When struggling to make decluttering decisions, the 20/20 rule says you should consider letting go of an item if: You can replace it for less than $20. And you can replace it in less than 20 minutes.
A room is going to be cluttered – for real and visually – if there is too much furniture for the size of the room. The same goes for if the room has the wrong scale of furniture. If your furniture is too small for the space, you will feel like you need to fix it by adding more pieces, which will clutter up the room.
When you have either too much furniture in a space or furniture that is too large for the room it can make your home look cluttered. Don't fill every inch of the rooms in your home with furniture. Remove pieces that you aren't using or that are crowding the space.
Clutter: Possessions are disorganized and may accumulate around living areas. Collecting: Possessions are part of a larger set of items. Display does not impede active living areas in home. Hoarding: Possessions become unorganized piles preventing rooms from being used for their intended purpose.
Clutter and disorganization happen to everyone. But sometimes it can be a sign of depression. Having a messy room is not uncommon. Having a busy schedule can lead to chores piling up.
You can make use of glass jars or mason jars to display your small knick-knacks. They are not only affordable and cute, but they also help you keep your items safe. Coins, buttons, pebbles, etc. can be aesthetically displayed using glass jars.
To keep the space comfy choose those with warm undertones or add warm color in pieces such as sofa pillows, a rug or artwork. Choose materials such as wood, rattan, wool and faux fur: none of which will make the room feel cluttered but will make it visually and texturally appealing and cozy.
Called the Five Second Rule, the idea is simple – pick up an object and if you can't remember when you last used it within five seconds then you have to get rid of it.
Simply by dealing with an item immediately, whether it is your shoes, incoming mail, or your used coffee mug, less clutter will be created. One touch, one movement, equals less effort overall. This rule can also be applied when you are purging, editing, and organizing.
Signs You Need to Declutter
You're stepping on things often: If you find yourself constantly stepping on stuff on the floor or having to walk around certain areas to avoid stepping on things, that's a sign you need to take care of that cluttered room and free up more floor space.
If you have a history of feeling overwhelmed by house cleaning, take a proactive approach. Keep a list of the specific tasks that, when completed, give you the best sense of accomplishment or make the biggest impact. Use a note-taking app on your phone, write it out on sticky notes, or my favorite, this chore chart.
When you're displaying collections of items on a surface like a coffee table, dresser or counter, try to corral them together. I love using trays, baskets and glass jars for this purpose. It makes such an interesting presentation and keeps them from getting scattered around and messy-looking.
These steps are: clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. To apply the method you start in one room and stay there until it's completed before moving on to the next room in your house. That's all there is to it.
Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh tells WebMD. Those overwhelmed with "memory" clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can't toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says.
Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.
Clutter tends to multiply whenever you experience a life change or a stressful period. Life-altering experiences such as having a baby, changing a job, moving, or a financial setback can cause routine changes. Things tend to pile up because you assume you will get organized once things “settle down.”
Emotional attachment to items
This is undoubtedly the most common reason for clutter buildup. People can become overly attached to items, often due to sentimental value, and are unwilling to part with them even when they no longer have any use or purpose.