There's a new catchphrase that's getting everyone, well, calm: 'Hushing the house'.
To a degree, it's nothing new: it's a decluttering method aimed at creating peaceful spaces in your home by reducing noise – though that noise extends beyond sounds.
'"Hushing the house" is an effective way to declutter and organize your home,' says Nathaly Vieira, owner of InspireClean, a premier, home cleaning and organizing service agency. 'The idea is to reduce noise; it's a decluttering strategy that will help you focus on the things that really matter in your home. It helps you prioritize what needs to stay and what needs to go and helps you create a peaceful atmosphere in your home.'
This is the type of decluttering method that can change your life, say experts, and may mean removing, cleaning and reconsidering where certain items belong in your home, and placing them with intention, while getting rid of items that don't serve a purpose. Ultimately, its aim is to impact your wellness positively. We asked experts to find out more.
Why is 'Hushing the house' beneficial?
'The "Hushing the house" method is a game-changer when it comes to bringing harmony to our living spaces. It strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and coziness, creating a haven that truly soothes the soul,' Karina Toner, Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning tells us.
"The 'hushing the house' decluttering method is all about being very intentional about which items you want to keep in your home and exactly where you want to keep them,' says Christina Giaquinto, Professional Organizer and Brand Ambassador of Modular Closets. 'This helps you promote a certain aesthetic and ambiance in the space.'
Ilia Mundut, the Founder & CEO of HeftyBerry suggests, this method 'Is a revolutionary approach that prioritizes tranquility in one's living space, employing minimalist principles to create a calming environment. This technique emphasizes the keyword "simplicity" by guiding individuals through a meticulous process of ridding their homes of unnecessary belongings.
'By thoughtfully examining possessions, we are encouraged to let go of sentimental attachments or items that no longer serve us effectively. This approach encourages mindful consumption habits moving forward, inspiring us to be more conscious about what we bring into our homes and how these objects contribute to our overall well-being.'
This method is the perfect way to declutter your home when you feel overwhelmed, to help you create a clear environment, and it's also useful if you are decluttering to downsize and need to limit your possessions.
How do you 'Hush a house'?
'You start with a fresh slate by first moving all items out of one area, like off of your kitchen countertop, then deciding which items you really want to keep. You can then place the items you want to keep back in the space in a fashion that gives you peace of mind,' says Christina Giaquinto, Professional Organizer and Brand Ambassador of Modular Closets.
Here, we look at the steps in more detail.
1. Take small steps
A general rule with all decluttering methods is to do so bit by bit to avoid overcrowding your space and overwhelming you which can lead to decluttering mistakes and fatigue.
Karina Toner, Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning comments, 'Decluttering can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a mountain of stuff. My advice is to start with manageable goals. Choose a specific area or room, like a cluttered corner or a messy closet, and focus on conquering that first. By achieving small victories, you'll build momentum and confidence for the rest of your decluttering journey.'
Nathaly Vieira, owner of InspireClean says, 'I would advise starting small. Pick a room and start decluttering there, before moving on to other parts of the house. Make sure you have a plan for what to do with each area.'
'Focusing on one room or area at a time, and implementing practical organizational systems while creating designated storage spaces for different items,' Andrew Griffiths, Founder of design company A New Day.
'Many people make the mistake of decluttering their drawers, closets, and entire rooms with all of the items still in the space. Don’t commit this blunder, as you can really optimize the decluttering process by first emptying out the closet / room / space before sorting the items', warns Christina Giaquinto, Professional Organizer and Brand Ambassador of Modular Closets.
'You will be much more cognizant of the items you decide to place back in the space and consider more if you really want to hold onto certain items you haven’t used in a long time. Also, you won’t overlook items that may be hidden under others.'
2. Categorize your items
Ilia Mundut, Founder and CEO of HeftyBerry says, 'Hushing the house involves categorizing belongings into essential and non-essential categories, ensuring only items with genuine utility remain within our living spaces.'
'Embrace the power of categorization,' agrees Karina Toner, Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning. 'Effective decluttering requires categorizing your belongings. Create separate piles or boxes for items you want to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This approach helps you make intentional decisions about each item, ensuring that you only hold onto things that truly add value to your life. It also prevents the accumulation of unnecessary items, keeping your space clutter-free and organized.'
'I recommend making three piles: keep, donate, and throw away. This will help you make quick decisions on what you want to keep or discard', advises Nathaly Vieira, owner of InspireClean.
Karina Toner advises, 'Once you've decluttered, it's time to explore creative storage solutions. Utilize baskets, bins, and storage containers to keep things organized and easily accessible. These practical storage solutions can also add a touch of style to your home.'
Baskets, such as this set of 4 9x12in Water Hyacinth Pantry Baskets at Amazon are a great place to start, as are these simple organizational buys, below.
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These bamboo wooden storage boxes and boards are the perfect way to organise anything from your pantry, to office supplies.
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These seven storage containers and labels with chalk marker can be a flexible way to organize and categorize smaller items cluttering your space.
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These clear plastic storage bins are an easy way to categorise and store your items, whether they are on display or stacked away in a cupboard, they will help you reduce mess.
3. Find multifunctional storage options
Finding practical multifunctional storage options, while not necessary to decluttering, is one of the most effective and exciting ways to maintain a tidy and aesthetically pleasing space.
Karina Toner suggests, 'Make the most of vertical space by incorporating wall-mounted shelves and hanging organizers. This way, you maximize storage in smaller areas while maintaining a tidy and visually appealing environment'. These Halter Wall Mounted Floating Book Shelves Set of 3 from Walmart are a have a classic look that can work in most spaces and are simple to put up.
When looking for storage ideas, a good way to make the space you have more efficient may be using storage options that double as furniture.
Nathaly, the owner of InspireClean. 'Look for multi-functional pieces that have multiple uses and can help declutter. For instance, a sofa bed is great for living spaces as it doubles as a guest bed if needed. You can also look at investing in seating that offers storage, like a sofa with a pull-out drawer underneath.'
4. Maintain a clear space
Karina Toner recommends, 'Maintaining a clutter-free home requires an ongoing commitment. Adopt the one-in, one-out rule, which means that for every new item you bring into your space, you remove something else. This practice helps you curate your environment, preventing unnecessary accumulation and ensuring a balanced and clutter-free home.'
5. Create zones
While the 'Hushing the house' decluttering method may involve clearing many areas, you will also want to designate some for belongings that may not need to be perfectly tucked away at all times.
This could be a bowl for keys and wallets, shelves for your child's regularly used toys or a table space for books. Keeping a clutter-free home is not all about empty spaces and storage, but rather about having an assigned place for objects. This will maintain order and harmony in your home as well and reducing the chance of mess building up again.
5. Embrace minimalism
A large part of the 'Hushing the house' method is its connection to minimalism. Whether you work towards creating a more minimalist living room, minimalist kitchen, minimalist bedroom, or other spaces, decluttering is the first step to create a purposeful living environment by considering which items that aren't essential to you and your space, and perhaps letting go of those that don't make the cut.
There are plenty of different approaches you can take towards creating a more minimalist space, as well as listing things to take out of a living room for a more minimalist space.
Start with a Marie Kondo favorite: by asking yourself: does this item hold practical or sentimental value, does it bring me or someone else in the house joy? If the answer is no, considering letting it go or keeping it in storage for a while if you're unsure. If you decide after some time you can do without it then donate or sell it.
'Hushing the house' is all about making deliberate and intentional decisions with all of your items to create environments that are serene, practical, purposeful and relaxing.
FAQs
How can you set your intentions when hushing your house?
When considering hushing your house, first set your intentions by considering what you want from this experience. Do you want to increase the functionality of your space, make it more relaxing, embrace a minimalist style?
If you want to increase functionality, you may want to work out which items are getting in the way, or what products could increase the practicality of your space. For example, do you need a space to keep your your loose papers and pens, or need new shelves to create more counter space in your kitchen?
Try to ask yourself before you begin to declutter how you can reach your goals in order to plan what needs to be done, such as what you need to store or remove from your home and what else might you need.
The 'Hushing the house' decluttering method is the efficient way to maintain a clutter-free home and improve your mindfulness and wellbeing.
By planning your decluttering intentions, starting small, categorizing your belongings, finding storage solutions, creating zones, maintaining a clear space by regularly hushing your home, and embracing minimalism, you can create a living space that should bring you some peace and that stays organized.
