Attack of the Knick-Knacks! (and photo frames!)

[marimara]

What to do with them? I've downsized them to those I only love or have special attachment for but still have no room for them and I wanted to maintain a feeling of openness, clutter free, almost utilitarian/minimalist look we have going on.

So we finally succeeded in selling our house and downsizing to an apartment. The new place is about 2/3 the sq. footage but has zero space for knick-knacks. Our old house had a mantle plus we had several furniture pieces that we put things on top of. At the apartment, the only place for knick-knacks could possibly be are: 2 tall bookshelves which are full of books, the knick-knacks would have to be in front of the books. The 2 dressers in the bedroom which are quickly filling up w/stuff, OR on top of the kitchen cabinets, which I'm not too fond of the look.

So, how have you minimalists or small space living folks dealt w/ the Attack of the Knick-Knacks?

Now, what about the photo frames? I have tons, I feel like I shouldn't get rid of them all but geez how many photos of my daughter do I need hanging on the wall? Plus what about extended family, do I have to have their photos up too? I know those questions sound cold and unloving, but I really do love my family, I just like minimalism too. Too much visual clutter makes me nervous.

[wife&mommy]

The only photos we have up are the ones on the wall. Then we got a digital photo frame and I have all of our snapshots on that, it really works well and doesn't take up much space.

As far as the knick-knacks, we don't really have any. But could you utilize some of the wall space somewhere that isn't getting use and add a shelf or 2 just for those?

[elsie]

Just put a few photos on the wall and put the rest into an album - no need for fancy scrapbooking. When I get new pictures to put up, I try to find an old one to take down, no need to have the same picture up forever.

[hillymum]

I have one wall full of photo's in matching frame styles but different sizes. It's my happy wall. As to the nick nacks, can you invest in a display cabinet for them so they are all located in one fixed area?

[Drummer's Wife]

We don't have many photos up at all - maybe 3? in a huge house with lots of wall space. I just don't like the cluttered look of framed photographs everywhere - especially of my own family members b/c, well, I see them every day as they live here. I do want to hang a few professional photos - I just haven't got around to it. But snapshots - I like the idea of a digital frame. Paintings - I'd love a select few hung up around the house, but not framed photographs all over. It's just not my style at this point. My kids can look at pics of grandma on the computer or in photo albums (which we have from when we used film cameras). Oh, I know some people have one or two of those photo screens they put family pics in. At least then they aren't all over the the house on various walls. That might be an idea if you have the space.

We don't really have knick-knacks out - any that we still have are in boxes in the garage. I'm just not a fan of those, either - plus we don't use dressers or have a lot of shelving/cabinets/etc. so I wouldn't even have anywhere to display them.

I've got enough clutter with toys and clothing - that I prefer to not add any more.

[justmeandmybrood]

I am SO happy that I am not alone! When we moved a year ago, I decided to downsize the knick-knacks. My problem is being very sentimental and keeping every chachki my 7- and 4-yr olds have made for me, as well as some special pieces from my own babyhood/childhood.

What I did with some of the pieces was put them in a little plastic shoe box, then 6 months later went through them and was able to part with some. (We put a ton in storage when we were stationed overseas, so did not see them for 3 years; when we returned, I basically just donated/sold everything I had put into storage since I pulled out the few very special pieces to make the move with us - TIME is a huge help!)

I also have a "happy" wall - we do not live near family, so it is very impt to us. The digital frame has also been a great device for us.

Here is a "game" I plan on playing this summer - I am going to collect all knick-knacks in one room, then choose only a select few as if a flood were coming and we only had limited room to take very special items. I am *hoping* it works...I get so attached to it all!

Good luck!!