Swedish death cleaning and why you might be surprised…

If you were inspired by Marie Kondo’s books about keeping your home tidy and have done everything you can to inject a dash of hygge into your living space, Swedish death cleaning might well become your new obsession.

Swedish death cleaning is a trend that was born out of the idea that you should reduce your belongings down to just the essentials before you pass away. However, the principles behind it aren’t morbid at all and apply to you whatever your age — in fact, following the guidelines of Swedish death cleaning can help you to live a happier and more meaningful life. Here are some things you can do to master the art of Swedish death cleaning.

Clear your home of unnecessary clutter

When setting out on your Swedish death cleaning journey, the first thing you need to do is clear your home of any unnecessary clutter. Focus on just keeping things that you use, and which bring joy to your life, then donate, recycle, and bin anything else.

Margareta Magnusson, the author of the recently released book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, apparently asks herself one question when’s she’s deciding whether to keep something: “Will anyone be happier if I save this?”. This highlights the original purpose of Swedish death cleaning, which is to prepare your home and belongings so they aren’t a burden to anyone after you pass away. But, it’s also a great question to ask yourself when you’re having a regular declutter, as it will help you to make some of the more difficult decisions.

It may go without saying, but partaking in Swedish death cleaning doesn’t mean that you should leave yourself with one pair of jeans and a T-shirt to wear, or one plate and spoon to eat with. Rather, focus on keeping anything that you use on a regular basis, and remove all of the other things that are doing little more than cluttering your space. This process will help to clear your mind, and make it much easier for you to concentrate on what is important in your life.

Only bring sentimental and seasonal items out when you need them

As well as keeping the things you use regularly, the principles of Swedish death cleaning encourage you to keep sentimental items that bring you joy. So, don’t feel like you have to throw out photographs and mementos just because you only get them out every once in a while. Just make sure you keep your space tidy by storing them out of sight.

Plastic Box Shop offers a wide range of underbed storage boxes that are ideal for this, as they’ll do a great job of keeping any bits and bobs or treasures in the best possible condition. Plus, they’re available in a range of sizes and colours, and many of them have wheels, so they’re easy to access when you need them.

Stay on top of things

Clearing your house of clutter is a mammoth task, so you won’t want to repeat the process. This means it’s very important that you avoid the clutter building up again.

Whenever you’re planning to buy something, always consider if you actually need it. And, if you’re serious about subscribing to the principles of Swedish death cleaning, you could even let your friends and family know that, unless there’s something specific you require for birthday or Christmas presents, you’d prefer consumables or a trip out to yet more ‘stuff’. You’ll find it much easier to keep things neat, tidy, and minimalist once you have control over the amount of stuff that’s being brought into your home.

If you’re looking to create a clutter-free and relaxing space that you’re proud to live in, taking these tips on board is a great place to start. While you’ll still have the things you need and that bring you joy, you’ll have a clearer head, as well as more space to enjoy with your loved ones.