Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Cheap and Easy Decorating Ideas for Spring - Part #1


Its the time of year when we begin to feel regenerated after a long winter. Nature is poking her head out at us, and we want to focus on the new season.

Over the next few days we are going to talk about some easy decorating ideas that you we can implement for Spring. The best part is that all the ideas I will share with you can be done for little money!

Step #1 may seem boring and not exciting at all. You may wonder why I even bring it up, since it really doesn't seem it has anything to do with decorating! Its....DECLUTTERING!

Yeah you heard it. I am a firm believer that all good decorating starts with this step first. Can I hear you groaning?
Decluttering is the magic behind all good design and decorating.

Simple... but true. If we don't get rid of the things that are crowding our counters and entryways, then we won't be able to even see our fun new decorating efforts. All of our work will be in vain. Having too much stuff can get in the way of seeing the beauty in our homes.

I have learned this the hard way in my own life. Yup you heard it! I have been on a two year journey of teaching myself to let go and declutter. I used to hang onto too much stuff. The problem is, I like a lot of things! However, I have slowly been learning the art of saying "no" and "letting go".

I realized that messes and extra stuff were robbing me of energy and joy. I am still working on this in my house! It is a process and I am getting there. Somehow clutter finds its way into all our homes, and before long it can take over quickly. You will be amazed how once you start purging, how much easier it is to let go.

So let's get started! For now just start at the "hotspots" in your house. The areas most seen and with the highest traffic.

Grab 3 garbage bags or bins and label them with the following:
1.Trash
2.Donate
3.Keep


As you declutter fit your things into one of those three categories.


You may be asking - how do I do that? How do I make those decisions? Here is a list of questions I ask myself when decluttering. They help me choose quickly and decisively

*Do I LOVE it?
*Does it bless me and my family?
*Does it bring me enjoyment?
*Is it a neccessary item?
*Do I use it, and how often?
*When was the last time I wore or used it?


These questions are a starting point and your list may be a bit different. But you get the idea. So hurry up and go get decluttering and making space. Come back tomorrow and we will talk spring and get some cheap and easy decorating ideas for welcoming the season.

See ya then!

2 comments:

  1. I am on it! Friday is Goodwill day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent tips for decluttering and beginning to get things organized in the home. Wonderful spring project!

    ReplyDelete