I recently watched the TV show “Hoarders” from the Biography Channel about real stories of people hoarding a lot of stuff that fills literally every space of their house. It wasn’t a happy show but I like watching it because it makes me aware that though I’m not a hoarder, it gives me the determination to make my surroundings free from clutter. According to Mayo Clinic:

Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them.  Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets in unsanitary conditions.

Hoarding is a mental disorder, also known as compulsive hoarding and compulsive hoarding syndrome. It’s not clear what causes hoarding. Some researchers believe that hoarding occurs on a continuum — some people may simply be considered harmless pack rats, while others have a much more severe form of collecting that is life-threatening. The condition is more likely to affect those with a family history of hoarding, so genetics and upbringing are likely among the triggering factors.

Though this post is about the Ten Commandments of Clutter, I can’t resist to include the topic about “hoarding” because these people also need compassion and understanding. Instead we should help them organize their stuff. If that won’t work, help them seek professional help.

So without further ado, here’s the “Ten Commandments of Clutter” from HMR that will help all of us in maintaining order and organization in our life:

1. Stop procrastinating. Decide what you are going to do with the next piece of clutter you pick up.

2. Quit making excuses. You are only fooling yourself.

3. Use it or lose it. If you’re not going to use it, get rid of it. Period.

4. Learn to let go. For every square foot of space filled with clutter, there is one square foot of living space in your home that is lost.

5. Be a giver. Poor, needy, friends, relatives–everyone benefits more from a giving person than a pack rat.

6. Set limits on the amount of space allocated to any kind of clutter. Limit closets, bookcases, and filing cabinets. When one space fills up it doesn’t mean you should buy more space ( another house).

7. Use the In and Out inventory rule. When something comes in, something goes out.

8. Less is more. Less = more time, money and energy. Also = less stress.

9. Keep everything in its place. For example, the blender doesn’t belong in the bedroom or the mail in the bathroom.

10. Compromise. Stop letting perfectionism keep you from doing what needs to be done, or from letting someone help you dispense with your clutter.

Functioning efficiently is better than functioning perfectly.

photo source

Feng Shui your living room

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DIY Cord Organizer

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Clutter Control Tips: Easy File Storage

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Wood iPhone Case

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Organizers can’t get any cooler with this fabulous Nest wall mounted shoe storage. J-me Design founded by two brothers designed this stainless steel shoe storage that looks like a piece of art. I swear shoes won’t fall from this shoe storage and it can hold up to six (6) pair  of shoes! Geek organizers like me loves to see products that is functional and artsy at the same time. Keeping clutter away is always this exciting. Assembly instructions and mounting hardware are included with each rack.

Source:  Smart Furniture

The Ten Commandments of Clutter

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Feng Shui your living room

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DIY Cord Organizer

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Clutter Control Tips: Easy File Storage

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Not happy with your living room? Maybe it’s time to feng shui your living room to create peace and harmony in your life.

The ideal and favorable location of the living room is in the South-East, characterized by lively, uplifting tree energy.

Tree energy is one of the five elements in feng shui. Some call it Wood energy. When we say uplifting the tree energy, it means using wooden furniture, actual plants, any wood or paper and tall green objects.

But do you know that there are things to avoid in the living room? Here’s the list and why:

Spiky plants – sharp-pointed leaves cuts the chi energy preventing smooth flow in your living room. So plants like palms and yuccas should be avoided. These plants are not safe around kids anyway.

Clutter! – we all know that a cluttered room leads to a cluttered life. In feng shui, to prevent chi energy from stagnating, keep the living rooms free of household clutter and too many decorative objects. Less is more. Ottomans in living rooms are good storage for clutter if you’re having a hard time parting with your stuff.

Closed curtains – we should keep the curtains open to allow energizing sunlight  freely  into the rooms. Keep curtains wide open during the day. You will also save energy by using natural light in daytime.

Over-furnishing – chi energy needs to move so keep furniture to a minimum.

Protruding corners – protruding corners like the sharp corner of a shelf or side table must be covered to avoid cutting the chi energy. You can screen them by using bushy plants or drape them with fabric/tablecloth.

Now after you applied feng shui in your living room but still feels stagnant, a water feature can boost favorable chi energy especially if  placed in the south-east part of the room. You can use an aquarium, a waterfall painting, and the like. Happy reorganizing!

Source

living room photo from Smart Furniture

Modern, Fab, artsy Wall and Window treatments

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“Stones” for your home

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The Ten Commandments of Clutter

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Feng Shui your Valentine’s Day!

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I stumbled upon a blog that showcase DIY on how we can maximize our working space and achieve a clutter free desk. It inspired me to try it myself but for now, I want to share to all of you this ingenious way of hiding all the unruly cords of pc, laptop, speakers, USB hub, mouse, etc. and other gadgets as well. You name it, everything can now be “invisible.”  Van Mardian of decluttered.com is kind enough to allow me to repost some photos of his work and from other contributors. Basically, using wooden pegboard and some wires is all you need to achieve this awesome DIY. So without further ado, here’s the before and after photos:

BEFORE

AFTER

So you get the idea? Hiding all the cords and small gadgets under the desk. A DIY that’s easy to do and functional. My next post will talk about positioning your desk and chair that is considered most advantageous in Feng Shui. Watch out for it.

The Ten Commandments of Clutter

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Feng Shui your living room

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Modern, Fab, artsy Wall and Window treatments

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Clutter Control Tips: Easy File Storage

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In connection with my new year’s resolution to live well with less clutter, as promised here’s clutter control tip no. 1: Easy File Storage. We always receive a huge amount of personal and work related documents – bills, receipts, taxes, mails and even junks that we still hold dear. Sometimes, we are too busy to organize all of it in a given time. Some (like me) just put everything inside a drawer, basket or worst accidentally throwing an important receipt or mail in a trash can. I get lazy sometimes organizing the accumulated documents in my file drawer. Hence, I think this stylish PopMesh Tabletop File from Design Ideas is a “life-saver” and a great way to control clutter by just placing all documents in this nicely tagged hang-files. You save time by keeping your working table clutter free. The first step in achieving good feng shui in your home office/office is to declutter. Actually, doesn’t it feel good when you see a space free of clutter? I definitely feel proud and happy when I keep my working table neat and organized. It enables me to work better when my surroundings is clean.

If I were to organize my files and documents in this fab file storage, I will arrange the following tags based on importance: 1) BILLS; 2) MAILS; 3) RECEIPTS; 4) TAXES; 5) OFFICE; 6) HOME; 7) MISCELLANEOUS (to check later). I placed “Bills” with utmost importance because I make sure I pay my bills on time. You can personalize the tags based on your preference. If you’re a student, you can place “School” as the first tag.

The added bonus is, it looks great displayed on your desktop, shelves or even floor. Its even on sale! for only $29.59. Here are the features:
• Durable mesh and wood construction
• Ample room for hang-files and several documents
• Base features felt feet to prevent surface scratching
Size: 10 1/4 “tall x 12 3/4″wide x 5 1/2″deep

The Ten Commandments of Clutter

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Feng Shui your living room

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DIY Cord Organizer

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Wood iPhone Case

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