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What does de-cluttered look like to you?

post #1 of 88
12/29/08 at 11:32pm
Thread Starter 
Sometimes I look at a bare uncluttered spaces and think I would be more unhappy in that space than a cluttered one.I know it's different for everyone.But for me,I need some beautiful things around.I need some things that make me laugh.I'm trying to imagine what my perfect uncluttered space will be.I need a vision.

What does your dream(or real) decluttered space look like?Is it completely bare.Just essentials?Or is it decorated without extra junk?Something else?

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post #2 of 88
12/29/08 at 11:39pm
This is what my ultimate dream home would look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chezlar...7603439433970/
post #3 of 88
12/29/08 at 11:43pm
It means everything in its place. No piles of mixed up stuff. Clear floors, with no bits of junk scattered on them. Media all tucked away in cases. Nothing on the countertops but appliances that are used daily and maybe some flowers.
post #4 of 88
12/29/08 at 11:44pm
Well I don't have a good answer for you cause I'm still so cluttered!

I am working towards eliminating cheap 'space fillers' (junk furniture, misc stuff, cheap knick knacks) and replacing with fewer but higher quality items that really 'speak' to me, if that makes any sense.

Notice I said working towards....ugh lolol
Bellevuemama
post #5 of 88
12/29/08 at 11:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amylcd View Post
This is what my ultimate dream home would look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chezlar...7603439433970/
OMG I bookmarked this page, THANK YOU! I'm really a visual person, this really helps me 'picture' what I want!
post #6 of 88
12/30/08 at 9:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by miss_sonja View Post
It means everything in its place. No piles of mixed up stuff. Clear floors, with no bits of junk scattered on them. Media all tucked away in cases. Nothing on the countertops but appliances that are used daily and maybe some flowers.
: for me Also for me closets organized and doors closed (it bothers me even if you can't see the "junk" inside.) A few nicely placed pictures on the wall. No nick-nacky stuff.... pretty much everything you see has it's purpose for being there and if it doesn't I don't have it Also everything dusted.... I know this is more of a cleaning thing than a de-cluttering thing but what's the point of having a nice clean simple place if it's covered in layers of dust?
post #7 of 88
12/30/08 at 10:35am
I've posted about this before elsewhere. I am inclined toward a modern, minimalist look, but I paint and make ceramics, so I like my pretty things too much to go all the way modern. I also like antiques. All our furniture (with the exception of a few IKEA pieces) are antiques and are solid wood.

Here is my house: http://www.flickr.com/photos/archymo...7608688239541/. We've only owned it for a little over a year and we are slowly remodeling things as we get the time and money. I describe my look as zen shabby chic...but it's evolved over time. My house is probably too "busy" for some of the people here, but it feels homey to me.

I also strongly believe that everything needs it's place. I am very organized and keep only what I can store neatly.
post #8 of 88
12/30/08 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amylcd View Post
This is what my ultimate dream home would look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chezlar...7603439433970/
Awesome house! Thanks for sharing the link.

The only thing I didn't like was all the white walls. I lived in an apartment for years and swore never again to settle with white walls once I owned a house ! But I think that house is a great example of how you can decorate tastefully with a few special collections of things and still have a clean, uncluttered look.
post #9 of 88
12/30/08 at 1:05pm
i tend to be rather modern in my personal style......although i'm huge on texture and i love dark woods. and i really love to have some traditional touches as well.

here are a few photos of my home that i think represent my decluttered life. i have an entire home photostream...these are just a few. and i hope to update some photos as well.

dining room: autumn

dining room: christmas

dining room: with "branches" lit.

my daughter's bedroom

master bedroom and design studio set
post #10 of 88
12/30/08 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amylcd View Post
This is what my ultimate dream home would look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chezlar...7603439433970/
And she blogs too! http://www.chezlarsson.typepad.com She updates very frequently and I find her very inspiring. I can't believe she has the time to do all that she does!
post #11 of 88
12/30/08 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vm9799 View Post
i tend to be rather modern in my personal style......although i'm huge on texture and i love dark woods. and i really love to have some traditional touches as well.

here are a few photos of my home that i think represent my decluttered life. i have an entire home photostream...these are just a few. and i hope to update some photos as well.

dining room: autumn

dining room: christmas

dining room: with "branches" lit.

my daughter's bedroom

master bedroom and design studio set

I love your pictures and your decorating style! It's all very inspiring. I really want to do a Christmas village, but I need a nice, clean uncluttered space for it. And, for all of my kids to be past the toddler phase - lol.
post #12 of 88
12/30/08 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by loitering View Post
And she blogs too! http://www.chezlarsson.typepad.com She updates very frequently and I find her very inspiring. I can't believe she has the time to do all that she does!

thank you for posting this! LOVE her blog!
post #13 of 88
12/30/08 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twocoolboys View Post
I love your pictures and your decorating style! It's all very inspiring. I really want to do a Christmas village, but I need a nice, clean uncluttered space for it. And, for all of my kids to be past the toddler phase - lol.

thank you! now to get updated photos of the rest of the house. i need about 2 extra hours a day to get everything accomplished that i want to! lol!
post #14 of 88
12/30/08 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amylcd View Post
This is what my ultimate dream home would look like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chezlar...7603439433970/
I *lurve* her home.

It's not my style, but I really appreciate the clean lines and color combo.

It does make you really want to have a place for everything, doesn't it?
post #15 of 88
12/30/08 at 3:57pm
Nothing more than what I need and use regularly. Everything that I have should be able to make back to its "home" easily. Organized closets, cabinets and drawers.

To make it cozy, nice color on the walls, beautiful fabrics (blanket over the couch, table cloth, area rugs), meaningful pictures hung around, soft lights (candles or string lights). Fresh seasonal decorations - spring flowers, fall foliage, winter greens, etc.

:
post #16 of 88
12/30/08 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for sharing your visions(or reality).And thanks for sharing the links.I LOVE links!They are both helping me figure out what my goal is.It helped me to see some of the things I really love about our house(toys in the living room,plants)and some things that really need some work(the computer table,kid art supplies).

Hope to read/see more!It's so inspiring!
post #17 of 88
12/30/08 at 4:03pm
for me its having a place for everything -- and easy to maintain.

I can remember years ago hating going grocery shopping because I had nowhere to put the groceries when I got home. (SMALL unorganized kitchen)

Its important to me that when I pick up a stray item there is a place to put it
post #18 of 88
12/30/08 at 5:03pm
The most important aspect of declutter for me is maintain the things I keep. As long I can keep it dusted I don't consider it clutter.

Can I just say I'm a little freaked out by books arranged by color. Mine are arranged by topic! I may have worked in libraries too long to appreciate this.
post #19 of 88
12/30/08 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Masel View Post

Can I just say I'm a little freaked out by books arranged by color. Mine are arranged by topic! I may have worked in libraries too long to appreciate this.
HA!Every time I see that I wonder how the people find stuff.It makes a nice picture though.
post #20 of 88
12/30/08 at 6:38pm
For me, decluttered looks like all the flat surfaces being bare. That's the first thing I started focusing on in my home, and it's what I notice when I go into other people's homes. If all the counters, tables, etc. are piled high with paper and misc. stuff, I perceive that as clutter.

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Decluttering, Organizing, & Simplifying › What does de-cluttered look like to you?