Home of the Year winner shares her January decluttering secrets

'I go through my process of decluttering during the usually boring early January downtime,' says Jennifer Sheahan

Jennifer likes to do her big clear-out in January rather than Spring. Picture: Moya Nolan

I know Spring is traditionally the time to clean out the house, but I prefer to do it just after the holidays, when I’m taking down the decorations. Perhaps it’s a momentum thing — once I’ve started, it’s easier to keep going. 

I love the abundance of Christmas but by the time January comes around I get a deep urge to go in the opposite direction and clear it all out for a fresh start.