1. The bedroom should be a place to unwind and relax, free of distractions. Oftentimes the bedroom can become an extension of the office or kitchen. But items in the bedroom should be kept to a minimum and should be appropriate for rest.
2. The living room is often the focal point of the home. It can be a formal setting that can go unused, or a casual place for watching TV and entertaining. Several common living room dilemmas can affect the feel of a home: a lack of focus, awkward flow, poor lighting, too formal, or too casual. You can solve these problems with your personal and unique taste in decorating. If the room lacks focus, decide how you want to use the living room and then rearrange furniture to emphasize that focus. You can solve an awkward flow making the furniture and objects in the room symmetrical. For more tips, click here.
3. Clean and shine!
"Floors and furniture, walls and decor all work together to create an inviting living room, but without light, they're cardboard actors on a darkened stage." -Organized Home.
Let the light in to help create an open, clear space. If there is little natural light available consider changing the lighting to keep your environment bright and cheery. Look for flexible solutions to allow light in, when and where you need it. For example, you can add a floor lamp with multiple bulbs and focus the lamp on multiple areas in the room.
4. Make a decision. Clutter is the result of many delayed decisions. Ask yourself these questions: Do you love the item?Do you use it? Do you need it? Give yourself a reasonable time frame when asking these questions. If a year or so has passed and you still can't answer, then you probably don't need the item. Change your attitude of keeping and embrace the attitude of letting go.
5. Order is sanity. A cluttered head leads to a cluttered home, and vice versa. The clutter in your home can lead to peace. Have a spot for everything in your home, and make sure items are put back where they belong after they are used. Consider only displaying a few items with high sentimental or decorative value. If you have many items you use every day in your office or workshop, make sure these items are visible and easily accessible.
6. You don't need to buy memorabilia every time you go on vacation. What items have you purchased on vacations that serve you now? If you collect shot glasses, spoons and t-shirts, take stock of what you've got. Are these "true" collections or simply collections of stuff gathering dust? Consider focusing on the memory instead of the object.
7. Keep an album of sentimental cards if you cannot let the cards go. With an album you can chronologically organize the cards and flip through them when you want. Your keepsakes organized and out of the way.
8. Set up deadlines. For instance, the kitchen should be de-cluttered at a particular day and time. Your deadlines should be reasonable and attainable. Reward yourself for meeting your deadlines and goals.
9. Ask for help. A friend or family member can give you an unbiased second opinion on items you are deciding to keep, toss, or donate. If you are moving furniture to create more space, you should have another person help you to safely move and lift heavy objects.
10. If you don't need it, don't buy it. It is not uncommon to make a compulsive purchase. Take a step back and ask what purpose the item will serve and if you can live without the item.
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