5 Ways To Avoid Visual Clutter
Spaces in Singapore are rapidly shrinking, and as much as we detest
the fact, homes will continuously decrease in size. The only thing we can do is
work around the issue and try to incorporate solutions that keep our abodes
free from clutter.
1. Edit First, Buy Later
Conduct a purge and rid your home of unwanted belongings if the
clutter is getting overwhelming. You’ll probably require extra storage for
items you decide to stow away instead of throw away — but beware of purchasing
these storage solutions too early. You may end up overbuying additional storage
than is actually necessary. So, it’s important you check out what’s left after
the entire purge process before making any decisions.
2. Don’t Be Delusional
Set realistic expectations and goals. Although a purge is useful for
decluttering your apartment, its effects may only last temporarily depending on
your personality. For example, a hoarder or a shopaholic will likely continue
loading their home with redundant buys in the near future, causing a repeat of
the problem.
If you foresee this happening, you’re better off calculating the amount of storage you’ll need in the long run — and installing more permanent solutions that can accommodate a hefty amount of items. Even if it doesn’t seem vital just after you’ve done a purge, it’ll come in handy when you can’t seem to control your shopaholic or hoarding urges.
3. Get Things Off The Floor
The more of your floor area you’re able to see, the less cluttered
your space is going to look. Swap free-standing shelving units for wall-mounted
ones, creating a more spacious environment that ultimately feels less cramped.
Now that you have extra space to play with, try spreading out your furniture so
that each area starts looking roomier than before.
4. Choose Your Colours Wisely
Stick to a simple colour palette. Whether you prefer light and
bright rooms or dark and broody ones, ensure shades you pick for your walls, floors
and furniture don’t vary too much. The less contrast there is within each room,
the less messy it’s going to end up looking. Choosing colours close to each
other on the colour wheel lessens the chance of the overall scene looking too
chaotic.
5. Be Mindful Of The Tinier Details
Scan your space for tinier details that may
affect the general feel of your home. Have you displayed one too many reads on
your bookshelf? Does your fridge have an excess of magnets and notes you can do
without? These seemingly minuscule details can affect the overall vibe, and
it’s essential you attend to them and eliminate any sort of unnecessary clutter
no matter how insignificant it may seem.
Work with your renovation contractors to get the most storage out of your new space.