You might have some things lying around in your home that are way past their expiration date. Creating a space in your home that radiates fresh and energizing vibes is the way to go these days. But there are those of us who refuse to part with outdated things. A hallmark of timeless design is having a home that showcases a classic interior that is also well balanced and where you’ll find there is a play of symmetry.
If you still have any of the following items in your home, then it might be time to trash, repurpose or pay Good Will a long overdue visit.
Doilies
Our grandmothers had these dust collectors; she probably even crocheted them. Today, they are pointless and just add to the clutter in a home. If you just can’t part with your grandmother’s finery, find a way to repurpose them. Try sewing them together to make a table runner, or even attaching them onto a pillow to add some festive decor for the holidays.
Potpourri
Potpourri is an outdated fad from a bygone era. The mixture of dried flower petals, leaves, herbs, and spices dates back to the 12th century, where it was used to freshen up damp and musty medieval castles. We are far removed from medieval times! Dried plants or flowers symbolize decay and death, which are not helpful in promoting the right atmosphere in your home. Keep fresh flowers or potted plants instead to perpetuate vitality and liveliness.
Bed Skirts
The 80s ushered in a love affair with frilly and flouncy. Welcome the 21st century into your space. Even though bed skirts hide things, they collect dust. One place to begin your decluttering process is underneath the bed. The decluttering fairies will thank you for it. The frills and ruffles often associated with bed skirts are a thing of the past. These days, we should gravitate toward a more smooth or tailored look, offering clean and modern options without a flounce in sight.
Magazine Racks
Magazine racks were popular when most of us read magazines. In this era, however, magazines are digital for the most part. And some of you may even have these racks in the bathroom. However, according to a new survey, about 75 percent of Americans admitted to using their mobile phones while in the bathroom. The IT in the Toilet survey was conducted by 11Mark, a marketing company, that asked 1,000 Americans about their bathroom habits. So, there you have it! Reading magazines in the bathroom is old news. Toss the rack!
Decorative Plates
You know those decorative plates, not the kind you eat off of, but the ones you hang on the wall or put on display in a China cabinet. The trend might be slowly coming back but why? You certainly can’t eat off the plates without toxic dyes leeching into your food. And if you wash the plates, you might ruin the design. So, get rid of them!
Plastic Furniture Covers
Ouch! Those torturous plastic furniture covers are about the most hideous thing you could put on any seating area. Who came up with this idea? Plastic furniture covers were a standard practice for folks who wanted to make sure that their new furniture remained perfect and unstained. Remember your legs sticking to the plastic during those hot summer months? And, don’t let there be a crack in the plastic that cuts the skin!
Vertical Blinds
Since their heyday in the 80s, vertical blinds have faded from view. Not only are they annoying to open and close, but they’re also a relic of the past. Invest in airy beautiful curtains for an eye-catching and refreshing element in the room.
Huge Old TVs
Big box or projection TVs were the rage in the 90s, then as the years went by, screens got bigger and flatter. If you haven’t updated your TV in decades, then more than likely, you have one of those big box numbers. It might be time to give the dinosaur the old heave ho! Can’t bear to trash your TV? Most states and districts have e-waste services that will allow you to recycle your old TV, and finding them is pretty easy. Check out the EPA’s website, where you can learn about electronics donation and recycling and find plenty of resources to help you locate a local service or recycling center.
Matching Furniture Sets
Matching furniture sets have been a popular go-to trend for centuries because they’re easily accessible and cost-friendly, and it saves you time on searching for furniture that can be paired together. As time evolves, so do trends, and matching furniture sets are not getting the attention they once did. Now mix and match sets is the way to go. Mixing and matching furniture pieces to create an environment that looks more modern, edgy, and that feels good is the way to go. Save the Xerox copying for the actual office machine!
Clutter
Lastly, you don’t want to look like a hoarder-in-the-making. Declutter, declutter, declutter! Chuck old bills and receipts lying on the kitchen table, and old magazines collecting dust in the living room. Put away items that have crept out of their designated storage spaces. Donate unwanted items that are still in good condition. Put yourself on a schedule but keep your goals realistic and attainable, so you can declutter your home without feeling overwhelmed. Break down the spaces you need to declutter, estimating how long each will take. And then organize that into your overall timeline. Give yourself some buffer time in case something doesn’t go according to plan.
Make sure you are aware of your local recycling guidelines, as certain items, such as electronics, often can’t go in the regular recycling. Keep a separate bin for those items to bring them to an appropriate recycling center. Moreover, if you know you’ll be undertaking a major decluttering project, you might want to rent a dumpster in advance for unusable items that must be thrown away.
