Toss Clutter... Create Calm

We’ve all heard the expression, “All the comforts of home.” Is your home more chaos and clutter than cozy and comfortable? Try some of these easy steps to create a comfy, relaxing atmosphere in your home.

• Be Objective: Stand in the doorway of each room and scan the entire room. Think about the purpose of the room and if it is functioning in that capacity. Take steps to make the room not only purposeful, but efficient.

For Example: Your bedroom should be your own private retreat. Keep the office and computer out of the bedroom so it’s not the first or the last thing you see each day. A cluttered desk or other office-related mess can disrupt your natural energy which can affect your sleep.

• Be Aware: Stacks of mail, magazines and sprinklings of toys on the dining table create disorder and take away from the functionality of the room.

• Clear the Clutter: Organize, store, donate, or toss everything you no longer need. Only keep what you will use or enjoy. Pack the unnecessary or unwanted goods away for a yard sale, or church rummage event, or give them away to friends or family members who might put them to good use. Are you unsure about giving something away? Pack it in a box or place in the garage or basement. If after a few weeks, you miss the item, place it back in the room. Chances are the item will be forgotten and you can safely add it the yard sale pile.

• Keep Décor Simple: After you’ve removed unnecessary items, unused furniture and other clutter, think about redecorating. Warm colors in hues of brown, beige, apricot and yellow are ideal for creating a restful, inviting space. Consider accenting a room with a splash of red or green in the form of window coverings, pillows, candles and other accessories. Constructing a welcoming, appealing environment will improve your residence and enhance your home life.

Article © 2007 Darlene "Dee" Bishop. All rights reserved worldwide.

Darlene "Dee" Bishop is a writer and creative designer with decades on online experience and the owner of Bishop's Corner, an online/catalog shop offering hundreds of quality gifts, home decor items, toys, housewares, furniture and more with nearly 1,000 products under $20. Visit her online store today at http://BishopsTN.com.

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