The Clutter Squeeze
by Douglas Dolezal

For far too many of us, time is frantically divided between careers, committees, carpooling, keeping fit, and staying on top of our kids’ academic and extracurricular pursuits. Yes, it’s exhilarating — but exhausting too. So imagine returning from a particularly hectic day and opening the door only to be greeted by visual chaos.
More than physical shelter, a home should be a haven for the spirit, too. But instead of acting as refuge, for many, homes are disorganized and encumbered with clutter. The environment this creates is stressful and results in a continual feeling of being on edge. The disarray can literally squeeze energy right out of you. Fortunately, for every clutter problem there is a ready solution.

Experts, such as Dana Korey of Away With Clutter, are available who specialize in the art of organization. They can help with all the nitty-gritty details of reducing and rearranging closets, drawers, file cabinets, and desks. Use them especially if you have a hard time letting go. It’s work that will lift the burden of holding on to years of unnecessary stuff.

In addition to managing the mayhem behind closet doors, there are easy solutions for interiors that will bring a sense of peace and serenity. First, stand in a room and notice everything. Look around and observe the furniture arrangement. Is it spread out and lined up against the walls? Even if each individual piece is beautiful, the room will look disjointed and messy when there is no rhyme or reason to layout. Cluster furniture together to create conversation areas. If a room is large, position several of these groupings to create an environment that’s warm and intimate. Add interest by using pieces that vary in height and dimension. Find a common color that appears in upholstered pieces and make it the accent — place pillows and a throw in that color around the room. This simple touch will tie everything together for a consistent flow throughout the space.

Now turn attention to the accessories. Chances are, there are too many of them. Filling a room with lots of things can make it look tacky, even if they are made of the finest quality. Think of accessories as a room’s jewelry and choose only a few pieces to strategically place in small groupings to complete decor. Treat collections as one unit and come up with clever displays. Artfully arrange them on a mantel, set them in an antique hutch, group them on a tabletop, or mount them in a frame. When kept together, they’ll add impact and interest without overwhelming.

Family photographs are beloved accessories that can sometimes get out of control. Think about limiting the quantity and consider rotating them in and out throughout the year. You’ll enjoy the change. Then pick
a common element such as black and white prints or frames in one particular color or style. This will unify them and place the focus where it belongs — on the wonderful memories they conjure.

Bookshelves provide another opportunity for showcasing collections and photographs. Unfortunately, they tend to be crammed with books, knick-knacks, and anything else that doesn’t seem to have a place. Results can be astounding when just a little thought and attention are applied here. Pull everything out and, when you start anew, don’t plan on filling each shelf to the brim. Anchor a few books with two or three on their sides. Skip some space and place more books, varying the quantity each time. Dot related items throughout, such as photographs, small plants, interesting boxes, sculpture or items from your favorite collections. Step back and take a look. The shelves should appear as though they are one artful arrangement. If it’s hard to envision this, search through design magazines for inspiration and ideas.

Further harmony is achieved through artwork. Arrange art in geometric grids to achieve a sense of order. Use symmetry — keep both sides of an arrangement equal in size, shape, and position. The results will be balanced and beautiful due to the corresponding relationship. Like frames and matting will contribute to the look. And don’t forget to scale your artwork to the furniture and wall space. If you are unsure, trace each piece onto brown paper and tape the arrangement to the wall before committing to anything permanent.

On the practical side, for everyday items that can look cluttered: a decorative box makes the perfect hideaway for the remotes; stylish baskets with lids can be neatly lined up under a console table for a quick dump and stash — get one for each family member and remember to have them clean it out at least once a week; decorative apothecary jars make quick storage for keys; and a Chinese trunk can serve as both side table and hidden storage for throws or your latest craft project.

Take the necessary steps to free yourself from the squeeze of cluttered spaces. Doing so will ensure that at the end of every frenzied day, you’ll find sanctuary in the tranquil environment of home.