
1) Get out your camera. Most people don't think to use the camera as a decorating or detoxing tool but this is so helpful. Take a photo of your living room, in it's most perfect form. What catches your eye? Are there too many books on the bookshelf? Do you notice shoe's at the front door. Use these photo's as a guide to the area's that need "detoxing."
2) Take your shoes off. You would be surprised at the amount of dirt we bring inside our homes on the bottom of our shoes. Start taking your shoes off at the front door and you immediately cut down the amount of dirt that you will have to sweep up.
3) Be creative with storage. Do you need a place for those shoes mentioned above, those extra quilts that little ones often like to cuddle up with on the couch? Baskets are wonderful! Keep your eyes open while browsing thrift stores, often you can come across really cute baskets.
4) Lets talk about those bookshelves. Bookshelves are hard. My tip: keep only the books that you love and will read over and over again. I have a whole chapter about bookshelves in my eBook (which is coming to amazon soon by the way. :) I also color coordinate. Some might find it silly but I use the books as art. One shelf houses all the blues and greens, strategically placed. I had fun doing it, and switch them around on a regular basis because it feels like painting to me.
5) Open your windows! Let the natural light inside. This changes the atmosphere more than you would think. Watch how attitudes in your family change when birds can be heard singing outside the window, the glow from natural light verses artificial shining through. Its a little thing, but it brings such big change.
6) Instead of using air fresheners, make your own. It's super easy! Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of essential oils. This way, you know exactly what you are spraying into the air. No harmful chemicals.
7) Bring in items from the earth. Natural items make a room feel brighter. One of my favorite pieces of furniture that we have is the wood stump that I made. It continues to remind me of the Great Artist.
8) Don't forget to check and replace your air filters. I don't like to do this because seeing all the crud freaks me out a little bit. This is what we are breathing folks. Make sure that you are changing the filters regularly.
9) Become a minimalist. When there are less things in your living room, you will feel more peaceful. Less things = less work for you. If you are unsure how to simplify and are in need of a coach, I would love to be of assistance.
10) Welcome others. Be sure that you give fill your home with lots of laughter, friendship, and stories. This will make your home feel more like Home.
Do you have other tips for detoxing/de-cluttering tips?
thanks for such a helpful list! we are in the middle of minimalizing right now.. it feels so good! (:
ReplyDeleteWe've been taking our shoes off for several years when coming inside of the house and when I mop the floors, I can still see so much dirt! I can't imagine the amount of dirt we would be bringing in if we wore shoes!
ReplyDeleteLove this list! #1 and #4 really spoke to me. You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI know, its crazy how much dirt we still have after removing our shoes. I don't know where it comes from. I'm convinced there must be a dirt fairy carrying it inside just to torture me. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it! "Dirt fairy" that makes me think of dirt in a more friendly way! thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ideas. Beautifully stated. Beautiful photograph. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words!
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog!! This post was really helpful.
ReplyDeletei would love this list in abeautifully decorated frame on my wall. It is a great mission statement for the house hold. It was so inspiring. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. I'm glad your here. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet! Your words have made my day. Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteI love baskets! I agree. It is a great way to make the things you use on a regular basis orderly and some how more homey and even a decoration!
ReplyDeleteYaY Rachel Tatem commented! :) Love the new site by the way. WooHoo
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. We keep sandals on at home since the floor is all tile. Wish I had one of those auto sweepers to keep the dust off the floor though.
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday someone was over and started to take a pic of my kids and I called out "don't get the clutter!" Intriguing idea to do it on purpose, especially for those of us who aren't particularly visual and need to view it through a fresh lens. Thanks for the idea. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found this post! This is exactly what my living room needs! I have built-in bookcases that have become a dumping ground... Thanks for the motivation :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be a minimalist, but my husband loves antique furniture. It adds more life to our spacious living room, he says.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.danielshomecenter.com/living-rooms.html
I agree with you Florence. Antique furniture really adds more color and life to a room. My husband loves to buy broken furniture and refurbishes them.
ReplyDeletehand planes
michael kors handbags
ReplyDeletenorth face jackets
true religion outlet
longchamp
true religion jeans
cheap jordans
longchamp outlet
jerseys wholesale
kate spade handbags
converse trainers
20161124caiyan
nike air huarache
ReplyDeletesac longchamp
cheap basketball shoes
nike outlet
michael kors handbags sale
true religion jeans sale
michael kors outlet
under armour shoes
nike huarache
nike air huarache
cheap snapbacks
ReplyDeleteomega watches
michael kors outlet
ugg boots
ray ban sunglasses
carolina panthers jersey
mont blanc pens outlet
instyler max
kate spade outlet
kate spade outlet
stephen curry shoes
ReplyDeletejordan shoes
michael kors outlet
yeezy boost
tom ford eyewear
timberland boots
kyrie irving shoes
chrome hearts
longchamp handbags
chrome hearts online
20180608xiaoke
ReplyDeletebally shoes
bulgari jewelry
coach factory outlet
canada goose jackets clearance
stuart weitzman shoes
michael kors outlet clearance
canada goose outlet online
nike shoes on sale
pandora charms outlet
light up shoes