Why I Decluttered and Redecorated — and Why You Should Too

I was a particularly messy child. They say that creative people tend to be messy. Then again, they also say that successful people tend to be organized and neat.

When I was eight years old I had a nightmare that there was a fire in my house, and I couldn’t get to the door to escape because I had so many toys covering the floor. I was trapped by clutter. I woke up that morning and shocked my parents. I had done what my mother previously had to bribe me to do with copious amounts of chocolate: I cleaned my room. Yeah. The previously completely disorganized and messy little girl I was woke up and decided no more. From that day on, and to this very day, I became a very organized perfectionist. All my toys were lined up perfectly on their shelves (I had long since figured out which ones were friends and placed them facing each other, so they could play while I was at school.) No more toys strewn about the room.

Everything has its place; every detail thought through. That’s me.

It sounds tiring — I know. But they say there are advantages to this way of living. A study by UCLA discovered a link between how families, particularly mothers, talk about clutter in their homes and their cortisol levels. The resulting book, “Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century,” carefully studied 32 families and investigated how they live, how they use their time, what they purchase and what areas of their home life cause stress. The book points to a trend that clutter can cause depression and overwhelm those who interact with it on a daily basis. Added to the stress is the emotional bond that connects people to their clutter and the inability to break sentimental attachments.

Decluttering and re-decorating for peace of mind can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need is a game plan and a slow and steady pace. The benefits can lead to a clearer mind, more self-esteem and even weight loss from letting go of the clutter. Here are three simple ways to declutter:

Leverage What You Already Have

It’s tempting to rush out and buy new storage bins and containers to start de-cluttering. However, you should use what you already have around the house and then assess what you need to buy. Start organizing one room at a time and resist the urge to pull apart the rest of the house until the first room is completely done. This way you’ll have a better sense of accomplishment and a better idea of what types of tools and resources you need to tackle the rest of your home.

Make piles of what you want to donate, throw away and store for later. Bag up what’s leaving the house and arrange to have it removed as quickly as possible. Remember items like electronics, furniture, and artwork can be donated or sold on eBay or Craigslist to make some extra money and pay for those storage bins you might need later.

Get Rid of Stress

Take a moment to think about stress triggers around your house. If you’re not sleeping well, a cluttered bedroom full of electronics and paperwork may be the culprit. Organize your closet, remove unnecessary items like your computer and TV and focus on making your bedroom a sanctuary of rest. Then, incorporate fresh flowers, a hanging crystal to catch the sunlight and soft window shades to let in natural light.

Other clutter culprits might include the kitchen. It’s easy to let mail stack up, food to sit out and dishes to pile up. But, a kitchen is often the gathering spot of the home for friends and family. Treat it with respect by keeping it clean, putting away all gadgets and dishes and clearing away unnecessary knickknacks. Instead, place a bowl of fresh lemons on the counter as a centerpiece, open the windows and consider doing some home decor DIY projects, like repainting your kitchen with warm, soothing colors to create the gathering space you deserve.

Check out Home Decor Ideas We Love and some fun home decor DIY Projects on Pinterest, and re-pin ideas to start your own idea board.

Create Sacred Spaces

Breathe life into your favorite rooms by infusing them with natural elements, such as a twig wreath, seashell collection or freshly-picked wildflowers. Treat your home like a sanctuary that deserves to be honored and adorned with only items you truly love. Make a photo corner with snapshots of friends and family to give yourself a boost during the day. Turn a reading nook into a peaceful refuge by adding an oversized, comfortable chair facing the window that lets in soft light.

Check out our Rustic Home Decor and Products Pinterest boards if you’re into the natural look.

The goal is to decorate your home and declutter with intention. Skip over the latest gadgets and trinkets, and instead, embrace what truly matters. Only buy what adds to your home’s efficiency or tranquility, and leave everything else behind.