"Less is more."
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (architect)
I have been confronted lately with an incredible amount of clutter! It's everywhere! Everyone has it! However, I've learned that it's what you do with it that matters most.
My in-laws have been motivated to clear out their clutter. It's amazing what you can find when someone has been in the same house for 30+ years! As we went through things, we selected the usual: keep, trash and donate. It is a wonderful feeling to give away things you don't need to someone else who might. And many of the "keeps" were passed on to very appreciative children. :)
On that note, it's amazing what you can do to "vintage" pieces to make them like new. I recently inherited an antique 3 drawer chest from my sister. Here is a "before" picture of the chest.
After a little inspiration, elbow grease and some paint, here is my finished product!
When it came to my own house, I had one particular black hole where junk went to get comfortable! I don't have a "before" picture, but I'll paint you a literary picture. It was a closet under our stairs, no light and piled with luggage, "important" mementos, and other necessary items. There was a tornado warning and so my son, Luke and I went to wait for a bit in our safe zone: the closet under the stairs. I realized very quickly that it can't be safe if you can't get in there! And there is nothing fun about keeping your adventurous son from climbing Mount Clutter! Motivated and inspired to clean out the closet and make something useful, I revisited my other mess...TOYS! My son has been given and inherited enough toys for 3 children! And it was all in my living room! THAT WAS IT! So, with a little help from family, we turned this space into a wonderful playroom for my son! It's just his size and he LOVES it!
And, of course, some photos of Luke and his friend enjoying the playroom! :)
Need a little help getting going? Here are some great resources on getting organized:
Get Organized! Blog (To be honest, I just picked this one because of the reference to Downton Abbey!)
Now it's your turn! Get rid of the clutter! Reinvent a space that isn't working for you! Make that guest room an actual guest room again! :) Cleaning up and getting even a little more organized and clutter free can make you feel better about your space, and you home.
