We are all guilty of keeping too much stuff in our house. I have done it over and over again. When we moved a ‘few things’ into the farmhouse I thought the builder was going to pass out when she saw how much stuff we had. Since then I’ve been working to clear the excess from the house. Declutter is my word of the day.
And so if we all do it, why is it such a ‘no no’? What’s the big deal?
Well there’s been a study that links clutter and depression. You can find an article here.
Apparently cortisol levels go up when females have a lot of stuff in their home, according to the article.
So this is not my opinion or because some designer said you should do this or that.
It’s not about making your home look the best it can (although that’s a nice side effect) but rather the point is to think about your mental and physical health.
How do you de-clutter if you are a lover of stuff? VERY CAREFULLY.
Seriously, what furniture do you need in a room? Here is my farm living room like it was for ages.
There was just too much furniture in here. It was crowded. So I got rid of the two tables, big chair and ottoman. I replaced them with a small chair, ottoman, and small table. Here is the room with less stuff.
The room feels much more airy. It feel lighter and I enjoy the room much more.
When we moved, I got rid of a lot of furniture and stuff. I know a lot of people like to have a closet where they keep the extra stuff, but are you really going to use that stuff? I think we can all admit that that some of those things will never see the light of day again. Might I make a suggestion here? Get rid of those things!! Sell them or bless someone with them. Move them out of the house, give them to the grandkids or someone who can’t afford to buy new things. You don’t need that extra stuff. If it is going in the garage or attic, my personal rule is that I have to get rid of it. That’s just a rule I stick to, because otherwise I would keep too much stuff. Two things went to a good home just yesterday.
I hope this gives you the courage to purge some things. Rarely am I sorry I got rid of something. Sometimes I am, but most of the time, it feels like a big boulder has been lifted from my shoulders. It really is true!! And then when you give it to someone else and you see their smile… well that is a GOOD DAY!
Here’s another before photo with an after photo.
The second photo looks so much lighter and more airy than the first.
Don’t believe me? Afraid to get rid of something? Well then, are you willing to try something risk free? Identify an overcrowded room, and move some things out of the room, TEMPORARILY. Just take them to the garage or a hallway, just somewhere out of the way. Then live with the room for a week and see what you think. Did you miss them? Usually as soon as I move the things out of the room, I yell, ‘YES!’ And then that thing is gone. I really hate to admit this, but the truth is I get as excited about getting rid of things as I do buying new things… I know… I’m weird.
How about you? Do you hang onto things too long?
Wow, I really needed to hear this today. I’m always talking about how I have too much stuff in my home & that I need to revisit what I keep. I think I want to refresh my surroundings, but then I worry about getting rid of something I might need later. You’re right, I never end up using those things. Just because I have tons of storage space doesn’t mean I have to fill it up. Thanks Anita!
building in spring, now in a rental, your web site has given me many ideas and its true, get rid of things you will not use.
I am so very thankful that you like to de-clutter and BLESS others (me)!
Every time I bite the bullet and get rid of “stuff” my rooms look better and feel breathable. Am working hard to subscribe to the get rid of two items for each new item added theory when it comes to home decor and clothing. So far I have not missed a single thing but still not easy to make the initial cut.
You are so right…it does feel good to de-clutter! I love the way your second picture looks…so much lighter and airier! I de-cluttered when we listed our house for sale 8 months and I stood back and felt like it looked so much better! It is hard to do…but so worth it! I gave away my stuff to my friend who owns an Antique business, and she was over-joyed to get the stuff, and that made me feel good too!
I always love to see what you will do next! 🙂
Have a great day!
Linda
Oh this is a message needed. I often Wonder why one’s keep so much cluster.
In my homes before and now, I have often been told by family members who clutter every wall, all the nooks and crannies, closets, floors and ceilings with way to large of lighting and way to many, that I look like I just moved in my home.
Never, never, never is and has been a junk drawer in my home, a stuffed closet, nor filled walls, and as for down sizing for awhile in our investment home we, my daughter and I take time out monthly to purge any and unwanted gathered and collected pieces that have no use and donate, or rid.
The to-go menus are filed in a binder not a catch all drawer and everything has it place. We find a home needs to breathe as much as we do and everything in our home is of use and beauty.
You will find that even our garage is contained and only pieces of use or construction of pieces we create. Our days are freed of burdensome pieces and it allows us to focus on ourselves and not the misaligned junk stuffed here and there.
Anita, this is a wonderful design post…. And your space looks so much more pleasing to the eye then a room filled with things to fill space.
It allows the pieces in ones home to not compete with each other for attention, and one leaves your home knowing it’s beautiful.
Xx
Doré
I think this is a reminder that we all need to hear constantly. Of course, the best way to avoid clutter is by not obtaining it in the first place! I think the best way to do that is to not go to HomeGoods, Target, Marshalls, your favorite thrift shop, the antique mall, etc. when you don’t NEED something or don’t have something specific in mind that you plan to buy. Going to stores like this out of boredom is dangerous! Of course, being interested in home design, going to these shops and browsing is fun and inspiring. But buying something just because you like it at that moment is often a bad idea, and will just waste money and time down the road when you decide you didn’t need it in the first place and you want to get rid of it.
A few (very few) people have told me that my home feels cold or barren, that I don’t have enough stuff (most of them don’t have time for much housecleaning or they are nearly at the point of hoarding!) I don’t want to waste a lot of time cleaning, which is why I don’t put a mass of stuff out on display. Easier to keep picked up and presentable that way.
Now I have LOTS of STUFF … I just don’t put everything out for show all at once. I change and rearrange often AND, I only keep as much as I have storage space for … in the house. I’ve stopped taking things to the garage, because as you said, at that point I pretty much forget them anyway.
I know how good I feel, waking up to, or coming home to, a straightened house. And it’s also fun to get ooh’s and ahh’s from first time visitors.
Love your blog. Always something of interest here. Thanks.
Anita: Red your posts every day and love your ideas. I moved about a year ago, across the country, and last summer my darling S.I.L and family built cabinets and marvelous shelves in my garage. Looked in them yesterday and realized I have not touched about half of what is stored! So why do I keep all that stuff? Beats me so back out to the garage I go to remove & donate the untouched things. Thanks for the inspiration!
{{HUGS}}
Joy Schumann of theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com
Declutter is my middle name. I’m almost to the point of minimalist. I loved this post and your room looks so much better this way. Clutter definitely affects your mental health. There is enough stuff going through our head constantly and looking out over clear spaces really does calm your mind. I still have a lot of work to do though 🙂 Have a blessed day 🙂
Hello. I am one who desperately needs to declutter my home, so I appreciate your article. I tried to find the Valentine tips on the Bali site but for some reason I can’t find them. I did notice your fireplace article and the spelling of mantel. It isn’t spelled mantle when it’s on the fireplace.
Thank you Daphne, looks like that post won’t go up on their blog until tomorrow, so I removed the link. Ah yes I think you are correct on the spelling. Sadly that is no their site and not mine so I can’t correct it. Thank you for finding it. Are you looking for a job as proofreader?
Hi there, it’s Becca from over at Bali Blinds 🙂 Fixed the spelling of mantel, great catch Daphne. Had no idea it changed in relation to a fireplace, proofreading may be your super talent! The Valentine’s post will be up tomorrow morning at 6am central, thanks for checking it out!
I totally agree with you on the reasons we should declutter. I think your rooms are absolutely lovely. I’m just not sure what clutter means to everyone. I’m not a minimalist. I like to be surrounded by what I love. I rotate pieces to keep things fresh and I keep the decor pieces I’m not using organized in a space that doesn’t take up a lot of room. I’m careful about what I buy so that I’m not tired of it in a year or two…fads can do that! Of course, get rid of the stuff you’re not using, just like the advice we get on purging our wardrobes. I think it’s all about a happy medium for all of us. Be savvy about what you purchase and you will never have to declutter! I may be going against the grain of the other comments but I think it’s all good advice. 🙂
Jane xx
thanks for the nudge. Been wanting to do this but haven’t pushed enough lately to get-er-done. Last time I de-cluttered my kiddos told me to stop (I was in a mindset and could have emptied our entire house at that point. ha!). Anyway, I did get rid of 11 boxes of books. Funny how those bookshelves are still full…wonder where those other books fit. Yikes! We are building a new house so I don’t intend to move all my junk, Can’t wait to haul it all out to the street for a good old fashioned yard sale! Thanks for the post.
I really need the encouragement to get started. I have so much junque it is ridiculous. We had two homes (one in town and one on a small lake) and sold the one in town. I kept most of the furniture, etc. because I knew we would be getting another house. But it’s been almost two years (one thing after another has kept us from buying another house – it’s kind of a long story so I won’t go into it here). Anyway, I’ve gotten to the point where I try to look the other way and I have noticed my depression getting worse and worse. I find myself apologizing to company whenever they come over because of the clutter. Thank you for this post and for listening.
Lisa, can you put some things in storage? That might help.
I needed this today. I go to home goods or tjmax and fill my cart up with stuff. I get home and finally realize I don’t have a place for this. Just because I love an item I buy it not really thinking about where I’m putting it. Ugh. So what I’ve basically done is added more clutter to my already cluttered home. 9 out of 10 times I end up bringing stuff back. So much wasted time. Why do we have those junk drawers anyway? For junk apparently. Whenever we put stuff in the basement, you are right. It never sees the light of day. I hate going in my basement. It’s scary! So much junk. Well I better get a moving and DECLUTTER!!!!
Hang in there Carol Jane. You can do it!!
Anita,
I love the thought of kicking the clutter out of our homes. The study you mentioned is interesting because, after having a few traumatic times in my life I can point to a cluttered place in my home and tell you which trauma I had to clear out. I am in a cleaning out stage now. I often feel like I live in the archives of our families. How do you honor these precious pieces of history and yourself at the same time?
I am currently carving a craft room out of our basement. Which is were all the pieces are stored. Your room looks lovely!
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
Your blog and homes are both so beautiful. I love how you’ve transformed this space, it does look light and airy. Pinning
Sally
I believe that clutter is related to depression. whenever i have the hardest time concentrating, clutter is usually a factor. I’m trying to de-clutter now and this inspires me!
I hope it goes well Toni.
I de-clutter once or twice a year, I love the pieces I have but if they don’t work any more then they are given away. I too love to give to others. Along with moving furniture around the house, I also de-clutter my wardrobe at the same time, again it feels so good. I have parents who are hoarders and it is very difficult to move around their home, I am thankful that I have chosen the alternative.