A cluttered home is far from relaxing - in fact, it can add to your stress!  Taking some time to keep your space clutter-free not only makes your home look great, but can actually help improve your state of mind.  Here are 6 things that help make a home feel less cluttered.

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1. Good Lighting

Good lighting - and plenty of natural light - can make a home feel inviting and cozy, not cluttered.  Add floor or table lamps on opposite sides of a room to ensure you have balanced light throughout and keep your home well lit.  Too many overhead lights, or even worse, fluorescent lighting, can make your home seem like a department store.

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2. Regular Cleaning

I know, I know, it’s hard to find time to clean your home from top to bottom.  But, doing a little bit every day can make a big difference.  Spend a some time each day dusting high traffic areas, putting things away, or wiping down tables and countertops.  Create a schedule to keep you on track and make it part of your evening ritual.

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3. Smart Storage

Multipurpose furniture, shelving units, storage bins - there are so many storage solutions on the market today, there’s no excuse not to be organized!  Whatever room you’re in, everything should have a place.  Investing in smart storage pieces ensures that you have ample space for all of your stuff.

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4. Clever Design

If you’re a little bit handy - or at least, good at following instructions - you can decrease your clutter, and add to your home’s design with some homemade built-ins.  And we’re not necessarily talking big projects either (although these drawer-stairs are pretty cool).  Tips like adding outlets to drawers, or turning that faux drawer in your kitchen into a paper towel holder, are quick fixes [Buzzfeed].

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5. Peaceful Palette

The colors you choose most definitely have an effect on the overall look and feel of your space.  Therefore, if you want to make your home feel less cluttered, you need to work with a calming color palette.  Soothing neutral hues work well - and are easy to match.  Whatever you choose, pick colors that work well together to all a sense of balance and fluidity to your home.

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6. Less Stuff

One surefire way to make your home less cluttered?  Have less stuff!  Getting rid of unused items can free up much needed space for new things.  By being realistic about what you need - and what you don’t - you’ll probably find that it is possible to survive with less, making your living space less cluttered in the process.

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