Ask Elle Macpherson: How can I declutter my home?

Dear Elle, I’ve recently divorced and am determined to clear out the clutter of my old life and reorganise my home to help boost my mental health – tidy house, tidy mind, after all. How can I best sort my kitchen, living space and bedroom? – Grace*

Elle: Congratulations on your new beginning. I know it’s not always easy. In my experience, a fresh start is always worth the effort. Go easy on yourself as you go through this powerful transition and remember to ask for support as you need it. In my book (elle, £22.25)), I share the changes required to be courageous and take a new direction. Admittedly though, it doesn’t go into home organisation!

Sometimes, at the end of a relationship or after a pivotal life phase, there is a deep need for the stability and comfort of home, for belonging and for healing. Your space should change to reflect that.

When a relationship ends, we need to anchor our creativity and our nervous system in something new. And ideally, sooner rather than later. Otherwise the rupture can feel never ending. A craving for ‘home’ is really a desire for emotional stability and in turn, regulation. It’s more than just a person you are separating from: it’s a way of being.

I always feel much better – while solo or in relationship – when things are in their place. This helps when you’re in a rush or simply needing familiarity and comfort. We all need to know exactly where those keys are or that screwdriver. I also believe that beyond just needing to find the necessities, your home reflects your psyche. If your mind is in disarray, then it’ll be more difficult to overcome confusion; to muster the attitudes and principles that you’ve relied on in the past to guide you through challenges. And that inner disarray becomes reflected in your home or office, so you’re unable to effectively face changes and perform necessary tasks.

Decluttering can mean hiring a professional to help with this emotionally charged process. However, I prefer to make the decisions myself when it comes to what needs to be jettisoned. It’s important to contemplate what needs to be let go, rather than having someone handhold you through it because your contemplation process establishes a new mindset and revises your value system when it’s needed most.

Ready to get started? Here’s how I like to manage the main areas of my home

How to organise your kitchen

Labelling everything you can in your kitchen makes life easier, says Elle. (Image: Vogue Australia (YouTube))

I’m big on labels in my kitchen so I can identify as much as possible without having to move things around to find them. It’s empowering and liberating knowing exactly where and what things are. I love labelling everything I possibly can. I have a label-making machine (try the Dymo Omega Label Maker, £20) and use it constantly – for files and paperwork to the pantry and drawers… just about everything! Alternatively, you can buy premade labels (try Stickers4 Ultimate Collection Kitchen Labels, £14.99).

I use labels in my fridge also. My fridge is always filled with fresh seasonal from the local organic farmers’ market. I’m meticulous about not purchasing too much so it doesn’t go to waste. For the things that tend to ripen too quickly, like bananas, I cut them up and place them in containers in the freezer for smoothies. Anything with an expiry date gets printed on a label, dated and then placed into categories in the fridge, think raw milks, yogurts, nut butters etc.

I love having uniform jars and canisters (try Next’s glass storage jars, from £6) and there is nothing quite like a well-stocked, well-organised drawer (try the Edelhaus wooden spice jar drawer organiser, £57.64)

How to pare down your living space

If you’re scared to open a drawer or cupboard, it’s time to declutter, says Elle. Image: Instagram @ellemacpherson

I love my living space to be tidy yet practical. There is no point stuffing things in endless drawers and not being able to find what you need, or being afraid to open drawers and cupboards! Better to clear what’s not required, like outdated chargers, endless ballpoint pens, coins and hair elastics.

I also like to have a drawer that has appliance instructions so I can always easily find what I need when I need it. I also have a closet that includes batteries and maintenance items like lightbulbs so they are all accessible and in one place.

How to declutter your wardrobe

When it comes to my closet, I like everything in a matching system, which means uniform wooden coat hangers (try Kirby Allison’s range of luxury wooden hangers), and baskets (try Ivy Grey Interior’s range of wicker baskets). Much like the rest of my spaces, everything has a place.

Clothes are categorised by colour, so for example black jeans hang together, then black pants, white jeans and blue jeans, hanging from light to dark.

I do the same with shirts (black together, white together, coloured and then patterned together). Sweaters are the same – all stored by colour rather than style.

As for shoes, I place styles together – sneakers, ballet shoes, moccasins, cowboy boots and other boots in their own little sections, at the bottom of the closet so it takes little thought when I’m running around in the morning.

I often switch out winter and summer clothes, according to the season, so I have more ease and flow in my wardrobe.

I’ve always wanted to have someone rearrange my closets and help me let go of pieces but I have so many historic designer items that it’s really hard to consider, let alone relinquish. I haven’t found this any easier as I age – perhaps it’s something to work on!

I’ve often thought about donating to museums or selling special items, but I’m not that organised and so many of them are now old and falling apart. I was saving these types of things for a daughter, but now I have the girlfriends of my sons – although none of them want to wear ‘mum’s old clothes’!

How to have a beautifully tidy bathroom

I regularly check my supplements and dispose of anything outdated, the same with anything medical. I always ensure I have a full WelleCo collection handy at home with a few extras for family and friends. My Super Elixir, £63, and HydroProtein Elixir, £35, often need replenishing, as they seem to be quite popular with my sons and their girlfriends!

I love to gift extra beauty products to my nearest and dearest so they’re not sitting endlessly in my cupboards waiting for me to use them. If they’re not in my repertoire right now, I don’t hold onto them. The process of grouping things together and discarding as you go along helps with everyday organisation and the fear of not having what I may need.

I very rarely wish I had something I have given away or discarded, as the feeling of clarity and practical ease outweighs any fear of ‘not having’.

I wish you all the best on your journey to organisation and I encourage you to go easy on yourself as you tackle it. You’ve got this!

Got a question for Elle? Let us know at [email protected]

*name changed