Successful decluttering requires the adoption of a realistic approach from the beginning and so it is vital that you start small.

To transform the whole house is daunting and frankly unrealistic and consequently a recipe for certain failure.

As I have mentioned before, it is all too easy to start with tremendous enthusiasm and gusto only to flag into a defeated heap after things have not gone according to plan!

To avoid this common pitfall, find a small contained area of your home that needs decluttering which can realistically be a haven of order in a morning.

Perhaps you have an airing cupboard that has little or no system and you hardly dare open the doors, or an understairs cupboard that is so full it can't be used – in fact you have no idea what is hiding right at the back!

If you tackle these small areas systematically and without being distracted by what you unearth, within a short time you will have created an ordered space.

This small success story can be your inspiration to tackle other areas of your home in the future. In the meantime, it will be easy to keep tidy and give you a real sense of pleasure every time you see it.

If even this seems too daunting, start smaller still. Begin with a problem drawer in the kitchen or sort your sock drawer.

The key is to tackle something small enough that you know you can finish. Make your task achievable so you are rewarded and encouraged to continue with your long term decluttering goals.

Your small decluttering successes will pep you up every time you come across them and slowly they will build into a more ordered whole without you even noticing.

Brigitte Girling, of Style2Live, can be contacted on 01379 897248 or www.style2live.co.uk