A joy-led approach to decluttering your home of sentimental belongings

Inanimate objects have a funny way of carrying memories. It could be a t-shirt that you got at your first concert or a pair of jeans you wore when you first met your partner. This attachment can make decluttering hard, as throwing these things out can feel like getting rid of a key memory. However, decluttering your home doesn't have to mean letting go. In fact, when you adopt a joy-led approach, it can be extremely productive.

Shift your perspective

When we talk about a joy-led approach, we're referring to the KonMari method. It's an approach to decluttering that relies on keeping what speaks to your heart and getting rid of what doesn't. If you’ve been wondering how to declutter your belongings, this method is a gentle place to begin. Instead of allowing guilt to override your decision on whether to keep an item or not, KonMari encourages you to pay attention to how the item makes you feel and act accordingly. It's all about acknowledging that the item might have served its purpose and the memory won't disappear by letting it go.

Start with a clear intention

Identify your motivation for decluttering your home. Is it to create a calmer, more relaxed space? Or maybe to make room for other things? Establishing your intention before touching anything will help you set your goals and stay on track, anchoring the entire process.

Intention-setting creates a framework for decision‑making, helping you distinguish between what genuinely supports your life and what just takes up space. When you’re clear on why you’re decluttering, it becomes easier to make confident choices, especially when faced with items that carry emotional weight. This clarity will be crucial throughout the process, helping you reduce decision fatigue and navigate moments when sentimentality or guilt start to influence your judgement.

Sort by category – not location

When you consider how to declutter your belongings, most people work room by room, from the bookshelf to the wardrobe and so on. But the KonMari method recommends tackling things by category, not location. Start by thinking about a category that you wish to organise, such as clothes, books, shoes or kitchen utensils. Next, gather all items in a category in one place. Now you have an overview of the entire collection, and seeing everything together will give you decisive clarity.

Touch each item and notice your reaction

Now for the important part: the KonMari emotional touch test! Hold the item and notice the feeling it evokes. If you feel joy and warmth, this is a sign to keep the item. If obligation or sadness comes up, add the item to the chuck-it pile. Equally, if it makes you feel indifferent and you struggle to feel anything at all, that's a sign that the object no longer serves any purpose. The key here is not to overthink. Just allow yourself to feel and go with that first intuition.

Honour what you keep – intentional storage

Once you've decided what will stay and what will go, it's time to think about where the items you want to keep will live. Having dedicated, designed spaces for your belongings helps you stay organised and makes finding things easier. Consider bespoke storage solutions to ensure your furniture is tailored to your belongings.

For example, Hammonds fitted wardrobes allow you to design the inner layout, choosing from shelves, drawers, rails and more to ensure everything has a home. You can also create hidden compartments or display sections for keepsakes. Not to mention, the custom colours and finishes that give an elegant and tidy look.

Book a free design visit with Hammonds to see how bespoke storage solutions can help protect your memories and keep a clutter-free space.