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Are you about to move house? Looking to downsize? Tired of being surrounded by clutter? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there are actually plenty of ways to tackle this challenge. These days, Australians are finding more and more creative ways to deal with household clutter.
Throughout this article, we’ll explore the best options, strategies, and ideas available so you can get rid of the clutter and make the entire experience a little less stress-free!
1. Donating
Op shops or ‘vintage’ stores are scattered across all of Australia’s major cities, and they’re always a great place to start. There’s major outlets like Salvo’s, Vinnies, and , as well as a wide range of smaller run businesses.
Sometimes, these stores allow you to bring items directly to them. Other times, there’s donation bins that allow you to drop things off at any time of the day. It’s worth noting that these donation bins are usually for the purpose of donating clothes and shoes. Larger items, therefore, are better candidates for hard rubbish or personal storage.
2. Selling
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Ebay. Chances are someone you know has sold items on at least one of these platforms. The great thing about this approach is the way it allows you to advertise items and privately sell them to interested parties. People usually use these platforms to sell everything from TVs to bicycles, couches, cabinets, or even older collectibles.
As an example, Facebook has approximately “16 million monthly active users, representing around 63% of the Australian population” (Source: GMS Media Group), and this means there’s certainly no shortage of buyers. Of course, it’s best to handle this process carefully to make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk of getting scammed.
3. Storage
Tackling household clutter doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your possessions. In fact, it can be the very opposite. In many cases, self storage is the best option available. This way, there’s no running around to op shops, no chasing up buyers, and no need to dispose of items that you truly value.
At StorageWorks, to give you more room for the things that matter. Our storage spaces are a safe, affordable and efficient way to keep your items secure in one place, whether you’re a household or business customer.
Even if you do decide to sell or donate items down the track, storage really does give you the freedom to do it at your own timeline. It’s also a great way to reduce household clutter and at the same time, keep hold of your most treasured possessions.
4. Recycling
Plenty of household items that are causing the clutter can be recycled and repurposed.
Council hard rubbish collections are a simple way to get rid of larger unwanted items like furniture, mattresses, whitegoods, or broken appliances. Many councils allow residents to book collections throughout the year, making it easier to clear out space without the hassle of transporting bulky items yourself.
Bottle and can recycling is another easy option for reducing clutter around the home, especially in garages, kitchens, or outdoor entertaining areas where containers can quickly pile up. Many of these are also accepted through bottle deposit schemes, which allow you to return eligible containers for recycling and sometimes a refund.
There are also dedicated recycling centres for electronics, batteries, and other household waste that can’t be placed in general rubbish bins.
5. Interior Design
Even a few small changes to your interior design can go a long way.
Sometimes, it’s not necessarily about how many possessions you own, but rather how your space is organised and utilised. Rearranging the layout of a room can instantly create a more open and functional feel, particularly in smaller homes or apartments where space is limited.
Multipurpose furniture is also becoming increasingly popular for households looking to maximise storage without sacrificing style. Beds with built-in drawers, ottomans with hidden storage, wall-mounted shelving, or coffee tables with compartments can all help keep everyday items neatly tucked away.
Of course, these alterations are even more effective when paired with strategies like storage, donating, or recycling. Getting rid of items like bulky furniture or bookcases that are no longer used via these channels will certainly make a major impact.
Tips for Getting Started
Assess your space and needs
Start by walking through your home and actually pay attention to what is taking up space. Don’t try to tackle everything at once, pick the worst area first so you can see progress quickly and build momentum. Sort everything into three simple groups: what you use regularly, what you want to keep but don’t need day to day, and what is just sitting there collecting dust.
Once that is done, things become much clearer. You can see what belongs in the home, what can be stored away, and what is ready to be donated, sold, or thrown out.
Consider what you need and what you don’t
Be honest about what actually earns its place in your home. It is easy to hold onto things “just in case”, but most of the time they end up sitting unused and taking up space. Focus on what you genuinely use and rely on, not what you might need someday.
Once you start making those calls, the clutter clears out faster than expected. What is left is usually more than enough for how you actually live.
Set goals
Decluttering is easier when you know why you are doing it. Depending on whether you’re moving or just trying to free up space, having a clear goal helps guide every decision. It stops you getting stuck on small choices and overthinking what to keep.
It also makes it easier to let things go. When you know what goal you are working towards, you are less likely to hold onto things just in case and more likely to focus on what actually improves your space.
Store your stuff seasonally
A lot of clutter comes from items you only use at certain times of the year. Winter clothes, Christmas decorations, camping gear and sporting equipment can all take up more space than you realise when they are sitting unused. Rotating them out depending on the season keeps your home more practical day to day.
It also helps stop your living areas from being overloaded with things you do not need right now. If you are not ready to get rid of them, seasonal storage gives you a simple way to clear space without losing anything important.
Self-Storage for Sydney Residents
As you can see, there are countless ways to get rid of household clutter. However, this doesn’t mean you have to dispose of what matters most. With our help, you can get your valuables into self-storage and we’ll look after it for you.
Whatever life has in store for you, we’re here to help you make room for it.
Need more information about our storage options? Call us on 02 9901 3200 or email us at artarmon@storageworks.com.au to explore your options for personal storage, business storage, warehouse storage, vehicle storage, or removalists/recycling services.
Our facilities are home to 1500 storage spaces, and we also offer concierge services for the receipt, dispatch of shipments, and an EV Tesla charging point.
StorageWorks Pty Ltd is the trustee for the StorageWorksTrust and is a member of the Self Storage Association of Australasia.
