The Five-Step “Intentional Declutter” Method Set to Refresh Homes this Spring
As spring-cleaning searches rise each year around Easter, homeowners are increasingly moving away from stark minimalism and toward homes that feel more personal, layered and lived-in. New interest in “whimsy home décor” is also up 50% in the past three months, while Pinterest says “whimsy is the spirit of the moment” suggesting a clear shift toward curated, characterful interiors.
Rather than overhauling a space, the smartest refresh this season is to curate what you already own. The five-step “intentional declutter” approach helps you edit clutter without losing the warmth, memories and personality that make a house feel like home.
Clutter need not be overwhelming or chaotic. When intentionally organised, it can make a space feel safe, charming, welcoming and enticing. Overly curated spaces can feel lifeless, awkward and cold.
1. Curate collections with purpose
Rather than tackling your entire home at once, start with established focal points and editing the items connected to them. For example, you can start with one defined area, such as a dining table or coffee table, and edit the items connected to it first. Group similar pieces together, then reduce them to a small number of colours, finishes or patterns that work well together.
Gather everything in one place initially, then remove anything that doesn’t pair well, is damaged, or simply isn’t used. The aim is to keep what serves a purpose and contributes to a cohesive look.
2. Keep it personal
While editing is essential, stay away from over-purging to the point where a home loses its character. Intentional clutter should reflect the people who live there, including their habits, experiences, and stories.
Decorative objects that spark conversation or evoke memories are particularly valuable, as they create a space that feels lived-in rather than staged.
Smart storage plays a key role here. Glass-fronted cabinets, shelving units and bookcases allow treasured items to remain visible while preventing a room from feeling messy.
I would prioritise pieces with genuine emotional significance, such as souvenirs from meaningful trips, inherited objects or items tied to milestone moments, to preserve a sense of nostalgia and individuality.
3. Prioritise balance
Even curated collections need breathing room as clutter becomes chaotic when it overwhelms every available surface. Maintaining visible floor space, worktop areas and shelving gaps is crucial to ensuring a room remains functional and calming.
I would recommending leaving at least 50 per cent of a coffee table clear and even a higher percentage clear when it comes to a dining table so it can still be used comfortably, and the same goes for shelves. Try grouping objects to one side while leaving the other open, or alternate fuller lower shelves with lighter upper ones. These simple strategies prevent overcrowding and reduce visual fatigue, allowing displayed items to stand out rather than blend into a busy backdrop.
4. Mix old and new
Intentional clutter thrives on contrast. Combining contemporary pieces with vintage finds creates a layered look that feels both curated and current. Which items take centre stage will depend on the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, but blending eras helps avoid a space feeling either too sterile or overly antiquated.
Older pieces bring history and narrative, while newer additions keep the room feeling fresh and functional. Together, they strike a balance between personality and polish, a hallmark of thoughtfully styled interiors.
5. Layering makes a big impact
Rooms without layers can feel flat and uninviting, whereas a thoughtful mix of textures, colours, patterns and shapes adds depth and warmth. Intentional clutter allows homeowners to retain enough pieces to build these layers without tipping into excess.
Each layer should reveal something different about you, from tactile throws and patterned cushions to meaningful decorative accents. However, cohesion remains key. Sticking to a complementary palette or repeated materials will ensure the space feels harmonious rather than haphazard.
By reframing spring cleaning as a process of curation rather than elimination, homeowners can create interiors that are both orderly and expressive.
Written by Magdalena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse