You may know that earlier this month I spent an intense 4 days decluttering my home.
I thought you might like to see some ‘after’ photos. Or as my friends call it, organization porn.
Decluttered Bedroom
Both Craig and I work from home, so I try to create a bedroom sanctuary feeling here. No work, technology, or non-sanctuary stuff allowed!
After the declutter was done I splashed out on this new Sheriden bedlinen. Pretty, huh?
Decluttered Office
I like to have nothing on my desk except the current project I’m working on, and I put that away at the end of each day.
Love my Mac!
And I love this lamp. It casts a fun glow over my office in the evening, which is my usual work time.
Decluttered Library
I’m in a transition stage with my library – trying to decide whether to keep my books or let them go.
At this stage they’re mainly eye candy – I love a wall of books!
Decluttered Closet
To streamline and organize my closet better I applied all the same steps we use in 14 Days To An Organized Closet.
You may notice that you can see everything – because if it’s out of sight you’ll probably never wear it.
I’ve kept only things I wear and love – everything else was donated or ditched.
Decluttered Hall Closet
It’s a good idea to have a place for those little bits and pieces that accumulate in your home.
I found this mini drawer set years ago in a hardware store and use it for all that micro-stuff.
I also keep a shelf free for library books that need returning, gifts for upcoming birthdays – general outgoing stuff. This basket helps to keep it tidy.
Decluttered Kitchen
As part of my declutter I took everything out of the freezer, fridge, and pantry and only put back items that we use.
Habits change over a year and you can end up with stuff no one eats anymore. Not to mention expired condiments!
My kettle and toaster were 15 years old, so I thought we deserved some new ones. As a bonus, these are brushed stainless steel so finger marks don’t show much.
Nothing changed here but Tarquin* wanted his photo included. Hi Tarquin!
* Tarquin is my beloved espresso machine.
Decluttered Dining Area
As part of decluttering this area I replaced my placemats and coasters. It feels great to reward yourself with some nice new things after the hard work of a total home declutter.
I keep nothing on my dining table when we aren’t using it. Everything goes in the buffet unit. My apartment is compact and keeping surfaces clear gives the area a lovely spacious feel.
But the cost is ruthlessness when it comes to what you keep!
Decluttered Bathroom
My guest bathroom is where I keep first aid and medicinal stuff, so it was good to clear out anything expired and make sure I had the basics covered.
I like to keep some Crabtree & Evelyn products and a lovely scented candle in there too.
Decluttered Make Up
Make up has a shelf life, so I got rid of anything that was getting old.
After scouring storage stores for a cute make-up organizer, I found this at Target. I don’t use a lot of cosmetics so I had to go out and buy a couple of extra things to fill it up.
Poor me! 🙂
Farewell Clutter!
I got rid of bags and bags of clothes, papers, magazines, and other stuff that was no longer used or loved. I won’t lie to you – I did not enjoy the process.
But the result. Feels. Awesome.
And it looks pretty good too, don’t you think?
Wow. Pretty amazing. I can’t believe you did a complete decluttering in only 4 days. I would probably need 4 days for each room. LOL
Wow. Pretty amazing. I can’t believe you did a complete decluttering in only 4 days. I would probably need 4 days for each room. LOL
I’ve been doing it pretty much every year for 15 years Deb. Every year it gets easier because there’s less stuff!
Thanks for sharing Michele. My issue is emotional attachment following a separation & difficulty taking action.
Taking action is the big issue for most people I think, Tom. You might find this helpful: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2011/07/3-great-reasons-to-start-today/
As for emotional attachment, that’s a toughie! You might like this: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2010/08/how-to-get-your-groove-back-then-you-can-get-organized/ Good luck my friend.
Beautiful, grabbed a few pointers. Thank you and Great Job!
Looks GREAT
Thanks for sharing. I’m hoping it will inspire me. LOL
I am filled with jealousy and envy
Good – now use those emotions Lucy! Let them propel you to take action, get ruthless, and create a space you love. You can totally do it!
Well done Michelle. Did you get some before photo’s before doing the after photo’s? I love your office setup. Got to do that myself, and that library is a hive for bookworms, bliss in other-words. The easier things are organised the easier it is to shift house when the time arises. More work for me to do to refine.Thanks for sharing.
A few people have asked about befores so next time I’ll share those too, Shane. I so agree with you – the less stuff you have, the easier it is to organize it all, and the simpler moving is. 🙂
Looks FANTASTIC! Thanks so much for sharing.
18 months ago I moved to another country… I sent 5 balik bayun boxes of my stuff, tools, clothes etc… it was hard to leave behind all my stuff I collect3ed for 25+ yrs… but some is still at mom’s house in attic… but I find now that I need to declutter my new house here as counters I built and tables seem to have a life of their own with accumulating stuff and I have found that stuff I collected /saved for years is now meaningless, and I wish I had less of it!
18 months ago I moved to another country… I sent 5 balik bayun boxes of my stuff, tools, clothes etc… it was hard to leave behind all my stuff I collect3ed for 25+ yrs… but some is still at mom’s house in attic… but I find now that I need to declutter my new house here as counters I built and tables seem to have a life of their own with accumulating stuff and I have found that stuff I collected /saved for years is now meaningless, and I wish I had less of it!
I’ve found the same thing, Mark – sometimes you wonder why you held on to stuff for so long. Good luck with your declutter – I bet you’ll feel light and liberated!
Looks absolutely gorgeous!
Looks absolutely gorgeous!
love it….. KEEP THE BOOKS! I too am a book lover, I covet your organized library… there REALLY R somethings that r OK to keep, seriously keep the books or at least only get rid of the ones u really have no issue parting with & would bless someone else… books r awesome, they represent the freedom to think learn & create……
love it….. KEEP THE BOOKS! I too am a book lover, I covet your organized library… there REALLY R somethings that r OK to keep, seriously keep the books or at least only get rid of the ones u really have no issue parting with & would bless someone else… books r awesome, they represent the freedom to think learn & create……
I do love them! The look and smell of them is gorgeous! Like a little bit of art. 🙂
I want the Buffy set if you ever do get rid of it!
Marcy Dwyer LOL it’s SUCH a great show! One of my favorites ever Marcy. 🙂
I adore books and have a vast collection of children’s books and classics as I am a private teacher. But I did clean and clear out a lot this time. Children’s book that they did not go for for the church sale, ratty books went to recycling this Sat I have found some fun uses for those old hardcovers I loved for the cover…..turned 2 into binder covers a third into a glue stick project idea book.That space is being used. My books like my closet now have some breathing room.Any other book ideas out there ?
Absolutely awesome and inspiring!,,,,
Absolutely awesome and inspiring!,,,,
Love your dining room set! and the Mystery keys mini-drawer… where do they all come from? 😉
Love your dining room set! and the Mystery keys mini-drawer… where do they all come from? 😉
I know, right? But you can’t toss them so they just accumulate!
Thank you for sharing much appreciated. I too cannot wait for the office reorganisation project, I have a huge project ahead of me. Also, would you consider a photo declutter project?? I have 30 years of paper & now digital photos I need to sort. I am over whelmed
where do I begin? Can you help?
Anita Wayne Actually Anita I can! There are heaps of cool ideas for organizing your photos here: http://www.facebook.com/GetOrganizedWizard/posts/10151348051604257 Have fun!
Its very Zen.
LOL Frankie I need my space to be like that because my head is the exact opposite!