The start of the new year can have us itching to embrace that ‘fresh start’ feeling, and what better way to tap into that than by having a clear-out?

From broken jewellery that we say we’re going to mend to letters that pile up on the coffee table, we accumulate clutter in the home at an alarming rate. While we know the result of a good clear-out will leave us feeling satisfied and refreshed, the thought of tackling it can be daunting enough to stop us from ever starting.

That’s where a method like the 1-3-5 decluttering method can come in handy. Rather than approaching a whole room thinking, I must sort out the living room, but with no clear idea of where to start, the 1-3-5 decluttering method asks you to break down the task into one big task, three medium tasks and five smaller tasks, and then complete them in that order.

Breaking the whole task down into smaller bitesize chunks can make what seems like an insurmountable and overwhelming task much more manageable and achievable.

Monika Puccio, interiors expert at Sofa Club, swears by the method as a simple yet effective way to streamline a space and bring order back to your home. “The 1-3-5 decluttering method helps you to regain control of your space by being productive while not feeling overwhelmed by unmanageable tasks ahead,” she says.

“Take the living room, for example. A large task might involve decluttering and organising your entertainment centre, sorting through books, magazines and games to create a more streamlined organisation system.”

By doing the biggest task first, you’ll instantly see a huge impact on the room, giving you instant gratification and satisfaction, which can motivate you to crack on with the medium and smaller tasks.

“Next, focus on your three medium tasks, like clearing and cleaning the coffee table, hoovering the rug or refreshing the sofa by tidying cushions and throws,” says Puccio. “And finally, tackle five small tasks to tie everything together. This could include sorting through letters, picking up stray items and wiping down surfaces.”

The method can be used anywhere in the home and can span cleaning tasks as well as decluttering and organisation jobs.

In the kitchen, for example, your one big task could be cleaning the fridge, while your three medium tasks could be getting rid of all out-of-date jars from the cupboard, throwing out expired food from the fridge and putting everything back in a neat and organised manner. Finally, your five small tasks could include wiping down surfaces, cupboard shelves and cupboard door fronts (that’s three already!), hoovering the floor and then mopping.

However, decluttering expert Vicky Silverthorn recommends approaching methods like the 1-3-5 method with a little caution.

“Methods like the 1-3-5 decluttering method work incredibly well for some people, and if it does work for you then that’s brilliant,” she says.

“However, I would say that it’s most likely to work if you’re a naturally organised person already - you enjoy colour-coding, labelling, decanting etc. If your brain doesn’t work like that, then adding the additional step of organising your organising is more likely to put you off starting at all.”

If you find yourself constantly putting off big decluttering and organisation jobs, then you might find a handy approach like the 1-3-5 method helpful to kickstart your clear-out. However, if you begin to find the method overcomplicates the process, then it might not be the right approach for you.

Can the 1-3-5 decluttering method help you get organised?