Home Décor: Managing Clutter

Maximize Your Living Space.

German quote says: “Design is art that makes itself useful.”

It is a happy marriage of function and style. When it comes to making the most of an existing space, regardless of the size of your home, this can be quite a challenge.

Preeth David tells you where to start, how to tackle the challenges, and transform your home into a customized space, designed to suit your lifestyle.

A good friend of mine in the U.S. taught me this rule early on, which I have religiously followed. Divide the items in each room into two piles — one that you use frequently, and the other that you won’t for the next three months. Put the latter away.

After three months, take stock of the second pile. Invariably if you haven’t missed its contents in 3 months, chances are that you won’t need them.

Items that commonly fall into this trap are junk mail, magazines, old clothes, shoeboxes, used containers and unused gifts.

CREATIVE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

• For those items that are an essential part of everyday living, try grouping them together and then parking them.
• Assorted, oversized mugs come in handy for stationary supplies. A metal planter works great to store umbrellas and sports items like bats and racquets.
• A wooden bowl, wicker containers, a hat box, old table drawers and an antique chest, work together to cleverly conceal the clutter
• Vintage picnic baskets stack up to create unique storage solutions.
  
•  These treatments takes the focus away from the clutter and draw the eye to your unique storage solution. So the next time you want to get rid of that old trunk think again! It may be your perfect coffee table!

Employ your vertical space

Think about moving your shelves and even desks on to your walls, creating floating furniture. This allows you to open up your floor space.It also aids in hassle-free cleaning and regular maintenance.

Multitask your furniture

This artsy CD rack serves as a side table, and so does the ottoman which multi-functions for seating and storage.

From futons that double up as sofa beds, display units that serve as room dividers, seating that has concealed shelves, to beds that have storage tucked in with easy hydraulic handling, today’s leading store chains carry a fair share of choices. So the next time you are in the market for some furniture, keep an eye out for such options. While they are great space savers they are real value for money.

Hide and conceal

Certain items need to be accessible yet not necessarily seen. A considerable area that goes under-utilized is the space beneath your bed. I like to organize my linen in suitcases and place them underneath. This frees up a lot of space that would otherwise be occupied by bulky luggage. It also ensures safekeeping of my linen. Accessorize with a bed skirt (to give it a decorator’s touch), concealing the items beautifully. A round table with a flowing tablecloth also serves the purpose. A wooden bowl, wicker containers, a hat box, old table drawers and an antique chest work together to cleverly conceal the clutter.

A Minimalist Home… Less is More; Quality vs. Quantity… choose fewer pieces that will showcase better.

Take time and be selective while choosing your furniture. Display your artifacts in rotation.

Rather than go with a monochromatic hue. I like to play with two or three shades of the same colour palette, allowing one accent tone. This lends the room a sense of depth and space.

The secret of a good interior is the KIS principle “Keep It Simple.”