If you're unfamiliar with the one in-one out rule, let's take a moment to review.
In short, it means that for every item you bring into your home, you'll get rid of something already there. It sounds a little strict, but trust us. It'll save you from sorting through mounds of clutter the next time spring cleaning season rolls around.
The rule can be tricky to implement around the holidays when gifts are involved. Apartment Therapy contributor Shifrah Combiths has a few guidelines to help you work through that. When it comes to the rest of your possessions, you can try Marie Kondo's "Konmari" approach, or one that we favor: A good old-fashioned reward system.
Here are 10 items we think you absolutely deserve to bring into your home for every ten you get rid of during your spring purge. (Get it? Purge and then splurge.) Enjoy!
A Cake Stand
File this under "incentive to come out of hibernation and start entertaining again." If hosting guests isn't your thing, buy a couple and use them to
organize your jewelry. Floral Cake Stand, $12.99,
Marshallsonline.com for store locations.
Something Purely Decorative
Now that your
bookshelf is nice and neat, you'll need a few gilded flourishes to make it
really look like it belongs on the pages of a magazine. Metallic bunny,
Tjmaxx.com for store locations.
Catch-Alls
While this won't cure your junk mail problem, it'll help you corral it (and keep your entryway tidy) until you can make a trip to the recycling bin. It also works wonders for kids' toys and clothing accessories that tend to stray.
A Sunny Throw
Brighten up your sofa by day, conquer chilly breezes by night. Yellow Arrows Throw,
craneandcanopy.com.
New Lamp Shades
One of the easiest ways to change the look of a room, is to swap out lamp shades. And did we mention you can do it for as little as $25? Nate Berkus Raw Fringe Lamp Shade,
target.com.
A Spring Wreath
Think of this as the opposite of that "Please Clean Me" tag you'd typically hang on your hotel room door. Spring Faux Berry Wreath,
pier1.com.
Gardening Tools
We declare this your year to grow something of your own, and you don't even need a garden to do it. This set of
mini tools should get the job done on an indoor plant, herb garden or terrarium, and would look especially lovely
dip painted in a bright spring hue. (Green thumb not included.)
Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Are you an architect, designer or blogger and would like to get your work seen on HuffPost Home? Reach out to us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com with the subject line "Project submission." (All PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)