So many of the ‘organized’ spaces featured in magazines seem somewhat bland and sterile to me, with a minimal look that would be hard to live with on a regular basis.
Depending on the space and the activities you do there, you may need your decor to energize and inspire you, without feeling cluttered or over-stuffed. So I went on the hunt to find some lean, simple spaces which are still vibrant and energizing:
Maine Cottage
Rooms and Things
CompanyC
Maine Cottage
houzz.com
BHG
Aesthetic Outburst
Do you agree that color without clutter, balanced with plenty of neutral space, can create an appealing, energetic room? Which is your favorite?
If you’re in the SF Bay Area and would like friendly, confidential Professional Organizing help to turn chaos into calm, contact me to take the first step toward a sorted, stylish space.
you’ve convinced me, this is quite an inspiring and beautiful collection of rooms! Janell
I’m definitely trying to cultivate a home without clutter. Clutter can look good, in magazines, but isn’t fun to live with. I love the third last photo with that amazing abstract painting over the sofa.
Ohhh, I want number 1 photo – altho I may not get much done because I’d be gazing at the beautiful scenery outside all the time!
You are so right – I’ve never aimed to live in a hotel room. I love the blue cabinet at the end, but on the whole I think I like the colours and the furniture styles in the top photo the best. That green side table is a treasure!
I like the white room with touches of hot pink (and I dig that big white star on the coffee table.)
Oh I really like all of these rooms! They are all so livable!I like the dining room it kind of looks retro to me.
I completely agree! And my favorite is the CompanyC room that’s a nice mix of neutrals and turquoise/green shades.
I have to say, this is a balance that I try to strike, but it’s really tough! My default aesthetic used to be more cluttered, not because I liked things that way, but because I lived in such small spaces and had lots of books, kitchen gadgets, etc. Now, I have gone to such great lengths to banish the clutter that sometimes I worry that our spaces look cold. I think the recent attempt I made to add some pops of color throughout our place help a lot, but I still think there’s lots to learn and lots of experimenting to be done!
I would love to see more photos like these for inspiration if you come across more that you find interesting.
I have always been on the bold color bus, even in the places that the pros say should be calm. Pastels and white just don’t inspire me and that includes sleep.