Is it ‘clutter’ or is it ‘art’?

Or: ‘How to ‘artfully curate your clutter’

Its an interesting question isn’t it? May be what’s one person’s clutter is another person’s art, and that’s fine when we’re talking about our own homes, but when you are considering the question in relation to your holiday let or serviced accommodation property, then its a bit more tricky to answer!

I see it as a continuum - ‘The Clutter––––––––Art Spectrum’. At one end we have true ‘clutter’ (defined as ‘filling a place or area with too many things, so that it is untidy’ [Oxford English Dictionary]). This has negative connotations and definitely something not to aim for in the holiday accommodation world! At the other end we have ‘art’, or ‘artfully arranged ornamentation’ perhaps. Things displayed in such a way as to be appealing, like in a gallery. But is this as equally undesirable as clutter? Surely that ‘gallery’ feel is something which we don’t really want for our accommodation either? We wouldn’t want our guests not to feel comfortable or ‘at home’ in our properties.

So its finding a balance that is the key. Too stark, ordered, precise and ‘perfect’ would leave our guests feeling unable to relax; yet too cluttered and ‘messy’ leaves the property feeling unloved and the guests feeling far less than special!

So where on the continuum is the premium spot? Where is the balance just right? We want all our guests to feel like Goldilocks don’t we - not too ‘cluttered’, not too ‘perfect’, but ‘JUST RIGHT’!

There’s a movement at the moment for a maximalist approach, and especially a ‘love of clutter’, but like I said, this is carefully curated clutter which still looks good. Ikea’s new collection for Spring/Summer 2022 is all about the ‘Cluttercore’ - embracing the maximalist look but in a very considered way.

Here are some examples of spaces where I believe the balance between clutter and art is just right.

A great example of little clutter but what is there is arranged to create a very homely and welcoming space. Credit: Artist Residence

I love this, especially how relaxed it feels. All the pans up high makes full use of the space while still being practical. Credit: Architectural Digest

While there are lots of individual items here, they become a collection by their colour. Grouping items in ways like this can really help when displaying multiple things.

I styled this shot for Linda Barker Paints and it shows how old bottles can be positioned into a beautiful collection where they become so much more than just old bottles! Credit: Phil Drakett

With shelving, don’t just overload it with ‘stuff’, think about varying what objects you display, and vary the size, shape and texture too. Adding a plant or two can also really add to that relaxed, homely feel. Doing this will ensure it doesn’t look cluttered. Credit: Helen Norman taken from bhg.com

Don’t just arrange artwork in a line - think about what it is against, like the sideboard in this example. Books can be used to add height within your display. Credit: Rockett St George

Ikea’s new SS22 collection champions the curation of ‘clutter’ - Its a big thumbs up from me! Credit: Ikea

So what are the tips and tricks to ‘artfully curated clutter’?

There are definitely things you can do to achieve this look. Here’s my checklist:

1. Group similar items. When we view a ‘collection’ of objects that all have something in common, the eye sees them as ‘one’ as opposed to ‘many’, which tricks the brain into thinking that it’s less cluttered.

2. Vary the height, texture and shape of your objects. This variation adds interest and depth. So match a brass ornament with a stack of small old wooden bowls, or a tall glass vase alongside a ceramic plant pot with a trailing plant tumbling over it.

3. Arrange things in threes. There’s something very pleasing about the number 3. Three things pushed together with space on either side, just simply looks better!

4. ‘Layer’ your displays. Don’t push everything to the back of a shelf; have items overlapping other items when seen from the front; smaller items in front of larger ones. This is another way of creating a ‘collection’.

5. Use nice storage options. Baskets, crates, stylish boxes, magazine racks, tote bags, utensil pots etc can all help to remove the ‘clutter’ and add an artful look to your interior. These can also be used on shelves to group common items. Open shelving in kitchens in particular adds to that lived-in homely feel but by carefully choosing the crockery etc it will still look stylish and not cluttered. If you’re not confident about this, go for all-white crockery with the odd wooden bowl or wooden utensils to add warmth.

6. Use what you already have and add to it strategically. I’m not suggesting going out and buying everything new – a little bit of age to an object is a good thing. And please no ‘matching’ items. Mix and match is the name of the game! Old books look great and are especially useful when stacked (maybe max 3) as you can then put an object on top of them to add height. Top stylist’s trick: Turn them round so the spines aren’t on show!

7. Go to a vintage shop or reclamation yard and find unusual objects. Sometimes the quirkiest items are the best!

8. Remember the space in between and don’t overload each room! One long continuous line of ‘stuff’ will look cluttered, but if you separate items – some solitary items, some groups (see above) – you will provide a calmness in between. I’d also advise that there is no more than about 2-3 ‘collections’ in each room, this ensures that the space feels homely enough to be welcoming, but not too cluttered that it feels unloved.

Artfully curating objects is a skill, requiring forethought and consideration, so it will take practice, but its also fun. Have a go, have a play, stand back and look at it, leave the room for 5 minutes and then return to see if it ‘works’. You can change it up as often as you like!

In my opinion, every holiday home should feel welcoming and have a home-from-home feel, and having ‘things’ in the space which aren’t necessarily ‘essential items’ can really propel your property into the ‘lets stay here again’ category. Displaying these ‘things’ in the ways shown above will ensure that your property finds the perfect balance between messy clutter and gallery-precision art!

Good luck! Please post pictures of your curating wins below, or on social media - tag me in @bebraveinteriors.