Before you can give any room a makeover, you need to decide what will stay, what will go, and what you will do with the things you decide to get rid of. Doing this before our Lake of the Ozarks interior designers get started on your new look can speed up the process.

Every room will require a different level of decluttering. If you can keep the final vision you desire for each room in mind as you make decisions, the following tips from John Elliott Interiors will help you to get through the process productively.

Decide Each Room's Purpose
Decide what each room's purpose should be and then imagine how you can best make that happen. Notice if rooms are "bleeding into" each other, meaning that certain items are out of place. For example, a home office is probably not the space where a treadmill should be placed, and a work desk in your bedroom can take away from the relaxing feeling that room should give you.

Once you decide what each room's purpose should be, evaluate whether or not the items in each room are fulfilling that purpose. When you find things that don't belong, either move them to a room that makes more sense or plan to get rid of the unnecessary items.

Let Things Go
If you have furniture or home decor that works with your upcoming interior design, make sure those pieces are in the rooms where they belong. As for all of the things you no longer need, it's time to let them go.

Don't try to make something fit where it doesn't make sense and don't fill your garage with things you won't be using or displaying just because you "might need it someday." In that case, all you're doing is wasting the space where you are storing the things you no longer use.

Go ahead and declutter the small things too. For example, all of those papers that keep piling up or the stack of clothes that don't fit anymore and you keep meaning to donate. This is a perfect time to clear it all out. While you're at it, try to come up with a strategy for keeping that clutter at bay in the future so it doesn't begin piling up again.


Have a "Disposal" Plan
The best way to organize the things you will be getting rid of is to have three categories: trash, recycle, and donate. If you have enough storage space and there are a few things that you won't have on display but are not ready to get rid of, then you can add a fourth category for these things. Only allow this if you truly have dedicated storage space for these items and they don't end up spilling over into places they do not belong.

The "trash" items are easy to get rid of. Simply bag them up and put them out with the rest of your garbage. For large items that are too big for regular pickup, contact your trash company to arrange for a special pickup. The "recycle" items are easy also if you have curbside pickup. If not, find a local spot that accepts recycling. If you have no place near you that does this, then you'll have to add your recyclables to the trash category.

Your "donate" pile will sit in your home indefinitely if you don't make plans to get it out of the house. Find a local thrift store or shelter that accepts the things you have to donate and plan a definite date when you will deliver your stuff to them. Write it down on your calendar. Sometimes the simple act of giving yourself a deadline will inspire you to act. If you can find a place that offers pickup service for donations, even better!

If you prefer to sell these still-usable items in a garage sale or take them to a thrift store that will sell them for you, give yourself a deadline. If you haven't sold these things by that deadline, donate it and be done with it.


Redecorate!
Once you have imagined exactly what you want each room to be and removed everything that does not fit that vision, it's time for the fun to begin! Now there is a clean slate to start redecorating. Visit our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks to pick out the new furniture and home decor that will bring your dream rooms to life.

The skilled and knowledgable interior designers at John Elliott Interiors are here to guide you, answering questions and offering advice. From beginning to end, the overall process may take a little time, but it will be well worth it when you are enjoying your newly designed home!