Bigger is Better & Less is More
There’s a lot going on this time of year. As you prep for the influx of friends and family, are you feeling panicked that your home isn’t show ready? Are you looking around thinking, “I can’t believe I volunteered to host this year’s ____? Take a moment to pause and look for ways to simplify your spaces. Reduce the clutter by taking time to get rid of items you’ve been meaning to throw away. Look for ways to update your home with small changes that have a big impact. Organize now, and by the time your guests arrive you’ll be able to relax and enjoy yourself.
You may be thinking, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” Hold on, “Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” That’s what I love about my favorite cliches; you don’t have to spend a dime to transform your own spaces using what you already have with these two decorating tips.
Tip: “Bigger is Better” and “Less is More”. Furniture needs room to breathe. One large item is better than a bunch of smaller items. This keeps your space from looking cluttered. Studies show that physical clutter competes for your attention. This results in decreased performance and increased stress. And no one wants that! Especially at this time of the year! Here are 3 examples to get you started.
Take this “Diamond in the Rough”
BEFORE: This home office felt cluttered and uninviting. There are 9 pieces of furniture cluttering up this space. Editing and restraint are essential tools for a successful transformation. AFTER: Paring down the furniture to the 4 “Bigger” pieces (2 desks, black book case, white console), and taking the time to throw away what wasn’t needed anymore, helped give each piece room to breathe. Flipping the desks to the opposite side of the room gave us an opportunity to put the “Bigger” piece of furniture, the black book case, in the alcove. This visually widened the space. Instead of using a bunch of smaller pictures to fill the walls, using one large canvas helped balance the space. Now the space feels “Less” cluttered, and is warm and inviting! Furniture and accessories from IKEA .
“A picture is worth a thousand words”
BEFORE: There were a bunch of smaller items, I call this “eye clutter”, which made the space feel congested. “As luck would have it” this young man was ready to transition from his Star Wars-inspired room, to his favorite FC Barcelona soccer team-inspired room. AFTER: We packed away his collectibles from his younger days to create a “Less” cluttered space, and then added two “Bigger” art pieces to the walls giving the space more interest and drama. This is a perfect example of these two cliches “Bigger is Better” and “Less is More”.
“Saved the best for last”
It’s true. This is one of my favorite transformations. We could have over-complicated this living space by adding a sofa, end tables, and lamps. Creating more opportunities for clutter. Keeping it simple and using these two cliches, “Bigger is Better” and “Less is More,” made a BIG impact!
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
Always pick things you love and work with them! They’ll always be timeless no matter of the trends.
Happy Tweaking!
"12 Tips to Tweak Your Way to a Happy Space”