When Lots of Clutter Works
However, I know a lot of people who aren't like this. I have friends who have tons of stuff in every room and it doesn't bother them a bit. Their bookshelves nearly tip over with the weight of all that they hold. They always have to clear clutter off of a space at the kitchen table if they invite me over to dine with them. And yet their homes aren't ghastly or disgusting.
I'm intrigued by this possibility that you can have a lot of stuff - a lot of clutter - and yet somehow design your home in such a way that it doesn't appear to be a big mess. I'm not sure that this style would ever work for me but I'd still love to learn how it is that it does work!
Wow there is so much happening in this room! Just the sheer number of seating areas overwhelms me a bit. And yet, it works. I think the reason that it works is that each seating area serves as its own little section so you can look at each space as if it is its own separate room instead of one big combined mess.
Admittedly this room is a little bit much for me. I think that the sheer number of books and other stuff on the shelves here would make me feel claustrophobic. But I can see why it would work for some people. The cozy space with that low-hanging wall lamp makes for a comfy spot to curl up so you're almost hugged by your stuff instead of overshadowed by it.
I feel like there are a lot of different things in this room but there are only a few different themes. There's the purple theme. There's a theme of circular objects. And the table's objects seem to fall into their own theme. This combination of just a few themes makes it seem like less clutter than it really is.
There is a lot of stuff going on in this room. There are a lot of objects here. There are a lot of different colors here. But it looks so neat and clean anyway. I think the reason that this space works is because of the symmetry. The chairs, with their matching pillows, as well as the display on the mantle are so symmetrical that there is order instead of chaos.
One place where I think that clutter makes perfect sense is on inspiration boards. I think every art room should have one and it's an ideal place to make a confined mess.
Q