Clutter reduction helps ProductivityImprovement by reducing stress and distractions that are caused by clutter.

Here are some tips I've learned from firsthand experience and patterns I've discovered by analyzing hundreds of examples of well designed rooms in interior design magazines (e.g. ABITARE, Dwell, Interni, METROPOLIS, Wallpaper etc.) and books (e.g. Practically Minimal, Compact Living, Minimalist Interiors, etc.)

How to reduce clutter in a room

1. reduction. reduce the number of objects in the room.
2. symmetry. arrange similar objects symmetrically in the room. this may appear to reduce clutter because the introduction of symmetry may actually result in a net reduction in the complexity of the information represented by the objects in the room.
3. small multiples. per Tufte (specifically Envisioning Information), the arrangement of a number of similar objects in an orderly fashion (rows, columns, grids, clusters) is visually appealing and similarly makes a space feel less busy.
4. containment. put a collection of similar objects into a larger object that logically groups them and hides their appearance as individual objects. abstraction. hierarchy.
5. clear floors. everything on the floor should be picked up and put away. the only things that should be on/touching a floor in a room are:
• rugs, kilims, and similar decorative/functional floor coverings (e.g. giant foam interlocking M.C. Escher lizards)
• furniture
• floor cushions
• power strips and cables, but only along the edges, adjacent to a wall
• items used daily (e.g. shoes by the entryway, utility bag/backpack)
6. clear top surfaces. everything on top of counters, furniture (dressers, tables, chairs, desks, bookshelves etc.) should be put away. A room looks significantly neater, calmer and is more relaxing when the tops of surfaces are devoid of all objects and wiped clean of any dust. exceptions:
• one or two artistic or personal objects on a top surface may add a nice accent
• items used daily (e.g. a coat/jacket, laptop, phone, keys, camera, salt & pepper shakers)

How to get rid of objects

When you reduce the number of objects in a room, those objects have to go somewhere. Here are some options (the best option will depend on the object, and your particular circumstances)

• sell. sell the object and grow capital. eBay. Craigslist.
• donate. donate the object to a worthy cause, itemize it, and deduct it.
• gift. give the object to someone who you know wants it or can use it.
• give away. Craigslist.
• dispose. ideally, recycle or compost if possible. if the object contains environmentally unfriendly chemicals, be sure to dispose of it properly through an agency that handles those chemicals. See the article How to Recycle Unusual Household Items for details on how to recycle:
• batteries
• candle jars
• CDs and DVDs
• crayons
• foam packing peanuts
• compact fluorescent lightbults
• VHS tapes
• paint
• trophies
• phone books

The Challenge

Even with these specific objectives and methods, the process can be quite challenging. I use these tips myself to improve my living space frequently. Thus despite the feeling that any particular room is cluttered, every day (or at least week) I know I am getting closer to achieving the goal of a clutter free home.

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