Susan's remarks are clearly reasonable. Back in 1970, just before Christmas, our flat was ransacked. Everything, that had been well stashed in the closet and drawers, was all over the five room flat. It was hard to pick the way down the hallway. The only comment I remember from the useless police was, "Why do you have so much stuff?"
We never heard from the police again but a business on the other side of the back alley phoned and told me they had my "important papers". They also had a box with family napkin rings (silver) and a few other small items - not my engagement ring (which I was saving to sell when I needed money or the expensive turn table for which we did not yet have operative parts.) The thief had, at least, had the decency to put this stuff in the trash and the janitor rescued it for me. I still have that same envelope "important papers) and it is still tucked in a certain spot that I KNOW.
So, it is when others do not see our "stuff" as we see it! On the other hand is the once told story of my mother's home - with paths through it BEFORE anything is pulled out of closets and drawers..
At Beaver, I am trying to only bring into the house, store room and, later, studio, objects which will have places/uses, including decorative. Small is beautiful but, for me, only if it is not cluttered. "A place for everything and everything in its place" was an oft repeated comment by my father. I once had a frequent visitor who deliberately put the salt in the "wrong" place!
Beaver has a long way to go and very little is here. Until the floor is leveled and new floor in place and there are different K cabinets and.... It will stay VERY minimal so there is little to move around as tasks are being done. One step at a time.
Today I go off to visit friends in the next county.