I had to laugh at this week's options for The Minimalist community - they really didn't want us to share some 'random shit story'. This made me really tempted to wind the girls up by telling some 'random shit' story, but then I started worrying that all my stories were 'random' and subjectively 'shit'. Like tidying up the bottom drawer, I totally delayed on this one, before deciding to go with **'what are some creative ways for reducing visual noise around you and what are the benefits you gain'.** Then I started worrying that my 'creative ways' weren't creative at all. But enough is enough. I had to get on with it, because it was likely my last KISS for the year. 

Okay, here goes my ~~random shit~~ post about clearning up visual noise. I'm a Libran, if that makes sense to you. At this point you're going - oh my god not some random shite about astrology @riverflows, you've totally lost me there. But Librans are *known* to be drawn to beauty, harmony and balance, so we're naturally sensitve to our environment. Visual clutter disrupts my innate sense of aesthetic equilibrium so I *have* to tidy up and create places that feel pleasing and serene. This drive for order aligns with my desire for peace and a calm atmosphere.  


![IMG20241205161209.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23xeg3QgnFebsugsYGYW5VkpnSsBayzCTsUXgBsDm7LcKswMaTA29DZcDPUg4hw385Xvo.jpg)


Do you want to know how peaceful and calm my place is? I'm going to use Professor Alice Roberts as authority. *She visited our house last week and the first thing she said when she came in was how serene and peaceful and calming our house was*. So there you go, I have the backing of a famous celebrity scientist. Thus, I can conclude one of the knock on benefits is the respect and admiration of others - bahaha. 

Let's go over a couple of my 'creative' ways to deal with visual noise a.k.a clutter - all which makes me feel more calm in my surroundings.

## 1. The Magic Wardrobe

One, shove everything inside an upcycled wardrobe and shut the door. We don't have walk in cupboards, so I had no where to store my linen. I had this awful orange pine cupboard I picked up for free, and with a bit of sanding, white washing, and chopping the chunky decorations from top and bottom and some gold feet and new handles, I had this fresh cupboard that hides all my linen. Just open at your own risk - any number of badly folded doona covers may jump our at you. 

![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23x1B2e5Vdxuogepf5dZ8WSoMcRHzNVsTbdd2zCMYgg8xZW5afTtGT4qZ5zuQML6X9erL.png)

If you want to know how darn ugly it WAS, have a look in the comments - I'll put the before photo there. I did NOT save photos of the sheets and duvets on the top shelf of our walk in robe - that was just a freaking horror show. 

## 2. The Magic Mushroom Sock Drawers

Now this one I had to include even though it's not in the main house, but in the Defender camper. I have to live up to my reputation, you see, of being mushroom mad, so I like to tease Jamie by putting mushrooms everywhere. Don't worry, there's no mushroom noise until you open up the cupboard, and in fact, you'll see that the cupboard itself is very streamlined and aesthetically quiet. 

We had no where to put socks that didn't make them tricky to find or lost amongst the clutter of other clothes, so I found three small cardboard boxes from the local supermarket, painted them green to suit the Land Rover, and glued mushrooms on them. Now when you open the door you don't get a mess, you get three cute boxes with socks and knickers in them. This really makes me irrationally happy. 


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23tSUbhW86fU4AV6Z1SBSpanpTpxHL3gHspi6Bk7WUN2t35E5Aaqjn2pt9G2iGR5pMgp8.png)


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23xedu5Xr4Gay1mVwriy53ZeYEdLSmx7pZV89vmzaRhXSqMsUch9BejjGm36JEQc6efxj.png)

### 3. The Luscious Laundry

Okay I *hate* clutter on benchtops, and it's one of the reasons I don't have a lot of electric appliances. However, the blender and the Smeg espresso machine was an absolute non negotiable, as of course was the kettle. The solution? Make the laundry into a walk in *extension* of the kitchen. Worse comes to worse, if we have guests and *that's* a mess, I can shut the door on it. You can't *see* the appliances (just the kettle) from the kitchen - only my mosaic. Because we couldn't have cupboard doors, as they would smash into the laundry door, I use three black baskets that store potatoes and onions, tea towels and sponges, and calico shopping bags and eco veg bags. 


![IMG20241205161226.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23wMYTANpoo6qjW9HCWTUJYBjBPyQ5LBKfhh1kgTYcXtoqAx91eT2TcytPgRxARR4egKm.jpg)



And those overhead cupboards - which I don't have in my open plan kitchen - contain teas, cups, glasses and so on, as well as herbs and more tea in the visible jars. Down below I have the laundry baskets. It's a tiny laundry, but it's actually a really functional use of space. 


![IMG20241205161237.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23wC9Vpv8bW5YdHBWzFghBFCdqXH7Vy4XgMbCemiKAewCgMabggjKoSSBeqxxAxLnkeZS.jpg)

And I also have this lovely laundry window, which was useless as a door, so we screwed it in place. It gives me more room this way. 


![IMG20241205161255.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23vhyoh4CtP1D2YJqvByjV7v2FZJkvPjigQ7DoipRHdswh3tSTShJCYAZoC7s6uk3Ueip.jpg)



I hope my solutions were both creative enough. I hope you all have a wonderful festive season and come back rested in the new year. Much love! 


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# `With Love,` 


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23t6xT1abr5kFMeEirKwZ2QqT6MK9U4SBpKCQZAjVEojgm7uSSGL9AJSuwtBsUmMAV5jv.png)







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