Yes!!!!!!!! can’t stand a “gallery wall” & tons of words or signs on the walls!!!!! Less is more on the walls!!!! A big print makes a nice statement!!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I just don't understand why someone would buy many pillows, what I do is buy inserts and then I buy covers separately. That gives me the freedom to switch them, mix and match, whenever I am bored with the decor. This saves space and gives me opportunity to change my decor whenever I want to
I would love to do that more, but sadly it's somewhat hard to find just the covers, or at least really pretty ones. Still, I managed to do that for my sofa. I was tired of the decorative pillows. Finally found some simple nice looking covers and now I'm happier.
One day I got sick of the huge amount of visual clutter in my kitchen, so I took everything off the fridge and hid it away, then took away our (mostly pointless) storage on top of the fridge and put only a couple things back up there. It looks sooooo much better!
I honestly have never been guilty of anything of these. I’m retired but have never put up with clutter. I guess I was a minimalist before it was chic?! 😀
Yes Mr. Norman, I'm with you. Lol 95% of my life I worn a uniform. Parochial, Lutheran, Catholic school. And then when I got older. I just purchased quality pieces and really black goes with everything and so life has been simple. Never really was one for shoes since I wore a size 12.
Totally realized that too much decor and knick knacks was what was hurting our goals; especially with all the toys that still need to go! I like the tip with moving to a large piece or larger plant instead of a corner of several plants.
Once again Shannon you have shown a sensible way to stay on top of clutter. The only regret I have with my decluttering journey is that I didn't do it sooner. Stay safe. Regards from Australia.
Having started this Journey 🍃 years ago it really is an on going process regardless of how much you manage to get rid off ~Buying less and being mindful really helps 🌿
This is pretty much the best video on decluttering! I keep referring back to it when I need motivation. I've watched it like 7 times, so thanks for the great content. 😊
Hello from France, I've just wanted to say I like how much information you give in a short time to help us to get rid of clutter. I think I don't declutter enough to get it done once for all but I'm dedicated to finish with clutter this summer to make my life easier thanks to your advice. Thank you Shannon! I do believe that getting rid of clutter is more than a challenge. It's a war towards your delayed decisions and laziness. If I keep it simple, I will be able to succeed in doing it. By the meantime I want to say that I love the painting that you've painted and that is behind you in this video. It has something relaxing.
These are great ideas, I have really noticed a difference when changing some of theses. Especially the art on the wall, having one focal piece instead of 6 or so smaller made a big difference!
I love plants too, I think when I had too many little ones it started to look cluttered in my home LOL. Most people would probably think I still have too many 😂
Six months... Bless you!!! I started this all about 3 yrs ago and I am just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. If I now apply the one in one out rule I am quite comfortable with the amount of things in my house. But everybody has their own journey - the suggestions are great. Thank you!
Thanks for the video always good content Sometimes I believe the difficulty in being minimal for some of us is just not enough house I have one counter in my kitchen one set of cabinets above it I have six people in the house it's really hard I've rid myself of stuff I'd love to keep Like you said you can move stuff out of your closet to another space or people say well I moved a box to the basement (a basement what a wonderful dream to have a basement ) I don't have an extra closet and I didn't really know my grandkids would be living here 😇 I NEED A BIGGER HOUSE 🙏🏼 My biggest challenges are books and plants I so love them
I try to make the essentials as beautiful as possible for example the lights the appliances the furniture so that they are both practical and art its for this reason i love antique natural wooden furniture craftsmanship is a wonderful thing to support & is truly worthwhile to invest in the things youre using and looking at everyday. That way you dont need things that are just decoration your home becomes beautiful in itself.
i was always a plant person but I gave away all my indoor plants and just have one artificial plant now and I love it. Our rooms are small & they now are less cluttered. We have a huge garden outside which is a lot of work & I can enjoy the outdoor plants.
Actually this was very helpful. I also have been decluttering for about 6 months and still I have too much stuff. It’s all the little doodads. Thanks! 😱
Best advice ever! I been on this journey for a very long time, and these are still some of the missing info I see in many declutter videos I see. At the end of the day, as long as you have sooo much stuff, you will continue to spend more time cleaning and least time enjoy your house and family.
Rather than storing throw pillows I order various covers, that can be washed and changed out. The covers take up a small fraction of the space as storing pillows and it’s more hygienic.
Magnet collection!! Me too! I had so many magnets on my fridge for so long and it made my kitchen feel so busy! Now I have two magnets that work soooo well (in case of an appointment reminder or paper I need readily accessible to take somewhere in the very near future) and my sons have one magnet for their artwork and I have a calendar. It feels so much better and cleaner!
These tips are so helpful. One thing I would say is that if you have a collection you love, put them all together on a round tray so they look more streamlined. For example, I have a tray with two of my favourite candles and a sculpture, but they are on one tray together. It pulls the items together and looks less messy. Also, someone once said “a round tray is never crooked” so I have been using that tip to group like items together without the cluttered look.
I think for me there is also another reason of slightly dysfunctional furniture. I think some pieces don’t serve enough functions and we end up using our dining table for MANY reasons 😜🤦♀️🤷♀️. Great tips!!! Thank you!!!
Shannon.. I love this.. I have watched it so often to inspire me when I still feel a space is cluttered even after decluttering... I so agree with the throw pillows and blankets.. And seasonal ones🙄. I had a magnet collection.. Hundreds of euro worth.. I kept a few special ones and put them in my 1 memory box.. My kids took a few special ones to them.. Which we put in their 1 memory box and the rest I have either binned (if to old, dirty) or used as party bag toys, donated etc if still new and in perfect condition.
Thank you great tips. Also you’re very concise. Appreciate that. Would have liked to see the visual when you actually take away the items causing clutter. Eye has to get used to less is more. Its a gradual process ...Can go in and on.
My mother used to hide them to see if we asked for them and if we didn't that meant we didn't miss them and them she donated those away. We never complained or missed those toys.
it's a good idea but it's still taking space to hide the other half of toys haha .. For me, whenever my kid got a new toy, he always have to donate 1-2 old toys from his playroom so the amount of toys he owns is always more or less the same :)
My sister and I change our crockery,we have winter and summer.Towels and tea towels,you can feel like you are on holiday(great in lockdown)reduces the wear and tear and whatever is not in season is back up.Not loads of it
@@vaderladyl might work for some children. But I am still upset about a few things my mom got rid off without my knowledge in a way I probably wouldn't if I got rid of them later in life by myself. I guess it just feels like something got taken away from me and because I didn't do it myself I didn't have the chance to really part with it myself. The things I got rid of myself I don't miss today. But damn these things my mom got rid off hurt.
Thanks for the advice. So simple yet so valid-refrigerator, toy area, knickknacks.... Picture frames... Even agree about plants... I like to kee my surfaces and walls somewhat clean-maybe not completely but a rule of three for surfaces.
All great tips. I had a couple collections; got rid of them years ago. About throw pillows. I do like Halloween and Christmas pillows. I got Holiday fabric and made a couple Holiday covers for the couple couch throw pillows I already have. Takes up a really small space when you are not using.
I've been decluttering 3 years. I don't have issues with hardly any of these - they were all great points, however. I have issues with not having a dedicated space for what is left - I don't have a garage (tools & camping, baby clothes, holiday decorations), a dining room (a chair for everyone to sit on), a family room (kids crafts, toys, all books, sewing station), an office (because pretty much every white American city-dwelling family owns at least 1 computer, printer, & a file box), and I lack closets (winter coats, 3 months emergency food storage).
We live in a 2BR condo. My daughter moved back about a year ago. Luckily we had an empty bedroom with an empty closet, dresser, and bookcase. She got rid of 60 boxes of stuff. We have more than I would like, but I give a box to Goodwill or the homeless shelter each week. Tina
I've never understood number 5--the signage. People put "EAT" in their kitchen, "RELAX" above their sofa, "SLEEP" or "REST" in their bedroom. "WASH" in their bathroom. Their families don't understand what to do in those rooms without the signage? Will they eat in the bathroom? Sleep in the kitchen? It just seems kind of insulting to me, like people need signage to function at home. The first time I saw one I laughed. I thought it was someone being really silly...like an inside family joke on each other. Then I realized it was really popular. I just don't get it.
It's art. Some people like it. One downside is words attract a part of your brain. It takes energy to recognize and ignore them, and that's part of what may make them look cluttery. I would get rid of word art, and also avoid T-shirts with words or logos.
that's how I feel about signage on cars saying: Baby on Board. Cannot understand it. Cautioning? What for? Informing? Why? Let's not start on the stick men and women indicating family members and pets ...
Great video. Haven't watched your videos for awhile since the current situation started. Getting back into the swing of things again. My daughter and I decluttered the garage, painted it and made it into a study area. Looks great. A few picture on the wall, mantelpiece fireplace and a small coffee table.
Thank you for these great tips. Lots to think about! Really like the larger plant instead of small ones. Donated 4 drawer upright dresser that housed lots of clothes I couldn't easily see. Now all my clothes and accessories (except underwear and outerwear) which I curated into an interchangeable wardrobe for four Seasons are on hangers in one closet.
Yes, too much of small furniture! I have to go through my shoes again. I've been getting shoes I actually wear so now I need to get rid of the ones I'm not using again.
problem is you (me) don't see the clutter when you live in it....its just something you ignore because its always there....I have a hard time with that - also with a hubby who doesn't want me downsizing things....makes it a bit more of a challenge...
Good point! It really is hard to see the clutter when you live in it daily, I think that is why a lot of people hire someone to help them. They just can't see it and have no idea where to start.
My problem is I don't know how to decorate. 🙈 Ive been decluttering for about 3 years, my home looks bare like we're moving or unorganized, I dunno how to describe it, maybe it's all in my head. 🤷🏻♀️. All great ideas. Thank you Lety from Chicago
Hi Lety! I found it harder to decorate as a minimalist too. I like to have my home look cozy and like someone lives here but I also hate the look of clutter. I have found just taking time can really help. 💛💛💛
Good point! I am 2 years in to wanting to live with less including decor. We have a larger home and my husband says I'm crossing over into "too bare". Its hard to find the right mix because I also hate plain sterile walls...
Yes there is maintenance. I also thought it was a one time thing when I first started. I had read the Marie Kondo book and she says declutter once and you are good, but I think as time goes on I realize there is more I can do without. I hope you have a nice day.
I've done all you said , and I have almost nothing 😁 and it's still to much for me , maybe minimalism is addictive 😂 , but I don't want help ... I love it 💗
I think it can be addictive LOL. When I really got into decluttering sometimes there was nothing to get rid of so I would go hunting for things ha ha. I can usually find something.
I think a big reason is we start with baby steps, drawers, cabinets, and closets which are not visible when you look at a room. It's much easier to throw out stuff from the junk drawer than the knick knacks, embroidery, clothes (examples) that Mom, Grandmas or kids made for us.
These are fantastic! A big part of it for our home is just picking things up. We're already minimal (ish), it's just a matter of putting things away. This is especially important since we live in a small home! I feel great about our dishes. We have 4 of every kind and it works great for a family of two. Best purges: decor that was NOT handmade for us or by local artists, magnets, collectibles that would get stored on a shelf, extra towels we hated.
Shannon, You are a pleasure to watch and listen to. Great ideas! I like your idea of clearing up the visual clutter on the walls. We took down two paintings on either side of the fireplace and the room looked cleaner and brighter. Thank you.
Have you seen Clutterbug's "4 clutter types"? If you like abundance rather than emptiness you just need to find a way to pare down your collection to the best bits and store/display it well, not get rid of it to live in an all-white cell.
Hi Shannon, Great list...and you present so well! You get to the point and your voice is easy to listen to! I've written down your 20 points and will heading around again to purge (again)! Especially decor, rugs, throw, pillow, cushions...all the things that we really just don't need or use! Think of the savings if we stop buying them in the first place!!!! :-)
Great advice, I agree with everything except the lamps. Overhead lighting just doesn't have the same ambience as lamps do, and can waste power. I love to read in bed, and a lamp on the nightstand is critical for that. I have too many throw blankets and throw pillows. Might have to get a big basket for the blankets, or store them away all but one or two. The pillows are my weakness, lol, def need to cull the herd.
I actually agree about the lamps, I was saying too many lamps or a lot of small lamps can make a home look cluttered. The pillow situation is hard for us too, I like the look of pillows on a bed, but the daily chore of dealing with the pillows is very annoying LOL.
Thanks for Watching! Read more Here: shannontorrens.com/20-reasons-your-house-looks-cluttered/. Please DON'T TELL ME THE SOUND IS NOT GOOD! I DO THIS IN MY SPARE TIME AND THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS VIDEO IS ABOUT. TAKE WHAT YOU CAN FROM THESE TIPS AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE DAY.
Hi Shannon. Thanks for the video, very useful. Would you mind showing us a picture of your large basket for collecting your keys and items you need to leave the house? I really like this idea and would love some inspiration. Perhaps you have this in another video you can direct me to? Oh goodness, I just found it in the description! Thank you.
My living room/foyer clutter test: the Echo. If it echos, it's clear. Clutter stops the echo. 😁 I also have found that wall lamps are a game changer to clear surfaces.
I completely agree about the lamps and we have a huge echo in our home LOL. I actually want to add carpet to our home because I want to stop that echo. I hope you are doing well.
I really don't like the gallery walls and all the signs either. I also have opted out of having a coffee table. It just seems like it collects clutter too easily. I'm definitely not a minimalist but I've been putting less and less out in certain areas.
I have a full before and after decluttering for a year on my channel. Just look under most popular and you will find a ton of decluttering before and after videos from my home. This is mainly a tips video. I hope you are doing well.
Minimal TIME: SO, I stumbled onto your 1 video, & I don't want to search for more right now, so your images herein, should have included a quick before/after: every video should. These tips ARE GREAT, grateful. Good to reference not just "visual" but emotional & Spiritual peace, and reduced time/responsibility for THINGS maintenance, for newbies.God Bless, Namaste
Thank you for watching. This is not a before and after video it is just tips that I use to keep my house from looking too cluttering. Hope you are doing well.
Good reminder to have. Also I just want to note I am by no means telling people to take all the signs out of their homes, I am just pointing out that too many could look cluttered. =)
Thanks for your advice on de-clutter. I am a clutter monster because of all my art projects I have in two places, my office and my kitchen’s bar counter.
My daughter likes to get a lot of stuff toys and stuff for the kids and they may play with them one time and that's all. Since my daughter was DIAGNOSED with breast cancer stage 3b grade 3 I feel I can't tell her how I feel about all the things she gets for her kids.
Great list. I have a travel magnet collection. Instead of keeping them on the fridge I put them all on a framed magnetic board. I also have shoe piles by the doors and too many toys and throw pillows in the playroom 😬 I can't wait till Ikea opens for pickup again I have a list of organization stuff I want and don't want to pay for shipping.