluttered and organised, enhance the flow and feel of your space with Feng Shui principles. While it might sound a bit far-fetched, we’ve all experienced that slightly ‘off’ feeling in a home, and a little Feng Shui could be just what you need to get the energy and flow in your home sorted. The main principles you can easily integrate involve keeping pathways – like your entryway – clear so that energy (chi) can flow, and positioning key furniture – like your bed or desk – in a “command position” (facing the door, but not directly in line with it).

Top Feng Shui hack for your home – bring more Zen to your home by maximising natural lighting and incorporating the five established elements of wood, earth, metal and fire into your décor. This is believed to create balance and harmony.

7.    From inside out – refresh your outdoor spaces

With spring on its way, outdoor spaces become equally as important as your interior – particularly if you’re prepping your home for sale. Start by freshening up pavers, paths, decks, and outdoor furniture with a light water blast or the Wet & Forget treatment, and welcome in the spring sunshine by giving tall trees and shrubs a seasonal haircut. Give flowerbeds and potted colour a refresh, and brighten up your alfresco areas with some bright outdoor cushions that buyers or guests can imagine themselves relaxing amongst on the sunshine-filled days ahead.

Top outdoor maintenance hacks for your home – tackle a task at a time with an outdoor spring cleaning checklist that covers all the essentials.

8.    Scheduled maintenance days

In the same vein as ‘tidy as you go,’ setting aside time for regular maintenance days is one of the best ways to keep clutter under control and avoid that feeling of overwhelm. Build habits that work with your lifestyle – whether that’s a weekly reset to keep mess at bay, a monthly fridge and pantry overhaul to stay on top of food waste, or a seasonal wardrobe and home décor rotation. These small, consistent check-ins make the upkeep of your home feel less like a chore and more like a part of the rhythm of your life.

Top scheduled maintenance hacks for your home – get your entire household involved in the tasks to share the load – many hands really do make for light work!

Small changes, big impacts

Simple home improvements – like decluttering, reorganising your pantry, or repositioning furniture to get the energy flowing – can make a big impact on how your space feels and functions. Whether you’re prepping to sell this spring, making room to breathe, or just need a fresh start, take your time, and don’t be afraid to upcycle, donate, or invest in smarter storage that makes your life easier. And if your current home still isn’t cutting it, chat with your local First National Real Estate office – we’re here to help you find a space that works better for you – storage and all!

DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.