It’s crazy what a difference a pile of stuff — or the removal of said pile — can make in a space.
When a room, no matter how well-designed, is littered with books, clothes and shoes, it looks way more shabby than chic. On the flip side, decluttering a room, even one that’s 90 percent Ikea-outfitted, can make it a million times more comfortable — or at least somewhere you’re not embarrassed to invite friends.
Made for busy or lazy days, these four easy clutter-busting shortcuts will help make your home guest-ready in less time than it takes to play your favorite Beyoncé song:
#1. No Longer in Love? Let it Go
Look hard at wall art and photos: Anything you don’t love, take down stat, suggests decluttering guru Erin Rooney Doland in her book, "Never Too Busy to Cure Clutter: Simplify Your Life One Minute at a Time."
#2. Subtract Your Pillows
If you have more than three decorative pillows on your bed, Doland suggests you edit those down to simplify bed-making, and achieve a more streamlined look.
#3. See the Top of Your Coffee Table Again
Empty surfaces make your living room look bigger and cleaner, so clear off that coffee table, says professional organizer Tova Weinstock.
#4. Rearrange Your Computer
Rearrange your desktop so the things you use the most are easiest to reach, and the rest live in containers or drawers or on shelves, says Doland.
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