Think back: was your New Year's resolution to get organized, donate things you no longer need, or simplify your life and routine? A home with less "stuff" has more breathing and living room, feels more calm and restful, and lets your personal design touches show to best advantage.
This is our biggest Interior Design tip, and it won't require you to spend a dime (just some time and energy). For a fresher, more relaxing, more edited home: de clutter and live within your space constraints.
Go beyond simply organizing; having less "stuff" means your home will stay neater and have more useable space long-term. Less stuff is key to being really organized and having a place for everything, as well as having a beautiful space to live in. Give away, recycle and donate items you don't really need-- it's good for your community, and it means a more serene and clutter-free 2012!
1. DEVELOP A CRITICAL EYE: Be ruthless. Look around your home with fresh eyes, everything is on the table:What doesn't get used, blocks traffic patterns, or collects clutter? No one really sits on that matching loveseat? Donate it. Mail, keys and more pile up by the front door? Get a basket to capture items (a little more) neatly. Make a list of questionable items and trouble spots to tackle.
2. IF YOU HAVEN'T USED IT IN 6-12 MONTHS, IT NEEDS A NEW HOME: Is it really worth having that blender take up counter space 365 days/year -- so that you can use it only to make Egg Nog on Christmas? Donate clothes that are the wrong size; if you must, keep one neat bin or drawer of your absolute favorites. Also think of items you are "saving" in an attic or basement: if you don't know what's in the boxes, or they've been there since you moved in, you should be able to donate or give away the contents.
3. BE AWARE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: For some more than others, material items can really represent our emotional connection to a person or event. Sometimes it's helpful to be reminded that we will remember our loved ones even if we don't keep every sweater grandma knitted us. By all means, keep meaningful family heirlooms (treat them as such! display them thoughtfully!), frame those photos that have been sitting in a box, and bring your families personality to the fore-- but help yourself differentiate between things you really use or display, and items that weigh you down (and could be more useful to someone else).
Want more? If emotional attachment to items is an issue, try reading the book Spiritual Housecleaning by Kathryn L. Robyn.
Or, read quick tips in Real Simple magazine: http://simplystated.realsimple.com/tag/decluttering.
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