As you travel through my website and my other materials, you will see plenty of references to de-cluttering and all the benefits of reducing “stuff”. I am constantly learning things as I work with clients in their spaces, but my most recent learning is in my own home as we prepare for a major kitchen renovation.

Lately I have been spending my spare time packing away stuff- one layer at a time - as we prepare to gut the kitchen. With each boxful of stuff I remove, I am noticing how much I prefer the space with more space!

Although I thought I preferred having a variety of coffee cups, so I could match just the right cup with my mood, I am really enjoying the simplicity of having just one cup. I always know where it is and I like the extra space on the cupboard shelf. Removing a bulletin board really cleaned up the space, and I have yet to miss the information I thought was so crucial. I won’t even mention how much we are enjoying the absence of the small stereo that used to live on a far corner of our counter…

Our kitchen is actually quite open and was not very cluttered, but I was still reminded of how numb we can get to the layers of stuff that builds up over time.

So instead of waiting for a reno to further enjoy your kitchen – perhaps skimming off a layer of stuff can freshen up your kitchen!