Guide to decluttering home decor -
advice based on real life experience
Home decor is often a good place to start if you are looking to declutter and simplify your home. But overwhelm can hit hard with this one – it can be difficult to decide what you should keep and what you should get rid of.
If you are in this position, it helps to know what others would do in your place. And this is what you will find here.
As a guide to decluttering home decor, items you should consider removing completely and not purchase again include: decorative sculptures/ objects, wall clocks, candles, paintings, pictures and decorative table settings. Other home decor items such as trays, bowls, fabric throws, curtains, baskets, rugs, vases and cushions, typically perform a function, so keep these items but ensure you only keep what you use.
How do I justify these recommendations?
There is one base rule I follow when it comes to decluttering home decor – if it doesn’t perform a function, remove it from your home.
This can get hard when you are looking at items you love or something that was gifted to you with love. But sometimes these tough decisions need to be made. I am not saying these items MUST go, but I think it’s worth questioning the need to hold on. I’ll get into this a bit later.
For now, it’s important to remember decor is often purely what the name states – a decorative item. And these decorative items end up cluttering the home. It’s the main culprit of visual clutter, making a space feel overwhelming.
Getting rid of these items helps to create clear empty spaces, and things will fill so much lighter as a result.
In this guide, I go through each of the home decor items mentioned above and provide the reasoning behind my recommendations. The post is separated into Purely Decorative Items and Functional Items, plus one home decor can I can not objectively comment on.
And this is just a guide based on my own experience – it is up to you whether you take on the recommendations.
In fact, you’ll find as you read on that in some instances I have not taken on my own recommendations! Don’t mean to be a hypocrite. It just goes to show – there is some element of personal choice here and the hard and fast rules can be bent to suit your circumstances.
I hope by giving you insights into my process, it will give you the guidance and motivation you might need to get your decluttering going.
Purely decorative items - considering removing these from your home
(1) Decorative sculptures/ objects
Decorative sculptures/ objects generally serve no function. Even ones given to you as a gift – the item likely serves no function. And ones you have picked up while on holidays as souvenirs – also no function. And items you love because of the memories attached to them – also no function.
Sounds harsh but that’s the mentality I had to adopt to take action on these objects.
Because it can be hard to let go of gifts that were given to you in love. And it’s hard to let go of items you love because of the memories attached to them.
But these kinds of things can build and build. It’s these kinds of things that prevent your space from feeling calm and easy to manage.
I bit the bullet years back and got rid of so much. And I don’t regret it one bit – I am so glad I did it. Sure I loved the items, but they were just gathering so dust and not adding anything of real value to my life.
The only value was the memories associated with the objects. And they haven’t disappeared because the item is no longer around. Those memories are still with me.
So I could still keep these memories, I did take photos of each of the items before donating or selling them. Of course, I have never looked at the photos since then, but it’s good to have, I suppose.
Not everything has been removed though. I still have these two Noweigeian trolls that my husband got when we got married. He refuses to part with it. And that’s okay. You choose your battles.
(2) Wall Clocks
These days wall clocks are less of a necessity. We all have phones that tell the time or watches on hand to do the same.
Ask yourself, do you need this item?
If it is to fill an empty wall, keep it empty for a little while longer and you will see, that empty walls aren’t so bad. One less item to dust down, wipe clean and maintain!
If it’s because you think you need it, take it down and see how you go without it for a couple of months. If you find you really miss it, then bring it back. If not, let it go.
(3) Candles
I get the allure of candles – to create a certain atmosphere around the home, with changing lighting or scent in a room. Or perhaps they have taken on a ritualistic element in your life – lighting a candle signals the end of the day, or time to relax.
Most likely you have received quite a few as gifts or you have picked up a few because you thought they smelled so nice.
Whatever the situation, it’s worthwhile to assess whether you need them. Are they fulfilling a necessary function? And even if they fulfil a function, is there an alternative that is not single-use?
Our collection of candles was getting out of hand and I had to ask myself these questions.
Candles were used to scent the room but I have come to like diffusers so much more (reusable, less disposable). Sometimes we use candles when taking a bath, for soft lighting, but we have some battery-operated candles that fulfil that function (again reusable, less disposable). And another time we use candles is to light the insides of pumpkins during Halloween – battery-operated candles work soooo much better in this instance.
So I realised we could get rid of all of our candles and hold on to the battery-operated ones only.
Before
After
I felt so much lighter after getting rid of these.
Ummm yes, I still held onto one or two candles. I’ve held onto them because there is no diffuser in our bathroom and these candles work well in this space.
Like I said before, there are going to be instances where I don’t follow my own guide! (Keep reading!)
(4) Picture Frames
Again it’s a matter of asking is this needed? Could you try living with the empty wall for a while and reassess the need?
Personally, I neeeeed these. Photos are my favourite decor items, making frames necessary.
That said, I did remove a lot of photos from our walls a couple of years back, creating that empty space that we desperately needed in our living area. Now I only have one wall in the living area with photos. And a photo gallery along our hallway that I can’t get rid of.
That said, I do know if I did get rid of this, it will feel good. Because it’s a pain having to dust these. And it’s a pain adjusting them (because they all seem to get wonky somehow!). And it’s a pain fixing them up when they fall.
I get more joy from flicking through photo albums and photo books I have of our lives.
(5) Paintings
As above you really should question if this is needed. Sit with an empty wall for a while and reassess the need.
If you do end up purchasing something, let it be something that you love, rather than something you were rushed into buying to fill a space or something you felt compelled to buy because it was on-trend.
This is why I love buying vintage – pieces are unique and you would only purchase them if you were in love with them. Because the art moved you. There is some pretty amazing stuff out there that has some real character.
My favourite is this print I picked up at a vintage market – it has a really interesting history that I love.
This print was associated with a lot of house fires in England. The boy who appears in this print died in a fire. So did those around him. And the painter. And those that have this print in the years following the boy’s death had their homes burnt down. Only the print would survive.
Crazy huh?
Whatever you end up putting up on your walls, it needs to really connect with you in some way, to be beyond something that looks nice and appeals to you at the time. If not, you will find yourself replacing the item again and again. And that is such a waste.
(6) Decorative table settings
Napkins, placemats, napkin rings, table runners, decorative centre pieces – items like this are worth reconsidering.
Here’s my quick assessment of these items:
* Napkins – in most cases they are necessary. They are prefered over paper napkins and get the eco-friendly tick. Keep what is needed and will be used.
* Placemats – typically necessary as it helps protect the table and makes cleaning easier however you can try to go without, depending on your table. I think my wooden table can take it but I would have to make sure I clean the table after every use. I’m not always good at getting onto that straight away and so I need placements to save me there!
* Napkin rings – these seem like an unnecessary waste. Considering getting rid of these.
* Table runners – they are often decorative and don’t fulfil a function. If they are considered necessary to protect the table from hot pots and pans, heat pads are a better alternative, but continue using them if they fulfil this purpose.
* Decorative centrepieces – these do not meet the function requirement and add clutter to the home. This is something to get rid of – it won’t be missed.
I’m not against creating an aesthetically pleasing home – but I have learnt that purely decorative items don’t add any value to your home or your life and once you remove them, things feel a lot easier. And your home doesn’t become stark or boring or uninviting as a result. It’s the opposite. It can feel uncluttered, calm and welcoming.
And of course, you can do what I do – don’t get rid of everything at once and keep a few items that mean a lot to you!
Functional items - ensure you keep only what you use
(7) Decorative trays (for consoles, tables, coffee tables etc.)
Trays can be useful to hold small items together, neatly in one space. However, a clear surface is the aim if you are looking to declutter your home and create a calming atmosphere. So this means keeping things off consoles, tables and coffee tables and finding drawers to store things away. So try to do without decorative trays.
I have one tray on my bedside table. A vintage find that I use to hold creams and things. It looks pretty cluttered and I do find it annoying having to dust it and wipe it down but it’s fulfilling a necessary function.
I used to have several more around the house, holding various items but I have since removed them all and sold them off.
Trays just invite further clutter so best to remove them and keep only what’s necessary.
(8) Crystal / Ceramic Bowls
Like trays, these can be used to store small items or treats. Again clear surfaces being ideal, bowls would be something you should try to do without.
I have tin bowls that I use to hold make-up and make-up brushes and a bowl to hold coins in the living room. And a glass bowl that is used to collect receipts.
These do clutter up our space but these are items I need to have daily/ easy access to, so drawers do not make sense.
I used to have so much more – a lot of vintage bowls I picked up second-hand. Only because they looked pretty and I wanted them.
I’ve stopped doing that now. Got rid of most of them. Created clear surfaces.
(9) Flower Vases
Flowers take energy and resources to produce and as tempting as it is, it is best to reconsider whether you need to purchase them. They are purely decorative and serve no function. And the best way to declutter is not to bring clutter into the home in the first place.
However, while you might resist buying flowers, there are times when you may get them as a gift. So you may find you need a flower vase.
The key is to get rid of any excess and keep only what is essential.
I have a large glass jug from a vintage store to hold large bouquets and a medium-sized jug from 15 years ago that I use to hold smaller bouquets.
I don’t buy flowers anymore but I do take cuttings from the garden at times for propagation. For these, I repurpose glass jars to act as vases.
(10) Cushions
Yep, I went through a phase convinced cushions were necessary to make my home a home, make a space look “comfy”, to express my style.
It was the smart, cheap way of expressing my every-changing decorating style – one year boho, another year neutrals, another year… I don’t know! It was a bit of madness really.
And boy did they drive me mad in other ways!
Cushions never stay where you last leave them. Invariably they end up on the floor and I would go insane picking them up.
And making the bed or going to bed at night when it’s covered in cushions – what a nightmare!
When I wised up, I regretted the excess. I got rid of everything except for a couple of cushions kept alongside our couches (pulled out when needed and put away when not used) and two decorative cushions for our bed (I am sure one day I could get rid of them).
I recommend you strip back your collection to what you use, give away the rest and purchase no more.
(11) Fabric throws
Argh, this is like the cushion thing – it can become something that you use to make a statement rather than something you need.
But they do have their uses.
I have at least 2 weather-appropriate throws kept alongside our couch that we like to snuggle under while watching TV.
The key is to hold onto items like these but let go of ones that exist for decorative purposes only. Like the throws, you put at the end of the bed that never really get used.
Let go of these items and ensure you don’t purchase them again.
(12) Baskets
Baskets as storage items are great. But look at them in the same way as decorative trays and bowls – if they exist, they just invite clutter in.
I have to admit, I have a few around the house and some are performing a useful function.
And others are handing around, holding onto items that should have left years ago or not doing much at all other than adding clutter to my place.
Got to get onto this.
Anyway, I recommend getting rid of as many of these as possible.
(13) Curtains
Seems a bit silly questioning something that seems so essential – but is it?
Windows are often covered in various mediums – blinds, Venetians, plantation shutters etc.
And curtains are often used as decorative items – something to frame the window.
I did this once in my daughter’s room and it was so silly. The blinds would give us privacy, our roller shutters would block out light when needed and the curtains served no function other than to be yet another thing to clean and take care of.
They did add something to the room but when I got rid of them during a declutter, after some time I didn’t even notice it was gone.
That’s the thing with decorative items – you miss their presence for a little while, it seems like things look bare but after some time you don’t notice any difference at all and you don’t regret getting rid of them one bit.
(14) Rugs
I would hope if you had brought a rug it is performing an essential function – it could be to protect a high traffic area or to absorb sound. In which case, it makes sense to hold onto the item.
The temptation to replace it as time and tastes change is the thing to fight here.
But as far as decluttering goes, rugs are safe.
Home decor item I can not objectively comment on...
(15) Plants
And this is where you probably won’t get anything rational out of me.
The base rule is, if it has no function and is purely decorative, you need to remove it from your home and not purchase it again.
I think plants are purely decorative.
Sure you could argue they work to purify the air and therefore perform a necessary function. But honestly, I’ve lived life without plants and life with a whole lot of plants, and I don’t notice a difference in air quality.
They really are a decorative item.
And one that I have become very attached to. Thinking on it, its because it has allowed me to reconnect with nature and with gardening. There’s more about this in this blog post: Indoor Plants and Why They Matter.
So I have no rational recommendations here when it comes to using indoor plants as a home decor item.
I say the more the merrier!
So that’s probably not so much of a guide as a peek into decluttering in real life!
But hopefully, this gives you some idea on how to navigate this space and motivates you to take some action to declutter your home. You don’t have to do it “perfectly” – you just need to do what you can and that will – over time as you do more and more – make all the difference to simplifying your home.
xxx Tahsin
