Spring is the perfect time for an interior refresh. With a season all about starting anew, many of us take it as an opportunity to say goodbye to the old with a thorough sort-out and declutter.
But what if your spring clean looked a little different this year? If you aren’t ready to say goodbye to your many trinkets, instead say hello to this season’s hottest design trend: curated clutter. The furniture design experts Shelved are here to tell us everything we need to know about this new interior style, as well as provide tips to help us achieve the look in our own homes.
What is curated clutter?
As the name suggests, this trend is all about having our “clutter” on display, but in a tastefully arranged way. Also known as intentional clutter, the home decor movement is inspired by other recent trends, including “cluttercore” and maximalism, which have embraced the “more is more” philosophy in contrast to minimalism. This decor concept is popular amongst those looking for a more lived-in aesthetic, which isn’t just stylish but often more practical to upkeep. It’s also a great way to get personal and show off the meaningful trinkets that matter most, whether these are treasured family photos, holiday souvenirs, or some of your kids’ own creations.
While spring is traditionally a time to get rid of older decorations and replace them with new pieces, this sustainable trend allows you to make the most of what you already have and keep your possessions going to landfill, saving both the planet and your wallet.
How to style intentional clutter in your home
Think this trend is the perfect fit for your home? Try giving it a go and display your favourite possessions in style. This trend is all about creativity and letting your inner interior designer loose, but to help you craft the perfect look, here are four tips for curating your clutter.
Display your clutter in style with feature shelving
Choosing your trinkets and decor is only part of the styling process — you must also find the perfect place to display them. A feature shelving unit is a great place to set up your curated clutter collection and can act as a statement in itself, too. You can opt for a unit to display front and centre, or if you have a cosy corner that is looking a little bare you could transform that space with a corner unit.
The great thing about using large units to display your clutter is that you don’t have to go all out if you don’t want to. You can use storage boxes and baskets to store some of your pieces, whether these are pieces you haven’t decided how to style yet or less aesthetically pleasing clutter like charging cables. But if you want to start small, opt for one or two new wall shelves and see how you like it.
Include clutter of varying sizes
Wondering what the secret is behind intentional clutter displays that look effortlessly stylish? The answer is probably height. A clutter shelf with pieces that are all roughly at the same level can look chaotic and overwhelming. When you incorporate height, you are adding visual interest and making the display more balanced.
Incorporating clutter of varying widths has the same effect, plus it is a great way to mix up your display and create a more unique look. While displaying a group of similar objects together, such as books, can provide some symmetry, you may find that splitting them up into separate sections or interspersing them with other decor adds to the aesthetic appeal.
Consider your colour scheme
While some think the curated clutter trend is about displaying anything and everything, there is some careful thought that goes into planning the display, and that includes considering your colour scheme. This doesn’t mean you should only display decor of the same shade — in fact, it is best to avoid this if possible, as different colours create contrast and prevent the decor from blending into one another. But a colour scheme can help you create a cohesive display without taking character away from the look.
There are endless colour schemes to choose from, so simply choose the one which appeals to your interior style most. A good way to create a colour scheme is to use the colour wheel to find complementary colours. A tetradic colour scheme (which comprises two sets of complementary colours) is a good choice for a larger curated clutter display as it gives you more hues to choose from.
Keep clutter in rotation
Have a huge selection of clutter but don’t have the room to display it all? A good way to make sure every trinket has its moment is to rotate your display every so often. As well as allowing you to show off all of your precious decor, it also means you can keep your display fresh. If you really want to lean into the curated clutter trend, consider changing up your decor every three months to make seasonal displays. For example, summer can be a great time to display more colourful pieces or coastal-inspired trinkets, while spring is the perfect time for florals.
Quote
“A spring clean doesn’t have to mean a big clear out. Instead, try out one of this year’s biggest home decor trends and use it as an opportunity to show off your clutter in style. Curated clutter displays allow you to keep your most precious memories on show and are a stylish way to infuse your interiors with personality.
“The best place to display your intentional clutter collection is in a neutral setting, such as a wooden or heavy duty steel shelf or shelving unit. The neutral backdrop allows you to put up decor of varying hues without clashing with the shelving.”
- Jonathan Clark, Creative Director at Shelved
