While helping a friend clean out her closet, I spied the top of her dresser and saw a perfect project for a 10 Minute Tuesday Challenge.
I pictured her fishing through the clutter trying to find a simple item and being the slightly organizing obsessed friend that I am, I couldn’t let that happen. I knew a 10 minute decluttering session would be the cure-all. (As much as I would love to knock on doors and spend 10 minutes helping random people organize, I promise I only do this when asked.)
The top of the dresser serves as a vanity of sorts holding medicine, jewelry and frequently used beauty supplies like chapstick, lotion, perfume, etc. What you can’t see in this picture are the wandering items like rocks and shells and figurines.
Since it’s the first flat surface when you walk in the room, the top of the dresser tends to gravitate towards a catch-all space. For that reason alone, it is important to store only frequently and well used items so when a cup or camera is placed on the dresser it doesn’t tip over into chaos.
We started by sorting. The regularly used supplies returned to the vanity. The extra supplies were moved into the bathroom and never used items were given away. Since makeup is not applied in this space, any makeup items were relocated to be stored where it is used.
Next we turned our attention to the random items. At this point we hit an impasse with our opposing styles. I prefer the look of sparse almost bare counters with very little knickknacks. My friend likes to be surrounded by things that have meaning to her. While I do appreciate different preferences while organizing spaces, I knew a balance between the two extremes would allow the space to function and stay uncluttered.
If there are piles and piles of items with meaning, the impact is lost. Instead of seeing a treasured item and enjoying it, that items significance is lost. Additional items tend to collect without questioning whether it belongs or is meaningful to you. Clutter is born!
The dresser had reached the point where knickknacks rendered the space unusable. Since life changes, it is no surprise meaningful mementos will grow, however it is important to reevaluate what there is space for and choose only the most important and loved items to display.
After sorting and purging makeup, toiletries, medicine and mementos the counter space can be seen and used. A ceramic bowl containing sentimental shells remained as well as two stones and a favorite scarf.
With the clutter cleared, she can now appreciate and see the well loved items. A drink or water bottle is welcome anytime with space to put it!
How does your dresser look? How do you keep your sentimental items in check? Anyone else knocking on doors asking to declutter?
