As a professional organizer, I found the idea of 'home hushing" intriguing.
Also, I was personally curious. You see, I’m quite sensitive to sound due to my tinnitus, so I was excited to explore what house hushing is all about. Could it be helpful in my business as well as my personal life?
Most importantly, House hushing seems particularly appropriate for mature individuals. As someone who understands the value of peace and organization, you’ll find House Hushing to be a fantastic fit. It’s an excellent way to create a soothing atmosphere and declutter your surroundings, which is so helpful as you seek comfort and ease in your living space.
Here’s the general idea behind House Hushing: Every item in a room has its own impact, adding to the overall atmosphere - visually, physically, and emotionally. With House Hushing, you learn to create a tranquil retreat within your own home. This is a real game-changer. A clutter-free, serene, – hushed space can boost your productivity and sharpen your concentration. Who doesn't want that?
House hushing is an approach to decluttering and organizing your home, BUT it can be a lot more! Which we'll get to in chapter 2.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH HOUSE HUSHING
So, how do you get started with house hushing? Well, it begins with decluttering like a pro! Get rid of items that no longer serve a purpose and carefully choose your décor. Next, Think about the sounds in your home too. Are there noisy appliances causing disruptions? No problem! You can switch to quieter options and then add materials that absorb sound to create a more peaceful atmosphere.
But it’s not just about what you see; it’s also about how your space makes you feel. Further, Colors, textures, and shapes all play a significant role in setting the ambiance. Opt for warm and soothing colours, embrace natural materials like wood and stone, and indulge in soft and inviting textures.
Let's start at the beginning. The decluttering part of “house hushing”!
The big difference between this and many other decluttering methods is that you take everything out of the room and then return only what you truly want to keep there after giving the room a thorough cleaning.
When I read "take everything out of the room. I began to wonder if this method would work for most people. **For most of my clients, this would be a non-starter. The thought of taking everything out of a room on their own would be too overwhelming. If you feel your heart thumping louder than a drum just take a peek at the process and then go quickly on to Chapter 2 where there are other suggestions for hushing your house.
Chapter 1: Let Your Home Breathe
Fresh Start.
Start by giving your room a fresh start. Pick one room to quiet. It might be easier to start with a smaller or less cluttered one.
Relocate all the items in a room to a staging area so that you can let the space breathe. This includes furniture, rugs, curtains, lamps, books, art, plants and any other objects. Use containers to organize the items by category or type.
Clean the room thoroughly. Dust, vacuum, mop, wipe, and polish every surface. You can also paint the walls or ceiling if you want to change the colour scheme to a more relaxing less noisy colour before moving specific things back in with intention.
Enjoy the empty space for a while. Notice how it feels to be in a room with no visual noise or distractions. You might find it relaxing, refreshing, or inspiring.
Start bringing back items that you want to keep in the room. Be selective and intentional about what you choose. Ask yourself if each item is useful or meaningful to you If not, Dispose of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. Keep only what you need and what truly matters to you. Let your space breathe for at least 24 hours so you can reconnect with it. Only bring back things that you really love, miss and need.
Arrange the items in a way that creates harmony and balance in the room. You might use principles of feng shui or cozy minimalism to guide you. As always follow your intuition and personal style.
PART B: More Home Hushing Ideas for you to think about incorporating into your space.
Create Restful zones:
Bedroom Bliss:
Make your bedroom your sleep sanctuary. Keep screens out and limit your bedside reading to a few favourite books. Go here for loads of doable ideas.
Relaxation Rooms: Create peaceful atmospheres in your relaxation spaces with soothing music and media.
Tackle Hard Floors:
Quieter Floors:
Hardwood and laminate floors can be noisy. Consider adding rugs where appropriate.
Silence Inside-Noise:
Decibel Check:
Understand sound levels, for example, most conversations are around 60 decibels (dBA) and be aware that prolonged exposure to over 70 dBA can harm your hearing.
Quiet Appliances:
Opt for quieter appliances with noise ratings around 38 – 40 dBA
Shield Against Outside Noise:
Seal it:
Block outside noise by sealing gaps around doors and windows
Window Magic:
Layer curtains and shades to reduce noise.
For your yard consider noise-reducing fences
Tackle Visual Clutter
Clutter-Free Surfaces:
Keep your surfaces clutter-free to simplify your life and cleaning routine.
Manage the Chaos:
Use holders for items like mail etc.
Choose Relaxing Colours and Shapes
Calm Colours:
Pick calming colours such as blues, greens and neutrals
Soft Shapes:
Use rounded shapes for safety and aesthetics
Bring the Outdoors in:
Nature’s Touch:
Add plants and water features to bring nature’s calming effects inside.
Get Organized with Purpose:
Contain it:
Keep things organized with drawers, shelves, cabinets, and ottomans.
Label:
Use labels particularly if the container is opaque (no more guessing what’s inside)
One in, One Out:
Follow the “one in, one out” rule to avoid clutter build-up
Prioritize Regular Maintenance:
Stay on Top:
Keep up with maintenance to ensure your peaceful environment lasts.
House Hushing is a positive trend. For busy mature professions, it answers the need for a peaceful, practical living space. However, you'll probably need help with removing everything from the room part, and of course, that's where we can help you. These suggestions will help you to transform your home into a quiet sanctuary, enhancing your well-being in our noisy world.
As a professional organizer, I applaud that. We're here to help you achieve a tranquil lifestyle. Working together, we can create a haven of peace amidst life’s chaos.