Listening to your visual noise: 5 ways to turn it down

For some people, a house full of things used, loved, collected, and accumulated makes a cozy home that is a reflection of the lives of each of its inhabitants. But for others, it can make them want to crawl out of their skin. It feels overwhelming, stressful, chaotic, and can cause resentment when someone in your house doesn’t feel the same way about all that stuff. There are of course extremes on the spectrum of “clutter” from Severance level starkness to “time to call an intervention”, but I think somewhere in the middle is the sweet spot: enough intentional visual noise to make a home feel like home, but not so much that your brain and body can’t relax. Research suggests that cluttered environments can affect our stress levels, our ability to focus, and how easily we relax at bedtime (or anytime really).

Creating a home that feels more relaxing and easier and to live in doesn’t mean you have to throw out ALL THE THINGS. Sometimes it’s just about cutting out a little visual noise, so your eyes, and your brain can focus on what actually matters to you. 

So how do we cut the visual noise while keeping it cozy?

1. Allow for some breathing room

In design, white space (or negative space) is just as important as what's on the page. I think the same applies to our homes as well. Not every shelf or surface needs stuff. Not every wall needs art. Not every corner needs furniture. 

Let certain areas be stuff-free zones, and stick with it as best you can. I know it’s hard when you aren’t the only one placing things down every day. Even one clear surface or area can make a whole room feel a little less chaotic. 

For example: Every night I clean off my dining room table. It’s just such a large space that when it gets messy it seems to take over the whole room. This is a promise I’ve made to myself and try to keep even when I’m too tired to clean up after dinner. Which is often. Then I save it for the morning.

2. Give everything a home, or just a place to crash

Every home has a dumping ground, usually near the front door or kitchen, where mail, random toys, and mysterious screws pile up until you barely notice them anymore. It lives here now. It is decor.

But all that stuff can compete for your attention, even when you don't realize it. One easy way to calm the chaos? CONTAINERS. You know this already, I know you do.

Baskets, trays, bowls, boxes, flower pots, whatever works! Sort by person, purpose, or just toss everything into one big basket. Yes, it requires a split-second decision (I know, one more thing to think about?), but it keeps the visual clutter contained and makes tidying up a whole lot easier.

For example: I have a rotating basket by my back door for things that belong in the garage. Once it's full, off it goes to live in the garage until I get around to putting everything away. Or until I need a screwdriver. But hey, at least I know where to look for one!

3. Group mentality

In the same vein as container wrangling, grouping is another way to reduce visual clutter, but this time for the pretty stuff.

For instance, maybe your fireplace mantel is currently chock-full of 5×7 picture frames, a vase of fake flowers, candles, kid’s crafts, a bunch of books, and some knickknacks.

Try grouping items of varying heights and shapes. Odd numbers, like groups of three or five, are a common design trick, but they're certainly not a rule. The idea is to create a few intentional little moments instead of having everything scattered about.

For example, you could use a tray to hold a picture frame, a candle, and a small knickknack. Three items, three heights, all different shapes. Behind it, place a large mirror, then layer a medium sized frame, and possibly a smaller one in a z pattern. And for the win, bring in some natural accessories. Stems from your garden swapped out weekly or seasonally are a great way to add movement.

Always remove everything to start. Play around with how things fit together, and see what feels balanced to you. You might be surprised how much calmer a space can feel without tossing a single thing.

4. Let it go

Okay, so you know you want to get rid of some stuff, but you just can't seem to let certain things go.

This can be an emotional task for all kinds of reasons. Sentimentality, shame over how much something cost, fear you'll need it later, or even guilt about adding something to a landfill.

Humans are complex creatures, and our stuff often feels like an extension of ourselves and our past. But life goes on. Needs and tastes change, and some things may no longer be worth the effort to store and maintain, or even look at. Deciding what is worth that effort is key. Some people ask themselves, "Would I buy this again?", “Does this bring me joy?” There are a million tips and tricks for decluttering, but what works for others may not work for you and your brain.

Find what works for you and give yourself a little grace. Decluttering can be emotional, but it can also feel incredibly freeing. And remember, letting go doesn't have to mean throwing something away. Donate, gift, or sell what you can, and give your things a chance to be loved by someone else.

I recently gave 2 blankets knitted by my grandmother to friends. The colors didn’t match my decor and they stayed hidden in a chest for YEARS because I couldn’t see how I could let them go. They are now enjoyed by people who actually like them and I couldn’t be happier.

5. Hell is other people (not really)

For those of you who live with other people, or pets, keeping your spaces exactly the way you like them all the time is damn near impossible.

That's when our dear friends, compromise and communication, come in.

Your relationship with stuff may be very different from your roommate’s or partner's. And your kids? Sheesh, parents have been asking kids to pick up their crap since the dawn of time. 

Whoever shares your home, communication is key. Talk about why certain things matter to you. Finding peace in a shared space can be hard. But nothing's going to change if you just mutter under your breath every time you pick up someone's socks or stare at the Star Wars collection you were promised wouldn't creep into the dining room. Yes, you may have to just suck it up sometimes, but sometimes a little compromise goes a lot further than another storage bin.

Let’s wrap this up…Ok, here’s the point. It’s ok to have stuff in your house! Visual noise isn't necessarily about having too much stuff. It's about how it makes you feel. If it’s stressing you out, it’s too much. Plain and simple. If everything is where you want it, and it makes you happy when you look at, then it’s not bad noise.

If you’ve made it this far, that says to me that you are someone who wants to feel better in their home. You can do it! And if you need a little support, come find me. I’d love to give a helping hand in turning down your visual noise and making your home feel like a song.