The Creature Comforts of Clutter

January 19th, 2012 General Organizing Advice

I’d like to think that if I totally lived alone, my house would be “just so” all the time. But I know that wouldn’t really be the case. I may be a professional organizer, but I still get busy and I still leave pajamas on the bathroom floor and make-up on the counter when I’m in a hurry. I leave clean clothes piled on my bed until I can get around to folding them and I leave dirty dishes on the counter until I unload the dishwasher. And that’s OK. Most people don’t want to live like their home is a museum, it makes them uncomfortable and it can make company uncomfortable too, like they are afraid to ‘mess’ something up. Company should feel like they can come in and sit down with a up of coffee in a real home.

How about just keeping a balance between clutter-free and comfortable with the goal being able to easily restore order by knowing where things go and not having too much of any one thing? I think that sounds reasonable! Here are some examples of “cool clutter” that can make our home feel like a home.

Magazines & books that we are reading laying on a coffee table or bedside table, just not stacked to the ceiling please.
Clean laundry on the couch or bed waiting to be folded.
A puzzle or game in the process of play on the dining room table.
Backpacks on the floor in the entry-who cares really? Pick your battles.
A chair in the master bedroom piled with clothes that need to be hung up that you chose not to wear in a dressing frenzy.
Small appliances out on the kitchen counter that you use regularly such as the toaster & coffee pot. Keep what you use regularly close at hand.
A few toys out and about that your kids are actually playing with.
A Lego masterpiece in the making.

Make sure you make your home a home so you, your family and company can feel good there. If you need some tips for controlling clutter to help you achieve a balance, please read more right here!