A question was asked near the end of the last thread: What's the underlying principle for YOUR priorities, as you reclaim your space?

It seems to have struck a cord, so is a good starting point for this quarter's thread. I have noticed that staggering tall and short in a space looks better to me than uniform pieces - a tall cabinet next to a tabletop cabinet, and on the table next to the cabinet, a tall piece of art. More tabletop space, then a tall lamp. The variation in height is comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

Also in that post, the following remarks:

In the process I learned something important that I suspect could help others. I learned which KIND of disorder makes me nuts. For me, it's important to have ample pathways AND an open view from about 4' off the floor, and up. Tall storage furniture in a room's corners does not make me feel crowded. A wall between those corners, with things above that height, is over my limit. At eye level, I need windows or a particular balance between art, and blank wall space. Art against a clear wall, and not too much. . .

It's also important to me that inside any storage furniture, items be visible and containerized. I don't care if the containers are small, used Amazon boxes with my labels added, but give me open containers where I can open the furniture's doors and quickly find either the bin I need to carry to a workspace-- or the bin to toss in a decluttered item, quickly.

As you (and this includes regular lurkers) consider the process of bringing order to your overstuffed household, what looks good, feels good, to you? Lurkers, we always appreciate your thoughts, because you often surprise us with your results.

Some of us have puttered at this for years as we spend spare time in a work week dividing our time between recreation, regular maintenance, and tackling the decluttering rooms or houses. Others drop in and tell us about reading along and deciding to do it all in one fell swoop. All approaches are interesting, and we look forward to reading about what YOU do to manage the stuff in your living space.

A final thought: lists are helpful. Listing projects you want to do gives you something you can prioritize. But make sure you have a list that reflects all of the things you have to do. The big list on the fridge might show the tasks you want to accomplish over the next few months, but to give yourself a view into what you actually do with your time, be sure there is a list on the counter that includes shopping, laundry, cleaning the house, cooking ahead for the week, and more. Crossing off those items is likely to give you the best view of your productive self and help you decide which items need to come first on the big list.