I think this quote can be applied to decorating, as well. Recently, I've been going through my own apartment trying to remove accessories. I have so many little keepsakes and memories I want to display, but it's causing clutter and chaos. It's distracting, and it's stressing me out!
Do you have the same problem in your own home? Are you having a hard time putting away photos or that vase a family member gave you a million years ago, for fear that someone will have hurt feelings? Well, I am here to commiserate with you (and help)!
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| Yikes! This living room has too many items on the shelves and in the room! Photo credit Christmas Tree Market. |
First thing's first. Don't feel guilty if you want to get rid of something! I think the one thing keeping us cluttered in our homes is the guilt we might feel if we don't display something "special". Special items can be stored and brought out during special occasions. You don't have to display EVERYTHING and certainly not everything all at once.
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| Don't feel guilty or you'll end up with 25 years of clutter in your home! Photo credit Sunday Comics Debt. |
Here is a great way to tackle clutter (I did it this way in my own apartment and it really works):
1. Start in the room that is stressing you out the most. Yes, it's daunting, but clearing this room first will make the rest of the house feel like a piece of cake.
2. Take every accessory out of the room and place it in a pile in another room. Okay, DON'T FREAK OUT! I know it seems like you'll be making a mess, but I promise this is going to work. It's very important that you remove the items so you can complete the next step.
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| Make a neat pile like this one...neatness helps keep the stress down. Photo credit City Scape Bliss. |
3. Go back into the problem room, stand back and take a look at it clutter free. Breathe deeply and relax in there for a few minutes. How does it feel? Wonderful? Let the beauty of clutter free permeate you before you start sorting. Seriously, let it sink in.
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| Ahhh, see how lovely it is, just for a moment? Photo credit homedit. |
4. Now, go "shopping" in that pile of stuff you've got. Separate things into love it, hate it, feel like I have to keep it (guilt items). Here's the part that really matters and you've got to be honest with yourself: what out of the guilt items can you actually let go of? Are there photos? Keep in a photo album or box. Is it a flower vase? Do you love it? Put in the love it or hate it pile based on your answer. Most likely the guilt items are not loved. But if you feel you need to keep it for someone else's sake, this is an item that can be stored until it is needed. When you bring it out, rotate it with another item to stay clutter free. If your guilt comes from spending a lot of money on an item you no longer want, then sell it. There are lots of people looking for accessories on Amazon and eBay!
5. If you are having a hard time anywhere in step four, go back into your clutter free room and remember how it feels. It will help you eliminate the things you really don't need.
6. Get rid of the items you are letting go of right away! Don't allow yourself to go "shopping" through these items ever again!
7. Now, take the love it items back into the room (NOT the guilt items!) and put them in the middle of the room. Look at what you have and try to group them into "like/similar" items.
8. Display "like/similar" items near each other, in groups of three as a beginner, or more if you are brave! You can also place them individually around the room if they can be stand alone items.
Easy Vignette
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| If you are a beginner, try basic groups of three at first. Store items that don't match well or seem to add more clutter. Photo credit When Regarding Ruffles. |
Challenging Vignettes
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| Notice how there are many items on these shelves, but they are placed in "like/similar" groupings. Also notice that the shelves are not filled with only small objects. It is important to vary object size in each group to add depth (for instance, notice how the picture frames are large and are placed at the back of the shelves). The S has the same effect as the frames. Remember, books are always lovely to display! Photo credit Ideas for Decoration |
9. Reminder, you do not have to place all of the love it items back in the room. They can be put away for future use, or placed in another room (once you de-clutter the other rooms and NOT before). Once the whole house is finished, you can move items between rooms as you see fit!
10. Go back to those guilt items. Is there anything you want to display now? If not, store them away or continue to purge. If so, display one item at a time. Give it a few days to see how it feels. You can always add/remove items in the room to see how they feel and function.
Here are a few guilt items I recommend thinking twice about before keeping:
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| Not sure whether or not to hang on to this goody? Take it from me, toss it. Photo credit Why Did You Buy Me That?! |
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| Just because it's shiny, doesn't mean it's worth keeping. Photo credit Polyvore. |
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| If it scares you, think about getting rid of it. Photo credit Boulder and the Beautiful. |
In all seriousness, you probably have accessories that inspire the same weird feelings in your home. If they are from a loved one, take a photo of the item for memory's sake. Then get rid of them or store them away.
Remember, it's your home, not a museum! Ultimately, if you don't LOVE it, get rid of it. If you do love it, but still have too much displayed, store it away until the right time comes to show it off.
I hope this inspires you to start de-cluttering! I know it is a tough job, but once you've done it, you will feel like you live in a new home. And hopefully, you'll feel a little bit less stressed.
Thanks for reading, friends. Good luck!
Carole
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