I don't want to declutter - I like my stuff!

[Elsaandanna]

We have just had new flooring put in out lounge. It's a big room, about 20 x 12 feet.
We got about half way through putting our furniture back and I realised how lovely the room would look with less stuff!
I've got 2 big wooden trunks and a coffee table now cluttering up my hall.
The problem is I like them. There's nothing wrong with them. I just don't seem to want to part with them.
And this set me on a spiral, my bedroom would look bigger with one fewer chest of drawers.
The wardrobe would shut properly with less bedding.
The book case would be neater with fewer books as an have far too many for the space.
But I love my books! I did declutter lots of books in Lockdown Mark One. I genuinely want everything left behind. But some shelves are still double stacked.
In the kitchen I have too many mugs and glasses. But they are nice!

How do people come to terms with getting rid of things that are wanted and nice?

Oh yes there’s stuff I love, especially clothes that don’t fit. My favourite to look at is a bottle green Paul Smith evening dress that I have never worn. It was a gift, I was given it when I was newly pregnant with DC1... never been the size, or had the occasion, to wear it since. But I love it. Maybe I’ll buy a mannequin...

I often find myself shouting at the tv at programs like floggit. Don’t sell your granny’s engagement ring for £80, it’ll only go on the weekly shop!

The books are all in the study. As are DFIL’s (in his study I should say, not ours) and his old paperbacks smell musty. And the bindings aren’t great. Which is what I’d expect as they're 30-40+ years old.

You should look up the maximilist aesthetic instead, it's definitely more my style. I have lots of things that bring me joy just to look at or use occasionally. I love seeing all my beautiful things and memories around me. Minimalism isn't for everyone and the opposite can be beautiful too.

I love stuff and I love houses packed with stuff

I have similar issues. Especially books.. once I have read it it's a friend and I can't let it go... currently 5 bookcases in the living room and counting! I'm not in to ornaments or lit up vases etc but I love a house that shows the personalities in it; mine's a bit cluttered in places, but you can see we are readers and musicians ( we also have a guitar problem!) and I find perfectly minimalist places a tad soulless tbh.

I do recycle clothes and furniture tho. Having adult kids moving out is handy for getting rid of extra furniture!!

I try to ask myself which I like more - the item, or a clear, uncluttered space.

What I find interesting is when you look at a lot of comedies, they are set in homes that are brightly coloured, with lots of things. Think about Monica's apartment in Friends. Or more recently, the apartments in the Big Bang Theory. Minimalist homes tend to be used for dark dramas. I watched The Sister on ITV recently and god their home was grey and depressing but it fitted the dark story.

Colour and nice items around me affect my mood greatly. Everything is tidy and has a place but there is a lot of it. I don't care if it takes me a bit of extra time to clean it, to me it's worth it. So, if you want to get rid of the things then do so, but if you don't, then don't feel bad about it.

@WellTidy

The books are all in the study. As are DFIL’s (in his study I should say, not ours) and his old paperbacks smell musty. And the bindings aren’t great. Which is what I’d expect as they're 30-40+ years old.

Old books are just wonderful.

I'm the same op, I like my stuff. I the look of clutter free homes, but it's not me.
Do you have room to store stuff up the attic, I would do that with the trunks rather than sell them.

@Elsaandanna

Sadly my house is not even close to being Instagram worthy. ( and I've never got to grips with it)

It's just rammed with things.
DH and I have bits we have inherited from our parents and we've been together over 20 years. There's just too much of everything!

Hope this may be of help.

My daughter lives with me at present with my grandson. When they came here I was decorating my living room and removed everything out of it. When it was finished, I decided to put all the ornaments away as I knew they would get smashed or damaged by him. They are up in the loft. I know they are here but to be honest I have forgotten about them.
The other day I went in the loft and saw them all
The room looks so much better with just a few things in it.

If you have a loft, put your most precious things in there, and of the remainder - if you don't use it - let someone else have it.

Meh, I think Kondo is overrated

I do think older houses look better with clutter. Unfortunately my house is only about 6yrs old and it looks cluttered....but i love all my stuff and its not dirty so meh. I'm leaving it.

@grassisjeweled

Meh, I think Kondo is overrated

And I knew all along she’d set up a shop. It was a clever idea but so transparent.

I wish I had a loft to put things in.

I had been hoping to store things at mums but she wants to keep the place exactly as it was before dad died, so there’s no space there either.

I like the William Morris quote 'Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.'

If you love them and they make you happy, keep them. Who cares what Marie Kondo says?

My test for getting rid of stuff is to imagine throwing it out, or even actually box/bag it (for small items) or imagine that I'm about to take it to the tip, and then note how I feel. If I feel a pang I keep it. If I feel fine about it, I chuck it.

If you do decide to chuck stuff, look for local charities or groups like Freecycle who'd be glad to receive it.

I am mostly certain I like the clearer space than I like the stuff.
The house lacks storage space. DH has hogged the shed and I couldn't given get a feather in it. No room for another shed of my own.

I just need to let go. It's just stuff.