How to avoid decluttering regrets in 2018.

As we head into 2018 and clear away all those decorations, it’s the traditional time to start thinking about decluttering. New year, fresh starts, clean outlooks – it all speaks to our need for space.

How often, though, do you start January with great intentions just to find all that enthusiasm has disappeared by February? Join the gym for a year, only to find that by March you no longer go? You don’t want to get rid of your shoe collection now, convinced you only really need 5 pairs, only to regret it later. But don’t worry – Urban Locker have the solution to save you from your decluttering regrets.

There are a number of theories for effective decluttering. One of the more popular for 2017 was the Marie Kondo method, which in part involves picking up an object and considering whether it brought you joy. If not – remove it from your home. Which seems a good theory – if you live alone. But what do you do with your husbands Arsenal memorabilia? It may frustrate you, but presumably it brings him some happiness.

Another popular theory – if you haven’t used an item for a year, then you won’t miss it. So, out it goes. Except – what about things like the baby toys you’re saving for your second child.

Clearly there are some items that you need to keep, even if you want them removed from the everyday space in your home. So, to find out more about the things you want to keep out of sight, we asked you what you would put into one of our 1m3 storage locker, and here’s what you had to say:

• The wife’s shoes, clothes and handbags.

Well, we think you are a brave man, Nick. But why not? If you have a bag and shoe collection to rival Selfridges and you only get to wear them on special occasions, keep them in safe, dry storage until you want them.

• Letters and photos from friends and family.

It’s the sort of thing you want to keep forever. Letters from your mother, pictures you took at university (see our student storage options here), knick-knacks from your travels. Every one is a memory you want to save – but not when it takes up half the available cupboard space in your city apartment.

• Christmas decorations

A tree, boxes of tinsel and a singing santa. It’s all fun to buy and lovely to see around the flat – for a few weeks. For the other 50 weeks of the year it’s just clutter, shoved into the back of the wardrobe and getting in the way of you achieving calm and harmony.

• New purchases for a new home

You’re saving up for the mortgage, you’ve made an offer and you are already planning the décor – and buying lamps, rugs and saucepans in anticipation. But where do you put them until the big day?

• Camping gear, bikes and fishing rods

This seems to be a popular answer. Clearly we are all very much sportier in the summer – and we all need somewhere to keep our gear when the weather turns chilly. So, until you are ready to move out of hibernation, keep your tents dry and safe in a small storage locker.

• DVD collections, books, Star Wars memorabilia, model railways

We all love to collect things – but sometimes it does feel that an interest becomes an obsession. Although, we have to say there was a definite trend of wives who were happily preparing their other half’s collections for the decluttering pile, rather than their own!

Don’t risk decluttering regrets this January. Our recommended method is simple. If you don’t need it regularly, but can’t bear to part with it, store your precious possessions in our small lockers. Starting from 1m3, the size of a car boot, you’ve got low cost, easy accessible storage. Out of sight, but not out of reach.