“I love America, and I love American women. But there is one thing that deeply shocks me – American closets. I cannot believe one can dress well when you have so much.” - Iconic French Designer, Andree Putnam

This summer quite a few of my friends and relatives have been working on clearing the clutter in their closets, drawers, work areas and anywhere else they have too much stuff taking up too much space.
One friend just had her floors grouted and when she had to move her furnishings out of the living room, dining room and kitchen to get the job done, she took the opportunity to go through her tchotchkes and hone them down before putting everything back in place. She’s very proud of herself.
Another friend is working on cleaning out her overstuffed garage in order to make room for at least one of her cars. Until a couple of weeks ago the space looked like a packed consignment store overflowing with family keepsakes as well as treasured bits and pieces she’d collected over the years when traveling and on local junking expeditions. She’s announced that in a few weeks she’ll be ready to drive her car inside for the first time so we’re going to break out the champagne to celebrate the occasion.
My cousin, who downsized a few years ago and is living in half the space she once had, has a terrific ongoing strategy: Every weekend she cleans out one drawer, one cabinet, or one closet – depending on how much time she has available. By routinely putting in a few minutes or an hour and continually rotating her efforts throughout her home, each area has remained clutter-free and organized (she marks her calendar in advance to ensure she does it, unfailingly). Pretty impressive.
If you, too, are interested in doing a little or a lot to clear out and clean up your home this summer, you’re in good shape: it’s only July 15 and there are seven weeks left until Labor Day – plenty of time to lighten your load, improve Feng Shui, and make your place look and feel a lot more open and airy before cooler weather arrives.
To start with, if you need more hanging space, here is the Dublet Adjustable Closet Rod Expander by Umbra which is on sale right now at The Container Store for $12.99 (reg. $19.99).

So, are you in? Are you ready to block a little time here and there in order to clean out your over-stuffed drawers and shelves and make yourself feel better? What would you like to de-clutter? Share and I’ll help you get through it. Pinky swear.