Today I have 5 creative ways to deal with sentimental clutter that will help you sort through, eliminate or put to use the sentimental clutter that takes up space in your home and life.
Looking for more organizing ideas? Check out How To Organize A Small Kitchen And Get More Space or these 5 Best Kitchen Organizing Ideas For Small Spaces and these Small Home Organizing Strategies
Creative Ways to Deal with Sentimental Clutter
I love small house living for all the benefits that come with it, less housework, lower utility bills … even less yard to take care of! To me, the biggest challenge of small home living is that everything competes for space.
Drawer space, wall space and floor space are all premium items. One space issue that is becoming a real problem for us is the sentimental clutter we keep that continues to grow as we get older.
Seriously, what do you do with the first pair of jeans your child wore, the family tea set, notes, letters and trinkets from your teens, an old golf club set and a few very traditional old oil paintings and plenty more boxes of stuff?
It’s a whole lotta sentimental clutter and it’s taking up my limited space!
This has become a hot topic in our household lately and I know we aren’t the only ones who deal with this dilemma. I’m talking about creative ways to deal with sentimental clutter today and sharing with you guys how I plan on facing this challenge.
I’m starting at the unpacking stage. Right from the start when I open a box that we’ve stored. That’s when I’ll make a decision based on my list below.
1. Find a new use for an old item.
Upcycle or recycle your treasures into something you’ll use. Make a quilt or a pillow from the baby clothes, blankets and old T-shirts you’ve saved.
2. Transform a piece of furniture into something you love.
Unless you have a museum quality item, chances are its greatest value is to you.
Paint an old dresser or chair in your colors and make it fit in a special place. I gave my daughter’s dresser a makeover (click here) in white and muted gold and now I use it in my bedroom. I also made over my favorite sentimental chairs here (click here) and here (click here).
Today’s eclectic decorating trends of painted furniture and DIY make this a good option for those special pieces of furniture that don’t fit in your decor.
3. Display unique sentimental clutter in a gallery wall.
Mount a few family treasures in creative ways and make them part of an eclectic gallery wall. Every item in this collection has wonderful memories attached to them.
I used my favorite shells and driftwood pieces. Now, I enjoy them everyday in my office. So much more than when they were in jars on a shelf and in the garage!
4. Make a digital memory book.
Fill it with pictures of items that you cannot find use for in your home. Then let them go. I’m sure your children will appreciate you passing that on to them instead of giving them all that stuff.
5. Sort out the extra stuff.
How much stuff do you really need?
Donate things that can be used. You will feel good about sharing your items with others who might truly benefit from having the item. Sell items that have value and make some extra pocket-money.
By using my 5 creative ways to deal with sentimental clutter, I’ll make a huge dent in our boxes and stored items. I’m going to have a hard time letting my first child’s little acid washed jeans from the 80’s go … but, it’s time to buck up and make some tough decisions.
I’m ready to roll up my shirt sleeves and tackle my garage. The win for me will be when I can see the walls in our garage! …OK, I might even be happy to see just one wall!
Do you struggle with too much sentimental clutter like I do?
Marsha Blog says
Ya fantastic! I love your ideas. Many thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Wendi says
Hi Marsha… So glad you found my tips useful. Since I struggle with these issues, I knew plenty of others did as well! Thanks for your visit!
gigi says
I love how you refinished the chair and the dresser! I especially love the chair outside with flowers— GORGEOUS!
Wendi says
Thank you so much Gigi! The chair was actually a pretty picture I fell in love with but I did refinish the dresser! Thanks for your visit and very sweet comment!
Linda says
Hi Wendi! JAUt taking a look at the top posts of th year for you. This one is pre Haven. We still live in a big house with an attic. The stuff is overwhelming. My husband and I keep at it. Your adice is solid. I am trying to get the digital memory book started. We haD few snow flakes today and were excited! Just cold now.
Wendi says
Hi Linda and yes it is pre-Haven. I have to say that this is one of my favorite posts ever since I believe it’s something we all struggle with. Moving from the big family house to our little bungalow required me to learn how to make the most of our space and how to thin out the cluttter that built up. It’s still an ongoing process:) Best of luck to you on your digital memory book & Happy New Year!
gail says
Wendi
I found this post through your 2015 end of year post.
I am such a sentimental sap! I struggle with clutter all the time. So much so, that I haven’t allowed much to come into the house over the last 10 years. Great tips!
pinning!
gail
Wendi says
Hi Gail and I hear ya! I think this post rings true for so many people, which is clearly what made it so popular too! It’s a never ending struggle. In your case, I think I’d have a tough time letting all those super creative projects go. If I were you, my house would just be overflowing with awesome furniture build projects…LOL. Thanks so much for pinning & sharing this my friend!
Brenda says
Nice thoughtful post. 🙂 I think most of us deal with this. My husband & I have accumulated things from both sets of our parents passing in the last decade. I had to get a ‘tough love’ philosophy and remember that THEIR things were not MY things… If I could keep it in a small box in the store room (one small box per parent) I’d save it. Or if it’s an item I use or display, then it stays. I also love the light feeling I have from having less, so I thank the item and then I find it a new home.
Wendi says
Brenda, Thank you for your nice compliment! I agree, it’s a common challenge for many. Like you, I’ve become better with practice. I like that you thank an item and rehome it:) Such a nice way to send something off a loved one had and probably loved. I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a thought filled note:) Please come back and visit again soon!
Kim Jaspers says
Great post, great ideas for repurposing sentimental “stuff.” I’ve finally given my family heirlooms a chance to be appreciated by someone else by donating them to a local charity thrift shop. Stuff in boxes getting moved from place to place (we’ve moved 10 times in 20 years) takes up valuable real estate in our home, has lost its sentimentality, and just plain burdensome. It’s a lifestyle choice, and I don’t judge others for their sentimental attachments to stuff. It’s just not making me happy anymore so it needs to go.
Wendi says
Kim, Good for you! I understand how you feel and you’re right, it’s a lifestyle choice. We had the same problem, carrying boxes from house to house. It does become a burden too. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a nice note and visiting. Enjoy your extra space!
Nicki Bruleigh says
Oh yes… i deal with this… just had to deal with this very thing as i moved from my own apartment into a home with someone else. Had to let go of some things and try to see it as letting others use and enjoy them…….sold some, gave some, donated some. And now i am trying to fit what i kept into a small space, and make it comfortable for my boyfriends and his things as well. :o) Good suggestions you gave….. some i had done, and some i can do!
Wendi says
Hi Nicki, That sounds stressful. Glad a few of my ideas started your creative thinking on how to deal with your stuff! Moving can be overwhelming! Thanks so much for your visit & sharing your story:)
Debbie says
I stumbled upon your blog and found this so helpful. In less than three years, my
husband and I cleaned out four relatives residences. Many treasures and many
things we simply moved because the items were too nice to donate. It hurts me
to the core the touch these things on a daily basis. I have to do it in small amounts
as it can be such a downer. Letters, greeting cards, lovely detailed hankerchiefs,
collectibles, signed books, and so many more things like boxes of photos, high end linen tablecloths and on and on. I want to enjoy life and not tend to this huge endeavor. Someday I will get to the bottom of the piles.
Wendi says
Debbie, My heart goes out to you on tackling this task! As I read your note, I remembered doing the same with my mothers home. I hope my post inspired a new idea or two in you to find new uses for a few special items so you can keep some mementos nearby. Thank you for sharing your story & your visit!
Cin says
hold those little jeans and make a crochet Jean rug!
Wendi says
What a great idea! I love it and your right that is the perfect upcycle project. Thank so much for sharing your idea, it’s a brilliant, and a good way to keep my keepsake out in plan view!
Angela @ Setting My Intention says
These are great ideas! The more I declutter, the more I want to get rid of it! We don’t live in a tiny home but I love the open spaces decluttering is creating. I want to see the floor in our basement!:)
Wendi says
Angela, We had the same challenge in our big house, it seemed the more room I had, the easier it was to collect stuff. Like you, I enjoyed the uncluttered look. Good luck with reclaiming your space!
Angie says
Hi Wendi,
I’m coming over from Southern Hospitality, I love your house. And this is a great idea. My husband is trying to make me get rid of boxes and boxes of stuff. And I think that I’m a hoarder in the fact that I go through the boxes and just can’t part with the stuff. Even though I don’t see it often. But I have got to down size, so your article is just what I needed. Thanks for sharing.
Angie
Wendi says
Angie, Oh… I feel your pain! We had the same issue and are still weeding through the clutter that downsizing brought. Some sentimental and some just clutter that grew! I’m glad my article has helped and thank you so much for your lovely note!
Laurie@ Vin'yet Etc. says
Oh boy, this is pinned for sure, I have so much sentimental stuff, it does become overwhelming. Great tips, thanks for sharing! xo
Wendi says
Thanks Laurie! Glad you found my tips useful. It becomes so necessary to weed out anything not needed in a small home..if I didn’t we’d still be in rows of boxes to the ceiling!
Linda Nelson says
Great topic and thoughtful approach to dealing with objects of sentimental warmth and fuzziness.
Wendi says
Linda, I realized that a good amount of what we’ve stored is sentimental stuff/clutter. It becomes a problem so quickly in a small home. I was sure many – many people are challenged with the same issue. Thanks for the thumbs up and thank you for stopping by today:)