Ever feel like you’ve just tidied – and somehow it still doesn’t look or feel that way? It’s not always about how much you own, or how often you clean.
Our Houses Editor Daisy Bendall spends her days stepping inside houses across the country, and over time she’s noticed something telling: the homes that feel calm, ordered and easy to live in aren’t necessarily the most minimal or the most immaculate. Instead, they tend to share a handful of small, almost invisible habits.
“I love a house packed with stuff. It’s one of the key things I look for when deciding which homes to feature on our pages. The fuller, the better – but there are plenty of ways to make characterful clutter feel more considered. It can be as simple as concealing everyday items in a basket or ensuring your favourite pieces are on display while more unsightly things are tucked away.”
Here, she shares the details she always notices and how you can make them work for you.
Create a place for the 'in-between' things
You know the bits that don’t really belong anywhere – post, keys, random cables. In calmer homes, they don’t build into a growing pile. There’s usually a tray, a basket or a spot where they naturally land.
As Daisy says: “Plenty of baskets, boxes and chests are a must. A trio of baskets on top of a wardrobe or cupboard looks intentional and stylish while hiding a multitude of sins.”
Keep surfaces edited, not empty
It’s not about having completely clear shelves or worktops. Instead, what’s left out feels intentional and creates a more 'lived-in' feel.
“Having the pieces you love out on display reminds you to use them regularly, so you’re making the most of what you have,” Daisy adds.
Avoid 'temporary' clutter lingering
We all have those “I’ll deal with it later” moments, but it helps to deal with things as they come in. Put shopping away, open post and clear packaging straightaway, before anything has a chance to build up.
Identify storage pitfalls
In the homes that feel easiest to live in, storage is always in the right place. Take note of where you naturally drop things, then add something there to catch them
“As soon as you notice where stuff is accumulating, find the right storage for it,” says Daisy. “It could be as simple as a pretty letter holder on a sideboard or putting up a hook to hang your keys from instead of dumping them on a hallway table or a rack for shoes.”
Keep on top of things
It’s rarely about a big clean but small, everyday moments – straightening cushions, taking a mug through, folding a throw – that keep things from quietly building up.
Mix open and hidden storage
Not everything needs to be on show. A mix of open shelving and concealed storage keeps things feeling relaxed but not chaotic.
“If in doubt, employ a cupboard skirt,” Daisy suggests, “to cover up appliances or messy stacks of plates.”
Create a little breathing space
Even in smaller homes, there’s usually room to pause. A clear corner, an uncluttered surface – not every space is filled, and it makes everything feel calmer.
“A break in the visual noise really helps create a sense of calm,” Daisy says. “It might be a clear stretch of wall or a pared-back surface – the rule of three works well: a lamp for height, a small posy of flowers and perhaps a neat stack of books.”
Max your furniture
The pieces you choose can make a quiet difference.
“Think about furniture with a dual function or hidden storage,” says Daisy. “Benches with under-seat storage, pretty ottomans, even opting for a basin in a vanity unit rather than a pedestal.”
She also recommends purposeful features – “coat hooks, plate racks and Welsh dressers – making sure everything has its place while also creating something that looks beautiful.”
Spring homeware edit
Pansy Quilted Bedspread, Multi
Pli Green Pleated Desk & Table Lamp
Next Cath Kidston Cream/Blue Floral Quilted Storage
M&S Pure Cotton Floral Embroidered Cushion
Velvet Cushion, Rectangle, Butter Yellow
Catherine Lansfield Epping Textured Stripe Reversible Polycotton Duvet Cover Pillowcase Set
H&M Large stoneware serving plate
