Unclutter Your Cottage in 10 Easy Steps! - Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out

Lifestyle

Unclutter Your Cottage in 10 Easy Steps!

Cottage living does not have to mean cramped living. While cottages are typically space-challenged, there are ways to make your home functional and livable. Follow this 10-step system to a more efficient home without forfeiting style.

1. Imagine the home you want to live in. Save pictures from magazines and shop your favorite stores for ideas. Once you have pinpointed this visual, you have taken the first step to living in a better cottage. 2. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your space, from floors to windows to the moldy onions in the... READ MORE

Photography by Jaimee Itagaki and Mark Tanner

Photo by Breather on Unsplash

Streamline your cottage to breathe new life into old spaces.

2. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your space, from floors to windows to the moldy onions in the fridge. This process will prime your home.

3. Paint the walls, clean the carpet and make other minor cosmetic adjustments that have a big impact.

4. Assess your storage space. Clean out your closets, garage and any other facility that can store your things.

An uncluttered kitchen leaves room for artful displays of colorful collections. Photo by Jaimee Itagaki.

5. Chances are you’ve purged many of your belongings during the cleaning. Now edit even further. Walk around your home and reevaluate those things that don’t enhance your space or provide added value (aesthetic or functional).

6. Group your things into categories: save, store, toss. Organize your belongings as a way of clearing space.

7. View those things you have kept, and find ways to use them. Consider their design and function, which should influence their location. For example, a set of glasses could look attractive in open shelving while you hide the eyesores behind cabinet doors.