Hi Mrs Rifty, In the past when I've a task such as yours,the first thing I do is to ask a friend if she would help,it great fun that way and doesn't seem such a chore.

Then between us we would empty the room of everything that appears to be causing the clutter,sort it out into piles of RETURN to room,KEEP and put away,then finally DITCH.

With a cup of tea or coffee each,we would set to and soon the job was done.

I think it was having the company and the 'two heads are better one' approach that helped.