When too much is too much, it’s time to declutter

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News/USA Today Network

“A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” ― George Carlin

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt stressed, even though you couldn't quite put your finger on why?

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I see it all the time. People think they need more space, when often what they really need is less stuff. The good news? You don't need to rent a dumpster or spend an entire weekend purging your home. A few simple steps can make your rooms feel larger, lighter, and more inviting.

A home should support the life you're living today. The goal isn't a perfect home. The goal is a home that feels peaceful, functional, and welcoming. When you remove the excess, the things you truly love finally have a chance to shine. It's about making room for what matters most. Shown: Walls in BM Ocean Spray (2-47-60); ceiling and trim in BM White OC 151. Photo: Benjamin Moore. 

And no, we're not starting with the junk drawer.

Start With What's On the Floor

This may sound a little unconventional, but one of my favorite ways to begin decluttering is to simply walk through the house and pick up everything that doesn't belong on the floor.

It’s a fine line. Curating and styling the perfect piece in your home. First rule: only include what you love. Shown: Pottery Barn’s Benchwright buffet with Seadrift finish, woven lighting, framed prints and etched glass. Photo: Pottery Barn. 

Shoes. Shopping bags. Laundry baskets. Pet toys. Stacks of magazines. When floors are clear, a room instantly feels larger and more organized. Many people become overwhelmed when they start decluttering because they immediately tackle the hardest areas. 

The secret to successful decluttering is avoiding discouragement. If we don't see results quickly, it’s easy to quit before we make any real progress. Starting with the floor creates an immediate sense of accomplishment and encourages you to keep going.

Take a "Before" Photo

Before you begin decluttering, take a photo of each room with your phone.

I know it sounds simple, but it's one of the most effective tricks I know. We become so accustomed to seeing our own homes that we stop noticing what's really there. A photograph creates a little distance and allows us to view the room with fresh eyes. Suddenly you'll notice the pile of mail on the counter, the extra chair that's crowding the room, or the collection of decorative items that has quietly taken over a bookshelf.

Easy Ways to Create More Space

Try these simple strategies:

• Clear countertops as much as possible.

• Remove duplicate items you rarely use.

• Edit bookshelves so decorative objects have room to breathe.

• Use baskets to contain everyday necessities.

• Donate items that haven't been used in the past year.

• Keep only the décor that truly makes you smile.

• Clear flat surfaces of unnecessary collections and paperwork.

• Leave some empty space on shelves and tabletops.

The Emotional Side of Decluttering

Let's talk about the hard part. Most clutter isn't really about stuff. It's about memories, hopes, guilt, and sentiment.

When less is more. West Elm’s woodworking floating shelf. Photo: West Elm.

We keep gifts because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings. We save clothing because we might fit into it again someday. Or maybe we made a mistake and it was just not right. But we hang on to it anyway. We hold onto inherited items because they remind us of someone we loved. We keep hobby supplies because we hope we'll get back to them. Sometimes we hang onto things simply because we've had them for a very long time.

If decluttering were only about getting rid of things, it would be easy. The challenge is that our belongings often represent much more than the objects themselves. They can symbolize relationships, accomplishments, important life chapters, or even the person we hope to become someday. I often hear people say:

• "My grandmother gave me this."

• "I spent good money on it."

• "I might need it someday."

• "I've had it forever."

• “I just can’t say goodbye to it.”

Keep this in mind

A home should support the life you're living today—not become a storage unit for every chapter of your past. The goal isn't a perfect home. The goal is a home that feels peaceful, functional, and welcoming. When you remove the excess, the things you truly love finally have a chance to shine. It's about making room for what matters most.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate. As a writer, blogger, stylist and color expert, she has helped homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless ways to create beautiful spaces and to solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit spectacularspaces.com. Call 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Living well with less: tips for decorating small spaces

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • Sept. 3, 2022

“A home is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and buy more stuff.”

As an interior decorator helping homeowners in Southwest Florida redo and arrange their stuff and make it look pretty, I love this quote by the late, great comedian, George Carlin. And it’s true.

He also said a home is a “pile of stuff with a cover on it” and if you “didn’t have so much stuff you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time.”

Funny stuff. And so true.

Let’s face it: we all have too much stuff. And we keep buying stuff. Trying to find the right stuff and hoping it will bring us happiness.

That’s why I decided to write this article. Our stuff is out of control. Try downsizing to a smaller space and you will quickly come to terms with what you really need and what’s most important.

This is not an article about tiny houses. It’s about living in less space in comfort while regaining control over your quality of life. With a little less stuff. It’s not about condensing your life down to almost nothing. It’s about surrounding yourself with what’s most important. And even if you don’t live in a small space (small being relative), the tips are the same. We never really have enough space no matter where we live. The guidelines apply to any home or space.

Make a small space yours with a reclaimed wood console table that is the perfect base for building a collection of treasures. Artwork, greenery, books, lamp and natural touches including natural seagrass beachcomber baskets that are beautiful and perfect for storage. All are anchored by a handwoven diamond-wrapped jute rug. Check out Pottery Barn’s small space furnishings online. Photo: Pottery Barn

As an interior decorator, I’ve helped many clients who show up in Southwest Florida try to figure out how to downsize with a moving van full of huge, heavy stuff from their previous home. It can be a huge challenge. And an emotional one. Here is a little cheat sheet to get you started and then read on for a few things to keep in mind. If all else fails, call a professional. We know lots of tricks!

Small spaces cheat sheet

Make a thoughtful plan. Before you head out the door to buy containers to store things under your bed, creating a plan will save time, money and stress. The more you plan in advance, the easier living in a smaller space will be. The big question: how do you want your space to feel and what is most important to you?

What are your non-negotiables? What can you absolutely not live without? An antique or vintage piece. Collections from travels. A beautiful sofa that you love. Artwork that makes you happy. Anything that makes you so comfortable in your home that you would be sad to not see it every day. These are you non-negotiables and give you a place to start your plan.

Small space does not mean small furnishings or artwork. It does mean fewer pieces to fit your space. More about this below.

Make your space your own. Don’t be influenced by over-styled magazine photos. It’s about what you love and need to be happy and comfortable.

A few small space don’ts

Don’t over-accessorize.

Don’t arrange furniture against the walls unless there is no other option.

Don’t take everything to your new space. Declutter. Eliminate what you don’t love.

Don’t skimp on countertops. Remember, you have less space so buy quality that will last.

Small space dos

Replace all builder grade mirrors and lighting. No more needs to be said. And if possible, add crown molding in your entry and living spaces. It will give your small space a finished, curated look.

Consider lighting. If your space is flooded with great natural light, go bold with color. Not so much light? Think neutrals and softer tones.

Curate your space. Include a few statement pieces for visual interest. Mix old and new. Refresh vintage pieces with new upholstery/fabric.

Create an entrance. Even in the tiniest space. A small table with a lamp and a place to put mail is all you need and it says “welcome home.” West Elm has some good choices.

In a guest bedroom that does double duty as an office, a daybed that serves as a sofa (with a really good mattress) offers a solution. This Toulouse daybed adds a little French chic to a room that is a busy workspace and an occasional bedroom for visitors. Photo: Pottery Barn

Kitchen. Think about a banquette that can be used for eat-in and dining table. Create one to fit your space at Ballard Designs. If redesigning a kitchen, incorporate drawers instead of lower cabinets. Take the upper cabinets to the ceiling. Countertops: if budget permits, go with quartz for quality: shop for a remnant for your small space and save a lot.

Living room. Go with a full size sofa. Not a love seat. Swivels chairs and rattan chairs are great space savers. Use a rug and make sure it is large enough. Window treatments: Shutters for a clean uncomplicated look. If you prefer drapes, make sure they go all the way to the ceiling. Instead of a coffee table, go with a soft, pretty ottoman.

Bedroom. If purchasing a new bed, go with one with storage. A good source: Pottery Barn. For a small room, skip the headboard and go with a piece of art.

Closets. Well worth installing a closet system with drawers. Saves space and requires less heavy furniture needed for storage.

Paint. Depending upon your color palette, walls and ceiling can be painted the same color. If you are going all neutral, a favorite is Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. Stay with two colors: blues, blue-greens, creamy whites, greens are good choices.

Appliances. If you need to downsize appliances in a small kitchen, there are options. A prep sink, Smeg fridge, a dishwasher drawer. Lower cabinets and upper shelving for space saving.

Guest bedroom/office. Typical of a small space, we need to make this room function as both. Consider a built-in desk with shelving. A daybed for guests and use as a place to sit in your office. A closet system that works for clothes as well as office storage.

And if you don't plan to downsize but would like to stay in your current home with less, these tips work for everyone in any size home. Just be sure to keep what you love. It's what makes your house a home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog