7 Tips for Decluttering & Organizing your home

After the holidays and the twinkle lights and rooms filled with all that ambiance- the house can feel a tad bare and dare I say- boring.

At the same time, packing away the holiday bits and that ‘bare’ feeling also brings a sense of fresh and clean. Your rooms feel larger and more open again and there is something about that ‘space’ that makes me crave decluttering Everything.

I am working on streamlining and repurposing and decluttering more than just the house right now- I am on a mission to get everything streamlined- my workouts, work and relax schedules, the rooms in the house where all those ‘things’ that don’t have a place to land end up.

So, while I tackle a pared down and more minimal look and more streamlined everything – I thought I would share a few tips that I am using to help me and my home get more ‘zen’.

Just start

It can feel overwhelming right? I hear you. You open the door to that linen closet and are met with stacks of towels, extra blankets and comforters. And- instead of tackling it- you just close the door and move along because it can feel overwhelming to put everything out and sort what you need and what you don’t. But just start- one little space at a time. Before you know it- that ‘deal or no deal’ with items will get easier and easier – and one space at a time will be decluttered.

Extras?

While I was writing Inspired Gatherings- I shopped at the thrift stores and tag sales for ‘new’ vintage table setting elements and furniture. You see- you can’t show the exact same pieces in every styling and location. Number one- it just isn’t interesting. So, as you can guess- after the book photos were done- I had a surplus of random vintage chairs and tables, linens, stemware and plates.

One area I struggle with streamlining is vintage- but even donating back some of those things helps- especially furniture. I will admit to keeping a few of my favorites though. A girl has to indulge her love of vintage table elements from time to time.

Look at your storage in a room

Is is working as well as it could be – or is it just the way it has been? In my bathroom for example- I have an old French armoire full of baskets for holding all the things.

And those baskets seem, to have a way of growing those random things on their own. Like small travel shampoos and lotions from hotels (from when traveling was happening) Extra toothpastes and contact solutions that I don’t use any longer. Every morning I grab my make-up, creams and hair products from the basket – and those random things that I haven’t picked up and used in probably a year – stare at me. Take a minute and tackle that organization and toss what you don’t use all the time and keep just the essentials that you need on hand.

Do the same with your rooms

I have ‘decorative’ furniture in some rooms. That chair that no one sits in for example or that table that is really too tall for behind the sofa- so it is tucked into the guest bedroom where it doesn’t really belong.

I love that decorative furniture but I have been asking myself if those pieces are actually needed in the room to make it feel the way that I like. Or could I edit them or replace them with pieces that do double duty- aka- are actually being used and looking pretty at the same time.

Not everything is going to be double duty usable. Of course – some of those vintage chairs ARE merely decor in the room and pull it together and I love them. But you don’t need 27 vintage chairs to get the look. (I know nothing about bringing home alllll those vintage chairs that talk to me when I see them haha) And yes- this one will be staying.

Streamline your wardrobe

Oh this is a big one. And I haven’t tackled it yet- but it is on the to-do list. I can’t tell you how many ‘cute’ shoes that I have fallen in love with over the years- but that I don’t wear because they don’t function. After I sprained my ankle and fell while running that trail a couple of years ago- that ankle has never been the same. And there are certain heights of heels and boots that I cannot wear no matter how many times I try now. Same with a lot of the other elements in my wardrobe- if I brought them home thinking they were cute or would be perfect for this… but have not worn them (ever or since) maybe they don’t need to be taking up that valuable space?

Sure there are things that stand the test of time and are always on repeat and being worn. I have about 5 pairs of jeans I wear all.the.time. and they have been in my closet and being worn almost daily for probably 10 years. So they are good to keep stacked up in there- the black dress pants I wore 15 years ago that have not come out since? Or those boots that are in this photo that I have literally never worn? Time for a wardrobe edit.

Creative Solutions for clutter

Let’s be honest, most of us will have those junk drawers or that clutter even with working hard to streamline and declutter. So keep it corralled with creative solutions- like baskets for holding things. Large trunk type baskets can double for blankets, small baskets in the cupboard can keep extra kitchen items tidy. And that junk drawer? Make sure it is holding just the junk and bits that you really use rather than just the clutter that was put there and forgotten about.

Ask yourself

Is this something you use Or is it something that makes you happy? Okay. Check the box and keep it. If it is simply ‘space clutter’ ‘furniture clutter’ or ‘wardrobe clutter’ – it is time to find it a new home.

So many times over the years you might start with one piece that is not ideal but it serves a purpose or is in the budget at the time. But it isn’t the piece de resistance- that one you would love to have in your home and dream about adding one day. So many times there are less items we can appreciate and use- but when we upgrade to the dream piece- they just get shuffled to another room where they may not necessarily fit or be needed.

So, if it isn’t being used Or if it doesn’t make your heart sing when you see it- ask yourself if it should be shuffled on out to the donation pile instead of down the hall.

I hope this helps give you some ideas on where to start if you are trying to to some streamlining and decluttering in your home and life as well. And chickens… so many of you have asked about our silkies and have questions about them and chickens in general. If you have a specific question- send it my way or leave a comment on this post. I will be sharing a bit more about them and how this sweet girl ‘Bucket’ got her name – next week.

Happy Wednesday.