Any decorative project, from one small bedroom to a whole house, will benefit from good planning. It is easy to get carried away with colour schemes and accessorising before we are really ready for that stage.
So what are the benefits of decluttering and organising a room before we get the paint charts out or buy that new cushion?
Anyone who understand the basics of feng shui (read my next blog on more details) will know that harmony and balance are both crucial factors.
When we declutter a room we immediately allow new energy to circulate into that space and we feel calmer and more in control.
Simply tidying up a room is not enough. Start systematically with each drawer, cupboard and container and only keep useful items, dispose of broken ones and donate unused or out of date items to your local charity shop.
Be ruthless and only keep items you have used over the last year. Items that are kept should be organised so easily accessible and grouped into similar items. For example,in a kitchen - keep all dried foods such as rice, pasta,in transparent airtight containers that are practical and easy to use; or in a bedroom - organise shoes into colours and styles in transparent boxes so they are immediately identifiable, accessible and also free from being damaged.
Decluttering also helps you to know what you have and when putting items back in a systematic manner, label or sort into containers that makes life easier for times when you are frantically busy. There is something satisfying about going into a stationery drawer knowing you will find exactly what you want. Get into good habits of putting things away after use and you will make life a lot less stressful.
Once you have decluttered every cupboard, drawer, shelf, move as much of the furniture out of the room as possible. If you are emptying a room such as a kitchen and all its contents use large plastic transparent boxes that are clearly marked and I know from experience this can be a so beneficial when your kitchen refurbishment is moving into its second week!
So your space is clear now ready for your dust sheets, and pasting table - you can now decorate in a more systematic way rather than struggling to move items every time you move the ladder. Large items like beds or heavy wardrobes can be moved to one end of a room and allowing you the maximum space to tackle ceilings and large wall expanses.
You can now tackle your decorating knowing that all your hard work will make it easier and you can look forward to transforming it into a harmonious space!
