Decluttered by Design: Creating a Tidy Home

What is home?

Home is a feeling of warmth and comfort. We gather at home with those we love. Home is the relief we feel when returning from a long trip or a hectic day at work. Home is a place where we can relax and be real.

When we invite guests into our home we reveal ourselves to them through how we’ve chosen to personalize the space. Our home showcases our interests, preferences, and history.

A tidy home reduces stress.

I value living in a simple, tidy home where I’m not distracted by visual overload nor burdened with time-consuming cleaning tasks. The open and functional use of space with plenty of natural light relaxes me. Our home is easy to maintain because of the steps my husband and I have taken to declutter, simplify, and organize.

The countertops are easy to clean because they are mostly bare. The contents of each drawer and cabinet in the kitchen are organized and can be quickly viewed. Getting around and under furniture when vacuuming is simple.

We’ve made thoughtful decisions about what to display and what to store out of sight. We appreciate the furniture and other objects in our home for their purpose, beauty, or a pleasant connection to the past.

We’ve lived in three homes over the past ten years as we transitioned from full-time working parents of teenagers to empty nesters to retirees in a new locale. Each stage involved paring back our belongings to what we loved, needed, and used the most.

We sold or donated clothing, kitchenware, furniture, art, books, and electronics. We eliminated filing cabinets full of unnecessary paperwork. We shredded, recycled, and discarded. The process was invigorating and refreshing as we prepared for each new start by letting go.

The momentum of decluttering is motivating.

I’ve been a fan of decluttering for about fifteen years. I clearly remember my first effort which took place shortly after I’d recognized my pain point. Each morning I found myself rushed and frustrated deciding what to wear to work. How could I have such difficulty dressing with a closet full of clothes?

I tackled the mess one quiet Saturday afternoon. Following the advice of decluttering gurus, I removed everything from my closet and dresser and placed it on the bed. The first step was to create a pile of the pieces I absolutely wanted to keep. Next I sorted the remaining clothes into three categories: worn-out, ill-fitting, or rarely/never worn. I trashed the worn-out clothing and later donated most of the remainder, which was a surprisingly large amount.

After cleaning the empty closet and dresser drawers, I returned the pieces I chose to keep. I was thrilled to see lovely clothing along with plenty of space. I felt a true sense of accomplishment and lightness. This initial exercise also resulted in regret and guilt for wasted money and poor choices, but it felt good to give away quality clothing.

I organized everything in a way I found visually appealing and logical. Cubes and woven baskets worked well. I replaced mismatched hangers with wooden ones, and folded and arranged the contents of my dresser so that everything was in view. I later decluttered shoes, accessories, and jewelry.

Decluttering reduces anxiety and results in a personalized, soothing space.

Streamlining and organizing my wardrobe eliminated decision fatigue from my morning routine. I knew that whatever I chose would suit me; it was easy and quick to put together outfits. It was an adjustment to actually wear everything I owned and to recognize that it was enough.

The satisfaction of visually improving one area gave me the confidence and drive to move on to others. I expanded the decluttering process to books, art, decorations, and kitchenware. I eventually tackled photos and mementos.

This last area was the toughest, but it was helpful to work through the memories and emotions attached to each item as I sorted and decided what to keep. I treasure the small collection of drawings, notes and miscellanea from my sons that I keep today in a decorative box.

I completed my initial decluttering while living alone; everything belonged to me so there was no need to negotiate or compromise. The end result was a living space I loved and was happy to welcome others to visit.

Fast forward a few years to when my husband and I moved in together and the process became a team effort. We eliminated duplicates and creatively integrated our belongings. I like to think I enlightened him on decluttering, but he found his own way. It is a personal process to complete at one’s own pace.

We continue to declutter. It is a much simpler process now because we’re less likely to engage in impulse purchases. We know what we have and where it’s located so it’s easier to determine what we actually need.

Decluttering reveals your truths and treasures.

When you are able to see all that you have, you become aware of how it fits together in pleasing patterns: clothing, dishes, collections, furniture. You will notice the many outfits you can put together from your streamlined wardrobe as your color and style preferences become more evident. You might gather a group of similar items from multiple locations to prominently display, perhaps including a tucked away family heirloom you’ve rediscovered through your decluttering efforts.

As you declutter you may stumble upon things that remind you of poor spending habits, painful relationships, or interests you’ve outgrown. Release the guilt, soften the memories, and declutter not only your space but your mind. You are creating a home that reflects who you are now.

Decluttering belongings helps to lessen stress and release regret. The end result is a better understanding of your needs, preferences, style, and daily flow. Your home becomes a true reflection of you. Living in a space you’ve intentionally arranged to hold what you find useful, beautiful, comforting, or meaningful makes your home a daily pleasure to care for and enjoy.

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About the Author: Jennifer Tritt enjoys writing about her minimalist lifestyle and insights about simplicity. You can find out more about her on Facebook.