How to Stay CLUTTER FREE - 15 clutter free rules - minimalism lifestyle at home

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! Are you going to try any of these rules at your home?

[@SewHealthy8]

I love the refreshing the space by moving things around, ‘shopping at home’ as well, it is so satisfying

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It really is so fun and makes the spaces seem totally new!

[@jejrstans]

Yeah, I'm a visual person and the empty kitchen counters is actually stressful for me. We've decluttered to the point that the rest of the counter is clear and tidy next to the small appliances. I think decluttering to less is the key to tidiness even if things are out. Great tips!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes there is definitely a balance! I feel like I’m always cooking something in the kitchen anyway, so the counters usually have one thing or another on them! Thanks for watching!

[@shannonscheffel7366]

I try to keep my kitchen counters free of clutter, although I make coffee 2-3 times a day🤣 so I bought a very cute retro style coffee pot that serves the dual purpose of decor. Other than that just a bowl of fruit on my kitchen counters.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

If it’s something you use all the time I see no harm in leaving it out! I don’t drink coffee, but my husband does and his machine is downstairs near his office! It’s always left out too ;)

[@kellistokes8095]

I love the natural light in the room you are in!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! Natural light was one of my top ‘must haves’ when designing the cottage!

[@loreneknight9755]

Really appreciate your down to earth & intentional tips & tricks. You must be on top of this journey, with 5 kids & husband! Much respect to you. Keep on getting after it!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks so much!

[@terrilynn8770]

I keep things picked up and tidy on my house too. Your tips are very helpful. I would love to see a spring house tour. I love your decorating style.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! A house tour is on my list of upcoming videos! Stay tuned!

[@susannovak8263]

It is so true that clutter is hiding in plain sight. That struck me. We often think that we have to go searching for clutter, like it is deeply buried somewhere. A lot of times, it is right there, waiting for us to recognize it. 🌷

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes! Absolutely! Our brains just get numb to it and accept!

[@TiaraHelen]

This is helpful thank you. I tend towards clear surfaces even though I find it difficult to achieve. I think the minimalist aesthetic is also an opportunity to enjoy more the beautiful things you display against the plain canvas. For me, the corners on your kitchen worktops are begging for something gorgeous like a vase of flowers or a picture or two on the wall. But that's just me.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

We do have plans to add a wooden floating shelf or two and a tile backsplash…at some point! Ha! ❤️

[@kimberdonham6548]

Great ideas. No shopping with out a list.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s a great one!

[@donnav]

Great tips! I like them all but if I had to pick a favourite it would be not leaving things out on the counter and doing regular/seasonal decluttering to stay ahead of things

[@ArrowHillCottage]

The counter top rule was a game changer for us! Thanks for watching!

[@steviebredeson2173]

Love all these rules! I always feel so much better after a reset.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! Me too!

[@OneAmericanWriter]

LOVE the term “reset.” Really excellent way to reframe the drudgery of cleaning with the joy of homemaking that I read about once from I think a Jamaican perspective that said that children play at home making and women grow up loving it as opposed to us (we?) here in America who are raised not to like it but it is a joy if you pray for it to be.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

This is so true. Sometimes I feel like people look at me like I have a third eye when I say that I enjoy keeping the house tidy and put together :) what a blessing to have a home to take care of! ❤️

[@homemakersheart3614]

Thanks for this. I used to have a rule of no more then 3 items on a surface. Trying to bring this back.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s a great personal rule to make for yourself! Best of luck!

[@ItCantRainForever2]

I really love this channel. I needed this. Lol Now I know where all my stress is coming from.

[@iheartmusic417]

I’m someone who just has to say positive things when they see them so sorry if this is weird but I genuinely think you’re so beautiful. That is all.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

What a sweet compliment. Thank you! ❤️

[@jengenx7729]

I love your entry way shoe storage and hooks. Personally I look the look and function of a few more things on my kitchen counters, in a very intentional way especially in the corners that aren’t actually useful for food prep (hello coffee machine) but great tips, thank you!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! My husband does have a coffee machine downstairs on a little wet bar area. He likes to keep that handy! (I don’t drink coffee) :)

[@CRRBennett]

We become blind to our stuff. If there is something I need and cant find at the thrift store I will shop Ross or Marshall's and next sales where I can. Im not a shopper so that can be harder when looking for something specific. Im enjoying your channel. Though not what some would define as a minimalist we are more minimal than many. Staryed the declutter journey in 2018. Moved in 2020 and SO thankful we had decluttered cause we still had too much stuff😮 . Thanks for sharing

[@CRRBennett]

Love the container method. Also yeara ago I heard some lady say she uses the OHIO method for paper. Only Handle It Once. Ive strived to do this ovwr the years and downsizing and living in an RV while we built really helped me implement this fully! I so this daily itbis wonderful not to revisit piles and pyramids of paper!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Great acronym! ❤️

[@pennysara9814]

My favourites are: don’t put it off till later, and always shop second hand first! 🙂

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It’s amazing how quickly some tasks can be done! And they really do help keep the clutter levels down!

[@pennysara9814]

@@ArrowHillCottage I agree! It makes all the difference.

[@kikitaube-hansen]

The tip with putting away non essential during the day, from the kitchen, is genial. I´ll do that for sure. Thank you so much

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I hope it works beautifully for you! ❤️

[@snorlund1]

I like shopping my home first, as well. Good tips! Thanks! 😊

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It’s so fun! ❤️

[@pieceofpeace1111]

I highly appreciate your maintenance of your lovely home!😯❤️

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you!

[@bonnieinthespirit6373]

I like the reset weekly / daily.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

A reset really helps so much!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Thank you for the tips. Your list is very intentional. Our garage and laundry room is our drop space too. Working on that

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Your welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@CharlesAvilaMeasInst]

Appreciate this list. Your taking a photo of something and thinking about it before buying really resonated with me. I will implement this from now on. Thanks!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Wonderful! I am sure that technique will be very helpful for you!

[@shellyowens4929]

O

[@grandmasewhappyhomestead187]

Hello from a fellow Minnesotan you gave some really great ideas. I need to stay on top of some areas better. The one thing I can stay on top of and have always been able to is the mail. As I walk up the driveway I am looking at it tearing up whatever is for recycling I walk over to the barrel. The stuff that comes inside goes right into the bill folder or it gets his first to my other family members. Problem I have in my kitchen is I only have so many cupboards. My KitchenAid mixer that I don't use very often I don't have a cupboard it will fit in. And if I put it in my basement it's heavy for me to carry back up. So that's what gets difficult for me is my toaster my mixer. I don't want them on my counter but I don't have any other space. Underneath my kitchen sink is my blender. I have a goofy corner cabinet is the crawl underneath the kitchen sink. I used to do that but as I've gotten rid of stuff there's nothing I would store back there . I wish when I built my house I wish I could have actually seen a kitchen setup and not just blueprints. Lesson learned really look at what the cabinets are going to be like if you're building a house.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Good job on the mail! Taking care of it right away is wonderful! Kitchens can be so tricky - especially with those big appliances! Just keep working at it and I’m sure you will eventually get to a ‘just right’ level of inventory for your cabinet space! Thanks for watching!

[@marycassidy1695]

A KitchenAid mixer in the corner of my counter is a thing of beauty and a joy forever! And it is too heavy to constantly move. But I love looking at it.

[@dollyjohnston561]

Could you do a video clarifying daily and weekly reset? How are they the same, and how do they differ.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Good idea! ❤️

[@TheOrganizedPineapple]

Great ideas! I didn't know the container method was actually a thing. I do that but didn't realize it! Garage for us is a big mess. My husband does AC and other handyman jobs and he needs a ton of crazy weird stuff and we just haven't found a good way to organize it. In my opinion there's just too much. Luckily the garage isn't my "department" 😂. Definitely doing things as I go instead of waiting for later and putting it off has been a game changer.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It can be really overwhelming to take on too much at once! Tackling a little bit as you go is perfect! Eventually you will probably figure out the perfect solution for the garage!

[@sherryharding5792]

Thanks for sharing the useful tips on decluttering,.Definarely need to carry out some of them that you mentioned.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

You’re welcome! I hope they can be useful to you! Thanks for watching!

[@kaylynnhuddleston5533]

What is sad to me is I am an artist. I love art on my wals and do enjoy beautiful pillows and a few Italian roosters and candlesticks. I feel like just living. with no culture like books and art and old records is minimizes art. I also enjoy sewing and a professional artist. Why do you think there has been such a shift ?? I have a minimal amount of stuff for me but, to others not so much LOL

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I love art as well, and have found that a more minimal space allows me to appreciate the art I do have even more! With only one or two pieces out at a time, my mind doesn’t get overwhelmed. But, to answer your question about the ‘shift’…I think many people are bombarded by media (advertisements, sounds, constant motion)…that by the time we get back to our homes we need that peace for our minds to settle down. At least that is one of the reasons that I embraces minimalism. My home is my retreat from all the noise!

[@TheOrganizedPineapple]

My approach is that by getting rid of the unimportant I am able to make room for the important. I don't like blank walls either. But I do enjoy the open space I have now that it's not crammed with stuff.

[@booklassygarrahan3929]

It's all relative. What I consider minimal now that I am older is different than when I was younger. If your minimal means keeping a certain number of pretties, keep them. You are here for a reason, so some amount of simplifying your surroundings must appeal to you?

[@dollyjohnston561]

Why are so many choosing minimalism? The answer is in prioritizing what is important to you. It could be travel, time with family, outdoor activities... etc. For me, cleaning surfaces and rooms with less clutter is much easier. I save time and feel the results are more satisfying. I don't see the point in moving items to clean and then putting them back. 😕 this is very true for bathrooms where there can be cosmetics all on the counter. Or kitchens that have appliances and cannisters on the counter. By keeping the surfaces free of these clutter bugs. Cleaning takes less time. I hope this helps.

[@booklassygarrahan3929]

This is really helpful. Thank you.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching!

[@SususCookbook]

Thanks for this. Your video has inspired me to create a space for the various cables and chargers for our electronics. I will also look at second hand first😊👍🏼

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Awesome! Happy this could be an inspiration to you!

[@vanessamay3689]

I keep cables in a small basket in closet and off the lounge. We have so many tbh.😺

[@sarahpulver9978]

Darling your imasing!! All this beautiful videos. You stardet early with minimalism videos. Lets share this beautyful woman she needs so much more thums up and subscribers!!!!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Awe, thank you so much! ❤️

[@Magdalena287]

Im a mom of 5 also, we have a counter top that surrounds our kitchen sink and my kids always throw things up there, even decluttering there is always something that i find up there lol

[@ArrowHillCottage]

You would think they would get the point after being told a million times! Our main issue here is socks left on the floor. Ha ha! Oh well, can’t win them all I guess!

[@OrganizedWithJoy]

Hi! I'm a new friend here! Great tips! Loved this video! Thanks for sharing!💗

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks so much! Glad you are here!

[@momoftwins95]

Can you send a link as to where you got the shoe storage?

[@ArrowHillCottage]

My husband actually custom built our shoe storage bench!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJWvgWCun7amY6s

[@rainywildflower]

Thank you for the tips! I love the container method, but I struggle the most with finding “homes” for items. Any suggestions on how to come up the homes or containers?

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I genuinely think that sometimes trial and error is needed to find the right set up. We have had some storage furniture pieces not work at all for our needs!

[@gretchenjana6219]

Great videos

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you!

[@peggynorwood8103]

Love your voice....easy to listen to you....

[@ArrowHillCottage]

@@peggynorwood8103 aw, thank you!

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

Now, if only I could train the cats to help with the chores. Ha ha. It’s me alone so I guess it’s kind of a trade off. Not as much mess with just me (except for the cats lol) but also it’s all on me alone. I think it’s pretty good now tho. The cats seem to be making less and less mess indoors and there’s just a lot less stuff to have to bother with now as well. I rent out the other half but I have since learned to let go of feeling like I need to clean up after the heathens so much. Finally got a part time cleaning lady for that and I charge a fee for it. Lol. But I do still have to get involved and help with some things but it’s great to not just have all of it on my shoulders alone and just be able to kind of keep any outlandish mess at bay. And occasionally she can help me with my part of the house as well and even tho I don’t need it much, it’s a great feeling to know that I can get help if I really need it. I feel lighter Bcuz I know if it ever got too bad, or if I got sick or crazy busy or something, at least a little help is available. I used to not even try to get help Bcuz I thought it would be too expensive or too difficult to manage, etc. But it is actually surprisingly affordable and well worth the financial cost to me. I think I’ve prob said it before but for real it’s just good to see the home as a flow space. I look at all things like inflow and current usage and outflow. If you have no plan with how that needs to work for you, (such as having constant exit protocols with things that potentially need to go) things can easily take over or get constipated or backlogged. Maybe something like “keep the train running and moving.” (So we don’t have too many train wrecks lol). Just as we know stuff is gonna come in we need to manage the other end of that as well. Constant inflow needs to have a plan for constant outflow. I just see my stuff now as something like water. (You don’t need to have a flood so you stay on it lol). Nothing really (except maybe the few most precious sentimental things) has roots. Most things are just for temp use (and things inevitably wear out or become obsolete in my life) and I don’t see many things as “permanent fixtures” in my life. Maybe more like just date stuff, don’t marry it. Lol. I guess the same could be said for often reevaluating how things are set up as well. What works well today may not be the same ideal for tmrw.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

If anyone could train cats to do housework, it would be you! Maybe put the coons to work as well! I agree with you on making the systems work for today and not being so set in stone that things can’t change tomorrow! ❤️

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

@@ArrowHillCottage Lol. Thanks. Ha ha. I wish. I was thinking I def like that part about the fairy tales. How the animals all come to the “princess” and they just naturally clean everything (btw that was so hilarious in the movie “Enchanted” lol. She’s all up in this NYC high rise apartment and all these wild animals are helping her clean the place and they’re all singing and chirping. Forget the “romance” and Prince Charming. I’ll take that. Lol). Sigh. So unrealistic but def a great fantasy I have. Lol. But in reality I think I’ve done pretty well just getting them to not make too much mess for mama. 😂😂 You can tell when I get tired (maybe fall asleep and miss a nights food round lol) and miss some farm chores out there tho. They’ll invade the cat door and clean the house food bowls out and the “porch bin” will prob be knocked over and “inspected” by the street heathens. Lol. They keep me on my toes, that’s for sure. Lol. Tho I’m not as graceful as a princess I suppose. I’m gonna be fussing about that like Shera and all the wild animals are gonna scatter. Working on it tho. I already know it’s too much but then again I can’t see what else to do about it right now so I just carry on and try to manage best I can. I care about them of course but I’m still looking forward to moving. And when I leave/move it will prob be more like just say a prayer for them Bcuz that’s prob all that I would legit need to do anyways. All most people could or prob should ever do in most cases. Tho I do want to set up some plan for the local cat strays in the daytime at least when I go. But the coons are on their own. Lol. Can’t save the whole animal kingdom anyways. Lol. As far as the other I think it just dawned on me one day like why do we humans not automatically think of such things? Similar to taking out trash plans except it’s not all technically trash. Lol. But that’s me tho. I “why” on everything anyways. Inquiring minds want to know. Lol.

[@tiashadae1143]

Great video, new subscriber 😃

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! Happy to have you here!

[@andrewbagwell7324]

what is the theory behind so much in the window sill? I'm sorry if that is coming across snarky in a comment. that's not how it's meant. I was just thinking there must be some reasoning you have behind it since you keep everything else so minimal & cleared out. I'm not trying to say there is anything wrong with it at all. just wondering how it factors in for you. I hope that question is coming across in the way I'm trying to convey it.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That large window sill is one of my main display / gallery spaces in the home. The others are our fireplace mantle and the top of the piano. I like to switch out what I have displayed in these 3 spots. :)

[@andrewbagwell7324]

@@ArrowHillCottage I see. Thanks for responding to my curiosity. Haha

[@gigigonzalezgaillot7042]

My bedroom! I just don’t know where to start!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Start with just one drawer of your dresser or one shelf in the closest. Tiny steps until you reach the right level of inventory - then maintain! ❤️

[@John83118]

I'm captivated by the insightful wisdom in this piece. A book with similar subjects inspired new journeys of exploration. "A Life Unplugged: Reclaiming Reality in a Digital Age" by Theodore Blaze

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! I will check out the book recommendation! ❤️

[@nellieworks4041]

Good info, but please don’t return puzzles with missing pieces back to the thrift store. Also don’t send broken stuff to the thrift store. Offer those for free on market place with a clear description of what is wrong with the item. Thanks, Cornelia

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes, absolutely! ❤️

[@dayanae.9962]

Liked your channel. New sub here!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! And thank you for joining me here!

[@Pausereflectandbreathe]

👍🏼

[@teresasmith2161]

Music is distracting.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

:)

[@teresasmith2161]

Music is distracting

[@ThatBrickChic]

I love a decluttered space, but zero art on the walls makes a room look soulless & bland, or like you just moved in.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

For us, the art we see out of those gorgeous windows is so beautiful! And always changing!!! ❤️

[@ThatBrickChic]

@@ArrowHillCottage - mother nature does make the most beautiful art