9 Simple Steps to Lighten and Renew Your Home by Undecorating

By
When the sun is shining and trees are in bud, the inside of my house can start to feel stale and uninspired.  I think that's why many of us get into the spring cleaning mode.  We want new energy in our homes as well.


After a winter of adding seasonal decorations, new purchases, and holiday gifts, my home can use some attention.  So this year I'm trying a simple refresh I call "undecorating."  It takes just a little bit of time and makes it easier to thoroughly clean a room.  And it really rejuvenates the space.


Undecorating lets me be more intentional with my décor.  To undecorate, I remove a layer of objects from a room so that I can see it with fresh eyes.




9 quick and easy steps to undecorate


1.  Choose the room(s) you want to revitalize.

I'm going to do my entryway, living room, and bedroom, but this process works in any room of the house.


2.  Locate a few containers that can hold surface décor.

This can be a couple of boxes, a laundry basket, some grocery bags, or anything I already have that I can stash things in for a few days.  I don't have to get sophisticated – I'll use what's available.


3.  Find a temporary storage area for the items you remove.

I have a guest bedroom, so I'll put things there.  A covered or enclosed porch would work too, or a corner of the garage or basement.  It just needs to be dry and reasonably clean.  The items will only be there for a few days, so I can make it work!


4.  Set a timer for 10 minutes and remove the surface décor.

This means knickknacks, photos, vases, plants, candles – all the decorative stuff on all of the surfaces.  I'll stuff pillows and throw blankets into a plastic garbage bag.  Then I'll put everything into my designated storage area.


5.  Take a few more minutes and remove wall art.

Photos, paintings, and the rest can just lean against the wall in my storage area.  If I had to store them on a porch, I'd probably wrap them in a drop cloth or a sheet.


6.  (Optional)  If your room has a bookshelf or a wall unit, take the time to completely empty it as well.

I plan to do that with the bookshelf in my living room.




I've set the stage.


Now, my undecorated room isn't empty, because the furniture is still there.  But the chairs, tables, beds, dressers, etc. are bare.  The floor is bare except for rugs.  The mantel is bare.  The walls are bare.


I've set the stage for a thorough cleaning.  I'll clear cobwebs from the corners, wipe the baseboards, dust, sweep, mop, shampoo the carpet, vacuum, wash the windows, etc. to make the room spotless and sweet-smelling.


7.  Let the space breathe, undecorated, for at least 3 days or up to a week.

This allows my view of the room to reset.  I need at least a day or two for the room to stop looking weird and empty and for me to stop feeling like my usual décor "belongs" in certain places.  Gradually, I'm able to see the room as peaceful.  It also feels larger.


8.  Before you bring back anything else, add a plant.

That's what this is all about, after all – the life and promise of spring.  I won't make my room a jungle, but I'll place a single lovely plant or a vase of flowers in a prominent spot.


9.  Only bring back things that you really love, miss, and need.

Don't be in a hurry, and don't fill a space just because it's empty.




The magic is in the waiting.


By waiting a few days before putting stuff back, I become accustomed to the empty space.  I might even find that I like it!  After undecorating, I might decide to keep end tables bare except for a lamp, or my dining table bare and ready for use.  I might keep fewer throw pillows, candles, or pictures.  Or I might swap things around for a new look.


Related article:  How a Naked Table Makes My Home Life Better


For people like me who enjoy pretty things, giving myself time with an emptier space is a reminder that less can be beautiful too.  It lets me choose my favorite things and put them in the spotlight, and helps me decide what to declutter.


Why not experiment with undecorating your home?




If you enjoyed this post, I know you'll like my book, Comfortable Minimalism: Create a Home With Plenty of Style and a Lot Less Stuff.*  


Does your home make you feel as good as it could?  Does it support the quality of life you need and want?  If not, why not?  What should you do to make a change?


With Comfortable Minimalism you can start making your home more beautiful and welcoming right now, even if you have no money to spend.  Experience more open space, more natural light, and easier home care.  Make small changes for a big impact.


Includes "A Clean Slate: 8 Questions to Uncover Your Style," a fun and informative Style Quiz, and a linked Project Index.


* This blog is reader-supported.  If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.

Comments

  1. MollieMarch 20, 2021 at 3:48 AM

    I love the idea of letting everything bare for at least a few days. That way it gives you time to decide what you really miss. And of course adding a plant to a space is always a good idea! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerMarch 21, 2021 at 2:21 PM

      Letting the space "marinate," so to speak, is the essential step. Like I said, the room looks strangely empty at first, and it's difficult not to feel that certain items "belong" in certain spots, simply because you're used to them. When I was growing up and had to help my mom with spring cleaning, we always emptied the room, but then put everything back the way it had been. There was never a hint that we would reconsider any of those items. I think this method gets around the "it's always been that way" mindset.

      Delete
  2. KellyCSLPMarch 20, 2021 at 5:50 AM

    At first the idea seemed daunting but as I think about it, I am inspired. Could be a great way to reset for spring. Thanks for the systematic approach - very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerMarch 21, 2021 at 2:22 PM

      I would be daunting if you tried this in all rooms at once! But one room at a time, not so much. So glad you find the post helpful!

      Delete
    2. Karen TrefzgerMarch 21, 2021 at 2:24 PM

      Oops! "It" would be daunting...

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 27, 2021 at 5:33 PM

    Great idea- I've never thought of this. I will give it a try, one room at a time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerDecember 29, 2021 at 8:16 AM

      Hi there, and thanks for your comment! This process can be fun and eye-opening. I hope it's useful for you!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more