The William Morris Philosophy on Organising

How William Morris can help you declutter

One of the most well known and lauded arts and crafts designers of the 20th century, William Morris designed patterns for the home (most notably, wallpapers), which can be found on quite a number of objects today, from wallpaper to cushions. It is no surprise, then, that he has produced one of my favourite quotes on organising your home.

This quote is my guiding star when I'm decluttering and it's my most often quoted text when I'm trying to help others declutter their homes, because it describes the decision making process so perfectly and succinctly, I'm not sure there's any quote that's better.

Decluttering Tips from William Morris

When you are decluttering your home, the best thing to do is start with something small. Perhaps the junk drawer, or that kitchen cupboard that's been annoying you forever? But once you've done that, you're going to need to look through all your belongings and declutter.

The best way to do this is to look at each object and ask yourself two questions: do I love it? Do I use it?

Common Pitfalls when Decluttering

William Morris' philosophy sounds pretty simple, but there are some very common pitfalls that I often find people heading straight for. Here they are, so you can keep them in mind.

1. 'I haven't used it in a year/years, but I might use it someday' This type of thinking will get you nowhere, and it certainly won't get you the result you want. If you haven't ever used it, get rid of it

2. 'I kind of love it, so I might like to keep it' Nope! You don't love it! When William Morris says you should 'believe it to be beautiful', he means the kind of beautiful to end all beautifuls; you must love it so much that you're not going to get tired of it; so much that it brings you joy every single time you use it or see it.

3. 'It's been at the back of this cupboard forever, and I forgot about it, but I may as well keep it, it could be useful. No, no and no again. If you've forgotten about it you will never need that thing. Send it on its way

   
   

Not 'I kind of love it', you only get to keep it if I hear passion in your voice when you talk about it!

And believe me, the difference is clear when someone really loves something.

The Takeaways

Let William Morris help you declutter. Ask yourself:

1. Do I use it?

2. Is it beautiful

And then avoid the common pitfalls, and you'll be well on your way to a beautiful, sleek home that is easy to manage and feels like a sanctuary.

Thanks for reading!

Nx