15 ways to reduce VISUAL clutter

Not everything can be decluttered so today I'm sharing 15 ways to reduce VISUAL clutter for a nice and clear home appearance!
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[@stenoodie]

Removing labels from bottles is a favourite way of mine to reduce visual clutter.

[@MiaDanielle]

ooh that's a good idea too- if it's a bottle that's going to be reused or displayed for sure!

[@mmedley2998]

Something I learned from an electrical engineer in college- binding cords together actually creates what is called resistance in the circuit and will shorten the life of appliances.

[@MiaDanielle]

ooh interesting. Never knew that :)

[@kimd5364]

@@MiaDanielle Yep. I used to stagehand. For all the lighting cords, stagehands make big coils with the cords. They use the last loop to wrap around all the other loops, forming one large circle.

[@juliapalos2077]

It's true. I wouldn't call it specifically resistance, but yeah, it creates unwanted secondary currents and they are not good for appliances.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

That’s good to know.

[@justcarineinparis]

That’s actually useful. Thank you for your comment!

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

As much as I love art, I’ve reduced the number and chosen larger pieces to make a statement. Fewer things on the wall really makes it more peaceful and simple.

[@alamedadanceparty]

Here, I'll save you some time: 1. Add a shoe rack by the entryway. 2. Cover cords with decor (plants, for example.) 3. Have less stuff. Reduce your inventory. 4. Create a central hub for things you use daily (salt, pepper, coasters, etc). 5. Create stations for grouping items of a similar purpose (ex. a coffee station) 6. Put all your blankets in an easy storage space all together. 7. Use bins to collect like items together. 8. Stick to a limited color palette of 3-5 colours, textures, patterns that go together. 9. Establish a space for each of your chosen appliances so you can put them away. 10. Band cords together to conceal them in a tidy way. 11. Create small groupings and add negative space in between when displaying them. Group in odd numbers for more visual appeal. 12. Keep the knives off the counter and in a drawer. 13. Consolidate like items into 1 container. 14. Use vertical storage to lift things off the surface. 15. Make everyday items looks artistic and appealing in design. 16. Try a digital picture frame.

[@MiaDanielle]

You can also hover over the playbar now (new feature by KZbin) and it'll list the headers :)

[@alamedadanceparty]

@@MiaDanielle oh great to know!!! So helpful.

[@sillybeeful]

@@MiaDanielle nicely handled 👍🏼

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

@@MiaDanielle What’s the playbar? I tried hovering over the red bar (that’s what I thought it was) and nothing happened.

[@with_compassion]

@@TheDriftwoodlover if you were to slide the bar left or right to forward or rewind while paused, it shows

[@RDOwens]

I built a television stand out of cinder blocks. Love it! The problem was that the cords to it and the router were totally exposed as I only used two columns of blocks (one for each leg of the television stand). Cords weren't long enough to tie up and keep out of the way. As I considered my options, I picked up a piece of white poster board. I placed that behind the blocks but in front of the cord. It blends in with the white wall. Problem solved! Entire television stand came in at about $13 and I love it! Simple, efficient, and clutter free. :)

[@MiaDanielle]

Great problem solving :)

[@DerrickMims]

#12 about keeping knives in a drawer was a change I recently made. I got rid of an old and very cheap giant block of knives and replaced them with just a few inexpensive but high quality knives (Victorinox brand) in a knife holder. I cleaned out a junk drawer as part of decluttering the kitchen, and the knife tray fit there perfectly. It was a great decision. I have two big knives (8" chef's knife and a serrated bread knife), along with a very sharp paring knife and several steak knife sized knives. The knife tray even has room for two more big knives should I decide to get some other items down the road.

[@sct4040]

I feel the toaster belongs with the coffeemaker, both used for breakfast. The toaster oven is on top of the microwave. The rice cooker, Instant Pot, and slow cooker sit together, all used for dinner. Having to take everything out every morning and evening will drive me crazy.

[@vickithornley5056]

Agreed

[@MiaDanielle]

I like it! Grouping by time of day or type of meal

[@anastasiya8314]

I don’t own any of those things. For our Family of 4 I use the broiler to toast and make grilled cheese, microwave is used often to heat water for coffee and mug cakes and steam frozen veggies, I use a regular pot to make rice. I use French press for coffee. we have a very small kitchen so space is limited but we can cook three course meals very easily with our limited space because of less appliances.

[@Drolywa]

I actually already do most of this as a matter of routine. I guess I’m a minimalist at heart. I would add a rollup over the sink drainer. I like to wash dishes as I go, but dislike the idea of a bulky dishdrainer as a permanent fixture on my counter. When I’m done with my drainer, I run a kitchen rag over it to dry it, roll it up and put it in its home- the drawer next to the sink. If you could do a video on how to decorate for seasons minimally, I’d love to see that! I really enjoy watching seasonal decor videos but can’t bring myself to clutter my counters with things such as tier trays whose sole purpose is to hold decor. For now, I switch out thing I already use for season appropriate version… such as an apple cinnamon scented dishwash soap. Or I embellish my white utensil holder with a rustic burlap ribbon, etc. Thank you for this, I found a kindred spirit youtuber! Subscribed!

[@MiaDanielle]

That's a great idea with the holidays coming up! Thanks for subbing :)

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

I don't know if this helps, but one thing I do when it comes to the decorative pillows on my couch is to just have one set of pillow inserts, and then I switch out the pillow covers seasonally. The downsides are they have to be relatively close in size and have the ability to be removed (zippered or pocketed), but the upside is you only have to store the covers, which take up way less space than storing bulky pillows. When the seasons change, I just roll the covers up and store them in a bag in the closet, then pull out the next season's covers and put those on the inserts.

[@Plethorality]

i just put the drainer (tray thing) under the sink in the cupboard.

[@jodioconnell3116]

Love the coffee station idea.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Always a Blessing !😁

[@leejacobs3620]

Thank you for sharing these great tips.

[@lormor460]

Oh, my daughter just bought me one of those frames and I absolutely love it!!! I was able to move photos off the walls and enjoy even more photos with my frame! My granddaughters love to see all the pictures of themselves as they scroll by, lol. I have been slowly cleaning out drawers, closets, removing pictures off walls, removing items that I don’t use everyday off the counters. Reorganized my curio cabinet, too.

[@MiaDanielle]

Sounds like you're making some great progress! I totally agree about the frame being a big wall-space saver :)

[@seemaprasad6677]

What is the name of the frame pl. Thanks

[@AdorableAcushla]

I actually hate odd numbers, they make me feel anxious, unless they are a 5. Gotta love OCD

[@MiaDanielle]

Well, enjoy the evens! :)

[@martaescobar7625]

....just figured out how to place my furniture in my open concept house....kitchen/dining/living and realized the different colors and patterns in pillows, curtains, bench seat etc. The devil's in the details is true, even a clock with a burgundy frame is now a stopping point for the eye.....two different colors of molding, black & natural wood etc. What a difference it makes:)

[@tammytarry3202]

This is the best video I seen! You actually taught me something! I finally get what is behind this neutral color decor that frankly looks so boring! It eases the visual clutter! If everything is basically the same color, nothing stands out. Now I LOVE rich, bold color! I usually decorate in browns, and earth tones, but put pops of my favorite teal around the room. Now thinking about this, it is not as visually relaxing as say decor done all in similar tones of greys, whites and creams. Thanks for the super great videos with SUBSTANCE behind them!!!!

[@MiaDanielle]

Oh wow, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Plethorality]

i have each room with a different colour family / blend / theme... anything that lives in that room, blends with everything. its still restful, but not bland. bland is unnecessary.

[@krisw2791]

I love your channel! 💖 i wonder why I didn‘t discover it before, Thanks for your help 🙏🙏

[@MiaDanielle]

Welcome! I'm so glad you enjoy it :)

[@itsrach08]

Enjoyed this video!!

[@polinaracheeva9163]

Tip: some grapes and other vegetables come in plactic backages. Use those to organize. Was a game changer for my house

[@MiaDanielle]

thanks for the tip!

[@cherylverdon3077]

Group things by color if you can. It's more pleasing to the eye and appears less cluttered.

[@MiaDanielle]

That's a cool idea

[@LMAS3]

We do this with our kids books. They're rainbow order and it makes it easier for everyone to find the book and it looks awesome!

[@sct4040]

The shoe place by the door is called a Gangcon in Japanese.

[@MiaDanielle]

I love this- thanks for sharing

[@suzangrant7656]

Thankyou for all your videos. I have always put my sharp knives away in a drawer, not for aesthetics but for safety. When I was 10yrs old I got up one morning to see the kitchen knife balanced on the banister post and the front door open wide!! I was the 1st one up and realised we had been burgled. My knees knocked together just like the cartoons I had seen. It concerns me still to have all sharp knives put away each night.

[@SumeriosMusic]

Muchas Gracias Mia

[@patdennis2586]

I had to stay away from this channel due to the overuse of “guys” but today I tried it again and was delighted to listen to your helpful messages again! I’m glad to be back again.

[@MiaDanielle]

Welcome back

[@DavidDavisDH]

I use to have a knife block, but I realized after awhile I would actually use only a few so now I just have 3 knives I put with the silverware, I have been using this method for 2 years now.

[@sable747]

This was so helpful! Thank you. What are your thoughts on gallery walls, family pictures, and artwork?

[@MiaDanielle]

I'm personally all about the digital pictures (I know not everyone feels that way but I prefer not to have frames and wall photos). I do love artwork thought- a few statement pieces but not art on every wall. That's just me!

[@sable747]

@@MiaDanielle we got family pictures and my DH is all about displaying them. 😅

[@CitrouilleCitron]

Thanks for these tips ! I will add mine : never leave a piece bare handed (not sure of the word 🤐). There is always something to tidy up and it's an easy way to reduce visual clutter in a daily basis 😉 Love from France ❤️

[@MiaDanielle]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@toddie3910]

Totally agree. I try and do this as well. I think you mean empty handed 😊

[@CitrouilleCitron]

@@toddie3910 yes, indeed ! Sorry for the mistake ^^ Thanks !

[@toddie3910]

@@CitrouilleCitron No apology necessary 🙂

[@username00009]

Full hands in, full hands out 😀

[@ShoppingwithRina]

This is so helpful to me

[@MiaDanielle]

I'm so glad :D

[@missgreece91]

I actually downsize my visual clutter as much as i can on a daily basis. I only leave out on the counter things my hubby and I actually use on a daily basis such as our keurig and espresso machine, a jar of actual daily kitchen utensils such as 1 large cutting knife for salad and other veggie uses and cheese grater and spatula etc, and then we have only our teapot onto of the stove vs me before i always had a pot beside it because it was our daily use but i found a home for that so it can leave a visual emptiness and less of a visual clutter

[@MiaDanielle]

That's the easiest way to do it! As you go, on a daily basis :)

[@zuzanafilova2321]

The frame looks amazing. I am gonna get one of those. Thank u. Also, I love your hair colour. Its so beautiful. Is it ur natural colour?

[@MiaDanielle]

It is most certainly not 🙂(if you watch enough videos it'll change color)

[@fh4595]

Its really hard to keep your home looking minimalistic, when you live in a rather small house with a lot of children. There’s closets and baskets everywhere in our home. Could you give some tips about this too? How to store them and which kind of furniture or colors etc to keep a room tidy and still have a relaxed feeling when you enter instead of feeling overwhelmed…?

[@tolleri90]

These days my main rule for minimizing visual clutter, is that the item I choose to have on any flat surface, has to have a good reason to be there. For example, my coffeepot or microwave are used multiple times a day, and are a hassle to put away, so those get to stay, where as the toaster or teakettle are easy to put away, so why wouldn't I? An item not having a permanent home is not a good enough reason. So instead of thinking what can I put away, I think of a good reason an item is left out. The rest need to be put away. An other rule I have, is I ask myself is this space easy to clean. If I have too many decorations, I won't do the dusting, if there are too many peaces of furniture on the floors, vacuuming is harder and it is less likely for me to do it. So for me, the decorations need to be very few and we'll thought of and the furniture need to have a well thought of purpose to stay. These rules have made my spaces feel so much much better, they are easier to clean and there for I have peace of mind at home.🥰 Hope they help someone.❤️

[@barbarahatfield8027]

Thanks for your tricks ex but things off the counter put it up gives bigger space . I didn t know thanks

[@JDanami]

why so hard to letting go my things?

[@pdxoregon1]

Hey! Just found you. I’m in Oregon too! Who the heck ever decided we don’t need A/C?!?!? Makes me crazy too! Great video! Super editing, music, images, etc. thanks!!!

[@MiaDanielle]

Thanks! I totally agree about the ac 🤣

[@sabl6381]

I used to live in WA and the lack of centralized A/C was rooough.

[@barbaracardoza9786]

👍 "Emotional Design"

[@MiaDanielle]

Have you heard of it?

[@The1Disillusionist]

How did you make the subscribe button glow like that

[@Jennifer-nz2ss]

I only buy a new one when the old one is totally empty. 1 is good.

[@MiaDanielle]

Exactly!

[@kaylenewinter248]

I had a similar frame however my ex husband kept it. What is the brand of your one? It would be great to get another one and enjoy my photos

[@alamedadanceparty]

I thought she said Aura.

[@MiaDanielle]

That's correct, it's an Aura frame and you can find them on Amazon as well. Here's the model I have amzn.to/3jsetUf

[@amy2284]

Where did you get the container for sushi basket. Just found you and love your videos

[@MiaDanielle]

Thanks for watching! This little guy came from Ikea

[@amy2284]

@@MiaDanielle thank you 😊

[@amysweet2973]

Thank you! I loved this video. Also, where did you get that gorgeous drawer knife rack? 😍

[@MiaDanielle]

Thank you! I bought this 3 years ago on Amazon and it's awesome! You can find it here: amzn.to/3lGvuLg (only 26 bucks).

[@amysweet2973]

@@MiaDanielle Thank you! :)

[@aymena6029]

What is the curvy font name in the word ‘reduce’ of your cover?

[@MiaDanielle]

'Brittany'

[@user-pb2kg1ng4g]

Reduce - buy less, repurpose, sell, give away, donate, recycle . . . . . last resort - trash > landfill, planet earth does not need our garbage. Our environment IS our Life.

[@rosemariebredahl9519]

For people ~ 60 or over, who are not only downsizing rental home sq footage, but also budget, replacing existing furniture that works well for storage by buying storage may not be an option. Alas, furniture that had looked great when in separate rooms, can be quite mismatched when side-by-side in a smaller space. Abundant bookshelves & new renter-friendly hooks contribute to the appearance of clutter, yet getting rid of everything may deprive a retired person of finally being able to have over-the-counter meds, tools, sewing & a wide variety of materials for mending, indulging hobbies (whether for fun, sport, travel, camping, music, jewelry-making, art, or for saving money by diy-ing gifts, new clothes, Etc.) ... and still want space for annual X-mas tree, folding chairs for guests, minimal every-day cookware yet some extra in case of guests, bedding/towels in case of guests, Etc.. Point being, could you/would you start a playlist (to populate between other videos over time) dedicated to decorating ideas that start out with the assumption that you audience had already downsized belongings (your other vids address that), and offer advice on how to make what they have look uncluttered & pretty (range of styles). Ex: painting furniture; standardizing knobs; removable self-adhesive wall decals &/or faux trim, vinyl flooring, contact paper for cabinets, decor- integrated hooks, mirrors, Etc.; covering open shelving with mirrored hinged doors, curtains with or w/out looking like a photo of expansive space or optical illusion, or just painting the shelf itself to match the wall +/- diy matching book covers, Etc.; How to "keep" wall-hangings of family photos & pictures (Ex: Grandmother's hand- painted) without looking cluttered via options like cabinet designed for hanging photos or hanging on walls but in clusters of matching frames +/- using technology to scan & resize for hanging or decoupage or transfer to lampshades, or print onto fabric for curtains, quilts, throw-pillows, Etc.; how to diy changes to upholstery/ cushion covers on sofas &/or chairs via fabric paints, dyes, adding fabric (cheap, or from thrift shop, or diy decorations onto plain-colored sheets or "other"), decorative upholstery nails, appliques, Etc.; painting containers (whether reusable or disposable); wrapping items using various paper or fabric or "other" to blend w/decor; give examples of how repurposing some common recyclables can provide materials for decorating; sources for purchasing cheap materials that can be repurposed (not just thrift shops & junk outlets, but also free samples, retailers one might not think of such as price & quality of jewelry vs fishing tackle organizers or flooring for diy tarp gazebo from hardware store vs animal supply or cannibalizing hinges & drawers & latches & lumber & handles & casters & glass & knobs & mirrors & feet & upholstery fabric & cushions & shelves & Etc. from junk furniture or stacking used file cabinets vs dressers (or tool boxes) +/- sideways drawers in top for shelves ; diy adhesives & pigment; minimal "carpentry" accents using around-the-house objects as tools or using tools from the dollar store Etc.; Diy misc like tie-dye that isn't too psychedelic, batik, hole-punch cans for decorative candles/vases/pencil holders; simple daisy chain patterns for crochet accents; glass etching and staining; cheap ways to get glazed clay baked in a kiln & stuff easy custom ceramics can enhance as decor; making nets from rope (for drying racks, hook supports, hammock-style storage, hammocks, Etc., esp if with shell/beach/ocean/nautical/tropical theme decor); diy suspended lighting vs lamps consuming horizontal space (Ex: using a basket whether right-side up or down as the lamp shade, then running the wire from the bulb (from broken lamp or new from hardware store w/ or w/out in-line switch) through a hanging chain cut-to-size ... whether that stops wherever the shade is suspended from or to where a chain continues to floor level or maybe all the way to where the wire meets an outlet) ; Diy ways to create self-supporting (or supported by tenant-owned furniture) frames or rods that will provide a way to mount or suspend heavy things without drilling into apartment walls; review "cut-to-size" options common chain stores offer for glass & sheet metal & lumber & trim strips + ways to use these as shelves, protection of walls, frames, table covers, Etc.; How to integrate "go packs" (waterproof lightweight portable emergency evac pack/s that can be strapped to one's back &/or waist &/or hung from a shoulder to carry 72° of survival supplies incl documents & photos printed &/or digital); AND "fun with hinges" & gliders & elastic & velcro & latches & bearings & locking casters for making/converting things into portable &/or multifunction &/or collapsible &/or foldable &/or swivel &/or concealed &/or adding optional extra support legs Etc. for stuff like drop-leaf table, fold down (or up, w/latch) seats &/or tables &/or barrister-style or secretary-style shelf doors, converting dining chair into folding chair, sliders for bottom or multi-shelving inside cabinets or under closet shelves, converting cabinet door on owned furniture into a folding door if it sicks out too far otherwise, making folding room dividers; and so on (mostly for modifying existing owned items). You'd be providing a valuable service for seniors (& any income-challenged downsizer)! Think you're up to it? 😉

[@MiaDanielle]

Wow Rosemarie! You definitely put a lot of thought into your comment here. I definitely agree that once you down size, that just cramming that same furniture in the same room can often become a collection of mismatched furniture-- and none of us are looking for that! One thing I wanted to point out is if it's something you use or LOVE, don't declutter it. If someone has a hobby that involves paints & brushes or they enjoy a hobby with "things", it sounds like organization is needed more than decluttering. I so appreciate all the wonderful ideas that you've provided and will certainly take them with me and reflect upon them. Thank you for stopping by and enjoying the video 🥰

[@mrsayres11]

My Instant pot doesn't fit in any of my cabinets and I don't know what to do with it. We use it 5 out of 7 days a week so taking it to the basement or garage is not an option for me. It's living on the kitchen floor by a bookshelf or the counter 😩

[@MiaDanielle]

That really is a drawback for the instant pots, unfortunately! I'm lucky that I have a dedicated spot. If I didn't, my second option would be the pantry. Do you have one of those?

[@mrsayres11]

@@MiaDanielle I don't, I have a bookshelf that is my "pantry" we have a tiny kitchen that was built in 1954 but we are completely gutting it and redoing it soon. Hopefully, in the next year or so. 🤞

[@Hope-wd7wx]

I keep mine on top of my fridge, the only thing there, which keeps it handy.

[@fh4595]

Same problem here with the airfryer! I was thinking about buying something like a wooden tray to lift it up. Maybe that would make it look more nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@richardeidemiller6739]

My problem isn't with things I use...drawers and closets house those. It's the things I like purely for asthetic reasons. Pictures, glass pieces, etc... Vicki

[@MiaDanielle]

Yeah, decluttering is definitely a good step for reducing the visual clutter too :)

[@richardeidemiller6739]

@@MiaDanielle Yes I've been on this journey several years and have far less and desire less. However I still struggle with decorative and sentimental items although I'm making slow progress there also. Thank you.Vicki

[@charleneknottsrubini2220]

It makes no sense to me why often even someone with a tidy home still decides to have the exterior of their refrigerator full of visual clutter. That’s such a large spanse that can easily be seen much of the day. That would drive me crazy.

[@MiaDanielle]

Me too :)

[@bonniewoodard2771]

Congratulations 💕🎶

[@MiaDanielle]

Thanks!

[@munirasultana2313]

💖

[@MiaDanielle]

:)

[@rosemariebredahl9519]

I'd have to attach a fold-down seat by the shoe rack.

[@MiaDanielle]

Find what works for you Rosemarie! If that would make your space more functional + help you maximize your space, then sounds like it might be a great solution 🤗

[@janetgilbert8279]

Great tips, but the music is distracting.

[@MiaDanielle]

Ok, thanks for letting me know

[@koko137591]

🖐🏼🙂

[@delfinadelmar6726]

The video starts talking about what to do with the things you have and plan to keep. Then, #2 is “ purge”...🤔

[@renatarena50]

Buy less clutter.

[@MiaDanielle]

True

[@TYPE_1_V]

Doesn't she look like Angelina Jolie??

[@sandys315]

Nothing like her Much younger, prettier, more natural and fair skinned and haired.