My Take On Nick Knowles’ Big House Clear Out

I love a decluttering programme! The Home Edit. Marie Kondo. Hoarders. I’m there for all of them and take inspiration and empathise with a lot of what is shown in most programmes.  So in the name of CPD or "research", I sat down to catch up on Channel 5’s new show ‘Nick Knowles’ Big House Clear Out.

Being a connoisseur of this type of programme I recognised the set-up straight away as a take off of a US programme that did the same thing. Get one cluttered family, put all their items in a warehouse, make them get rid of 50% of their stuff and in exchange they will give their home a makeover. Having searched through all of Google I can’t find out what the US one was called though!

Love or Hate Him?

Now Nick Knowles, as a presenter, is an acquired taste I know. Some love him, some hate him. But if DIY SOS hasn’t made you tear up on more than one occasion then you have a heart of stone! He is, however a glorified handyman with a rugged exterior and a 'cheeky chappy' personality, not a professional declutterer. 

And this is where I had a problem…

The families they chose all had varying degrees of stress or trauma which had caused their cluttered state. Having all their house piled into a warehouse and being told to get rid of 50% in a short space of time must have been incredibly traumatic and overwhelming for them. Add to this Nick Knowles coming in and telling them that he can’t understand how they got to that place isn’t really helpful.

Call on me!!

Decluttering is not a one size fits all job. Some people work well being thrown in the deep end, others don’t. Some people are able to get rid of sentimental items easily, some (read most) don’t. What the show would’ve benefitted from is a professional declutterer to work with the families. (My details are below if anyone from Channel 5 is reading this!)

Asking the right questions. Listening to their stories and suggesting ways of preserving memories without having to hold on to everything. Being Devil’s Advocate when needed and being a gentle nudge or listening ear when that is not the appropriate way forward. A professional declutterer can also help work between family members and help them come to a compromise without needing to argue. Nick Knowles sadly did not have that skill and at some points I was shouting at the telly, telling him to bugger off or to suggest an alternative.

Despite my thoughts on the lack of a professional declutterer to help the families, it is a show and it was entertaining. I do also hope that the participants of the show learnt enough from the process so they can keep themselves clutter-free in their new, shiny, homes. If not - feel free to give me a call and I will come and help!

Have you watched the programme? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

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