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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Decorate Your Home » Declutter by Undecorating

Declutter by Undecorating

by Lindsay Ballard on January 4, 2011 40 Comments

As much as I love the way my home looks decorated for Christmas, I give a sigh of relief when the decorations come down.  Every year, my husband says, “Our house looks so big!”  Putting the decorations back in the attic for another year really makes my life feel much less cluttered.

But this year, I may have gone a bit overboard on the decoration removal.  Since I loved the feel of my house once the Christmas decorations were gone, I figured I’d feel even better with all of the other decorations gone.  So, I removed all of the accessories from my living room.

It was so freeing that I removed them from my kitchen.  My breakfast room.  My entryway.

I’m going to tackle my bedroom and office/guest/craft room next.  No, I’m not going to leave my house empty like this for long.  I just wanted the chance to declutter, dust without having to move stuff, and relax after the holidays.  I’m going to give it a week or two like this, and then I’m going to thoughtfully re-accessorize my rooms, adding only things that serve a purpose (and yes, making me smile is a purpose).  It will also give me a chance to mix things up a bit and give my rooms a new look.

Until then, I’ll just steer clear of the dining room.  All that stuff had to go somewhere, right?

Have you ever undecorated your home?  How did it make you feel?

TIP JAR: Ask yourself if you’ve used this item in the past year or if it has a purpose in your life. If not, let it go and smile! You’re on your way to a more organized life.  Less stuff is less clutter, less to clean, move, and deal with.  Think of it as making room in your life for the things you really love. –Jessica @ Decor Adventures

Have a quick tip to share? Email me at lindsay@makelyhome.com and I’ll share it with my readers!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. Southern Gal says

    January 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I feel the exact same way. I don’t want to put out the regular stuff either. Just having a fresh clean slate makes me happy.

    Reply
  2. katiebee says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    So true, the wonderful feeling of a uncluttered room! I love the feeling of moving everything out of a room, painting, and only returning your absolute favorite pieces~

    Reply
  3. Amber says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Ahhhh space… lots and lots of wide open space…

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    I had to laugh when I read this Lindsay. Yes, I did exactly the same thing, and yes, my husband and kids said the same thing – the house looks much bigger. I always love the feeling after the holidays when the decorations go back of having my house back to normal. And that usually leads to a purge. This year, I think I’m at 4 totes full of “stuff” that’s going to Goodwill. I’m going to be more mindful this year of what comes back into the house. I like the minimalist feel for now.
    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply
  5. Jen says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    I feel the same way after Christmas! My friends think I’m weird (they all like to leave up the Christmas decs as long as possible), but I just love how clean and open it feels after I take the stuff down. As for going all the way, well, that made me laugh. I’ve been very “minimalist” for years since my little boys became mobile and destructive! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Bev says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Finally! Some like-minded souls! As beautiful as all the decorations are for Christmas, it starts to feel as though it is all closing in on me. In reading many of the wonderful blogs out there – where people decorate to the hilt, I was beginning to feel like a Scrooge for downsizing all of our Christmas decorations this year. And I didn’t dare let anyone know that I’m happier taking it all down more than putting it up…kind of sounds geezer-ish.

    Reply
  7. Brandy says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I live in the undecorated house. Seriously, we have lived here 5 years and it looks like we just moved in last week! Not that it is a good thing. But I can’t deal with clutter, and have a hard time finding things I like/willing to pay for to set around to be decorative.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer Camplin says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    I was just finished the “touch up” in the family room after all done packed away with Christmas till next Dec.

    I lay out all things I had.. Put away, change pictures from frames. Or time let go no more some frames, like that. Lil things put away too.

    Than I found all empty spots and did my best to put all different places than where used to be. Looks great!!

    Reply
  9. Jessica says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I feel exactly the same way. I love in November after Thanksgiving putting out all my Christmas decorations, but come January 1st I am so glad to pack them away for another year. This year when I took all the “things” down if felt so good to have empty surfaces. I actually kept it that way for a couple of days. Now that I am putting some of the things back I am only putting back what I LOVE and makes me SMILE! I took full Outback trunk and a jumbo black trash bag of “stuff” to Good Will and it felt oh so good! It is amazing how good it feels to purge and simplify.

    Reply
  10. Louise Williams says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I sooooo breathe a sigh of relief every year once the tree is away and all that Christmas clutter is out of sight for another year. I love Christmas but that whole “walking around stuff” drives me mad.

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    Our house is currently for sale . . . so in order to make the house presentable, I had to declutter. I LOVE IT! I don’t remember what stuff I had there before, but I definitely don’t need it! And it won’t be going to the new house with us either!

    Reply
  12. Kim says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Nail on the head Lindsay!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decorated only to un-decorate a few weeks later. I can’t handle the clutter.

    Reply
  13. Mrs. Jen B says

    January 4, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Your dining room looks so much like mine right now. I haven’t gotten around to putting all the Christmas stuff in the attic yet so all the Christmas plates and New Year’s decorations are stacked up on the table. Meanwhile, I would SO love to purge, you have no idea. But DH is so attached so many things and has this obsession with displaying things. Sigh.

    Reply
  14. Jenn says

    January 4, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Can you disclose the name/type of paint in your dining room. That is just about the exact shade I have in mind for my living room. Thanks!

    (and I totally agree with the post, as much as I love my pretty things – there is a balance, often less is more)

    Reply
  15. Kathy says

    January 4, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Judging from the many comments, I think you’ve struck a nerve here! What is it about the holidays that make us all want more, decorate more, do more, and then the following month we all have the same pattern of wanting less, paring down, and simplifying. We’re getting ready to move and list our house, and in so many ways, having to sort through our possessions is a blessing. If we haven’t needed/wanted something in our four years in this house, it doesn’t need to come with us to the next one. My living room is still in the cluttered stage, but your photos are an inspiration! Thanks.

    Reply
  16. Sherry says

    January 4, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    EXACTLY what I have been pondering!! We had a late celebration this year due to scheduling…….so, I am just now getting things down. Going room by room being certain I have it all out and packed away….the accessories are all waiting to be re-evaluated and placed. It will feel like a mini-makeover! LOOOOVE IT!

    Reply
  17. MaryEllen says

    January 4, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    What is that lovely color in your dining room? Would you mind sharing the brand and name, please!

    Reply
  18. Mary @ Life on 19th says

    January 4, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    I do have to admit that I felt the house was more cluttered with holiday decorations and it was nice to put them away for another year. I find that I have a hard time decorating b/c I hate to have things without a purpose just sitting around.

    Reply
  19. Linda Trace says

    January 4, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I did a similar thing! I was sad to see the Christmas tree and decorations leave the house and take their special magical sparkle with them, but the clean open spaces were so liberating!

    We currenlty live with my parents temporarily so space is at a premium. My mum, who used to be a manic “throw-it-out”-er is now much more of a ‘no, keep it I might need that” person (which is VERY strange to me) but now I’M the one saying “get rid of it”. I go through our entire house and gather things into bags/boxes that we dont use, dont need etc. Even my kids toys. no matter how new they are, if they aren’t interested in them (and lets face it, plenty of toys get left aside for the old favourites). I’m starting now to introduce the topic to my 3 year old. Talking to her about how there are people wiht nothing and no toys etc, so maybe she’d like to give them one of hers. (It was met with a resounding NO! the first time I brought it up lol) but I want her to be more aware of it. I grew up adding meaning to inanimate objects because people I loved gave them to me etc, but now, unless I can use it, or TRULY can’t bear to part with it, it’s going to the homeless. (We also have the RSPCA–which is an organisation about being against cruelty to animals). They have little stores like op-shops that we donate to. That way, the proceeds help the animals too 🙂

    Reply
  20. The DIY Spot says

    January 4, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    Your living room looks so peaceful! I wish I could do that but I don’t have any rooms that go unused to store everything temporarily without causing clutter somewhere else. I think I need to de-clutter a poorly organized walk in closet and try this. I just joined the twitter bandwagon(no, I have not been living under a rock) and love this idea so much, I am sharing this in my very first tweet.

    Reply
  21. Heidi says

    January 4, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    I agree with Jenn! I would LOVE to know the name of your paint color in the dining room. It’s beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 5, 2011 at 12:45 am

      It’s Smoked Turquoise by Glidden!

      Reply
  22. Sue TR says

    January 4, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    Just hopped over from a link from Betsy Higgins…. We “undecorated” completely when I spent a year stripping paint from all the woodwork on the stairs & most of the 1st floor of our house…it is definitely freeing. I’m finding I am much more selective about what is going back up/on and also looking at objects with my designers eye, not just slapping things up everywhere they fit. Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  23. Aadrw says

    January 4, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    L-

    I have a piece if furniture that looks like the beautiful sideboard you have in your entry. Since I bought it used (yay Salvation Army!) there wasn’t anyone to ask about how to clean it or care for it. Do you oil yours? Beeswax? That wood soap stuff? I want to keep it looking good but I’m not sure how to do that. Any ideas?

    Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 5, 2011 at 12:50 am

      I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never done anything to it other than running my Swiffer duster over it…and I’ve had it for a year. I’ll ask around and see if I can find out what you (and I!) should do.

      I can’t believe you found one at SA. Lucky score for you!

      Reply
  24. Nicki says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    About 4 years ago, I did the exact same thing. I went through and took everything off the walls and furniture. Then I went through every drawer, closet, storage bin, etc…I made sure to ‘touch’ everything we owned. And with each item, I asked myself “Keep? Trash? Give away?” Over the course of a month or so, I sold, gave away, or threw away almost 1/3 of our belongings. It was so freeing!! We lived with blank walls for about a year and then I slowly began to decorate again. I’m very picky about what I bring into the house though. I cannot stand clutter.

    Reply
  25. ashley says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Okay so I’m inspired now to jump on this decluttering band wagon. I actually can’t wait to take everything down and sleep on it for a bit before I decide what I want to keep and where I want to place it! I am always saying I feel like I need to move out of my house and then back in to reorganize everthung’ but decluttering sounds like a much easier and less time consuming way to start! Thanks for sharing and I would also love to know that color in your dining room, gorgeous!

    Reply
  26. Trisha says

    January 5, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    I thought I was crazy. I just did this. I put away all of my holiday decor and left all of the other acessories still in the basement. I want to go through them slowly and simplify what I have up. I was also hoping for inspiration for new ideas.

    Reply
  27. Cindy's Crafty Creations says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Nice idea! I laughed when I saw your dining room 🙂 cute..

    Reply
  28. Melanie J says

    January 6, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Wow…Im in the middle of the same process. Just posted my striped down mantel on Twitter. It does feel great! But then my mind starts working in fast forward about what accessories Im going to use and what kind of theme am I going for…it’s an ongoing process for me. Cant wait to see what you come up with when you edit.

    Reply
  29. Melanie J says

    January 6, 2011 at 9:09 am

    By the way…..huge wreath fan myself. I make a variety of them, I actually gave them as holiday gifts to some people this year.

    Reply
  30. beth says

    January 6, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    am doing the same

    started this past weekend

    it was so much fun to declutter my house but i have so much more to get out

    Reply
  31. Tiffany says

    January 9, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    I love that fresh feeling after taking Christmas decorations down. But, my house is pretty un-accesorized all the time. I’m not good at knowing what to decorate with. I like it, but sometimes I want a bit more. But in January, it’s always nice to have the “clean slate” feel.

    Reply
  32. Amy Lynne says

    January 9, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    I am in the same mode. I think it is very refreshing to have clean and clear surfaces right now. 🙂

    Reply
  33. sarah fox says

    January 10, 2011 at 2:35 am

    love the paint colorin your dining room! do you remember what brand & the name of it? love your blog too!!

    Reply
  34. Katie @ Imperfect People says

    January 10, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    I love this. I also love the title of your blog. HA HA those glue guns are dangerous! I sent you an email with a decluttering tip. Thanks for your great tips too!

    Reply
  35. Lynne says

    January 10, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    I totally agree – I get “antsy” right after Christmas and am itching to take everything down and get back to ‘normal’ and heave a big sigh of relief !

    Reply
  36. Rita says

    January 12, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Coming late to this party, but just wanted to chime in with the rest of you. Like Kim above, I’ve recently decluttered because of selling my house (wrote about the process here: http://intertidalyears.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/all-kinds-of-enlightenment/). Was amazed at how much I initially liked not having so much stuff around. Now, a few weeks later, am starting to miss some of it. Am looking forward to being much more intentional about “stuff” after we move and finding the right balance.

    Reply
  37. Astreil says

    January 14, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Wonderful technique. I love the feeling of relaxation when clutter is gone. I’ve never thought to do this to the entire house.

    I’ve done the same thing with my kids. Periodically, I will clear everything (or almost everything) our of their rooms except the furniture. Everything goes into the closet and the kids choose one thing at a time to put back in. We stop when there are about 10 toys. When their rooms are de-cluttered, they are calmer and not so overwhelmed.

    Reply

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  1. Link Love and a Winner | remodeling this life says:
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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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