Hickory Lane Design

11/04/2026

Selling? Here's a tip -
Declutter and deep clean all visible and hidden areas (closets, cabinets). Buyers inspect everything.

11/03/2026

Some things stay because they belong to a future version of home: the big dinner, the new hobby, the room you will eventually create. None is automatically wrong to keep. Together, though, they can crowd out the life happening now.
Use this list to review one category, not to clear an entire house in a day. Ask whether you still want the activity, whether there is a realistic next step, and whether the space cost still makes sense.

Some things stay because they belong to a future version of home: the big dinner, the new hobby, the room you will eventually create. None is automatically wrong to keep. Together, though, they can crowd out the life happening now.

Use this list to review one category, not to clear an entire house in a day. Ask whether you still want the activity, whether there is a realistic next step, and whether the space cost still makes sense.

Keep what supports a current purpose or a deliberate plan. Offer usable items where they are wanted and accepted, and handle damaged items appropriately. You can change an old plan without treating it as a failure. The aim is to make room for what you actually want to do next.

11/01/2026

Keep the items, rethink their address.

The holiday platter may deserve a place in your home. It does not necessarily deserve the easiest shelf while everyday plates are stacked behind it. A genuine occasional need and a convenient daily location are separate decisions.

Look at the storage you open most often. What is occupying the easiest space, and how frequently is it used? Guest bedding, seasonal serving pieces and special-event supplies can be worth keeping, while the items used every morning need a simpler route.

Move one occasional category to suitable, labeled storage you can reach when needed. Avoid precarious overhead storage for heavy or fragile pieces; choose a safe location for their weight. Then bring the daily category into comfortable reach. You may improve the space without discarding anything or buying a new organizer.

10/31/2026

Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween! Enjoy!

10/30/2026

Great weekend project!

11 simple ways to make decluttering your stuff a little easier. https://thesimplicityhabit.com/make-decluttering-easier/

10/27/2026

Simple or all out?

Photo courtesy of Farmhouse is my style.

10/26/2026

A useful home for an object begins with where you actually need it. Keys belong near the door you use, reading glasses near the place you read, and the remote within reach of the seat where you watch television. 🔑🛋️

These ten suggestions are starting points, not a requirement to copy someone else's house. Choose locations that suit your rooms and household. Keep sharp tools out of children's reach, keep chargers away from water, and leave walkways clear. Existing hooks, trays and dividers may be enough.

Start with the item you search for most often. Give it one obvious place and tell the people who use it. Keep that place consistent. If it still lands elsewhere, notice where that happens and reconsider the location. A home that fits the habit is easier to maintain than a tidy spot nobody naturally uses.

A useful home for an object begins with where you actually need it. Keys belong near the door you use, reading glasses near the place you read, and the remote within reach of the seat where you watch television. 🔑🛋️

These ten suggestions are starting points, not a requirement to copy someone else's house. Choose locations that suit your rooms and household. Keep sharp tools out of children's reach, keep chargers away from water, and leave walkways clear. Existing hooks, trays and dividers may be enough.

Start with the item you search for most often. Give it one obvious place and tell the people who use it. Keep that place consistent. If it still lands elsewhere, notice where that happens and reconsider the location. A home that fits the habit is easier to maintain than a tidy spot nobody naturally uses.

10/24/2026

Your 85-year-old self is going to be so grateful you did this.

Your 85-year-old self is going to be so grateful you did this. 💙

The things that feel easy right now, like climbing a step stool, carrying a box down the stairs, or remembering who’s in that old photo, all get a little harder every year.

Number 4 under While You Can Climb is the one most of us need to hear: get rid of the ladder you shouldn’t be on.

What do you wish you’d done at 65? 👇