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Many people mistake the concept of calm homes being deeply intertwined with minimalist design. But such is not the case. While neutral palettes are certainly soothing, you can curate a bold home that soothes. It's all in the way you maintain a space. And as much as what you keep, identifying the things to remove is just as important.
You'll never find paper piles, excess throw pillows, withering houseplants, busy textiles, and cable clutter in a relaxing room. And that's precisely why designers recommend removing these things ASAP to make your home feel calmer.
Here's more on why these items evoke a sense of unrest and what to do instead.
1. Old Mail
"Paper clutter instantly adds visual weight in a space," says Daniela Alilovic, interior designer and founder of Spaces By Dee. "This can overwhelm your home and is especially worth avoiding in a smaller living space."
Organizing and getting rid of your paper clutter will immediately lighten your home's aesthetic story. I recommend using an organizer, like this chic Serving Tray from Design Letters, to hold your mail.
Then, once you have a chance to go through your letters and subscriptions, you can decide what to recycle and what to hold onto. And for the latter, a magazine rack (like this Modern Magazine Rack from Kartell) is a pretty way to keep it tidy.
I'm obsessed with this storage coffee table from Westwing. It'll hold the mail you need and offers up a spot for magazines, too.
2. Excess Throw Pillows
Samantha-Jane Agbontaen, founder of House Designer, tells me that throw pillows are another thing people with calming homes always remove. "If you have to relocate something to sit down, it's no longer decoration," she notes.
"As a designer, I tend to use odd numbers, three or five cushions on a sofa rather than two or four. This is because odd groupings look relaxed and even ones tend to look staged and busy."
And since an overload of decorative pillows is one of the most outdated bedroom trends in 2026, it's further proof that paring back these plush accessories can only make a space look more luxe.
A contemporary bolster pillow might be my favorite way to elevate a bed or a long sofa, without overcrowding.
3. Dying Plants
A lush green space is a style statement that holds up more now than it ever has before. A beautiful indoor garden grounds a space in an organic way. However, one too many high-maintenance houseplants behind on care immediately introduces an air of chaos.
I recommend decluttering your houseplants that are dead or dying to restore peace to your home. In its place, style less fussy cultivars that tie the look together. My favorite kind? Structural houseplants. All you need is one or two to make an impact.
If Calvin Klein's HQ in Love Story taught me one thing, it's that white orchids are a soothing houseplant in any space.
4. Busy Textiles
Stephanie Ervin, chief designer and founder of the Ervin Group, recommends removing busy textiles to make your home feel calm. "Consider ridding your space of boldly colored textiles that have no purpose or intention," she suggests.
"If there is a bold color in a space, it should feel intentional for the eye to float to that spot. Personally, I find that decorating with neutral colors and layered textures is ideal for a relaxing home."
A singular statement textile like this Klippan Wool Blanket is a cool way to add personality to your space.
5. Cables and Cords
Lastly, I recommend organizing your tech to prevent cords and cables from overwhelming your home. Pools of unruly cords deduct serious design points and distract from an otherwise restorative space.
By decluttering the cables you no longer use and hiding your cords away when not in use, you'll feel a noticeable shift in the ambiance. It feels less stressful and offers up a far better impression.
And if a charging zone is in plain view, I recommend using something like the Power Strip Square 1 from AVOLT for a more stylish look. You can also introduce organizers like these chic Travertine Cable Holders from Etsy, too.
Setting up a charging station is the best way to disguise cord clutter. And this storage box from Bigso Box of Sweden takes on a neat look.
If you're looking for inspiration from calming homes, the Japanese art of danshari is the decluttering technique to transform your space. And for more expert advice on how to design a home that feels relaxing, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.
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