Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Can&#8217;t get the Christmas clutter back in the attic fast enough once January rolls around? We hear you. If you&#8217;re itching to declutter your home but just don&#8217;t know where to start, Nottingham interior designer Katy Raywood from <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/howson-design-nottingham-interiors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howson Design</a> is here to help. After vacuuming up the pine needles for the umpteenth time, Muddy tapped her up for her top tips to make clearing clutter simple.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-1024x1024.jpg" alt="calm white clutter free interiors declutter your home" class="wp-image-16310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/calm-declutter-amber-kipp-Wg380n-aD7Q-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-make-the-most-of-the-new-year-fresh-start-feeling">1. Make the most of the new year/fresh start feeling</h2>



<p>‘After Christmas, a lot of us hit that transitional phase where we’re craving a fresh start for the New Year,’ says Katy. ‘I’m the same; once the decorations come down, I’m ready for a good early spring clean. It’s the perfect time to have a proper clear-out. And if you’ve got things you no longer need, charity shops are always grateful for donations at this time of year.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-give-everything-a-proper-home">2. Give everything a proper home</h2>



<p>‘One thing that does help is trying to give everything a proper home,’ advises Katy. ‘Having dedicated cupboards or spots for certain items makes it so much easier to stay on top of the clutter.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-start-with-your-hallway">3. Start with your hallway</h2>



<p>Whether you have a huge hall or a petite porch, keeping the entrance to your home clutter-free will go along way to helping you feel calm. ‘We’re a family of four with two children under ten, and honestly, our hallway often turns into the dumping ground for coats, shoes, and everything in between, especially with our unpredictable weather,’ says Katy. ‘If you’re going to invest in anything, I’d recommend built-in storage. We had a local carpenter create two cupboards with shelves to hide all the shoes, and added hooks along the side. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s made a huge difference to keeping the space tidy.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-keep-kitchen-worktops-clear">4. Keep kitchen worktops clear</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Nkuku-holder-1024x683.jpg" alt="mango wood caddy for clearing clutter" class="wp-image-16309" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Nkuku-holder-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Nkuku-holder-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Nkuku-holder-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Nkuku-holder.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>‘My top tip for keeping the kitchen worktops clear is to tidy up the things we all hate having out, like cleaning products,’ advises Katy. ‘They’re essential but they don’t need to sit there in all their mismatched, brightly-branded glory. One solution I love is using<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/MIUSITE-Dispenser-Stainless-Dispensers-Refillable/dp/B07GZ6SLTR?+pd_rd_w=gBTYi&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.24309e06-3c35-4436-8b7e+cb634dc8e895&amp;pf_rd_p=24309e06-3c35-4436-8b7e+cb634dc8e895&amp;pf_rd_r=8953ZA7STC52P2N7833R&amp;pd_rd_wg=ERQEH&amp;pd_rd_r=56fdd361-60+4a-4a08-+bd53-6d2797c612f9&amp;pd_rd_i=B07GZ6SLTR&amp;ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_hxwhrp_sspa_dk_+bia_0_1_ec_pr_pd_nav_hcs_rp_4_t&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> these bottles</a>. They come with labelled stickers, so you can easily tell which one is the washing-up liquid and which is the hand soap, and they look so much smarter than the original packaging. And if you want something stylish to keep everything together, this mango <a href="https://www.nkuku.com/products/sukha-mango-wood-caddy-natural-su01?_pos=1&amp;_psq=caddy&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wood caddy</a> (£60, pictured) from Nkuku is gorgeous&#8217;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-let-your-colour-scheme-lend-a-hand">5. Let your colour scheme lend a hand</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Clutter-free-howson-1024x683.jpg" alt="calm muted study clutter free" class="wp-image-16318" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Clutter-free-howson-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Clutter-free-howson-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Clutter-free-howson-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Clutter-free-howson.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of Katy&#8217;s calming interior designs</figcaption></figure>



<p>&#8216;Create a calming space with soft, muted tones,&#8217; suggest Katy. &#8216;Think warm whites, taupes, sage greens, dusty blues, and soft blush tones. Use textures to add comfort without it being visually cluttered &#8211; rugs, cushions, plants. Think warm lighting using table and floor lamps and dimmers can make a huge difference in creating a calm ambience. I also highly recommend a diffuser or candle to give the room a scent and make it feel more welcoming.&#8217;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-set-aside-five-minutes-a-day">6. Set aside five minutes a day</h2>



<p>&#8216;Rather than leaving tidying for a long, overwhelming session, spend 5–10 minutes at the end of each morning or evening doing a quick tidy-up,&#8217; suggests Katy. &#8216;And whenever you bring something new into the house, follow a “one in, one out” rule to keep things under control.&#8217;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-try-not-to-get-overwhelmed">7. Try not to get overwhelmed</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq.jpg" alt="interior designer katy raywood of howson design" class="wp-image-16322" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/01/Howson-Design-Katy-sq-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Interior designer Katy Raywood from Howson Design</figcaption></figure>



<p>&#8216;Declutter your home one room at a time,&#8217; says Katy. &#8216;I may be an interior designer, but I don’t believe homes should look soulless. It’s absolutely fine to have little knick-knacks and personal touches; what works for one person may look completely different for the next. The most important thing is to enjoy your home.&#8217;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://howsondesigninteriors.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howson Design,</a></em> <em>West Bridgford, Nottingham.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/scents-sleep-mists-candles-for-self-care-all-from-local-makers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soothing scents for your home (from local makers)</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/workshops-retreats-events-to-boost-your-wellbeing-in-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Workshops, retreats &amp; events to boost your wellbeing in 2026</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happy &amp; Healthy &#8211; a year of putting yourself first</a></p>


Fresh start! 7 tips to clear the clutter and make space for calm

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