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?
It looks good. I’m sure it does get cluttered up in a small way throughout the day, at least if you have children. I’m a sahm of a 2 yo and a 9 yo, and even with constant nagging, even the 9 yo keeps his room clean only a few days a week, not even taking away a dollar per day from allowance if room is messy works. He’d rather lose money and not have to clean. My 2 yo on the other hand drags out all the toys that I put away and I am working on her to start putting her own toys away, it works somewhat. Apart from that, I came to the conclusion that even after major declutter (done several times), inspired by Kon Mari method, we need more storage space. Our house provides next to no storage hence I don’t even have a linen closet for my linen, I fold and store it in my bedroom… I love the way your dining area looks. Keep up the good work 😉
Hi, place looks great and it’s a credit to you – well done there!
What’s in the drawer with the green label in your mini drawer set?
Are you keeping tiny Leprechauns in there? I’m pretty sure I can see one when I zoom in on the picture;) Anyway, nice apartment, fair play to you 🙂
Beautiful..i took five months n am still in the process of decluttering.love ur closet
Fantastic, I have a wall of books too, I need to consider culling…and some of your rooms look like mine! Well done you…I’m in the process…
Books look and feel so lovely! Good luck with your process Wilma. 🙂
I love your wall of books! I too struggle with whether I should get rid of the books or not. Like trying to decide to break up with a friend! Right now, I am keeping them. Have to know – where did you get your bookshelves? I like the compartments!
They’re great aren’t they Pam? The shelves are from Ikea. 🙂
Michelle, I adore that lamp. Can you direct me as to where I might find it? Or tell me the brand and model so I can go searching?
Love your photos here. Your home looks lovely and peaceful. Very inspiring.
Thank you Susan! 🙂
The lamp is from a store called Aero in Sydney. Hope you find something similar!
Very inspirational! keep the books 😉 To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate converse with people of unseen generations – such is a pleasure beyond compare.
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Looks great. I so need to do this.
Lovely!!! Motivational 🙂
Holy moley. How big is your apartment I wonder. Ours is less than 1000 sq ft, and it feels like it doesn’t matter how much or how often I purge it, it feels like living in a shoebox. 🙁
Apartment living is definitely challenging, space-wise!
I love organisation porn and now I am inspired again to try and declutter my book cases… and my living area… and my wardrobe… and my laundry…. and all the flat surfaces that seem to accumulate stuff….
You can do it Cate! If you need some encouragement you might like to start here: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/04/get-organized-mission-1-fill-a-hu-u-uge-trash-bag/
I love you Mac too! 🙂
Very nice job.
Beautiful!
This is my idea of a perfect home..love it. Now the only question I have is about the closet. did you make or purchase the closet organizer. also where do you store your linens..i have a small linen closet but so small that I have to keep extra blankets in the top of closets and I hate that..any ideas other than throwing them away..beautiful job on each room.
I bought those wire basket drawers from a storage store Cathy. I have a linen closet large enough for everything and I must admit it was a factor when I looked at apartments!
Very motivating!! But geez I need your help!! With 8 sons I’m swamped with stuff.
I can’t believe it only took 4 days?
I am decluttering this weekend! I have 8 kids too…
Okay, it does look like she did a lot of work. Of course, it’s hard to know since there are no “before” pictures. But she lives in a pretty small apartment so this would be totally different for me in a 5 bedroom house with 10 other people…
Heck, she has one teeny tiny drawer for sewing stuff. I have at least 10 big bins, a cabinet, and several sewing machines…
I love organized and decluttered. But, this just looks sterile. Looks like a hotel where no one lives.
Amy Lynn Kennedy I do it every year, and every year it gets easier and takes less time because I have less stuff!
This is a good place to start Angela – especially if you can get your boys to join in! http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/04/get-organized-mission-1-fill-a-hu-u-uge-trash-bag/
Susan Hildebrandt It is different for everyone, so this can be a good place to start: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2008/11/home-organizing-start-with-your-home-values/
Missi Lara Your home doesn’t have to look like mine. Decide on your ownlook: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2008/11/home-organizing-start-with-your-home-values/ 🙂
This is the first time I have been glad to NOT see the BEFORE pictures. The After pictures are fabulous. 🙂
Thanks Betty! 🙂
It looks amazing!! We are currently in the declutter process. With 5 year old triplets and a 4 year old , we are having a difficult time. Any ideas for families with small kids?
Do a little at a time Angelia – maybe 30 minutes here and there. You could start here: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2009/04/get-organized-mission-1-fill-a-hu-u-uge-trash-bag/
this website is AWESOME helped me alot when my kids were little http://flylady.net/