The difference between clutter and decor

I often talk about having less stuff and the many benefits that come from that. But what if the stuff is intentional? What if you enjoy maximalist interiors, or love being surrounded by lots of things that bring you joy? If you’re excited by a gallery wall, or want to display a collection of figurines, I say go for it! Joy means celebrating the things that we love and make us happy.

The difference between a beloved collection and a clutter-filled countertop isn't quantity – it's whether the items were chosen, or whether they “just happened.” Clutter tends to be randomly arranged, while decor has visual order. And that distinction isn't just aesthetic preference, it's rooted in how our brains actually work. Neuroscientists who study visual attention have shown that our brains have limited capacity to process competing visual stimuli. That's part of why a wall of curated art feels calming, and a pile of mail feels stressful, even though both are technically "a lot of stuff to look at."

So if you're someone who loves being surrounded by things, the goal isn’t necessarily to have less. It's to give what you love a sense of order – a shelf instead of a random surface, a frame instead of a pile, a designated spot instead of "wherever it landed." Keep the things you want to keep, but help them to be seen, not buried.

If you want help figuring out what that looks like in your home, that's what I'm here for. I love helping clients make order out of the things they love.