Declutter Like an Interior Designer

January and February are natural times of the year to declutter your home and create some physical and visual space. The holiday décor is packed away and your new gifts might still need a permanent place of their own.

 

Surveys show that decluttering reduces stress and boosts the mood. It can also reduce allergens in your home and make it easier to keep clean.

 

Whatever your reason for ushering material possessions out the door, here are some thoughts on how to do it the way an interior designer would approach making a home look and feel more open, tidy, and welcoming.

 

1. Have nothing that is not functional, beautiful, or personal. Let your possessions earn the right to take up space in your home. Do not let guilt manipulate you to keep something that is not working for you or your space.
2. Identify clutter zones and set up systems and storage. Reduce paper clutter with digital apps and create a space for items that come and go from your home (keys, wallets, mail, items to donate, etc.)
3. Reduce picture frames on surfaces and decorative pillows on the sofa or bed. These clutter the visual space, make cleaning take longer, and pillows end up on the floor.
4. Keep kitchen and bathroom counters as free of items as possible. This makes your kitchen feel more open and cleaner and the bathroom feel more like a spa.
5. Hide electronic devices in drawers. Our wireless devices require many wires. Rig them up in drawers or cabinets or set up an attractive charging station.