Over the last few weeks my living room bookcases have really started to get on my nerves. I look at them and just think, “Ugh, what a bunch of junk!”
I love to yard sale, thrift shop, rescue items from the side of the road, create and collect. I do a lot of collecting. Maybe too much. Some items are sentimental, others are items that I just don’t care about.
On Monday, I woke up with a mission – to declutter and simplify my bookcases. I made a pile of things to put away until Spring and another pile of “stuff” to get rid of. I couldn’t be happier with the results!
Bookshelf #1 – Before & After
The “after” is so wonderfully peaceful. My mind and eyes can relax instead of being so ridiculously stimulated by all the clutter from before.
A collection of white
Displaying similar items together delivers so much more impact rather than being scattered around a room.
Backwards Books
Yes, I know. I’m crazy. I already had all my books turned around backwards, but I decided to fill up shelves instead of having the books scattered around.
Remember, I’m simplifying! 
We rarely read or need these books and I like how the white-off white-yellow pages create a beautiful unity instead of having a rainbow of different colored book bindings.
Bookshelf #2 – Before & After
LOVE!
I couldn’t believe how many glass vases I had from flowers that my sweet hubby has gotten me over the last several years. At last count I had at least 10!! They are needless clutter that is now in the “get rid of” pile!
I can’t tell you how pleased I am with my simplified bookshelves. I love living in my living room without the clutter getting on my nerves. Ha!
Oh, do you see the cute “fall” canvas on Bookshelf #2? I’m going to post a DIY tutorial in the next week or so! Squeeee! Can’t wait to share it with you!
I think I will make this decluttering/simplifying thing a Spring and Fall event at our house. It is a great time to clean up and out and get rid of unnecessary junk….my next decluttering challenge is my cabinets, closets and dressers. {somebody hold me}
Do you like and collect stuff? How do you stay on top of keeping clutter – I mean stuff – to a minimum?
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
This post does my heart good! I am with you sister! I love doing this very thing. I love lots of things, but find I have to work on clutter constantly. Thanks for the before and after pics. I am sure you feel better. Its amazing how it makes you feel so much more peaceful.
Denise
The Cottage Chick´s last [type] ..A Moment Captured In Time
Thanks Denise! Yes, my heart is much more calm when I see decluttered spaces!
Love the new look! You’re right, it’s much more peaceful. I think I have to flip my books around now…
Btw, am loving your fall display
Ashley Ann @ Our Daily Chocolate´s last [type] ..Fall in Love with FALL
Thanks sweet girl! Did you move your books around yet?
Love the new look!!!!
Kelly´s last [type] ..Watching
Hi Myra!
Wish you lived closer, I could do with a good Myra-ing at our place…lol!!
Your new bookshelves look good although I did like the “before” look too, reminds me of mine.!!
We have tons of books, in varying piles here and there and in bookshelves, but they are all being read..lol!!
So happy “Fall” cleaning to you , keep it going.. and now you have inspired me to “attack” our place!!
Blessings on your day!
Linda-loo
XXOOXX
Thanks Linda for your sweet comment!
Hope that all is well at your house!
Ahhh. Less eye-clutter. Honey, you should champion the cause.
You’re hilarious!
Looks WONDERFUL!!! I actually just decluttered my bookshelves too! However, they didn’t end up looking nearly as good!! =)
Rachel´s last [type] ..Thank you
Thanks Rachel for your sweet comment! I always love hearing from you! Can’t wait to meet you next month!
The decluttered bookshelf looks great! Neat idea to turn the books around, since you don’t use them regularly! I couldn’t do that {we re-read our books too often} but I do love the look!
I keep clutter down by swapping pieces out, whether by season or by whim. I try to keep the “stored” stuff to one box though, or that can get overwhelming too!
RJ´s last [type] ..A Grocery Store Experience
Thank you RJ for your comment!
Very nice! All though I must say that having the books backwards isn’t very practical. Perhaps they are not ones you use often? All in all, I think the bookshelves look beautiful.
Jenni´s last [type] ..Dwell on these Things
Thank you Jenni for your comment. Having the books backwards works for us because they aren’t books we use often. My husband’s study has four more bookshelves that are packed with books that we use regularly.
Hey, Myra, your bookshelves look great all decluttered. This is one of the hardest things for me to stay on top of the clutter. I’m the world’s worst with paper and stuffing things in drawers. I’ve got so many drawers that need cleaning out, maybe I’ll get to them this Fall/Winter.
Not to mention my closet….EEK, my closet is a mess. Good job there, I’m inspired!
Thank you Rhoda for your sweet comment!! My bookshelves look better, but the rest of my house needs to be tended too. Drawers and closets are the worst! Hope to see you on Saturday!!
These look great!
Young Wife´s last [type] ..Giveaway – Pillsbury Sweet Moments
Thanks girl!
looks great – you are SO good at this! Gosh, I feel like if your “before” picture was your “after” I’d still like it.
But I definitely see the difference, and I love it. You have a GREAT eye. Jealous. 
Thanks Julie for your sweet and kind commment!
i love your style! Ive just started thrift store shopping and my house is really coming together. What great and different find there!
mommy-momo´s last [type] ..W-W First time bowling!!
This looks amazing love! Great job on them.
Absolutely beautiful! We had a house fire in March and are still rebuilding our home/collections and I have to admit that having beautiful displays like those on your bookshelves are some of the things I miss most.
Heidi´s last [type] ..Some Logany Cuteness For Your Evening Enjoyment
Aww, Heidi I’m so sorry to hear about your house fire.
Hopefully before too long you will be able to build back up your accessories and I know you’ll have things looking beautiful. 
Oh, my goodness… Looks wonderful!
Thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful afternoon~
Leticia
Thank you Leticia for your sweet comment!
Love how your bookcases look! And wow – I’m really loving how the books look all turned around. Something about all the white pages together looks so crisp, and fresh. Great idea!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
alissa
Thanks for your sweet comment Alissa!
I’m so laughing right now…because the flipping of the books is so something I would do! I remember covering a stack of books in beige, speckled paper so they all looked clean and crisp…at 18 years old! I have always known I was weird {anal, OCD, perfectionista, etc.}, but now I know I’m simply in the presence of fellow detail-oriented, designer minds!
YAY.
Beautiful blog!
Thanks Joy for your darling comment!
Yes, it’s so wonderful to know that we are not alone! 
looks great! I’m going to have to try that backwards book idea
alexandra´s last [type] ..let the wild rumpus start!
Thank you so much!
You should try putting all your books backwards. The texture and even colors are so wonderful! 
Fall getting to you? Don’t blame you. Things just need to be freshed up.
I did that w/the garages yesterday. Didn’t make dh to happy though.
BarbaraLee´s last [type] ..9-7-10 It feels good
Ha! Yes, I’m ready to declutter and clean up this place!
Thanks for your comment!
Great transformation! I love how turning books backwards clears the look of cltter – but still adds texture! (I had ours like this, but just last week turned them back around -and turned jackets inside out so they are white). Your pops of white and natural touches adds to your vignette’s charm!
Thanks for sharing over at Thrifty Decor Chic’s link party!
Lynda
Lynda´s last [type] ..INSPIRATION TO GET YOUR SPOOK ON
Thank you Lynda for your sweet comment! I’m so glad I’m not alone in my “turning books backwards” craziness!