“Help, my house feels like a junk shop!” That is what one reader told me, and I get it. I don’t like clutter because it stresses me, so I totally get where she is coming from. And with the Round Top Antique show around the corner, my house is full of boxes and stacks and stacks of chairs, and baskets, and ladders, you name it.
It has been stressing me like crazy. Stuff is everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE. My family is glaring at me every time I buy something. I smile and say, “It will be gone soon!”
True confessions, I just told my husband the fantastic news that I moved all of the boxes out of the house! I however, may have neglected to mention that I moved all of the boxes to the garage, and now his car won’t fit in there! Oh don’t feel too bad for him. It’s just for one night. The truck is coming on Friday to load up!
So back to the question, what DO you do if your house feels like a junk shop?
I first want to show you what the living room at the farm looked like a few years ago.
I removed the big chair and the two tables. I added a small chair, and one little table. Then I switched the sofa and the bench. I also changed the ottoman for a more airy one.
See how much better it looks with less stuff?
Okay here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Focus on one room at a time.
First let’s just look at one room at a time. If you just look at the entire house, it is easy to become overwhelmed, not know where to start, and just give up. Let’s just say we will focus on one room until it is decluttered. Don’t worry about the rest of the house, until you finish one room.
2. Pull everything out of the space.
Well maybe not the rug and the TV, but everything that you can easily move out. Make a pile. If you can move the extraneous furniture out, that is even better. You probably have more furniture in there than you need. I did this in a virtual sense when we moved. I did a diagram of every room and knew exactly where each piece would go. I realized many thing were not going to the new house.
3. Put back only the things you dearly love.
If it is so-so, DO NOT put it back in your room, unless it is necessary like a sofa or a kitchen table. The things you aren’t so crazy about don’t belong there. I don’t care how much you paid for it. If you don’t like it; it’s dragging the room down and taking you with it. If you end up putting everything back, then this won’t work. Be brutal!!
4. Sell or give away the things that didn’t make the cut.
If you don’t like it, then give it away or sell it! Consignment shops, Craigslist, Next Door, Facebook are just some of the places you can sell your stuff. Be sure to giItve at least one thing away. That’s my favorite part!
When we moved, I got rid of everything I didn’t like. I sold so much stuff I had to hire movers to come get my furniture and haul it over to the consignment store. Of course I was not able to sell it for what I paid for it, but since I sold a lot more pieces that what I bought, I made more than enough to cover my my new purchases. I also consigned many small pieces. Let’s take a look at what I got rid of.
The dining room table and chairs – sold. The tray on the table just sold in my shop. I’m not using the table runner, so I might be selling that soon.
Breakfast room buffet – sold.
Bedroom Triple dresser – sold. There’s that same tray that was in the dining room. The black tray by the chair sold too. I’m taking the lamps to Round Top with me. The obelisk sold in my shop also.
Now take a look at the my current breakfast room, bedroom and dining room.
Did the decluttering work? In my bedroom we use the antique pine armoire instead of the triple dresser.
Here’s the dining room without the old table and chairs.
And here’s the breakfast room. I moved the dining room armoire into here, after I got rid of the buffet, and then I changed the chairs. Yes this is in the new house so it looks better, but it also looks better because I got rid of the things that weren’t working with my decor. I have a lot less furniture in my new house than I did in the old one. I also keep less things sitting out, only my favorite things.
And look there’s something on the floor in my breakfast room!
So, do you have any de-cluttering tips? I would love to hear them.
The blog book tour continues with these fabulous blogs!!
Love all of the beautiful transformations!!!
Anita, I am in Florida doing the exact same thing at our little beach cottage….it feels Soooo good!!!
It has taken me a long time to stop imagining being regretful of getting rid of things that have been stored or sitting around and not loved. I will now let them go and let someone else have the opportunity to discover them, whether it’s wall art, things I’ve been gifted but not quite my style, or things I’ve made and the trend is over.
I am 61 and it has taken so long for that to hit me, but after packing these “treasures” up and moving them over the years, I am also looking to lighten the load. Out of sight, out of mind, is what I’ve discovered, and no regrets.
Debbi, that’s so wise. If you aren’t using them, it’s a hassle to keep them stored.
Anita,
BRAVO!!!
Well stated, dear friend!!!
The best part of $elling those items you no longer l o v e!!!
Ca$h in your pocket for something new!!!
Keep those great tips coming!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Bravo, everything looks wonderful. I have been getting rid of a lot of things and it feels so much better. Still have a long way to go, but when your 80 it takes time.
I plan on down sizing while I am still able, just have to find the right place, where there is not a lot of upkeep.
Hope you sell everything at Round Top.
Mary
I love everything about your blog – but one thing that I would love to cherish is the beautiful picture of the two young girls outside at the table. Could you tell me the person who painted it or the name of the picture. Good luck at selling your things. I live in Ontario so it is impossible to attend your sale. Darn. Regards from Betty in Ontario,Canada
Betty, I wish I knew. I don’t know the name of the painting, and I was unable to track down the artist. I know he or she is in Europe. But that’s about it.
OH my!
What a difference! I thought it looked fabulous before but I admire all you did,,it made every room much brighter! Thanks for sharing,,I love the Armoire,,
Tina
Congratulations on getting rid of the weak pieces. I have done the same thing. The true treasures look much better with space around them.
Smiles
Great post Anita! Very timely for what my husband and I are going through. We just rented half our next-door neighbors garage for storage. We have 2 antique booths and the clutter in my basement, spare bedroom and on my back porch were driving me nuts. Too much stuff stresses me out too. When it comes to home decor, I’m beginnig to get better about selling it, dontating it or giving it away. My new rule is if something new comes in, then something else has to go. I do have some seasonal decor that I store in the basement that I rotate from room-to-room. I need to get even better at getting rid of stuff. I love the transformations in the rooms in your photos.
Anita,
Loved today’s post! I just picked up the Country French magazine and drooled over all the wonderful pictures of your home.
I have been refreshing several rooms in my home and have taken the time to literally pull apart closets, storage containers you name it in each room and boy does it feel amazing. You are so right, it is difficult to part with those decisions we once thought were right no matter what the price is we paid…I have donated many items and shared a lot with nieces and nephews starting with new homes.
I would love to know if you are l00% happy with your DR window treatments. They are just lovely. I have a large LR window and DR patio door that are separated by about 7 feet of wall. We just put in hardwood floors in those rooms and took down a wall to our kitchen – remodeling that as well. Pulled down all the heavy window treatments. Looking to do something fresh and updated. Have debated about roman shades with drapery panels on the sides after seeing that look in several magazines. Wondering if you love it or have any regrets? Any suggestions on how to treat that patio door?
I’m in the process of de-cluttering. My place looked great, but it looked more like a home decor store than a real living space, and I was starting to feel stressed by all the stuff. -Like you, I decided to keep only those things that I love. I also realized that just because certain accessories or accent furniture was in keeping with my style, I don’t have to display everything at the same time, and if I don’t really love it, I don’t have to keep it. I’m in the process of setting up an ETSY shop to sell all the cool stuff I’ve decided not to keep.
Anita, the changes are palatable! It also looks so much more refreshed, airy, and gloriously gorgeous! Oh you have an incredible eye!
Clutter stresses me out as well, and l grew up with shopaholic mom (a lovely, darling woman, who however knew no restraint!)
Consequently, l had to shake rugs, dust 50 plants, perfume bottles, tabletops filled with every conceivable knickknacks so my own home shows some restraint. No one would say it’s stark, it’s warm, and inviting, l just can’t have things everywhere!
Also, due to health issues, l have learned to become gifted at finding great buys for fantastic prices, that being born out of necessity. I want to be wise with my purchases, l don’t feel the need to constantly change things up,at least not with big purchases. l’d rather save the money for a little trip!
My advice is more of a question. ..what purpose does all the clutter serve? If it isn’t enhancing your life, it is detracting from it.