Declutter and refresh your halls room this spring

Warmer weather, longer days, and a room that somehow got messy over winter - here's how to sort it out.

1. Declutter first, clean second 🧹🧼

Cleaning around clutter is pointless. Start by doing a full sweep of the room and sorting everything into three categories: things you use regularly, things you no longer need, and things you're not sure about.

Be honest with yourself. Duplicates of anything and things you no longer need can go. Donate what's still useful and give it a second home.

2. Sort your wardrobe 👕

Pull everything out, check what actually fits and what you still wear, and refold or rehang things properly.

Swap out heavy winter layers for lighter spring and summer clothing, and consider taking a bag of winter items home if you have the chance.

Donate clothes that you no longer wear to give them a new life.

Ways to donate

 👉 Check at your hall for a clothing donation bin.

 👉 You can take your clothes to a nearby charity shop. Check out charity shops near your hall.

 👉 Charities often offer free postage services. E.g. you can request a free donation bag from Oxfam here.

3. Clean the kitchen and bathroom areas 🍽️ 🛁

In the kitchen, wipe down all surfaces, check the fridge for anything out of date, descale the kettle, and clean the microwave inside and out. In the bathroom, focus on the toilet, sink, and shower - limescale remover is worth the investment if you're in a hard water area.

Make sure shared spaces like corridor kitchens are left clean too, your flatmates will thank you!

4. Keeping on top of it 🤗

A big spring clean is satisfying, but a little regular maintenance goes a long way. A ten-minute tidy at the end of each week, wiping down surfaces as you go, and keeping on top of washing and washing-up will mean you're not facing the same mountain of mess again.

5. Start early, finish stress-free 😮‍💨

Move-out day has a way of creeping up fast. Every bag donated, every surface wiped, and every cupboard cleared between now and then is one less thing to deal with at the end. Spread the work out over the coming weeks and you'll thank yourself when checkout day arrives.

 🎨 Image credit: Karolina Alvekrans, 2023 BA Design for Art Direction, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Karolina Alvekrans