Keeping Small Spaces Beautiful

You would think that having a small flat or studio would mean minimalistic decoration and the end to all clutter forever. But like most people, you probably find yourself holding onto stuff which you can’t justify discarding. I believe that if you have space, you'll fill it, so one has to be careful to remember to purge, purge, purge, or you will run out of space, no matter how much you have.

via stadshem.com

This is easier said than done however, especially if your sweetums or the kiddies hate to throw things away or donate them.  Here are a few rules I follow to try to keep clutter at bay.

Be brutal

Home decoration is one of those areas where you have to be ruthless no matter how big or small the job.

The fact is that you are going to be living in the space you are decorating so you have to be absolutely sure that what you are bringing into your home is what you want AND has either a function or very sentimental value.

Keep it to a minimum or keep it hidden in plain sight.

Baskets and bins are my mantra if you have a lot of small toys or tools that need to be kept accessible. Open shelves are great for accessibility but they can start looking messy very fast.  An easy way to remedy that is matching baskets or totes.

via Apartment Therapy

Use color decisively

In a small space, every color and item has more impact than it does in a more spacious abode.  It is a myth that dark colors make a small space seem smaller. What makes a space seems smaller is high contrast, because of it's play with perspective. Your can use that idea to your advantage though if you want to create depth in a room. Painting three walls a light color and saving the last one for something rich deepens the sense of space.

 via Arts and Classy

via The Shabby Nest

Nowadays, space is at a premium especially in large cities. They say that less is more and there is no reason why this can’t also be true for making a small flat or studio a delight to live in.

via Houzz

Large pieces of art make a space seem larger than it is and mirrors work wonders for giving the illusion of increased space.

Keep it slick

There is nothing wrong with clutter if you like the crammed-and-cosy look.

However, if you want to create space, turf out the unwanted odds and ends immediately. I always feel amazing after dropping off boxes at good will!

via livesimplybyannie.com

To keep it simple work on one set of items at a time to stop you from feeling overwhelmed. After all, de-cluttering is not just a physical task but emotional too. It is tough discarding objects which and quieting that voice that always says "but I may use it one day...".

Once you are de-cluttered, some cleaning tips will help you along. Clean as you go each day so that you can not only relax in comfort in your space but you don’t have a huge job at the end of the week.  Even cleaning a studio flat can take days if left too long.

via houzz

With less clutter, 15 minutes of daily cleaning will be a breeze.

this post was in partnership with supersavvyme.co.uk

Spring clearing - the living room!

The living room - does it need any grand introduction? Like the kitchen, it is a major part of the home, a place where every one gathers to relax. With everyone in and out a lot of stuff is left behind - so this weekend, lets freshen it up!

• Dust ceiling, vents, fans, artwork, shelves, lamps, mantel, books, and cobwebs with a feather duster. Make sure your feather duster is made from ostrich feathers, though! Other feather dusters, that aren't made from ostrich feathers, won't pick up the dust.

• Wipe tabletops, baseboards, and windowsills with a microfiber cloth. You can make a furniture polish to really put a shine on everything.

• Dry clean slipcovers, drapery, and cushion covers. You can download a list of eco-friendly dry cleaners at the EPA's website.

• Spray windows, glass tabletops, and frames with glass cleaner. Vinegar and water works great for cleaning windows, or you can whip up a batch of eco-friendly glass cleaner, too.

• Tidy newspapers, books, magazines, and accessories. Try a new way of organizing your books, and color coordinate them. When in doubt about arranging accessories or artwork, arrange in threes.

• Sweep and mop, or vacuum and spot treat floors. For a super-fresh smell on your living room rugs and carpets, try using lavender. Lift cushions of chairs and sofas and vacuum.

text via CasaSugar

via CasaSugar

via House Beautiful










via Australian House and Garden

Keeping your simpler space simple

A few weeks ago I came across the blog of interior designer James Swan, and this post really caught my attention. It's also right on track with yesterday's post "How to achieve a simpler space." Seemed you guys really liked the topic, so I figured I'd ad on with what James had to say - (he ads a little of his humor and political metaphor for laughs)

"If you follow political and economic headlines there is a reoccurring theme that cannot be ignored. It appears that vast quantities of resources are, by the nature of the crisis, being focused on cleaning up the past before we can hope for success in re-calibrating our vision of the future. And this makes sense.

Sweeping inconvenient little messes under the carpet will eventually leave you with a lumpy carpet that is being eaten from within by the dirt and grime. And we all know how that ends, only too well. So let’s learn a lesson from our national headlines as we focus on making our homes a bit more beautiful during these otherwise rather ugly times.

I suggest to you that our first priority when considering how to make our homes more beautiful (with minimal expense) is to CLEAN UP THE MESS.

Please understand that “mess” is a relative term. My mother was known in our neighborhood as Mrs. Clean. A “mess” in my mother’s home was usually an errant dust bunny that had successfully fled the mighty Hoover and lived an extra day to tell its tale. It never had time to tell the tale twice! For others the term “mess” will have far more monumental connotations. Yikes!

The first step to a more beautiful home centers our attention on the terms “neat” and “clean.” How do we achieve this? Here are 3 Steps to a Neat and Clean Home:

1. Pick Your S#*t Up! Sorry to be vulgar but honestly! We are not children anymore (though they can be helpful to this process…in fact make this a family activity, seriously!) and we are perfectly capable of picking up after ourselves. The Rule is simple: Unless it is a substantial furniture piece, an important sculpture, or an aging family member it does not belong on the floor of our home. Put the laundry in a basket.

*Amen to that! I couldn't put it better!*

Put your purse or briefcase on a desk or dresser. Coats and jackets are hung in closets, sweaters are folded and placed in drawers, and books, magazines and newspapers are stored on shelves, in baskets and in the recycling bin respectively. Remember The Rule: scan a room and then get to work. You will be pleased with the impact this effort will have on your road to a more beautiful home.

2. Edit, Edit, Edit. We love our stuff. We gather, nay hoard, more than we can possible use so my suggestion is to edit. In today’s economic times the thought that someone else might actually put to use something that’s been collecting dust on a table, shelf or in a closet in our home for years should bring a smile to your face. Whether you elect to donate or to sell, the net gain for our own home is that of space. Air. Room to breath. And that, Dear Reader, is a beautiful thing.


3. Clean, Clean, Clean. From top to bottom; every corner and crevice needs to be cleaned. There are books and websites galore which can assist you in the nuts and bolts of this process, and allow you to be green while you do it. But the point is to do it. My sisters and I used to complain vociferously as we rolled up our sleeves and tended to our chores each Saturday morning.

These where times filled with purpose, laughter and the reward of accomplishment. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning. Get the whole family involved and make it fun. Remember everything has changed. Nothing is the same so make the most of these times with those you love. Shoulder the responsibility for your home together, even if it’s just the ritual of cleaning. You will enjoy the beauty of the results and well as the joy of the process."

Sounds pretty simple eh? Well, I've been in plenty of homes where these commandments of basic home maintenance are broken. A lot of this is a matter of willpower. I tend to just use the simple mantra and Nike slogan "just do it." There aren't any excuses. If you can find time to watch TV, or play games on the internet (okay, so maybe we all don't) then you can do these things! And in the end, once it becomes routine, it will take less and less time to accomplish, therefore leaving you more time to relax and play in your clean and simple home. Good luck!


Here's a visual nudge for you. This is the home of Julie Carlson (Remodelista blogger), whose family created this home from what used to be a fixer-upper rancher!










top two images via Apartment Therapy, remaining via Point Click Home

How to achieve a simpler space

Do you know someone whose home you just love to be in? It's not just one thing, room, or object that makes you feel so comforted, but rather everything as a whole...
Homes like this illustrate the effect physical surroundings can have on your mood.

Well, I've long wondered how this is achieved, and I found some clues over at Whole Living. Read on....

"Homes can feel happy, welcoming, comfortable -- or just the opposite. And because you live there, your everyday environs can be reflected in your sense of well-being. We've pinpointed five common problems with solutions as simple as moving a piece of furniture. Call it an energy makeover for your home -- and for yourself.

Problem 1: Too Much Clutter in Living Spaces

How the Room Looks: Messy (with papers and other items accumulating on floors and flat surfaces) and cluttered, with no space for new things.

How You Feel: Overwhelmed, creatively blocked, embarrassed (which can limit social gatherings), depressed, or sometimes even financially disorganized, as you lose track of bills, bank statements, and other paperwork.

How to Fix It: The easiest way to minimize clutter is with proper storage. Everything needs a place to "live." Boxes and baskets work well; use several that match to create a sense of organization and intention. Minimize clutter by the front entrance, in hallways, and crammed behind doors, which can keep energy from flowing into the room. Eliminate objects you don't often use as well as those that harbor negative memories. Limit yourself to just a few purely sentimental objects in each room.

What You Gain: A sense of clarity and renewed control over your space -- plus a feeling of being unburdened.

via Blueprint

via Martha Stewart

via Blueprint

via Martha Stewart

Problem 2: Couches and Chairs Blocking Doorways or Positioned with Their Backs to the Room's Entrance

How the Room Looks: Empty and uninviting, since we tend to feel uncomfortable sitting with our backs to others on ill-placed furniture.

How You Feel: Unwelcome, uncomfortable, restless, or nervous.

How to Fix It: To create an inviting space, arrange furniture so that it faces the entrance of the room. Move seats and sofas away from doors and hallways so they don't prevent energy from flowing. If you have two sofas in a room, put them facing each other so that you see their sides as you enter the room; neither sofa should have its back to the entrance. Additionally, you can place a chair perpendicular to the couches to "greet" you as you enter. Chairs placed diagonally in corners also help open the space.

What You Gain: A welcome feeling that invites connection, conversation, and comfortable gatherings.


via Martha Stewart


Problem 3: Dull Colors on Walls, Bedding, Furniture, and Floor Covering

How the Room Looks: Drab and weathered, even with brand-new furniture.

How You Feel: Unmotivated, unenthusiastic, even depressed.

How to Fix It: Cheerful colors in your home can enliven your emotions. Light blue and lavender work well in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other private spaces. Pink and peach comfort and nurture the spirit, making them ideal for bedrooms as well. Green, a healing, inspiring color, benefits living rooms and sitting rooms. Like the sun, yellow "feeds" us with energy; it therefore works well in dining areas. The stimulating shades of red and orange invigorate entertaining spaces. You can either paint the room or add colorful furniture or linens. To create more-intense moods, choose items with deeper, more saturated shades.

What You Gain: A sense of feeling uplifted or relaxed, depending on the colors you choose.

via Martha Stewart

via Whole Living

Problem 4: Energy-Zapping Plants, Dried Plants, or Lack of Plants

How the Room Looks: Cold and lifeless, with stuffy or musty air.

How You Feel: Low on energy, stressed out, and agitated.

How to Fix It: Plants help clean the air. They also give off oxygen and circulate nature's energy, so consider adding thriving selections to your home. Upward-growing plants with rounded leaves, such as ficus, peace lily, and pothos, add a feeling of liveliness. Place them in corners to keep energy circulating in the room. Other plants that have spiky leaves, such as cactus, are believed to disrupt energy flow. Since dying plants, dried flowers, and potpourri lack life, avoid these as well.

What You Gain: Improved air quality and energy flow -- plus a connection to nature and a sense of tranquility.

via Martha Stewart

via Whole Living

Problem 5: Artwork and Photos Don't Inspire

How the Room Looks: Unbalanced, uninviting, and cluttered.

How You Feel: Low on self-confidence, unmotivated, and unable to break old thought patterns and habits or move on after challenging events.

How to Fix It: Take time to evaluate your art and photographs. If a given picture doesn't generate a positive impression, a poignant memory, or a thought-provoking outlook, rethink its inclusion in your space. Remove any images that you've hung up just to cover the bare walls and replace them with ones that add a measure of balance, insight, or joy.

What You Gain: Increased feelings of confidence and personal power.


via Martha Stewart