If you are furnishing a brand new home, you have an empty canvas to fill with beautiful home interiors from our Lake of the Ozark luxury furniture store. If, on the other hand, you are attempting to redesign a house you already live in, you may need to do a bit of decluttering to make room for the brand new gorgeous things you will find at John Elliott Interiors. 

This will most definitely be true if you have lived there for a long period of time and "stuff" has collected over the years. You're not alone! From stacks of mail and paperwork to those ballpoint pens that seem to multiply drastically, when you're not paying attention, it all starts accumulating. Here are some easy things to begin with for the decluttering process. Once you get started, it will slowly become a lot easier to let go of the items you don't want and no longer need. Soon, you'll have plenty of space to redecorate to your heart's desire! 

2. Kids Clothes
We know that those sweet jackets, onesies, and socks melt your heart, but they also take up a LOT of space. Sort through and find your absolute favorites. You can use them in quilts, doll clothes, or store them away in a designated container for future grandchildren, then donate the rest to a mother that will appreciate them as much as you did.

3. Old Reference Books
Do you still have your college textbooks on the shelf? If they are recent enough to sell, do it! If they are too old, recycle them instead and enjoy the space for books that make you smile instead of cringe. More than likely the information needs to be updated and you can always "Google it."

4. Old Linens
If you wouldn't offer those sheets or towels to a guest, get rid of them! If you keep them around for the dog to dry off with, keep one and ditch the rest. Old linens take up a LOT of storage space and only add clutter to your shelves and even your floors. The local animal shelter would be thrilled with the donation.

5. Plastic Grocery Bags
While having a few may be helpful, having hundreds is overwhelming. Recycle those at your local store and enjoy all of the extra space! You know you'll be buying more groceries, so there is no worry of ever running out, even when you get rid of the extras.

6. Tupperware With Missing Pieces
If the lid is long gone, the bottom needs to disappear too. Plastic storage containers are already hard to manage in your cabinet and only made worse when you have twice as many lids versus containers.

7. Hangers
If you have metal hangers, toss them. They aren't good for your clothes and they tangle easily. If you have too many plastic ones, don't be afraid to get rid of those as well. Only keep what you need. Put a few in your coat closet and donate the rest to a local thrift store.

8. Greeting Cards
It can be difficult to throw away cards from loved ones, but once you've received them and they've brought a smile to your face, they have served their purpose. Only keep the ones that have really meaningful messages in a special box and recycle what's leftover.

9. Piles of Office Supplies
It's amazing how quickly your desk can become overrun with office supplies. Staplers, paperclips, rubber bands, sticky notes, and more can take over quickly. Narrow them down to only what you need, and put the rest back in the supply closet.

10. Stacks of Magazines
Do you truly plan on reading back through your old magazines? Once you've read it, you're done. If it is a recent copy, donate it to your local library, otherwise, recycle it. Maybe it will come back to you someday as a different magazine!

11. The Pen Collection
We addressed this collection earlier, and it's amazing how quickly it grows. Have you ever been on the phone, taking a message, and gone through several pens that don't work? Toss them! Only save your favorite pens, and keep that pen holder clutter free.

12. Leftover Paint
After you've remodeled your home, it may be tempting to keep the leftover gallons of paint - but don't! They will dry up and get old before you know it. Instead of storing them for months before throwing them out, just do it now. If you need to touch up your paint, you can always head back to the hardware store and get a sample size for a couple of dollars.

13. Novelty Appliances
That cartoon character waffle maker may have been cute when the kids were little or for a special occasion, but if you don't use it on a regular basis (like every week), it really doesn't need to take up valuable kitchen space.

14. Old Phones & Their Cords
Old phones can be sold if they are still recent, but if they aren't, find a place to recycle them. While you're at it, don't forget to get rid of the cord, too! Cords can accumulate quickly and before you know it, you don't even remember what they go to.

15. Travel Toiletries
You may think you'll use them, but the truth is, your personal products are generally the first thing you'll grab, AND, those products do expire.

16. Hair Supplies
Bobby pins and hair ties can slowly take over your couch, floor, bathroom counter, and more. Keep a few of them in an easy to access location for when you need them and get control of all of the rest. If you keep them in their designated space, you won't have to keep buying more!

17. Old Cosmetics
Did you know that your cosmetics can actually expire? This not only means you're storing old, expired make-up, but it can also cause infections and be a holding ground for bacteria. Throw it out and if you find that you need it again, you can go get more.

18. The "IF" Outfits
You know the ones we're talking about, the "if" I lose weight, "if" I get a tan so it looks better, "if" I tone my thighs first. It's time to toss the "ifs" and enjoy extra closet space for the items that you actually love! If you haven't worn it in a year or more, you can do without it. 


19. Product Boxes
If you open your closet, will you find the product boxes for your television, computer, cell phone, gaming systems, speakers, and more? You really aren't going to need those boxes anymore, and even if you move, you would be better off getting a new box to put them in.

20. Gift Bags & Supplies
It may seem practical to save those gift bags and tissue paper for the next time you need to gift, but in many cases, you're still going to buy another one anyway. Keep only the truly pretty or the ones that can be used for multiple types of events. If you just got married or had a baby, it's hard to believe that you'll be going to 20-60 weddings or baby showers of the correct gender in the next year. Save space and get rid of them!

21. Promotional Products
Businesses are always handing out promotional products, but the truth is that you probably aren't going to use them as much as you think. Spare yourself the space in your drawers, car cup holders, and other "junk-collecting" places by getting rid of these items.