It wasn’t until I spent some time thinking about my true intention for a room or space in my home that I was able to get a handle on how to remove the clutter. Try this exercise for the rooms in your home, and see if, like me, you’ll finally manage to conquer clutter. What a relief it is!

Declutter Workbook

Here is a start looking at four rooms. Expand to meet your needs and to include bathrooms, basements, bedrooms, guest rooms, and whatever else you may have.

Living Room
Intentions – What I Want the Room to Offer and Be
(Fill in the blanks)
Mood:
Activities:
Functional Needs:
Enhancers:

Remove to meet intention:
Add:
Annie’s Own Living Room’s Declutter Workbook
Mood: Quiet, peaceful, warm, comfortable, cozy, well-lit for reading
Activities: Reading, talking, listening to music, meditating
Functional Needs: Comfortable furniture, audio speakers, places for books and newspapers/magazines
Enhancers: Plants, fireplace

Remove: Miscellaneous instruments such as recorders, old magazines, items better suited for the family room
Add: Quiet water fountain or gentle wind chime in window

The Kitchen
Intentions – What I Want the Room to Offer and Be
Mood:
Activities:
Functional Needs:
Enhancers:

Remove to meet intention:
Add:
Annie’s Own Kitchen’s Declutter Workbook
Mood: Clear, clean, bright, modern, healthy, sunny; a gathering place,
Activities: Sitting and talking, cooking, easy to keep clean
Functional Needs: Space for chairs (good chairs on an island); energy-efficient appliances, lots of workspace; family to-do lists
Enhancers: Good light, bright colors

Remove: Too many appliances showing; dry goods not always stored (need to reorganize cupboards);
Add: Basket for misc. papers; accessible storage in basement for less-often used items; visible tea pot and cups for feeling of invitation to stay and talk

Family Room
Intentions – What I Want the Room to Offer and Be
Mood:
Activities:
Functional Needs:
Enhancers:

Remove to meet intention:
Add:
Annie’s Own Family Room’s Declutter Workbook
Mood: Cozy, comfortable, friendly, welcoming, togetherness
Activities: TV, DVDs, let-down, family, play games
Functional Needs: Serviceable coffee tables; easy-to-clean; comfortable couches; storage for DVDs, videos, books, etc.
Enhancers: Family pictures

Remove: Books we no longer need; unorganized photos; old videos
Add: Nicely framed photos; colorful pillows

Office
Intentions – What I Want the Room to Offer and Be
Mood:
Activities:
Functional Needs:
Enhancers:

Remove to meet intention:
Add:
Annie’s Own Office Declutter Workbook
Mood: Inspiration, help for thinking out of the box; compelling; feels professional; modern
Activities: Efficient for work
Functional Needs: A place where stacks can look neat; a place for lots of books; serviceable; good trash system; lighting and glare resolutions
Enhancers: Good phone system; ergonomic health; bright colors

Remove: Old magazines, papers, unused books
Add: Baskets for clutter (if I can go through them once a week!)