They say a tidy home leads to a tidy mind – and that’s no truer than in your London rental apartment, where depending on apartment size, space can be at a premium. Our space-saving guide will help you declutter and transform your home into an oasis of calm. 

Step 1: The art of decluttering 

Start with a vision. Decide what kind of space you want to live in. Do you lean towards the minimal or prefer a cosy, curated feel? Then tackle your studio or apartment one area at a time – be it the living space, bathroom or kitchen – then work your way through.  

Use the four-box method. As you declutter each area, organise your things into four piles; items to keep, donate, throw away or store. You can apply this to anything – clothes, books, beauty products or keepsakes – ending with the most sentimental objects. In the words of Marie Kondo; choose only to keep the items that spark joy. 

Go digital. All Enclave London rental apartments are smart-home enabled and ready to connect to your various devices – from SONOS speakers to Amazon Alexa. Make the most of the technology available and save space by digitising your music and film collection, and paperwork. 

Step 2: Get smart about storage 

Look up. Think vertically by choosing tall bookcases, the more floor space you can keep clear, the bigger your apartment or studio will feel. 

Invest in multi-functional furniture. If you’re renting unfurnished, opt for pieces that serve multiple purposes or have built-in storage. Look for items that complement existing built-in storage, from extendable dining tables and beds with drawers to coffee tables with hidden shelves. 

Maximise kitchen space. Keep your worktops free for creating culinary masterpieces by using innovative storage solutions. Use cabinet and drawer organisers, S-hooks and baskets for hanging pots and pans, and smart recycling bins to stop empty containers gathering on the side. 

Make it beautiful. Choose storage containers that look good in your home – from woven baskets to wooden caddies. And make a feature of items you use every day; stacking folded towels in your bathroom, or decanting toiletries and cleaning products into reusable bottles, adds a personal touch to your rental apartment. 

Step 3: Design your space 

Find your problem areas. Every home has a spot that seems to constantly gather clutter – be it the kitchen table, hallway or kitchen counter. Pinpoint yours and place storage solutions in those areas; a shoe shelf by the door, a post tray on your desk or a laundry basket by the bed can work wonders. 

Use mirrors. Carefully place mirrors throughout your apartment to make the most of Enclave’s ample natural light and create the feeling of more space. By putting them opposite windows or in darker corners, you can instantly brighten an area. Find a way to add them to shelving to avoid hanging from walls or choose lighter styles that can be attached using adhesive strips. 

Choose large rugs. As well as adding colour, texture and personality to a room, opting for a large rug in a compact space can make it feel bigger. Ensure furniture sits on the rug rather than around it to create a sense of cohesion. 

Create a display out of collectibles. Are you a bag person, or do you own more books than your local library? Make your obsession into a focal point for your rental apartment by displaying them as if they were art. Hang accessories like hats and bags from over-the-door hooks or stack books on your coffee table. It all adds personality without feeling like clutter. 

Step 4: Keeping it tidy 

Schedule regular declutter sessions. Put aside 10-15 minutes every week to keep your space tidy and manageable. Open and file your post, put away your laundry and tackle problem areas to prevent it from becoming overwhelming. 

One-in, one-out. Whenever you buy a new item, consider discarding something else you no longer need or enjoy. This maintains balance and can avoid you having to start the whole decluttering process from the beginning. 

Be mindful and shop sustainably. Only invest in items you will love and use again and again. Avoid fast fashions and cheap disposable furniture, instead opting for one-off multi-functional pieces that will fit in your space. This will help avoid the slow build-up of objects that are left to gather dust. 

Enclave provide high-quality London apartments and studios for rent in well-connected locations – King’s Cross and Croydon. Choose from a range of different sizes and layouts to suit your needs, and spaces that have been carefully designed for premium living. Find out more.