Naturally, our minds crave order. So when you’re living in a visually cluttered space, you could be causing yourself more stress without even knowing. In fact, studies show that if you or someone in the family has ADHD, visual clutter can exacerbate symptoms, reducing one’s ability to focus.
Plus, visual clutter is everywhere. Even when your home is tidy. It’s on the packaging of products you surround yourself with, it’s the concentrated section of decor hogging your kitchen counter/workspace. It’s hiding on that disorganised bookshelf, and it lurks in the spaces that are meant to ground & calm you.
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When your space is loaded with visual clutter, your mind may actually struggle to hold focus. Your thoughts are prompted by your environment, so when there’s a lot to take in, visual clutter can easily distract you. Even if you’re not actively thinking about it, the clutter is there and your brain is working double-time to register the space around you.
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7 tips to reduce visual clutter in your space
Personally, as someone with ADHD, I’ve picked up on how visual clutter impacts my ability to pay attention and I’ve picked up a few useful tips & tricks to reduce the visual clutter in my space, and now I will be sharing them with you!
Keep it simple, sweetheart
Strip away all the clutter and embrace minimalist as your mindset. Instead of adding new decor & objects to your space regularly, do the opposite and get rid of the objects your space could do without. Clearing up space in the environment allows for the eye to breathe and the mind to find solace in simplicity.
Distinguish between what’s essential and what’s merely clutter, and go from there.
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Tap into your organisational era
Do as I’ve done, and arm yourself with practical storage solutions that transform chaos into order. Think organisational shelves, boxes bins, and cleverly designed furniture that can stow away belongings, leaving your space visually unburdened. Classify, categorise, and assign each item a rightful place.
When you’re going for less visual clutter, it’s a good idea to organise objects according to colour & function.
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Leave the rainbows for outdoors
Colour is wonderful, we love colour! Not when it overwhelms us, though. To reduce visual clutter, you’ve got to be choosey about your colour palette. Whether it’s colour-coding your bookshelf, coming up with a gentle, minimalist colour scheme for your space, or removing items from their packaging & neatly stowing away, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce unnecessary bursts of colour around you.
Packaging plays a big role in overwhelming a space with colour. Rather than storing items in their packaging, find organised storage solutions like boxes or mason jars to put things in.
When it comes to colour in your decor, opt for soothing hues and tones that create a serene backdrop, allowing your mind to rest and find respite. Let bursts of colour accentuate, not overpower the room.
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Embrace negative space
Embrace the power of emptiness! Resist the temptation to fill every inch of your walls and surfaces and instead, allow the negative spaces in your environment to coax a sense of calmness and contemplation. There’s an art to simplicity, and it takes a good eye to know when not to overdo! Keep it simple, ideally you want more negative space than decor, which gives the items that are on display more room to shine, too.
You’re the curator of your sanctuary
Become the curator of your own abode and carefully select objects that are significant and beautiful to you, instead of overwhelming your space with items you couldn’t really be fussed about.
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Your space is your sanctuary, and you want the objects around you to reflect this. Release the hold of sentimentality on items that don’t serve a purpose or spark something in you. Instead, start to build your own curated collection that speaks to you. Each piece should tell a story to find its place in the harmony of your space.
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Become a multi-purpose girlie
There’s a real power to multi-functionality, whether it’s multi-functional makeup, fashion, and even furniture. Multi-functional furniture doubles up as a way to reclaim lost space that isn’t visible to the eye, reducing clutter that would have otherwise been in your direct line of sight.
Furniture pieces with hidden storage compartments, versatile organisers or modal designs can be your allies in the war against visual clutter. Why not merge functionality and style by opting for a bed with a base that doubles up as drawers, or an ottoman that doubles up storage for blankets?
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Make regular purges
Make purging a ritualistic practice, a cyclical celebration of renewal where you cleanse your space & your mind. Periodically reassess your possessions, questioning their relevance and impact on your sanctuary. As seasons change and life evolves, let go of the unnecessary baggage and make room for new beginnings.
As Marie Kondo says, does it spark joy? If not, this may be your signal to let it go.
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