13 Things I Stopped Displaying That Made My Home Feel Calmer
It’s amazing how the little things we choose to display can shape the mood of a room. Too many trinkets, photos, or decorations can quickly turn a space from cozy to overwhelming, leaving it feeling more chaotic than calm.
By being selective about what stays out in the open, your home can instantly feel lighter, more peaceful, and more intentional. In this article, I’m spilling the things I tucked away that instantly made my home feel calmer and less cluttered.
In the end, it’s not about ditching everything you love, it’s about keeping what truly makes you happy and letting go of the rest. What worked for me might not be the same for you, but who knows, you may find a few ideas worth trying in your own space.
1. Excessive Family Photos
Remember when every inch of wall space showcased family memories? Those 37 vacation snapshots created more visual chaos than joy in my living room.
Excessive family photos turn intimate memories into background noise. I selected just five meaningful images that truly spark happiness and stored the rest in albums. Visitors now actually notice and comment on my displayed photos rather than glazing over.
2. Cluttered Bookshelves
Books stacked horizontally, vertically, and diagonally were my pride until I realized they created visual overwhelm. Who needs 200 books staring at them daily?
Cluttered bookshelves collect dust and create a feeling of unfinished business. I kept only the volumes I genuinely reread or reference, displaying them with breathing room between each. The remaining books found homes in closed cabinets or were donated to people who’d actually read them.
3. Decorative Knick-Knacks
Where did all those tiny ceramic animals come from? Those dust-collecting figurines multiplied like rabbits on every surface in my home.
Decorative knick-knacks create endless dusting chores while adding little value. I selected just three meaningful pieces that spark genuine joy and retired the rest. My surfaces now feel intentional rather than resembling a miniature yard sale, and cleaning takes half the time.
4. Busy Wall Art
How many bold statement pieces can one room handle? My answer used to be “all of them” until I realized my walls were screaming for attention.
Busy wall art competes for visual attention and prevents your eyes from resting. I replaced my gallery wall chaos with one larger, calming piece per main wall.
The remaining artwork rotates seasonally from storage, giving me fresh perspectives without the constant visual noise.
5. Seasonal Décor Out Of Season
Did you know I once found a Christmas nutcracker in July? My year-round holiday corner meant I was never fully present in the current season.
Seasonal décor creates mental clutter when displayed out of season. I now store all holiday items in clearly labeled bins, bringing them out only during their appropriate time.
My home feels more connected to the present moment, and each holiday feels special again rather than being part of a perpetual celebration mashup.
6. Collections Of Small Figurines
Those tiny porcelain birds seemed harmless individually. Collectively, they formed an overwhelming flock that dominated my display cabinet.
Collections of small figurines create visual fragmentation that makes rooms feel busy. I kept just three favorites and photographed the rest before finding them new homes.
My display spaces now have breathing room, allowing each remaining piece to be appreciated rather than lost in the crowd.
7. Overcrowded Countertops
If you couldn’t see my kitchen counters, you weren’t alone. Appliances, utensil holders, and decorative items claimed every square inch of surface space.
Overcrowded countertops make daily tasks harder and cleaning more frustrating. I now keep out only what I use daily, storing everything else in cabinets.
Food preparation has become more enjoyable, and the kitchen feels twice as large without spending a dime on renovation.
8. Magnets And Notes On The Fridge
My refrigerator once doubled as a community bulletin board. Those 27 magnets, schedules, and takeout menus created a visual hurricane in my kitchen.
Magnets and notes on the fridge create constant visual reminders of tasks and information. I moved important notes to a single hidden bulletin board inside a cabinet and recycled the rest.
My kitchen immediately felt more like a culinary space rather than an office supply store.
9. Excess Throw Pillows
Guests needed a roadmap to find seating among my pillow fortress. Every couch and chair disappeared beneath decorative cushions that were pretty but impractical.
Excess throw pillows make seating areas unwelcoming and create daily rearranging chores. I kept just two pillows per sofa and one for each chair, enough for comfort without overwhelming the furniture. Seating now looks inviting rather than like a bedding department display.
10. Tchotchkes On Side Tables
Side tables should hold drinks, not miniature museums. My tables were so crowded with decorative objects that they couldn’t fulfill their actual purpose.
Tchotchkes on side tables prevent functional use of these important surfaces. I cleared all unnecessary items, leaving just a simple lamp and perhaps one meaningful object.
Now there’s always room for a coffee cup or book, making these surfaces actually useful instead of merely decorative.
11. Framed Certificates Or Awards Everywhere
Though accomplishments matter, displaying every certificate created a resume wall rather than a home. My office resembled a trophy room more than a workspace.
Framed certificates or awards create an atmosphere of constant achievement pressure. I selected just one meaningful credential to display and stored the rest in a portfolio. My workspace now feels like a place for creation rather than a shrine to past accomplishments.
12. Small Decorative Bowls Or Dishes
Those tiny decorative bowls multiplied mysteriously on every surface. Empty or filled with potpourri, they served no real purpose except dust collection.
Small decorative bowls or dishes fragment visual space without adding function. I kept only those that serve actual purposes, like holding keys by the door or jewelry on my dresser.
Surfaces now feel purposeful rather than cluttered with miniature containers holding nothing important.
13. Overstuffed Shelves Or Cabinets
Opening my cabinets once required catching skills as items tumbled out. Overpacked shelves made finding anything a frustrating treasure hunt.
Overstuffed shelves or cabinets create daily stress even when their doors are closed. I purged items I hadn’t used in a year and implemented the ‘one in, one out’ rule.
Cabinet contents now have breathing room, making items accessible and reducing the frustration of daily searches.
