Following on from last week which focused on paintings, prints and frames, we are moving onto the decorative touches around the house, including figurines, faux flowers and other trinkets and ephemera.
So how do we decide what stays and what goes?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I love it?
- Does it have good memories associated with it?
- Is it proudly on display or catching dust in a cupboard?
- Does it go well with my decor or taste?
- Is it functional and/or in good condition?
- Has it got a home or do you have room for it?
If it isn’t quite that straight forward for you and you have a bit of a collection, revisit the criteria you created during Week 1 of our challenge to assist you in making decisions about these items.
What do I do with the keepers?
Enjoy them, have them out on display. Don’t pack them away to take up space and catch dust – what’s the point of having them then?
When displaying them, place them somewhere to limit the chance of damage and don’t forget to leave some “white” space around your paintings and prints so that you can truly appreciate them. The other benefit of not having too many items cluttering a space is that it is easier to clean and not as distracting as a multitude of pieces which start running into one another.
What do I do with the ones that no longer have a purpose for me?
If your items are in good condition, you could sell, swap or donate them. If they are of little to no value or they are no longer functional or damaged beyond repair, donate or recycle what elements you can as appropriate.
- Sell or Swap:
o Swap with your friends or family
o Gumtree
o Facebook Marketplace
o Ebay
o Garage Sale
o Sell to a licensed second-hand dealer
- Donate options:
o Charity shops such as the Salvos or Vinnies
o Green Shed (Mitchell or Mugga Lane)
o Let’s Recycle Canberra (Hume)
If the items are broken/damaged beyond repair they are just taking up valuable space in your home and need to go in the bin (recycling whatever you can of course!). Refer to the ACT Government’s Recyclopaedia for a list of items and options for responsible disposal or recycling.
How did you go?
Don’t forget to share your successes, challenges and tips on our Facebook page.
Happy decluttering!
Melissa x