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Home ยป Blog ยป Empty Rooms

Empty Rooms

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane, Daily Life

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Last week I bit the bullet and paid someone a gazillion dollars to clean the carpets in my house.  I bought this a couple years ago, and it works great for inbetween jobs but I needed a truck engine-massive sucking machine-clean.

The night before the carpet cleaner came, I moved all the furniture out of the rooms so they could do a thorough job.  (See, I am crazy?)

The boys LOVED this…they immediately set up an indoor soccer field in the living room.

Isaac said to me, “When I have a house I am going to have NO furniture in ANY rooms, except for one couch to sleep on.”

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May 31, 2011 ยท 19 Comments

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  1. Julie F. says

    May 31, 2011 at 6:14 am

    LOL, I was wondering what all that stuff was on your window sill when I saw that picture! It seemed so unlike you to have all that stuff cluttering up that beautiful window :o)

    I own 4 vacuum cleaners AND 2 carpet shampoo-ers. You are not strange at all… and carpet lines make me happy. VERY happy. I also have 4 boys and keeping their feet in proper footwear is impossible, especially on my littles!

    Reply
  2. btsoi. says

    May 31, 2011 at 7:03 am

    I love clean carpets! I refuse to put my baby down on any carpet other than our own because you never know what's hidden in the fibres. And I'm right there with you – if you're going to pay an arm and a leg for someone to wash your carpets, it better be done right and thoroughly, and that definitely involves moving all the furniture out of the way!

    Reply
  3. knit one, knit two says

    May 31, 2011 at 11:42 am

    We got rid our of carpets 3 years ago and refinished the floors. We love our floors and my allergies improved as it's easier to clean bare floors. Only downside – I miss the cushioning when the kids fall or wrestle. :/

    Reply
  4. CRICKET says

    May 31, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I can't stand dirty carpet either. We have a no eat except the kitchen rule and shoes come off at the door. It really helps keeping things clean and thus a happy mom.

    Reply
  5. Susan R says

    May 31, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I absolutely LOVE clean carpets, but my 5 great kiddos don't seem to care. It's hard to police them all so that they don't track anything in the house.
    We definitely do not wear shoes in the house, or our house slippers outside, so maybe that helps a little.

    Reply
  6. Maiden Jane says

    May 31, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    In fact, I think I hate carpet! No matter what, we can't get stains out. We removed a lot of our carpet and replaced with wood floors. When I had babies, I hated the thought of dirty shoes and carpets meeting. I must admit, though, I love to go barefoot and let my kids do it all the time….We were at my brother's beach house and he has all these rules – wash sand off feet, must wear flip flops on grass, must remove shoes for carpeted garage and house, etc…..so it was so funny when he was wondering who got blood all over the carpeting….as he stood there with a bleeding toe!

    Reply
  7. Courtney says

    May 31, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I believe in hiring a professional every year! We did the same thing last week and moved all the furniture and got a good cleaning in the entire house. Not only is our carpet clean and stain free but it is sanitary! It really feels good to know your carpets are clean. You are not a nut at all, I am right there with you as are many other mommies.

    Reply
  8. Soaring High says

    May 31, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    I have several friends who I am sure think I am obssessed with my carpets. Honestly, I vacume only a couple of times a week vs. the daily that I used do. Having 4 kids and babysitting for small people has forced me to relax. I live in the country the country though and some days I think I'm going to go crazy with all the in's and outs and dirty carpets.

    Reply
  9. Pam says

    May 31, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    We don't have any carpeting..except in the basement. So much easier to clean! Especially in the summer with all the sand!

    Reply
  10. chercard says

    May 31, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Your tables stacked on each other make for an interesting focal point…suprised they made it through still like that and didn't get knocked over! Four boys makes for dirty carpets and walls and toilets and all!

    Reply
  11. AmyJane says

    May 31, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Have you ever read the Catalog living blog? Hilarious! It's funny how most of us at one time or another lose sight of the fact that housing should reflect the people who actually live there, and the living they need to do within those walls. Every time I'm thinking of buying something fancy and decorative, I think about how often I will have to shoo a little person away from said object and usually think better of the purchase!
    I insist on carpet cleaning at least 4 times a year (the home cleaner version) cause I can't stand dirty carpet. Also? We live in a rental with a CARPETED DINING AREA. Who ever thought that was a good idea!?!?

    Reply
  12. kayce hughes says

    May 31, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Love clean carpets and we only eat in the kitchen too.

    Reply
  13. Terri Edwards says

    May 31, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    we have white tile in our kitchen, dining and baths and beige carpet in the living and bedrooms. i live at the beach (sand) with a toddler (crumbs), husband (clumsy) and black lab (hair), i am constantly cleaning the floors. i feel like a crazy woman down on my hands and knees everyday, but i cannot stand dirty floors. shoes come off at the door but it's still a mess.

    Reply
  14. Suzie says

    June 1, 2011 at 12:53 am

    love being at a place in life where we have no carpet–not even in a vehicle!

    Reply
  15. vera says

    June 1, 2011 at 1:30 am

    YES! That's why we have no carpets and only one rug that can't be tossed into the washer (and that gets professionally cleaned at the rug place once a year).

    Reply
  16. Erin says

    June 1, 2011 at 6:04 am

    I got new carpeting in (almost) every room in my house a week ago. This morning my 6 year old got the flu, and it doesn't feel like new carpet any more. She actually called out to me, "Just to let you know, I just sprayed throw up". Uggh.

    Reply
  17. Cathy M~(checkitoff) says

    June 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Here is a tip on the the outdoor/dirty feet: place baby wet wipes near the door and have them wipe their bare feet before they hit the carpeted area…it will really help with the carpets. {my kids feet are often black from the trampoline). so happy that you have clean carpets! enjoy!! hugs, cathy

    Reply
  18. Matthew Celestine says

    June 8, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    A shoes-off rule is essential to protect carpets and other kinds of flooring.

    I have an whole blog about this subject: Shoes Off at the Door, Please You might like to take a look.

    Reply
  19. rohanknitter says

    June 12, 2011 at 2:48 am

    Ya I can't stand dirty carpet – ugh! And my kids all know to wear their shoes outside and take them off to come in BUT it seems like whenever friends or family come over, the kids run around outside with bare feet (on a FARM – not the best idea) and then they run around the house with their filthy feet and it just makes me want to gag!!

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
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As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
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I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
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Clip on bed lights save space. 
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A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
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When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
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All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
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When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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