Is your house stressing you out?

 

woman stressed out by messy house

 

These days, we are pummelled with images of gorgeous living rooms, serene bedrooms, dream kitchens and even garages that look clean enough to eat off of. Is this real? Do people actually live in these beautiful places? For many of us, it seems unattainable. We think, “My home could NEVER look like THAT!”  or  “I bet the dirt and clutter was Photoshopped out of there!”  But there is hope for the organizationally-challenged and clutter-loving human: A Professional Organizer.

 

To quote William Morris:

“Have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”.

 

We all have busy lives and it is easy to hang onto things that you don’t use anymore. People also tend to keep furniture, art and home accessories that have been handed down through the family or given as gifts, even if they don’t really like the item that much. After time, these items accumulate and your home is filled with them! So what happens when you come home from work to put your feet up and relax? Negative emotions such as guilt, obligation and stress come up as you stare at that hideous antique floorlamp that your aunt gave you. Why is it there? Probably because it belonged to your grandmother and you feel guilty about selling it or giving it away. Your home should be your oasis – a place where you are comfortable and happy. If you are surrounded by things that cause you stress then your home has become a ball and chain around your leg.

 

That’s where a Professional Organizer comes in. By asking the tough questions and guiding you through the sometimes-emotional process, a P.O. can transform your home into the stylish, satisfying and comforting environment that you have been wanting. When the negativity is taken out of the home and positive elements are added, such as pretty storage, functional spaces and happy or soothing colours, your house becomes a real home.

 

Whether you are moving or staying put, there are some simple rules that can help you:

  1. If you don’t love it, then get rid of it.
  2. If you haven’t thought about it or used it within the last year, get rid of it.
  3. If it is broken and not fixable, get rid of it.
  4. If you have a favourite colour and it is not seen anywhere in your house, then use it.
  5. If you are overwhelmed with stuff and junk, get professionals to help you.

 

Here is a ‘Before & After’ shot that illustrates what I am talking about.

 

organized living room before and after photo

 

This one is a living/dining room that had a lot going on: every surface covered in items and general clutter everywhere. The room was dingy and gloomy and lacked a focal point.

What Clutterfly Inc. did here was to put everything in its proper place – and if it didn’t have one, then they created one or got rid of the unnecessary item. They opened up the room by creating unobstructed pathways and allowed more light to come in. Much better! By replacing the square table with a round one,  the room is opened up and better flow is created. Small touches such as adding a mirror will reflect more light and add brightness. A large plant in the corner softens the look and adds a soothing touch of nature to the room. The ottoman opens up for convenient storage.

 

So if you want to find serenity now and get the beautiful home that you’ve always wanted, then it’s time to call in the professionals.  After all, life is short, so put up your feet, pick up the phone and get some peace of mind.