When you can’t decide what to toss and what to keep, consider which decorations, dishes, paintings, and pieces of furniture reflect who you are.
I feel immediately at home in houses where people have surrounded themselves with what they love. What do you own that matches your personality and creates the feel you and your family want to communicate? A family photo album, Christmas ornaments handed down from generation to generation (yes, even in the spring!), books, signs, and plaques collected on trips, a verse of Scripture—somehow it all comes together to say This is who we are. This is what we love.
The point of it all is to make yourself and other people feel at home. A cluttered dwelling presents mixed messages and will cause unease for visitors and your family. An organized home presents an invitation to stay and enjoy a place that reflects peace, your values, and your style.