THE NO. 1 WAY TO MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK LIKE A MAGAZINE.

Pictures of beautiful homes. If you're like me you enjoy looking at them and can easily find yourself wishing your home looked that way. What if I told you there is one thing you can do to easily start getting that look, and it doesn't cost a thing.

Pictures of beautiful homes. If you're like me you enjoy looking at them and can easily find yourself wishing your home looked that way. What if I told you there is one thing you can do to easily start getting that look, and it doesn't cost a thing?

Let go of the fear of empty space.

What do I mean by that? Well, have you ever looked at a magazine picture of say a bookshelf, and thought, "oh isn't that lovely", "I wish my home looked like that". Yet, ironically enough once you finally clear out the junk, pare down the unnecessary, and are left with space, do you find yourself not wanting to leave that space empty? Are you left not daring to do exactly what makes us so drawn to those pictures- leave room to breathe?

“ ...once you finally clear out the junk, pare down the unnecessary, and are left with space, do you find yourself not wanting to leave that space empty?"

Too many of us have become so used to clutter, and things, and not having enough space that when we have space we are actually uncomfortable with it and want to fill it back up with something, ANYTHING.

We say things like, "I'm not making good use of that space", "It's just being wasted", etc.

I have a secret for you: Empty space is not wasted space.

Don't let the cabinet designers and closet architect dictate how much stuff you have! Just because a drawer or shelf is there, doesn't mean you need to fill it.

"Just because a drawer or shelf is there, doesn't mean you need to fill it."

I hear ya, it's uncomfortable at first. Most of us are trained to think, if it's here, I must need it or should at least use it. And as long as you think that, stuff will find it's way there to fill it! (Typically this happens until you become overwhelmed and frustrated again...) But the more you protect and create breathing space in your home, the more you'll begin to notice how much you actually enjoy it! Go ahead, give it a try.

Quick Start Tip: Pick one place in your home where you want to start protecting the breathing space. Maybe it's a side table, a pocket in your diaper bag, a kitchen drawer. Whatever. Clear it off/out, and then, this part is important, let yourself be okay feeling the need to put something there. The more you resist, or feel bad/guilty about this the harder it will be! Instead, remind yourself that you don't need to fill it- empty space is not wasted space. Then watch as you allow yourself to feel uncomfortable, eventually it will feel freeing & lighter instead.

Share your experience with leaving space in the comments below. I always love to hear from you!