Mastering Decluttering: The latest homeware trend 'Hipstoric Home' sees antiques take centre stage. The question is, what to keep and what to trash?

• Mixing old with new homeware items is shaping up to be the latest interior trend of 2023.
• If I saw this in a shop right now, would I buy it?
• Is this item something I’m currently using? 
• Do I have more than one of this?
• Is it something I love?
• If I were moving house, would I take this with me?
• Am I going to use this in the future? Or am I keeping it just in case?
• Does it need repairing or regular servicing?
• Could someone else use or benefit from this more than I do?
• Could I make money by selling this? 

Mixing old with new homeware items is shaping up to be the latest interior trend of 2023.

Coined ‘Hipstoric Home’ Pinterest has announced it as one of 2023’s defining trends. Describing it simply as ‘finding new ways to honour old things in their homes, combining vintage and inherited pieces with modern styles.’ The report explains that ‘people are combining vintage-often-inherited pieces with their modern styles, thanks to the Boomers and Gen-X driving these trends.' 

Put simply,  antiques have never looked so chic. 

Hipstoric Home: The art of mixing antique items with new homeware pieces, the latest interior trend of 2023.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens

So how do you differentiate the chic keepsakes from the clutter? William Morris famously said ‘Have nothing in your that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’ A mantra we live by when it comes to decluttering.  Keep this in mind when you’re giving your home a Hipstoric Home makeover, but to ensure you don’t veer off-track, we suggest you ask yourself these 9 no-nonsense questions to sort the items that work in your space from the things causing clutter. 

If I saw this in a shop right now, would I buy it?

If it's not something you'd spend your money on again, it clearly doesn't add value or joy to your space. 

Is this item something I’m currently using? 

If you can't remember the last time you used something, or you haven't used or worn it in the last year, it should go. Of course, sentimental items or keepsakes are exempt from this one. 

Do I have more than one of this?

If you have two, almost identical items that serve the same purpose, then get rid of one of them. In most cases, you don’t need multiples of the same item and you’ll likely not miss the duplicates at all.

Is it something I love?

No? Then it's time to go. 

Lily Allen and David Harbour's Brooklyn home takes on elements of the new interior trend, Hipstoric Home.
Source: Architectural Digest

If I were moving house, would I take this with me?

This is a great question to ask yourself when decluttering. If you wouldn't go to the effort of packing up the item and moving it to a new home, do you really need it in your current space?

Am I going to use this in the future? Or am I keeping it just in case?

The fear of needing an item after you've donated, sold or thrown it away is a major cause of clutter in people's homes. Ask yourself, do I really believe I am going to use this item? What is the situation you imagine using it in, and how likely that situation will be in the next few years. 

Does it need repairing or regular servicing?

If it's an item that needs to be repaired or serviced, consider the additional cost and if the joy of having the item is worth the expense. If the answer is no, it's time to give the item a new life elsewhere. 

Could someone else use or benefit from this more than I do?

Whether it's a pair of jeans you're imagining fitting into or a box of baby items that have been gathering dust in the attic for years, if you haven’t used the item in a while, but know that someone else could really benefit from having it, donate it. When you can visualise someone else enjoying the item, it makes it a lot easier to part with. 

Could I make money by selling this? 

If you don't use an item, but don't want to donate or throw it away because you know it has monetary value, consider reselling services. For larger furniture, sites like Facebook Marketplace or Vinterior are really handy. Or if you have a number of items you want to sell, all in one go without the hassle of photographing and listing individually, box them up and send them to Vintage Cash Cow.