Creating A Collected Home

My home is always evolving. The one concept that I think minimalism, tidying, essentialism, decluttering, etc., is that your spaces are always undergoing evolution. As Marie Kondo said, “The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.” Some items will come and go while some pieces like storied decor and heirlooms will always have a place. This is what creating a collected home is all about – embracing a mix of old and new to tell a deeper story of who you are and what you love.

The Intention Behind Creating A Collected Home

The beautiful thing about this is that this allows you to follow your instincts and give yourself permission to own your spaces! Because it’s the freedom to give that eccentric piece like a crystal geode or a family heirloom the spotlight, even if it doesn’t make sense. I love having my favorite books that had an impact on me in sight. It’s also an invitation to remove that piece that no longer carries the same meaning for you and replace it with a piece that will serve you where you are now. Creating a collected home is not about following rules or trying to achieve a particular look as fast as possible, but all about enjoying the slow, unhurried process of letting your spaces evolve as you do.

The Collected Approach On Display

If you’re not sure where to begin, look for a flat surface in your home where you can display a collection of things you love, like a bookshelf or console table! I like to start in a small area like this because it helps to narrow your focus as you add, remove, and adjust until the space feels like you. Let’s take a look at a few practical ways you can start to implement this approach!

See the Whole Picture

I recommend you take a step back and look at every plane of your shelves or surface: front to back, left to right, top to bottom. Are there any gaps that feel empty? Are there any overcrowded spots that need to be pulled back? Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

• If your scene only has hard angles (books, mirrors, or frames), see where you can include decor with round edges (like bowls, vases, or accent beads).

• Play with varying heights and sizes to add dimension and texture.

• If you want to group similar objects together (such as vases, glasses, plates, candlesticks, etc.), create visual interest by mixing materials, like clay, ceramic, and brass.

• For a layer of life and color, add a plant or two!

• Does the whole scene either look all old or all brand new? If so, see what swaps you can make to create a look that’s less uniform.

Keep It Functional

Don’t feel as if you have to sacrifice practicality just to create a pretty space. If you need to use your shelves for storage, like firewood or an unused vase, go for it! Your home is meant to showcase the things you love, but also to serve the things you need.

Make it Personal

Next, bring in pieces that bring you joy and speak to who you are as a person. This can be books on topics you’re interested in, the artwork you found at a flea market, or old family photos and mementos. Make sure to personalize your spaces and have some fun while you’re at it! Setting up a scene that represents you and the people you love is what creating a collected home is all about.

Happy Collecting!

I hope that this inspired you to take a step back and look at your spaces and start this journey of creating a collected home but don’t pressure yourself to achieve this in one day! The slow process of letting your home evolve is magical! And if you need some help, join my free mini-course, “The Art Of The Home” which is a great place to start at step one.

Love,