Creating Effective Spaces: Declutter, Organize and Maintain Your Space

by Natasha Swingler

An effective space is one that works for you, liberating you to live the life you want. Natasha Swingler’s decluttering and organization solutions save time, space, and look amazing!

Natasha takes you around the home and shares her hacks from the kitchen to the bedroom via the office and hallway. Never again will you need to step over your "floordrobe", rifle through the shoe rack, or spend ten minutes searching for keys.

Applying Natasha’s "house rules" to every room, drawer, and cupboard, you’ll learn to ditch the complex systems, keep things where you use them, and set all-important boundaries throughout your home.

Taking the questionnaire at the start of the book will reveal the priorities for your living space. Then, by implementing daily routines, simple systems, and practical processes tailored to your needs, you will create an ideal stress-free environment that looks good, too.

With beautiful photography throughout, and step-by-step diagrams of folds for everything from towels and T-shirts to gift-wrap, Natasha’s system for creating a serene home can be applied to any space, large or small.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Kitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

kuidagi... hõre oli see raamat. nii väljanägemiselt (leheküljed läksid lennates, sest ühegi pealt väga palju lugeda polnud) kui sisult. sellele, kes juba mõnda sedasorti raamatut (nt Marie Kondo oma) on lugenud, pole siin justkui midagi uut ka. ikka seesama, et hoia alles ainult need asjad, mida sul päriselt vaja on ja/või mis su elu paremaks teevad ja pane nad pärast kasutamist oma kohale tagasi ja õpeta oma lapsed ka enda järelt kasima, on kõigil lihtsam.

vb mõned konkreetsed lahendused asjade kokkuvoltimiseks või hoiustamiseks siin olid, mida ma poleks teadnud, kui poleks enne autori Instagramist juba näinud. aga ausalt öeldes nende raamatu skeemidena on nad võrdlemisi arusaamatud ja kui päriselt tahaks näha, kuidas käib, peaks ikka selle foto või video jahile minema. sama käib kingipakkimisõpetuste kohta, mis vist oli see, mille kaudu ma selle sisu üldse algselt avastasin sotsiaalmeediast - väga head nipid, aga kui pole enne videot näinud, siis küll aru ei saa, mida ta siin teha üritab; ja ta pole fotosid ka raatsinud lisada.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t take away as much as I’d hoped from this one, but the advice is sound. A lot of it is on different ways to fold things which is interesting, but not relevant to what I’m looking for. Plus, print is a tricky way to show folds and rolls; video is definitely ideal for that.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. Nothing new really learned, other than some of the crazy folding patterns for clothes. I did need the reinforcement to minimize things, and to organize what remains. Like most of these types of books I am hoping to create one good habit, and adopt a more constructive mentality around how to tackle keeping my space tidy.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure if 2 stars is unfair bc it’s not a bad book at all. I think the title is slightly misleading. It could say something about folding as the real focus with snippets of space organization. I didn’t realize she was a social media influencer so I am sure her online followers will appreciate the book.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at decluttering and rearranging your space.

This was really interesting and full of useful tips. There's also some illustrations on how to fold various items like towels and clothes. I'm moving so found this really helpful.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. I would have liked it more had there been sources for appropriate products mentioned.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas!

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Ronda Canary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Dorling Kindersley book is very carefully designed, with restraint. The text is pared back and accompanied by photographs and illustrations of domestic interiors and household objects, and there are diagrams throughout. The latter are instructions for folding clothes, towels, and - in a tagged on section at the end - gift wrapping. The author is insta-famous for her folding techniques and gift wrapping, hence the odd combination of the two in this book about decluttering. What distinguishes this book from the groaning shelf of decluttering titles, many of which I’ve been wading my way through this year, is her practicality. Unlike The Home Edit, Swingler is not primarily interested in making things look good; unlike Marie Kondo, she is not principally interested in the wellbeing and spiritual benefits of possessions management. Swingler is completely practical: her spare directions and suggestions do not set unattainable standards, and they are not directed at readers with large homes (as The Home Edit books are). The author strikes me as a thoughtful, practical person. I think this would be a good first read for someone wanting or needing to declutter.