The first step in #decorating a room that’s #clutter-free in the long term is to pick a good paint color, says The Simplicity Habit — a calm tone if you need a space to relax or a more vibrant one if you want to feel energized. Less is more when it comes to artwork; better one large piece than a mishmash “gallery wall.” A right-sized rug really can tie the room together, along with pillows and throws. Be patient when decorating; find the colors you like and the pieces you want rather than decorating for decorating’s sake, and you’ll be happier with the end result. #DeclutteringDécor
Tag: sparking joy
Declutter to Decorate a Space You Love
It’s difficult to create a living space that you love, says The Décor Fix. The problem is usually “trying to add to your space without first subtracting.” If you’re serious about #decorating, you first have to #declutter. Eliminate any unwanted or unnecessary items — anything that you no longer like or wouldn’t notice missing. Once you get these things out of the way, you should be better able to display the #stuff you do like, giving it an opportunity to shine. You might even feel more calm if you reveal a little bit of white space on your walls and some room on your side tables. #DeclutteringDécor
Store Your Seasonal Décor Items Sensibly
Do you like your home’s décor to match the seasons? You aren’t alone, but all of those time-specific decorative items take up space, whether on #display or in #storage. To head off #clutter, get #organized and save time, sort seasonal décor items into dedicated, labeled storage boxes as you remove them from display suing a “move-out” method, says Apartment Therapy. Remove every item that doesn’t fit the incoming theme and assess whether any items “need repair, replacement or retirement.” #Store the things you plan to #reuse and #donate any lightly used items you no longer need to ClothingDonations.org. #DeclutteringDécor
Declutter Your Decor, One Room at a Time
To #declutter your #décor, take things one room at a time, Nourishing Minimalism suggests. Take every #decorative item down and pile them in the middle of the floor. Briefly examine each to figure out if you actually like it, or if you’re displaying it for some other reason. Sort the things that “spark joy” (as #organizing guru Marie Kondo would say) into one pile, and those that don’t into another. Add items back into the room, starting with your favorites. When you reach the “sweet spot” of just enough/not too much decoration, stop and sort the remaining items into two piles: keep/store/repurpose and #donate. #DeclutteringDécor
Marie Kondo’s Bombshell Announcement
It had nothing to do with a Chinese spy balloon or misplaced classified documents. The real bombshell of the last few weeks? That Marie #Kondo — the unrivaled evangelist of the power of #tidying up — has stopped trying to keep up with the #mess.
According to The Washington Post, Kondo’s capacity for #organizing and #cleaning diminished upon the birth of her third child. “My home is messy, but the way I am spending my time is the right way for me at this time at this stage of my life,” she said in a recent webinar.
She went on to admit that a perfectly organized home is not a realistic goal for most people. “I was a professional #tidier, so I did my best to keep my home tidy at all times,” she said. “I have kind of given up on that. Now, I realize what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home.”
Instead of offering new strategies to obsessively #sort out your sock drawer, Kondo’s latest book explores the Japanese concept of #kurashi, or “way of life.” It’s a much broader strategy that focuses on bringing calmness and happiness to everyday existence.
She encourages readers to create a rhythm and routine based on what brings them joy, even if a few closets and countertops remain #cluttered. For Kondo, that routine includes fresh air, quality time with her kids and scrapbooking.
While actual #tidying takes a backseat, the book asks people to figure out which aspects of their lives need the most attention. Whatever needs a sort of macro-level #decluttering and #organizing is what you should concentrate on right now, in other words.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. Life happens, and you can’t spend every waking moment organizing your clothes closet by purpose and color. Take time to focus on whatever it is that brings you joy, be it career, a favorite hobby, or family and friends.
But when you feel the need to #declutter and #organize, remember that you can #donate any lightly used items to ClothingDonations.org. Get them out of the way of your personal kurashi by arranging a free #donation #pickup. Your donation will share joy with veterans nationwide.
So do as Marie Kondo says, and don’t obsess about #decluttering. Instead, make it a natural part of your routine.