We all crave for a spacious, clutter-free home that doesn’t just look good but also enhances our mental wellbeing. Yet, many of us find ourselves struggling with cramped spaces that are filled with things we don’t really need.
A decluttered, spacious home isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it can also make you feel more organized and less stressed. In this post, I’ll be sharing with you ten things I stopped doing that made my home feel more spacious.
1. Buying Impulsively
We often fall prey to impulsive buying, purchasing items we don’t actually need. I realized that this was one of the main reasons my home was cluttered and felt small.
Instead, I started to adopt a mindful purchasing habit. Before buying anything, I would ask myself: Do I really need this? Do I have a place for this in my home? Is this item worth the space it will occupy? This simple practice helped me to refrain from unnecessary purchases and gradually, my home started to feel more spacious.
2. Keeping Sentimental Clutter
We all have sentimental items that we hold onto because they remind us of cherished memories or loved ones. However, these items can take up a lot of space and make our home feel crowded.
I decided to digitize as many of these keepsakes as possible. For instance, I scanned old photographs and letters and stored them digitally. For other items, I took photos and then donated or discarded the actual item. This freed up a lot of space while still preserving the memories.
3. Overstuffing Closets
Overstuffing closets and cabinets was another habit that contributed to the cramped feeling in my home. When closets are packed to the brim, it’s hard to find what you need and everything feels disorganized.
I started by taking everything out of my closets and cabinets and carefully sorting through each item. I donated or discarded anything that I no longer needed or used. I then organized what was left into categories and stored them neatly. This made my closets feel more organized and spacious.
4. Ignoring Vertical Space
I used to ignore the vertical space in my home, focusing only on the floor and surfaces. However, vertical space is a valuable asset when it comes to creating a feeling of spaciousness.
I started using shelves, hooks, and wall-mounted storage to make the most of my vertical space. This freed up floor and surface space, making my home feel more spacious and organized.
5. Hoarding Books
As a book lover, I had a habit of hoarding books, believing that a well-stocked bookshelf was a sign of intelligence and sophistication. However, all those books took up a lot of space and made my home feel cramped.
I decided to switch to eBooks and audiobooks as much as possible. I kept only the books that I truly loved and would likely read again. The rest were donated to libraries and schools.
6. Using Large Furniture
Large furniture pieces can make a small space feel even smaller. I used to have a large sofa, a bulky coffee table, and a huge dining table that made my home feel cramped and uncomfortable.
I replaced these with smaller, more compact pieces that fit the scale of my home. This immediately made my home feel more spacious and comfortable.
7. Keeping Unused Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen is another place where clutter can quickly accumulate. I found that I had many small appliances and gadgets that I rarely used, but they were taking up valuable counter and cabinet space.
I decided to keep only the appliances that I used regularly. Anything that I hadn’t used in the past six months was donated or discarded. This made my kitchen feel more spacious and functional.
8. Not Utilizing Outdoor Space
I used to ignore my outdoor space, but I realized that it could be a valuable extension of my indoor living space.
I started using my balcony, patio, or backyard for outdoor dining, relaxation, and entertainment. This helped to make my indoor space feel more spacious and open.
9. Keeping Unused Clothing
Clothes that are rarely worn can take up a lot of closet space. I had many clothes that I hadn’t worn in years, but I was holding onto them just in case.
I decided to adopt the one-year rule: if I hadn’t worn something in a year, I donated or discarded it. This freed up a lot of closet space and made my home feel more spacious.
10. Not Regularly Decluttering
Regular decluttering is key to maintaining a spacious, organized home. I used to put off decluttering until my home felt completely out of control.
Now, I declutter on a regular basis, tackling one area at a time. This keeps clutter from accumulating and makes my home feel more spacious and organized.
