I Embrace the French Art of Tidying: "L'Art de Ranger"

During my teenage years, I delved deep into understanding the principles of minimalism and the advantages of reducing possessions. As I explored living a simpler life, one question often crossed my mind: how should one handle decorative items? Typically, these decorations aren’t crucial for a house’s basic functioning. While they're not necessary to survive, they enhance your enjoyment of the place and add character to it. It was then that I came across Marie Kondo and her KonMari approach, which advocates keeping only things that bring happiness.

In today’s world, I discovered yet another approach that has transformed my decluttering methods. This time, it’s called L'art de Ranger—a French concept aimed at refining the appearance of your living spaces intentionally by attributing significance to items based on their capacity to improve the aesthetics of a room. I had the opportunity to discuss this further with certified organizer Inga Fira. Home in Balance To gain further insight into this approach (which isn’t vastly different from Kondo’s concepts).

What Is The Art of Cleaning?

The art of organization, known as "L'art de Ranger" in French, is a lifestyle approach utilized during the process of decluttering to assist individuals in creating a space that is purposefully curated. This process involves not just prompting individuals to eliminate items that are unnecessary or lack functionality, but also encourages them to consider how each item affects the entire area.

Decluttering is only part of the story," explains Fira. "L'art de Ranger focuses on cultivating an environment that exudes positive vibes and enhances emotional health. It’s all about having a place that seems tranquil, spotless, welcoming, and soothing, along with being a fountain of joy and contentment.

Keeping these values at the top of your thoughts as you tidy up and organize your living space can assist you in crafting an environment that resonates deeply with what genuinely gives you significance—rather than merely paring down to solely essential items. “Exactly for this reason, L’art de Ranger doesn’t advocate eliminating every single thing,” explains Fira. “Instead, it’s centered around emphasizing those things that really cater to someone’s everyday routine—and contribute significantly to their joy and overall contentment.”

How "The Art of Cleaning Up" Relates to Decluttering

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When you’re organizing your living space, Fira emphasizes that adhering to the L'art de Ranger philosophy means acknowledging that what you keep—whether used, needed, or loved—is subjective and can include things that enhance the ambiance you appreciate. “Release possessions that no longer match your present way of life,” advises Fira. “This includes items that occupy space without adding value, pieces that seem more like duties than delights, and anything causing tension instead of tranquility.”

Fira emphasizes, “The objective is to achieve a home environment that’s serene, well-organized, and thoughtfully planned.” He continues, stating that this space should embody the homeowner's character while keeping an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony. The main point, he stresses, is to transition one’s perspective from acquiring additional possessions to embracing intentional living.

To maintain focus, Fara suggests posing these inquiries to yourself: How would I like my living space to be perceived? (Serene, motivational, sparse, warm?) What are the primary obstacles you face when dealing with disorganization? What holds real importance for you?

After organizing your living space following the principles of L'art de Ranger, enhance it with your chosen systems for keeping things tidy. Fill your environment with objects that uplift your spirits—be they just a handful or many—and take moments to appreciate the ambiance and savor the comfort of your surroundings.

“I think L’art de Ranger is more relevant now than ever,” states Fira. “In today’s society, consumerism encourages people to purchase excessively, frequently without reflecting on whether these acquisitions genuinely enhance their lives. Actually, genuine satisfaction stems from significant relationships and experiences. However, being conscious of what we own and designing spaces that promote positivity can assist us in achieving tranquility and comfort.”

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