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What is Clutter? |
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We still have a bit of time left before we are
outside more than we are inside. So there has never
been a better time than NOW for CLEARING OUT THE
CLUTTER! In researching the topic of 'clutter' there
were many interesting websites and books that
offered helpful advice.
Clutter is anything we don't need, want, or use
that takes our time, energy or space, and destroys
our serenity. It can be outgrown clothes, obsolete
papers, broken toys, disliked gifts, meaningless
activity, ancient resentments, or unsatisfying
relationships... clutter has a life of its own. We
may feel ...overwhelmed, controlled by our
possessions, doomed to be hopelessly
disorganized...shame... we fear throwing things
out...we might need it, fix it, or wear it
again....we don't want to be wasteful or
ungrateful..and on it goes......
Does that sound familiar to any of you? When I ask
my audiences how much clutter they have in their
homes I must say I am always surprised that most
people admit to having a lot of clutter.
GETTING RID OF CLUTTER whether you are LIVING in
your HOME, or SELLING your HOUSE... * Your first
major step is making an overall PLAN. * Your plan
needs to include the outside and the inside of your
home
* Involve all of the family ~ remember you didn't
create all this clutter on your own ~ no blaming
we're just looking for solutions
* Decide on a TIME LINE ~ after all your clutter
didn't happen overnight it has probably taken you
years so give yourself a break ~ one step at a time
* START SMALL - choose one room or one area for you
and/or your family
* STAY WITH IT - do not work in blocks of time
longer than 4 hours; 2 is good to start and 15
minutes every night should do it
* Let's choose ONE ROOM and we'll start with your
bedroom. Ask yourself what needs priority - your
closet, the clothes piled on top of your bed, the
dresser in the corner with clutter on top, the chair
(at least you think there is a chair underneath that
pile of stuff) or do you just have too much
furniture in the room and you can't turn around
without bumping into something?
* Once you have chosen where to start, decide next
on 'what' that will be.
* If you choose your closet then TAKE EVERYTHING OUT
and handle each piece of clothing by asking
yourself: 1) Do I need it? 2) Do I use it? (that
means have you worn it in the last 6 months - 1
year) and 3) Do I love it?
* If you answered NO to any of these questions then
you need to a) give it away b) sell it or c) throw
it away (check out GVRD website below for places to
recycle
* If YES you will keep it for sure (you can have a
not sure box, bag or pile) then put it back in your
closet in the right CATEGORY i.e. blouses together,
pants together, dresses together and then if you
really want to be organized COLOR CODING is a
wonderful 'after' look!
* Now is a great time for a GARAGE SALES ~ have
everyone in the family take part; if you have a lot
of things to get rid of AUCTION HOUSES are a great
resource
* It is best to do this process with a
'Tough-Love-Approach Friend' or it can be daunting
and you may end up putting too many things back...
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Dear Clients and Friends!
There's really no one way to start a
decorating project. You can get the bug by
looking at a magazine or seeing a beautiful
fabric in a store. But don't move ahead without
a plan.
Should you paint first? Select the wallpaper?
Buy a bargain piece of furniture? While there
are many ways to approach a decorating project,
don't make the mistake of moving ahead without
any plan at all.
You're bound to have a satisfying time and end
up with a coordinated new space if you don't
sabotage your decorating project.
Here are a few items not to do..
1. Buy a can of paint that looks okay in the
store. Don't worry if it's not quite the right
shade. If it's on sale, all the better. What a
bargain! And you have to start somewhere, don't
you? Put it on the walls and work around it.
2. Don't worry about how you'll use the room. A
chair is a chair. Just buy furniture when you
find it. It'll fit in.
3. Don't bother to measure your room, and for
sure, don't waste the time drawing a floor plan.
4. Don't carry fabric and paint swatches with
you when you shop. You don't want to be held
back from some wonderful impulsive mood while
you're shopping.
5. Don't let your style be cramped by plans.
Avoid planning color schemes and furniture
arrangements.
6. Arrange the furniture around the walls of
your room. You'll be sure to have plenty of
floor space in the middle.
9. Don't throw anything away. Your home will
have a comfortable, lived-in feeling if you
leave stacks of magazines around and have
shelves filled with collectibles from everywhere
you've been.
10. Don't be restricted by the principles of
design. Just follow your instincts and do what
you want.
You're bound to have a satisfying time and
end up with a coordinated new space if you don't
sabotage your decorating project.
To all the moms, Happy Mother's Day!
Hope you have a great Memorial Weekend to kick
off the welcoming of summer!
Warm regards and Happy decorating from,
Joy Nan Rodia, IDS, Allied ASID, PSIR
The Design Studio of Spaces
voice: 973 267 3400
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