WITH half term in full swing, if you’ve organised numerous play dates and need to get your home looking fresh, we’ve got you covered.
Thanks to professional organiser Rachel Burditt, here are five quick and easy ways you can “fake a tidy home.”
And thankfully there’s no need to stress, as you won’t have to spend hours on your hands and knees scrubbing every single surface – in fact, it’ll take you less than 15 minutes.
Not only will your pad be sure to impress your guests after following the expert advice from Rachel, the self-proclaimed “Queen of tackling clutter,” but it’ll even smell fresh too.
Posting on social media, Rachel, who is known as ‘The Declutter Darling,’ shared the “speedy and easy” ways you can “make your home look and smell fantastic before any last minute surprise guests arrive.”
So if someone texts you and says they are “on their way” but your home is a “complete disaster,” or you were forced into a last-minute sleepover, take notes for “how you can fake it in under 15 minutes.”
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For the first of Rachel’s “go-to panic tidying tricks,” you’ll need to get yourself an empty laundry basket.
Rachel advised: “Grab a laundry washing basket and pick up everything that is out of place and doesn’t belong in that room – I’m talking about your post, your socks, random hair ties, grab it and put it in a wardrobe or a bedroom out of the way.”
The pro stressed the importance of “hiding” mess and “dealing with it later” and also acknowledged how making your home look tidy is all about creating “the art of illusion.”
Next up, you’ll need to give your surfaces a quick clear.
The expert shared: “Cluttered surfaces can make a room look really messy, even if most of the rooms are absolutely fine – so focus on coffee tables, countertops, work surfaces, sinks – just clear them off and give them a quick wipe.”
According to Rachel, empty surfaces “instantly make it look like you’ve spent hours cleaning and tidying.”
As well as this, focus on only cleaning areas guests are actually going to see.
“Don’t waste time on wardrobes, bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms – focus on what I like to call the guest zones, so that would be your hallway, your living room, your downstairs bathroom, your kitchen and that’s it – if they can’t see it, it doesn’t exist,” Rachel expressed.
As well as this, setting the mood is key to tricking your guests into thinking your home is spotless.
If your home smells clean, people will automatically think that it is clean
Rachel Burditt
Rachel claimed that lighting “can hide so much” as she advised: “Turn off harsh overhead lights and go for little table lamps and candles – add a cosy throw, fluff up some cushions, basically distract them with the vibes.”
Finally, the brunette, who has over 31,000 followers on TikTok, expressed that making your home smell clean is a quick step you won’t want to miss.
The Style Sisters Top 3 Decluttering Tips
Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly have over 15 years experience decluttering and organising celebrity homes…
- Out with the old, before in with the new
“It may sound a little ruthless but a one in, one out rule in your home and wardrobe can be effective to avoid over accumulating items in your home,” they said.
“It can also make you more mindful about the purchases you are making.”
“In any space, however big or small – from a utility room to your make-up box – organising items by category is the perfect way to keeping super organised,” they said.
“This allows you to know exactly where everything is and what you’ve got.
“Plus, it will make it super easy for the rest of the household to put away and keep tidy.”
- Storage, storage and more storage!
“Storage is key, especially if space is an issue in the home or if the room is used for items like storing toys for children,” they said.
“Consider decorative storage baskets, side boards with plenty of storage or even a media wall or bookshelves with doors.”
She acknowledged that “it’s all about psychology” as she highlighted: “Open a window, spray something fresh – if your home smells clean, people will automatically think that it is clean.”
According to this declutter expert, following her tips will ensure you “look like you have your life together, even if there is chaos behind your wardrobe door.”
Social media users react
Rachel’s clip, which was posted under the username @thedeclutterdarlinguk, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 75,600 views in just one day.
Social media users were thankful for the “brilliant” advice and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this.
My friend calls it a scurry funge! That’s the chuck everything in cupboards and a quick wipe down
TikTok user
One person said: “This is great advice!”
Another added: “This is brilliant, thank you.”
A third commented: “I do this, my house is usually a mess – dog toys all over the place, shoes, worktops full of mail, books, food etc. When I know anyone is coming I rush around and tidy everything away.”
Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “My friend calls it a scurry funge! That’s the chuck everything in cupboards and a quick wipe down.”
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