Can you believe that it’s nearly 2025? Now is the perfect time to reflect on the year and begin making space for the fresh start that the New Year will bring. One of the simplest and arguably most effective ways of doing this is a major decluttering. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Let’s look at some easy tips for effectively decluttering your home.
Clearing out doesn’t mean you need to clean house, we’re not expecting you to part with every belonging! For those special few things that you can’t say goodbye to just yet, BEAM Space offers convenient and secure storage options in both Singapore and Malaysia.
Decluttering: Start With a Clear Goal
Cultural Relevance
The most sustainable habits are often created when you shift your perspective on the thing you’re trying to change. You might see decluttering as a chore, something you do just because you should rather than something that has genuine benefits. Sorting through your belongings can act as a catalyst for a mental decluttering which in turn, can create space in your life for new opportunities.
Tidying up your home will also help to make space for preparations for major festivals like the Lunar New Year and Hari Raya, a time when your home may be open to visitors. A decluttered space can better accommodate important cultural and religious elements as well such as prayer areas or ancestral altars during this time.
Climate-Related Benefits
The tropical climate in both Singapore and Malaysia is one of many elements that makes these destinations so popular for tourists. The humidity that comes with the warmer weather can present unique challenges when it comes to effectively storing your belongings. Humidity can promote mould growth, musty odours and the deterioration of paper, fabric and leather goods.
A good decluttering will allow for better air circulation which can consequently reduce air conditioning costs, and fewer items mean less surface area for dust to settle on. This is particularly important during the seasonal haze periods that affect both Singapore and Malaysia.
Space Optimisation
When you’re living in a high-rise apartment in Singapore’s Toa Payoh or a condominium in Kuala Lumpur’s Mont Kiara, living spaces can tend to be cramped — meaning every square foot counts.
Good Old Practicality
From a practical standpoint, reducing clutter comes with several benefits such as minimising hiding spots for common pests like cockroaches and ants! During the monsoon seasons, less clutter also makes it easier to spot water damage or leaks. Finally, decluttering your home makes it easier to streamline any cleaning that needs to be done.
Decluttering Tips for Small Spaces
Living in a small house or apartment can make decluttering feel more challenging. But with the right approach, you can make your space feel bigger and more functional.
Take It One Space at a Time
Decluttering your entire home, whether big it’s a big or small space, can feel overwhelming initially. It’s a cliché, but taking the process one step at a time really does help. Tackling your clutter one room at a time will give you confidence and momentum to move on to the next!
Adopt the “One-in One-Out” Rule
To prevent clutter from re-accumulating, practice the “one-in, one-out rule”. For each item you bring into your home, let go of something similar. For example, if you buy a new shirt, donate an old one. Simple, right? This rule keeps your space from becoming overcrowded and encourages mindful shopping habits.
Digitise Paperwork and Memories
One of the easiest ways to cut down on clutter is to go digital. Scan and save important documents or old favourite photos and store them on a secure drive or in cloud storage. Just remember to double up — save digital information in two or more places just in case! Digital copies can help reduce piles of paper that often accumulate over time, plus it makes documents easily accessible whenever and wherever you need them.
Tackle Your Wardrobe
Clothes and shoes can feel like children sometimes — you can’t pick a favourite and throwing one away is unthinkable. Thankfully, unlike children, you can put seasonal clothing or items you’re not willing to part with just yet into storage.
Limit Sentimental Items
Items that hold sentimental or emotional value can be the most difficult to let go of. But instead of keeping every memento, choose a few meaningful things that genuinely give you joy.
Pop items that you don’t need daily access to safely into a secured storage facility. The magic of these items will be ready for you to rediscover when you sort through your storage or need to retrieve an item in a few months.
Effective Decluttering Methods to Try in 2025
Every year brings new trends in decluttering, and 2025 will be no different. But there are a few tried and tested methods that never fail to deliver effective decluttering results.
The KonMari Method: Tidy by Category and Only Keep Items That “Spark Joy”
This method encourages you to declutter your home by category rather than by room. Marie Kondo, creator of this organising method, emphasises the importance of having items in your space that truly bring you happiness.
Tip: If you’re unsure if an item brings you joy or not, put it in a box and see how you feel about it later. If you’ve completely forgotten about it, then you probably don’t need it.
The Four Box Method: Keep, Donate, Trash, Relocate
Label four boxes: “Keep”, “Donate”, “Trash” and “Relocate”, then sort your items accordingly. One of the simplest ways to declutter, this method is highly effective for people who need a more structured way of organising their decluttering process.
Tip: If you get stuck with any of the categories, set a timer for 10 minutes and declutter as much as you can in that time. Sometimes a time limit can help keep your momentum going.
Swedish Death Cleaning: Start With the Larger Items and Work Your Way Down to Everyday Clutter
Döstädning or Swedish Death Cleaning, is a decluttering method popularised by Swedish author, Margareta Magnusson. It’s a holistic approach meant to ensure that your loved ones don’t have to deal with the burden of meaningless possessions after you have passed. This method ultimately helps you decide which items hold the most value in your life and so helps you makes decluttering decisions that reflect your values.
Tip: If you find it difficult to give up a particular object, ask a family member or friend to help you decide. Their support can make the process significantly easier.
Ready to Declutter for 2025?
The tips and tricks offered in this blog can be particularly helpful for homeowners looking for decluttering and organisation solutions. If, however, even after trying these methods out, you still need space, BEAM Space offers personal storage options in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur that can help.
Whether it’s seasonal clothing, extra furniture or a special item that you’re just not ready to let go of, BEAM Space can provide a secure and flexible solution. Store your belongings on your terms — schedule a pickup, store your items securely and enjoy more space and organisation in your home.
Visit our website to see exactly what unit will work for your storage needs or if you’ve already decided, book your unit now!