Too much stuff, too little space
I wear a bunch of hats and I don’t have a place to hang them all. Like most people, there is at least one room in the house that gets out of control. For me, it is my home office.
My home office that wears too many hats, too. My home office is the writing center for this blog, my company blog, and my book. My home office is also where I do some of my work as a buyer’s agent and as the owner of my real estate company. My home office is also where I find myself when I am planning things with friends and family, since I schedule out of my computer calendar. My home office is where the TV lives, so it is where movies are watched, yoga and fitness DVD are followed, and -- as of this week -- where football games are watched. My home office stores my books and my office supplies.
My professional office does not have this identity crisis: it is just a professional office.
The reason that I bring this up is because it is an issue for house buyers. It is a hard question for most:
Do you have too much stuff or do you have too little space?
Today, I want to outline some of the most common things that my buyers mention about their lifestyle and the house choices they make to accommodate their clutter weak-spots. Many focus on these things:
Having a limit on minimum kitchen storage and counter space.
Finding a play area for young children that’s visible to the kitchen or living room, but can be cleaned up easily. The balance between open and not-embarrassing is hard.
Having dry storage somewhere in the house (closets, attics, or basements.)
Having storage for large items (bicycles, canoes, lawnmowers.)
Before you start hunting, I advise you to look at what you own. You may own too much and that can drive you to buy more house than you need. Many people buy houses that are too big and fill them with things they never use. (Then, the basement floods and they throw it all out.)
What is your experience in the clutter wars? Is the clutter winning? Did you buy it a big house for your things and then find you've filled your garage those things you thought you'd be using?
I have established that I have too much stuff and I have no interest in buying more space. Therefore, it is time to de-clutter. In the month leading up to the Jewish New Year, I have gone on a kick to clean up my home office and establish better thing-management. Wish me luck; I am going to need it. I would love some help. If you are a professional in Feng Shui, de-cluttering, or some related field, contact me. I am interested in having you guest on BREN. I don’t think I am the only one has clutter as an uninvited household guest.
