Despite our regular drop-offs at the Salvation Army, the declutterer within us has laid dormant for a while. We had a few items that we never used, but we kept thinking we'd find something to do with them. Now that we're moving, we're coming to terms with 10 things (and a few more that aren't on this list) that we could have parted with sooner...
• After we got married, our collection of platters went up to 10. We halved it, although 5 platters is still probably too much.
• We don't even own an espresso maker, yet we had an entire set of espresso cups that are now in the Outbox.
• We hung onto a broken teapot just because we liked its color. It's gone now.
• That copy of the DaVinci Code that we never read, but was on permanent loan from we-forget-who, is out the door.
• The broken birdcage that we kept planning on fixing wasn't worth the trouble. It went into the recycling bin.
• The retro-style skirt that we could never pull off will find its way to someone else's closet.
• We finally parted with the cowboy pillow we made a long time ago that no longer matches our decor. (Not that we ever really had cowboy decor.)
• We got rid of the extra tupperware that kept piling up in our cabinets.
• The sets of chipped plates from our first apartment are finally gone.
• The unopened box of beeswax candles that don't fit any of our candlesticks is in the Outbox.
For tips on how to get rid of items like these, see this post.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Oh, I am so short of platters....! And serving pieces!
view mschatelaine's profile
I just got rid of 6 martini glasses that have giant jingle bells for stems. Never used 'em in the 8 years I had them.
view Seaside's profile
I find that parting with stuff is hard to start, but once you do, you get on a roll. I had a big box of stuff I kept adding to that I didn't know what to do with when I was cleaning out all my rooms. I finally just went through the box and ended up not keeping a single thing although just a few weeks ago, it was all stuff I couldn't part with!
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
Approximately five large, unattractive vases delivered with flowers.
view swerve's profile
i'm in the process of selling off stuff on ebay that has been outboxed for awhile (belledame73 if you're interested).
it's kind of a relief even if it doesn't make back what i spent on it. just saying g'bye is lovely.
view Lady J's profile
OMG when I first saw that photo I thought you had mugs with TEETH on the rim. I guess I know what I'll be having nightmares about tonight.
view melanie's profile
I don't have a problem identifying the things to get rid of, I have a hard time doing the right thing with them. I'm basically committed to having exactly three craigslist free or for sale postings at all times. I really can't stand the idea of throwing something perfectly functional in the garbage or in recycling. I'm probably nuts.
view Easyenough's profile
I have a shelf outside my office door at work, and have been bringing a bag full of stuff every few days. I put a big sign over it: "J is spring cleaning and de-cluttering. Please take anything." It's so much easier than fiddling around with ebay or craigslist, and I know it's going to a good home.
view Jezebella's profile
your husband couldn't pull off the retro-style skirt either?
sorry, i couldn't help myself. ;)
view fineur's profile
⢠The retro-style skirt that we could never pull off will find its way to someone else's closet.
Every now and then the Editorial We leads me to chuckle, like here.
Best of luck with your decluttering!
view Ter's profile
EBay definitely helps with my decluttering. I find the separation process is much less painful if I think I can make some money from something. Even if it doesn't sell, I've usually gotten to the point where I'm satisfied with giving the item away.
view Annie25's profile
Melanie, that was hilarious.
view LJ's profile
We could probably have filled a small U-Haul with all of the stuff we've removed from our condo in the past few months...Freecycle and friends have taken a bunch of it, plus half.com for books, Salvation Army, and the rest was taken to the recycle and garbage bins.
view AmberM's profile
I'm moving out of my apartment of 3 years next week and I also have a set of adorable espresso cups that i've never used. I don't even drink coffee anymore, let alone espresso. I also have four ugly green margarita glasses from crate & barrel that a friend gave me, and six martini glasses. I have never even used any of them. They are all going on craigslist asap!
view Lazy Line Painter Jane's profile
Espresso cups are great for serving desserts, like a really rich chocolate mousse with a butter cookie perched on the saucer.
Margarita & martini glasses can also be great for desserts.
(Sorry to play devil's advocate.)
view viola's profile
And then there's Post-Divorce de-cluttering⦠WHOA! Talk about making (emotional) space - can't recommend it more highly.
Anyone else out there in the process?
view BlueAholic's profile
a friend had overwatered a hanging plant of mine when he was cat sitting. the day i returned it collapsed and water and soil when under my whole bed, affecting everything underneath. all that was not in a plastic tub got dumped. in a way it was a blessing because i was hanging onto that stuff for no good reason.
BlueAholic, godspeed on reclaiming your space.
view *heather leaf*'s profile
Espresso cups can often be re-purposed into prep bowls or storage bowls. I have several "tiny" bowls that i make a lot of use of. Here is a list of things I might put in them: nuts, candy, garnish of any kind, olives, small batches of homemade dressing, oil mixed with salt for brushing onto vegetables, etc. I also use these sorts of things for small, rich deserts. And they can be used for small storage in the office or bathroom for things like earrings, hair ties, paper clips, etc. They are attractive, and the cute little handle is also useful.
view yolio's profile