Decoration storage.

Valentine decoration storage

Add a few hearts can brighten a winter mantle scene.

A collection of hearts, gathered on a foyer table.

Valentine Kitchen.

Coffeetable

Decorating for the seasons is a great way to establish a cleaning clutter routine.

How can hauling out more stuff make you declutter? Simple. You know good and well you are not going to add some pretty hearts on top of that stack of mail and clutter.

I’ve learned that holiday decorating isn’t just about decorating. It’s a lot about making your home pleasant and making it feel….well, like a home. It helps you enjoy the season, taking time to smell the roses as they say. It helps to establish a routine of decluttering.  As mentioned above, you aren’t going to decorate your clutter so you are going to pick it up and put it away. When you are finished putting out a few decorations, you are going to feel good about your home and perk up your family.

Too much work you say? Pare down your decorations, I say. No one needs tubs and tubs of decorations. I’ve a few pretty things for spring and they all fit in one smaller tub. Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter all snuggle together in there. A smaller tub can fit in a closet and be at hand. No more ladders and climbing into the attic.

It doesn’t take much to brighten your decor. These colorful heart boxes nest inside each other for storage and didn’t cost much. I’ve pulled a few books about love off my bookshelf for the coffee table. In the foyer, I’ve gathered some pretty hearts- and again they nest for storage. In the kitchen, adding a colorful heart place mat to the table brightens the room.

But most importantly, taking the time to put them out meant taking the time to put away any accumulated clutter.  Making the spot pretty, helps to keep you from adding clutter to the spot.

Decorating seasonally can help you stay in a routine of picking up, putting away and establishing a pleasant, peaceful home. It doesn’t have to be abundant, or time consuming. A few things and a few moments are all it takes to create a clearing the clutter routine.