As an interior designer, I am presented with a few common household dilemmas by my clients. One of the most common perplexities is the need for more storage. As of late, when faced with this plight, I find myself thinking maybe they just have too much stuff?! We could probably all use a good dose of a de-clutter fix, but how do we do that and where do we start?
The first, most important decision to make, prior to eliminating anything, is to diagnose your clutter toleration level. For some, being surrounded by collections of coveted treasures is comforting, while others cringe at the “messy” sight a collection presents. One is not more correct over the other, it’s just important to match your interiors to your clutter comfort level.
Take stock of the state of your existing surroundings. Are you displaying a collection of something you love? Maybe it’s an assortment of milk glass vases or Depression glass dishes you have either been lucky enough to inherit or scoured countless flea markets for. Then you, my friend, are at a clutter complacency level. Displaying items with emotional value is important to the contentment factor of your life, and that’s ok!! Items with meaning, or that you have a special fondness for, should be ones you display, eliminating accessories you have been gifted or purchased on a whim. This will give those special collections prominence in your new space. The proper arrangement of your collections, however, will be key to your room’s outcome.
If you are of the “collecting is messy” school, then I would consider you to belong to the clutter contempt class. You are happiest in a minimally accessorized atmosphere, thus determining the potential outcome of your interiors. The ideal de-clutter plan for you will be far easier than those of the clutter complacent, because the emotional attachment to the accessories is not involved. You can now pass go, and head straight to the Savvy de-clutter platform. The minimalist interior you desire is a quick donation trip away.
As with most important things in life, your clutter comfort status may not be that black and white. If you aren’t at the extreme ends of the clutter spectrum, then you are lost somewhere in the middle. You find contentment in both displaying some special mementos while appreciating the negative or empty spaces as well. You, my little design divas, are in a much more stressful position when it comes to the de-clutter plan.
Whatever level you belong to, the plan of action is the same. You have already done the important step to decide and mentally commit to take back your home from the depths of clutter despair. Now take all of the accessories in your space and place them in one of three piles: keep, donate and trash. This, darlings, is the most difficult part. You must resist the old “I may need that one day” mentality. If one day finally comes, you can always purchase a new whatchamacallit. Try to ensure your piles remain pretty even, not allowing the “keep” pile to far outweigh its counterparts. As emotionally taxing as this process can be, it pales in comparison to the freeing, delish feeling of regaining control of your room and the intended usage of the space. Design serenity is within reach. Now get to making those piles!
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