(no subject)

[netmouse]

Have you ever noticed how having additional clear surfaces can help make a room look less cluttered?

I recently added two standing trays to the side wall in my office, to relieve my desk of opperational clutter. One is for incoming things I have to process, the other is just for things to file. There used to be a pile of stuff to process where the trays are standing now. Now there is stuff under them - mailing prep for MidFanzine - but that section of the room looks much more tidy. I think it's partly because the "to be filed" tray is empty - having the clear surface makes the whole space look better.

Possibly my sense of "cluttered" has to do with affordances. A floor with piles of papers on it looks cluttered because it doesn't afford walking. Since trays or a table already don't afford walking, putting stuff underneath them looks less cluttered - and the two trays with one clear looks less cluttered than one tray looked by itself, when full. Because it affords putting stuff on.

It's a theory. :)

Comments

[mishamish.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like the theory. And it goes well with how I "straighten" my spaces, too. And, for me atleast, less cluttered translates to 'making me feel more productive.' S'why I ALWAYS take time to get me desk neat.

Okay, maybe not ALWAYS, but USUALLY. :-)

[encorecrazay.livejournal.com]

Every once in a while, I follow the organizing principle of "if it's worth keeping, put it away where it belongs otherwise throw it out." I do follow it with my mail, any junk mail goes right in the dumpster, not even inside.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I think your definition of clutter is accurate. Clutter consists of things not where they belong. If everything is in its place, even a room crowded with stuff doesn't look cluttered.

B