WE all love a good clear-out, and when is a better time to declutter than before the New Year?
Every New Year brings with it a fresh start and a fresh outlook for the next year ahead.
This makes it the perfect time to clear out clutter, renew your space, and welcome positive energy into your home.
So in a bid to help, experts have revealed the key items we need to get rid of from our homes before January 1.
Adam Oakley, a decluttering expert from Door to Store, explained that these nine things could be sabotaging your home’s energy.
And he said that it’s time to let them go if you want a fresh start in 2025.
One thing that could be bringing negative energy to your home is beauty products that are either expired or unused.
And the experts say these should be among the first things to be thrown out.
Adam said: “Your bathroom cabinet or makeup bag may be harbouring expired lotions, lipsticks, or skincare products.
“These items not only take up space but can also lose their effectiveness.
“They can also become unsafe to use.
“Dispose of anything past its expiry date or items you haven’t used in the past year.
Some of us are guilty of keeping things from previous relationships – whether that’s because they’re functional or because of the memories attached to them.
But the experts say that now is the time to get rid of them before we enter the New Year.
They said: “Items tied to painful memories, such as gifts from estranged friends, keepsakes from failed relationships, or shared items from an ex-partner, can hold onto negative energy.
“A set of dishes, a shared piece of furniture, or even small mementoes may carry emotional weight and keep you tethered to the past.
“Letting go of these items can help release that negativity and make room for fresh, uplifting energy.
“Donate or discard them to create space for new, positive memories,” the expert advised.”
It’s no surprise that our garden plants often die over the winter months with the wet and windy weather and lack of sunshine.
And while we often forget about them until Spring, Adam says we should remember to get rid of them before January 1.
He explains: “Rather than holding onto wilting plants, replace them with fresh, low-maintenance ones that are easier to care for and more likely to thrive.
“Great choices include peace lilies, succulents, pothos, and snake plants.”
Sometimes things that are broken or things we haven’t gotten around to fixing can end up just taking up space in our home.
And while this might seem harmless, it could actually symbolise stagnation.
The experts suggest: “Broken or damaged items, especially furniture or mirrors, can disrupt the flow of energy in a home.
Give yourself a deadline to make the time to repair them until the end of the year, or else part ways entirely.”
It’s all too easy for old technology, cables and unused cords to build up in a box in our homes.
So if this sounds like you, then the experts say it’s time to get rid of it.
They said: “That drawer full of random cables, chargers for devices you no longer own, or outdated electronics can quickly become a tangled mess.
“Recycle these items responsibly to free up space and reduce clutter.”
We’re all guilty of starting something and finishing it, but we shouldn’t keep these in our homes if it’s just taking up space.
Adam advised: “Craft supplies for hobbies you’ve abandoned or incomplete projects can create guilt or frustration.
A forgotten crochet kit or unfinished 1500-piece puzzle might just be gathering dust.
“If it no longer excites you, donate the materials and free up space for what you love.”
DECLUTTERING expert Miles Davis has also revealed the eight things you should never have in your bedroom if you want a good nights sleep.
They are:
Decorative items that have been sitting around for years can make your home feel lifeless.
Especially if your style has changed and it no longer matches the room.
The experts say: “If you’re not in love with a piece or it no longer reflects your style, it might be time for a refresh.
“Keep things that bring you joy and simplify your space by keeping only meaningful decor”.
Sometimes when we put artwork on the wall we can become a little blind to it because we see it every day.
So the experts suggest taking a good look at our decorations to make sure we still like it, and if we don’t, then get rid of it.
They advise: “Take a good look at the art on your walls. Do the pieces evoke joy or unease?
“Art with dark or heavy themes can cast a shadow over your space.
“Swap out anything that feels unsettling or doesn’t align with the energy you want in your home.”
It’s easy for paper to build up in our homes in rooms like our living rooms – but this can bring negative energy to your space.
Experts advise getting rid of these before the New Year.
They said: “Stacks of old bills, magazines, or manuals can quickly accumulate and create visual chaos.
“Shred unnecessary documents, recycle outdated reading materials, and digitise important papers to keep only what’s essential.”
