Decorating

Are You A Clutter Bug

October 5, 2017

The main trait of a clutter bug is denial. Who me? I don't live in a mess. I can throw things away that are chipped or broken. I can live in a home without clutter!

A clutter bug is a compulsive collector who can't bear to put worthless things in the bin (garbage) or throw anything away that is broken. They must have all their home accents on show, and hence the always have a dusty house because it is so difficult to clean. At first glance their home looks like a tip, but it is often ordered, just very busy and full.

So, can we cure the clutter bug? Yes, we can! They just must want to change. With a little persuasion and a lot of heartache it can be done.

Start with acting like you are about to move house. Take everything out of the room. (Do this one room at a time or the clutter bug just won't cope.)

Then bring back the most important things for the room. For example, a living room, the sofa, couch, chairs, TV, stereo, side tables, or the bedroom, bed side tables. No clutter to be seen here.

Work out where all the important things sit in the space. Move them so the space flows and that you can move freely around the room. Then sit down and have a look around, breathe in, how do you feel? You should feel liberated. You will find that your chest feels lighter, the air seems to flow better, (could be something to do with Feng Shui), or just that you are not having to fight with multiple colors and textures around the room.

Next step is to start layering. Select a few things at a time to bring back into the room to decorate with. Paintings, pictures, a vase, a rug, lamps. Do it slowly and feel how the space is changing. Pick out the best items that you want to show, don't use all of them. I have just heard lately of an expression called editing, it means select the best things you have and enjoy them, change them around seasonably or as the fashion you follow dictates, it is important that the room expresses the personality of the owner, but we don't need their whole life story in one room.

Now Stop! Yes, don't keep going. Less is better in a room. Put all the remaining items in storage until you are happy with the new space. Then after a few weeks, sort through it all, keep what is reusable, and donate the rest to a good charity.

Make sure if you are going to add new things that you do it slowly and really consider their impact on the space, you may have to take something out to make room for it. If not, you will again suffer the dreadful fate of becoming a recurring clutter bug.

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