8 Steps to a More Organised Office

by | Jun 12, 2026 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Organise, Organising, Tips

A cluttered office can quickly lead to stress, distraction, and reduced productivity — especially during busy periods like EOFY. The good news? Creating a more organised workspace doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small changes can make a huge difference to how your office looks, feels, and functions.

Whether you work from home or in a busy office environment, these eight simple strategies can help you create a calmer, more efficient workspace.

1. Use Wall Space with Shelves and Organisers

When desk space is limited, think vertically. Shelves, wall-mounted organisers, and hanging file systems can free up valuable work surfaces while keeping important items within easy reach.

Using wall space effectively allows you to store documents, reference materials, and supplies without creating visual clutter. The less crowded your desk is, the easier it becomes to focus on the task at hand.

2. Keep Small Items Tidy Using Trays or Containers

Paper clips, pens, sticky notes, chargers, and other small office supplies have a way of multiplying and spreading across every available surface.

Using trays, drawer dividers, or small containers helps group similar items together so they’re easy to find when you need them. It also makes tidying up quicker and prevents small items from becoming a big source of clutter.

3. Use Storage Boxes to Reduce Drawer Clutter

Not everything needs to live in your desk drawers. Decorative boxes or labelled storage containers are perfect for holding supplies you don’t use every day.

Items such as spare stationery, archived paperwork, technology accessories, and seasonal materials can all be stored neatly out of sight. This keeps your immediate workspace functional while ensuring important items remain accessible.

4. Set Up Labelled Inboxes for Sorting Documents

Paperwork can easily become overwhelming if it doesn’t have a designated place to go. Creating clearly labelled inboxes or trays can simplify the decision-making process and stop piles from forming.

Categories such as “To Action”, “To File”, “Waiting For”, or “This Week” help you process documents more efficiently and ensure important tasks don’t slip through the cracks.

This is particularly useful during EOFY when invoices, receipts, and financial records tend to accumulate.

5. Leave Some Empty Space for New Projects

It can be tempting to fill every shelf, drawer, and storage container to capacity. However, leaving a little empty space provides flexibility.

An empty drawer, shelf, or magazine holder gives you somewhere to temporarily house new projects or incoming paperwork without creating chaos elsewhere in your office.

A little breathing room goes a long way in maintaining organisation.

6. Have One “Catch-All” Spot for Temporary Items

Life gets busy, and sometimes there simply isn’t time to immediately put everything away.

Having one designated basket, tray, or container for temporary items provides a safe place for things that need attention later. The important part is limiting yourself to just one catch-all spot and reviewing it regularly.

Without boundaries, those temporary piles can quickly take over an entire workspace.

7. Spend Five Minutes Resetting Your Desk Daily

One of the simplest habits you can adopt is a daily desk reset.

At the end of each workday, spend five minutes filing paperwork, returning supplies to their homes, clearing rubbish, and preparing for the next day.

Starting each morning with a clean, organised workspace helps reduce stress and increases productivity. It also prevents clutter from building up over time.

8. Keep It Simple — Less Clutter Means Less Stress

Organisation isn’t about having endless storage containers or colour-coded systems. Often, the simplest solutions are the most effective.

Regularly assess what you truly use and need in your office. If something no longer serves a purpose, consider recycling, donating, or disposing of it responsibly.

The fewer unnecessary items you have competing for your attention, the easier it becomes to maintain an organised and functional workspace.

Ready to Tackle Your Office Organisation?

EOFY is the perfect opportunity to refresh your workspace and put systems in place that support you year-round.

At The Lifestylers Group, we help individuals and businesses declutter, organise, and create practical solutions tailored to their unique needs. Whether you need help sorting paperwork, setting up systems, or transforming an overwhelming office into a productive space, we’re here to help.

Because an organised office doesn’t just look better — it helps you work better, too.

The 80 / 20 Rule

by | May 19, 2026 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Organise, Organising, Tips

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule?

Did you know most of us only wear around 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time?

If certain clothes have been sitting untouched for months, it could be time to clear some space.

A decluttered wardrobe means less stress, more room and getting dressed becomes so much easier each day.

You should keep the pieces you love, wear often and feel good in but sometimes it is hard to let go or to know what to let go of.  So we have put together a list of questions you can ask yourself when you are decluttering your wardrobe.

A tidy wardrobe doesn’t just create more space — it can also bring clarity, calm and make getting dressed so much easier each day. Think of it as creating your own personal boutique filled only with pieces you truly love and wear.

When deciding what to keep or let go, ask yourself:

✨ Have I worn this in the last 6 months?

✨ Would I be excited to wear this tomorrow?

✨ Does this suit the stage of life I’m in now?

✨ Am I keeping this for a “someday” version of myself?

✨ Should this simply be packed away for next season?

✨ Is it too worn out to comfortably wear anymore?

✨ Do I feel confident and comfortable in it?

✨ If I saw this in a shop today, would I buy it again?

✨ Realistically… will I ever wear this again?

Decluttering becomes much easier when you focus on keeping what truly serves you.

Downsize your life with these 9 tips

by | Apr 8, 2026 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Organise, Organising, Tips

Downsizing has a funny way of sneaking up on you. One day you’re stepping over toys in a busy family home, and the next you’re staring at a cupboard thinking, “Why do I own 17 coffee mugs… and do I even like half of them?”

For some, downsizing means selling the family home once the kids have flown the nest. For others, it’s merging two households (and discovering your partner also owns 17 mugs). And sometimes, it’s simply the realisation that your space — and your head — could feel a whole lot lighter with less “stuff” in it.

While the idea of simplifying can feel incredibly freeing, the reality is often a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and the occasional “but what if I need this one day?” moment. Whether you’re moving to a smaller home, combining lives, or just craving a clutter-free reset, the process is as much emotional as it is practical.

The good news? Letting go doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — and it certainly doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the things that truly matter. With the right approach (and maybe a little sense of humour), downsizing can open the door to a simpler, more flexible way of living.

So, wherever you are on your journey, here are 9 practical tips to help you lighten the load and make space for what’s next.

1. Set a clear deadline: Discarding your possessions is difficult but don’t drag out the process because the longer it takes, the harder it will become.

2. Stay organised (one room at a time): When downsizing, it is a great idea to sort through your possessions either by category or room. You can choose to reduce the number of books, go through the utensil drawer in the kitchen, or move from room to room. But do not move to the next category or room until you have finished the current one or you’ll get overwhelmed.

3. Keep only what you love: There is no value in hanging onto possessions that mean little to you. If you don’t love it, don’t keep it.

4. Sort items to sell, gift, or donate: You don’t need to throw everything away. You can sell many items, offer others to family and friends, or donate them to charity. So, make piles as you go to indicate the possible destination for each item.

5. Skip the “maybe” pile, be decisive: A successful throw-out means you can’t take prisoners. So, don’t have a “maybe” pile. We’re at the pointy end here – it’s “in” or it’s “out”. This is especially true when it comes to your wardrobe.

6. Involve family (with a cut-off date!): Make sure your family has the opportunity to use anything that you wish to throw out. Furniture is expensive and perhaps someone can make use of your couch or a couple of wing-back chairs that no longer have room in your life. (But don’t be offended if they don’t)

7. Start small, then tackle the tougher stuff: It’s a good idea to do a few simple tasks first. For example, go through the linen closet and throw out old towels and sheets. Practice on the easy items before moving to the tough stuff.

8. Be ruthless with clothes & duplicates: Clothes are one of the hardest categories to purge. Think about what you can mix and match and keep timeless pieces. Anything that you haven’t worn for at least six months should be expendable.

9. Capture memories with photos instead of clutter: There is no harm in taking photos of some of the more treasured items you throw out, in case you have regrets later.

Spring Declutter Challenge

by | Sep 18, 2023 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Pantry Declutter, Pantry organization, Tips

Welcome to our Spring Declutter Challenge which kicks off on Saturday 23rd of September.  All you need is 30 minutes a day (60 minutes if you can) to declutter and refresh as many of those potentially ‘unorganised’ or ‘cluttered’ spaces in your home. Good Luck!

 

Day 1- Drop Zones

These are the places where we leave things such as paperwork or bills to attend to at a later date such as the kitchen bench or a drawer in the kitchen or office. So here’s our 3 step process to quickly clear this area:

Step 1 – Spend 30 minutes going through old paperwork or bills and decide whether you need to keep them anymore.

Step 2 –  Throw away/shred anything you no longer need and recycle old newspapers and junk mail.

Step 3 – Think about whether you could organise the space differently by using different storage options like a magazine file for paperwork, intray or a box to keep all the incoming bills and mail in.

Officeworks has a great range of magazine/file holders in beautiful colours! Check out their full range here.

 

Day 2 – Fridge Declutter

What is lurking in the back of your fridge? Today is the day to go through, shelf by shelf and take out all the items, check the used by dates and throw away anything that’s out of date. Then, do a  deep-clean of the interior of your fridge with warm soapy water to wipe out any residue or spilt food you might have missed. 

Spring Decluttering Challenge Tip # 1: Baking soda is known to catch and absorb odours so fill up a little bowl and pop it in the fridge too.

Next, place food back in the fridge once checked and remember to keep a list of things that were thrown out and you need to replace.

Spring Decluttering Challenge TIP #2: Create an “Eat me first” section. This works well to reminder you to eat food items before their expiry dates. It’s also handy to keep them at eye level, so they are easy to spot. Don’t forget to store items in air-tight containers too as this will keep them fresher for longer. And remember to give the outside of the fridge/freezer a good clean as well.

If you get into the habit of doing a quick wipe out of your fridge each week, before you pop all your fresh weekly shopping in there, you’ll find it cuts down on this cleaning time.

 

Day 3 – Bathroom Declutter

Spend 30 minutes going through your bathroom drawers, cupboards and throwing away anything that you no longer use. Pay particular attention to your makeup drawer or makeup storage area and if you have time to give the makeup brushes a wash, even better!  Don’t forget to give the drawers and cupboards you’ve decluttered a good wipe out as well.

How long should you keep makeup for? 

Here is a list of common makeup products and their suggested expiry dates as recommended by Choice. To read the full list from Choice, click here.

  • Eyeliners and pencils:Pencil eyeliners are a typically wax-based product and should have no bacterial contamination but keeping them sharpened will help to keep them clean.
  • Face and body moisturisers:Unopened, three years. Opened, six months.
  • Hairstyling products:Three to five years. Most use alcohol in the formulation, which acts as a preservative. If non-aerosol and no alcohol is listed on the label, then treat as shampoos (see below).
  • Lipstick and gloss: Unopened, five years. Opened, 12 months.
  • Makeup foundation:Unopened, three years. Opened, six months.
  • Mascara and liquid eyeliner(brush in vial): Unopened, three years. Opened, three months.
  • Nail polish:Unopened, three years. Opened, six months.
  • Nail polish remover:Useable indefinitely.
  • Oils and serums: Unopened, three years. Opened, six months.
  • Perfumes and aftershaves: Unopened, five years. Opened, 12 months, for best composition. For best longevity, keep them in a cool place away from bright, direct light.
  • Self-tanning lotions: Unopened, three years. Opened, six months.

 

Day 4 – Wardrobe Declutter

A spring declutter challenge would not be complete with getting in and tackling your wardrobe. Now, you are probably going to need more than 30 minutes on this declutter though.

Start with the hanging section in your wardrobe first and go through item by item. Do you have items that you have not worn in the past 12 months. Perhaps you need to ask yourself the following question – If someone asked you to attend a party, function, coffee catch up or work function – would you wear that item? Consider giving the item to charity or a friend who might make use of it if you don’t think you will wear it. And, if you are holding onto an item because it was expensive, then consider selling the item on a platform such as Facebook Marketplace or a luxury second hand clothing retailer.

Next, put things back in the wardrobe and group like items together and colour block them i.e., put all white shirts together and so on.you can do the same process for your folded items too.

Spring Decluttering Challenge TIP # 1 Bag up all your unwanted items and pop them straight in your car ready to drop off at our local charity. The last thing you want is them making there way back into your wardrobe!

Now its onto your underwear and sock drawer to see if there is anything you can immediately throw away based on the condition of the item. You could also look at utilising some storage containers to help keep items more organised if you don’t already have containers. And if you live in a sunny location, perhaps its time to remove big heavy jackets or winter clothing items that won’t be worn till next year. You could pop them in a space bag and store elsewhere and rotate your wardrobe making summer items more accessible.

 

Day 5 – Spring Decluttering Challenge – Pantry Declutter

One of our favourite areas of the home to organise. Given we use this area every day, it makes sense to have a well organised and functional space.

Step 1 – Start by removing everything and checking the use by dates on all food items and throw away anything out of date.

Spring Decluttering Challenge TIP #1. Don’t forgot to start a list of items that you need to replace. There’s nothing worse when you are halfway through cooking something and you realise that you threw that ingredient out last week.

Step 2 –  Next, identify items that you don’t think you will use and bin them.

Step 3 – Wipe out your pantry with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Step 4 – Finally, set up zones or areas in your pantry, grouping like items together and put items that you use the most at the front and easily accessible.

Now is also the perfect time to think about better ways to store and display pantry items. Consider purchasing some containers to help you sort them into categories. Plastic tubs, baskets or Lazy Susan’s are great to help keep things organised.  And, if you don’t have labels on your containers, then now is the perfect time to pop some on.

 

Day 6 – Garage Spring Declutter Challenge

Often we place items in the garage that we no longer need or use inside the home, and they stay in the garage for years or until we move house! So know is the time to go through big items that are taking up valuable space and think about whether you will ever use these again or whether family members have outgrown them. You may be able to sell items like extra furniture, kid’s bikes, scooters or ski gear that has been outgrown. You can also check out your local Facebook pages for groups like “Buy, Swap and Sell”, “Buy Nothing” or “Things for Free”. Otherwise you might be time to organise a hard rubbish collection.

For more garage organising tips, check out this blog.

 

Day 7 – Laundry Declutter

Usually the laundry isn’t too bad, unless the laundry/utility room is your dumping ground for things that don’t have a home or place to put them. Spend 30 minutes removing anything that doesn’t belong in there and make sure it’s put back into a place with other like items. Now its time to give the washing machine seal a good wipe out. The dirt that disappears from your clothes, towels and sheets has to go somewhere! Your washing machine might also harbor leftover detergent, hard-water deposits and mildew around the lid. That means grime can build up inside your washing machine over time.

To ensure your freshly washed clothes and linens are as clean as possible, follow these steps on how to clean a washing machine. These instructions work for cleaning front-loading and top-loading washing machines, but it’s worth checking if your particular brand has any special requirements.

If your washing machine has a self-clean function, choose that cycle and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean it. If it does not, then follow these steps.

Step 1 – Run an empty, regular cycle on hot, using two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent which you add to the detergent dispenser. And don’t worry about harming your machine, as white vinegar will not damage clothes. The hot water-vinegar combo removes and prevents bacteria growth. Vinegar can also act as a deodorizer and cut through mildew odours.

If you have a top-loading washer, you can pause the machine during the hot-water cycle. Allow the tub to fill and agitate for about a minute, then pause the cycle for an hour and let the vinegar soak, then empty. You could also add some lemon juice to the water.

Step 2 – Wipe down the machine’s exterior using a damp cloth and the vinegar water solution. To prevent Mold or mildew growth, leave the door open for a few hours after each wash to let the moisture dry out.

Step 3 – Do a deep clean and use a toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach spots around the lid and under the rim of the tub. And don’t forget your dryer. Wipe over your dryer especially where lint can accumulate.

We hope that our Spring Decluttering Challenge has been useful. For other great home organisation, decluttering or styling tips see our other BLOG articles.

Tips for a Tidy Garage

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation

  1. Set aside a dedicated time to declutter your garage, such as a weekend or a few evenings. This will allow you to focus on the task at hand without interruption.

 

  1. Start by removing everything from your garage and sorting it into different categories. This can include categories such as tools, sports equipment, gardening supplies and holiday decorations.

 

  1. Get rid of items that you no longer need or use. If something has been unused for over a year, it’s likely that you can do without it. Consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition.

 

  1. Invest in storage solutions such as shelves, cabinets and hooks to help keep your garage organised. This will allow you to keep items off the floor and create designated spaces for different categories of items.

 

  1. Group similar items together to make them easier to find. For example, keep all your gardening tools in one area and all your sports equipment in another.

 

  1. Make use of vertical space by hanging items on the walls or from the ceiling. This can include things like bicycles, ladders and tools. Utilise wall-mounted storage systems or install pegboards to maximize storage space.

 

  1. Label storage containers and shelves to make it easier to find what you need. This will help prevent items from getting misplaced or forgotten about.

 

  1. Take advantage of wall space by installing hooks or racks to hang items such as shovels, rakes and brooms. This will keep them off the floor and free up space.

 

  1. Create a designated workspace or area for specific activities, such as a workbench for DIY projects or a space for gardening. This will help keep your garage organised and make it easier to find and store the necessary tools and equipment.

 

  1. Regularly maintain and clean your garage to prevent clutter from building up again. Dedicate a few minutes each week to organising and tidying up, so you can enjoy a clutter-free space

15 Ways to Organise Your Home Office

by | Jun 21, 2023 | Home Office, Home Organisation, Office Organising, Tips, Virtual PA

It’s that time of year. The end of financial year is nearly here. That means it’s time to get your home office paperwork organised. So, here’s 15 ways to organise your home office. They won’t take you long, but I guarantee that if you take the time to do them you will transform your home office in no time at all.

15 ways to organise your home office

15 ways to organise your home office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip 1: Start with your desk. Clear off any unnecessary items, sort through loose papers and create designated spaces for essentials like pens, notebooks and office supplies.

Tip 2: Tackle your filing system. Sort through old documents and create a system that works for you. Consider digitizing files to reduce paper clutter.

Tip 3: Organise your bookshelf. Donate or sell books you no longer need and arrange the remaining ones in a visually pleasing and accessible manner.

Tip 4: Create a designated space for incoming and outgoing mail. Set up trays or folders to sort and manage your mail effectively.

Tip 5: Assess your storage solutions. Optimize your storage by using bins, baskets or drawer organisers to keep items neat and easily accessible.

Tip 6: Declutter your computer desktop. Organise files and folders, delete unnecessary shortcuts and ensure your digital workspace is streamlined.

Tip 7: Focus on cable management. Use cable clips or cord organisers to keep cables and cords tidy and prevent them from becoming tangled.

Working From Home

Working From Home

Tip 8: Evaluate your office furniture. Determine if any furniture items are no longer serving a purpose and if so consider replacing or repurposing them.

Tip 9: Sort through office supplies. Discard dried-out pens, markers, or supplies you no longer use. Keep essentials neatly stored in containers or drawers.

Tip 10: Clear out outdated technology. Dispose of old gadgets, cables or electronic devices that are no longer functional or needed.

Tip 11: Declutter your bulletin board or whiteboard. Remove outdated notes or reminders and create a fresh, visually appealing space.

 

 

 

Tip 12: Evaluate your lighting situation. Ensure your workspace is well-lit with an appropriate desk lamp or overhead lighting.

Tip 13: Clean and organise your printer area. Remove any old or unused paper, refill ink or toner and create a designated spot for printing supplies.

Tip 14: Create a system for managing receipts and invoices. Consider using digital tools or apps to store and organise important financial documents.

Home Office Ideas

Home Office Ideas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip 15: Evaluate your office decor. Remove any items that don’t inspire you or contribute to a productive environment. Add personal touches that bring you joy.

For more tips on getting ready for tax time read this blog. Or if you reed some help to get your home office paperwork organised, then contact us.