The decluttering mistake that can make your home feel cold

Spring cleaning season often brings the urge to clear out and start fresh, but decluttering does not have to mean creating a home that feels bare or impersonal. This year, the emphasis is on a softer, more intentional reset — one that balances organisation with warmth, personality and thoughtful styling.

According to Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse, the most inviting homes are no longer showroom-like, but layered, lived-in and full of character.

'Clutter need not be overwhelming or chaotic. When intentionally organised, it can make a space feel safe, charming, welcoming and enticing. Overly curated spaces can feel lifeless, awkward and cold, which is why we’re seeing a divergence from this showroom style aesthetic,' she explains.

Here, she shares her five-step method for refreshing your home this spring, without stripping away what gives it personality.

Rather than tackling your entire home in one go, Magdalena recommends starting with key focal points and editing the items around them.

'Focus on longstanding items of furniture in your home, such as a dining table, and the associated items,' she advises. 'Gather all these items together and aim to reduce your homewares to two or three timeless colour schemes or patterns. Remove anything that doesn’t pair well with other items, is damaged, or simply isn’t used.'

She refers to this as a 'grouping method': bringing similar objects together so you can clearly see what enhances a space — and what detracts from it.

Editing doesn’t mean erasing personality. In fact, Magdalena says the opposite is true.

'Decorative objects that spark conversation or evoke memories are particularly valuable, as they create a space that feels lived-in rather than staged.'

Glass-fronted cabinets, shelving units and bookcases allow treasured pieces to stay on display without overwhelming a room. Prioritise items with genuine emotional significance — whether that’s souvenirs, inherited pieces or milestone mementos — to preserve a sense of individuality.

Even curated clutter needs breathing room.

'Maintaining visible floor space, worktop areas and shelving gaps is crucial to ensuring a room remains functional and calming,' she says.

As a rule, leave at least 50 per cent of a coffee table clear so it remains practical to use. On shelves, group objects to one side and leave the other open, or alternate fuller lower shelves with lighter, more spacious upper ones to avoid visual fatigue.

Intentional clutter thrives on contrast.

'Combining contemporary pieces with vintage finds creates a layered look that feels both curated and current,' Magdalena explains.

'Older pieces bring history and narrative, while newer additions keep the room feeling fresh and functional. Together, they strike a balance between personality and polish, a hallmark of thoughtfully styled interiors.'

Finally, think in layers. 'Rooms devoid of layers can feel flat and uninviting, whereas a thoughtful mix of textures, colours, patterns and shapes adds depth and warmth.'

From tactile throws to patterned cushions and meaningful accents, layering adds richness — but cohesion remains key.

'Sticking to a complementary palette or repeated materials will ensure the space feels harmonious rather than haphazard.'

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