Top 17 'Joyful-Jumble' Design Principles to organize Your Cherished Clutter with Style in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
Let's be honest. For years, the design world has been whispering—and sometimes shouting—about minimalism. We've been told to declutter, to simplify, to KonMari our lives until only the most functional, spartan essentials remain. But what if you're not a minimalist at heart? What if your "clutter" isn't junk, but a joyful jumble of memories, passions, and unique finds that tell the story of your life?
If you've ever looked at your beloved collection of vintage teacups, your stack of travel-worn books, or your assortment of quirky ceramic birds and felt a pang of guilt, this is for you. The truth is, your home doesn't have to look like a sterile catalogue to be stylish. The pendulum is swinging back, and in 2025, we're embracing a more personal, layered, and soulful approach to interior design. We're calling it the 'Joyful-Jumble'—the art of organizing your cherished clutter with intention and style.
Forget hiding your treasures away. This is about curating them into beautiful displays that spark conversation and bring you daily delight. It's about turning a potential mess into a meaningful masterpiece. Ready to transform your beloved belongings from chaos to curated? Here are 17 'Joyful-Jumble' design principles to guide you.
1. The Art of Grouping: Create a Collection, Not a Pile
The single most effective principle for taming clutter is to group like with like. A random assortment of objects scattered around a room reads as messy. But when you gather those same objects together, they suddenly become a purposeful collection. This simple act of visual consolidation is the foundation of the Joyful-Jumble aesthetic.
Think of it as creating a family of objects. Group your items by a unifying characteristic—it could be color, material, theme, or function. All your blue and white ginger jars on one console table, your collection of brass animals on a specific bookshelf, or all your wooden candle holders clustered on a mantelpiece. This immediately creates a focal point and gives the eye a place to rest.
Pro Tip: Don't be afraid to mix high and low. An expensive art glass vase can look even more stunning when grouped with a few beautiful, recycled glass bottles you've collected. The unity comes from the shared material, not the price tag.
2. The Tray is Your Best Friend
If you learn only one trick today, let it be this: a tray can make almost anything look intentional. Trays work by creating a visual boundary, corralling a group of disparate items into a single, cohesive unit. That jumble of keys, mail, and sunglasses by the door? Place it on a stylish tray, and it's suddenly a chic "landing strip."
Use trays on coffee tables to hold remotes, a candle, and a small plant. Use them on your bathroom counter for perfumes and lotions, or on your nightstand for your book, glasses, and a glass of water. They add a layer of texture and color while bringing a sense of order to your surfaces.
Pro Tip: Look for trays in interesting materials like marble, aged brass, woven rattan, or lacquered wood. The material of the tray itself becomes a part of the overall design, adding another layer of visual interest to your home organization strategy.
3. Color Cohesion is Key
You can have a wide variety of objects, shapes, and sizes, but if you tie them together with a cohesive color palette, your display will look harmonious rather than haphazard. Choose two or three dominant colors for a specific area or shelf and try to have most of the items within that display fit that palette.
This doesn't mean everything has to be the exact same shade. A palette of earthy tones could include terracotta, beige, cream, and olive green. A jewel-toned shelf might feature items in emerald, sapphire, and ruby. The colors don't have to match perfectly; they just need to feel like they belong in the same world. This is one of the most powerful decluttering tips for the visually inclined.
Pro Tip: Use one bold accent color to punctuate your display. If your shelf is mostly neutral ceramics, adding one vibrant yellow vase can create a stunning, high-impact focal point.
4. Play with Height and Scale
A display where everything is the same height can look flat and monotonous. To create a dynamic and visually engaging arrangement, you must vary the height and scale of your objects. Think of your shelf or surface as a miniature city skyline—you want peaks and valleys.
Place taller items like vases or framed art in the back, and shorter, smaller items like paperweights or small bowls in the front. A great trick is to use a stack of beautifully bound books as a pedestal to give a smaller object a little lift. This simple technique adds depth and rhythm, guiding the viewer's eye across the entire composition.
Pro Tip: Follow the "Rule of Three." Grouping items in odd numbers, especially threes, is almost always more visually appealing than grouping them in even numbers. A trio of objects with varying heights is a classic designer move for a reason—it just works.
5. Create 'Breathing Room'
Maximalism doesn't mean filling every single square inch of space. Even the most abundant collections need negative space, or "breathing room," to shine. Overcrowding your shelves is the quickest way to go from 'curated' to 'cluttered.'
Step back from your display and ask yourself if your eyes feel overwhelmed. Can you clearly distinguish each object? If not, it's time to edit. Try removing one or two items from each shelf or surface. You'll be amazed at how this allows the remaining pieces to stand out and be appreciated individually. The space around an object is just as important as the object itself.
Pro Tip: On a bookshelf, try alternating between a section packed with books and a section with just one or two decorative objects. This creates a pleasing rhythm and prevents the entire unit from feeling like a solid, heavy block.
6. Vertical Victory: Go Up!
When you're running out of surface space, the only way to go is up. Utilizing your vertical space is a game-changer for organizing cherished clutter. Tall, open shelving units, floating wall shelves, and picture ledges are your best allies in this endeavor.
Think beyond the traditional bookshelf. A set of narrow, floor-to-ceiling shelves in an awkward corner can become a "tower of treasures." A series of small floating shelves staggered up a wall can be the perfect home for a collection of small plants or ceramics. By drawing the eye upward, you not only create more storage but also make the room feel taller and more spacious.
Pro Tip: Picture ledges are fantastic for displaying framed photos, small prints, and even beautiful record albums. Because they are so narrow, they force you to layer items, creating a rich, gallery-like effect without taking up much floor space.
7. The Story Shelf
Instead of scattering mementos from your travels or life events around the house, dedicate one specific shelf or area to telling a single story. This could be your "Paris Shelf," featuring a small Eiffel Tower replica, a vintage map of the city, your favorite photos from the trip, and a few books by French authors.
This method turns your collections into a narrative. It's a powerful way to honor your memories and create a deeply personal and engaging focal point in your home. It also makes for a wonderful conversation starter when guests come over. Every object has a purpose and is part of a larger, meaningful tale.
Pro Tip: Include multi-sensory items on your story shelf. A candle with a scent that reminds you of the place, a smooth stone from a beach you visited, or a small, textured textile can make the memory even more vivid.
8. Texture Talks
A display filled with objects of the same material can feel one-dimensional. The secret to a rich, professional-looking arrangement is to mix a variety of textures. Combine smooth with rough, shiny with matte, and hard with soft.
Imagine a shelf with a glossy ceramic vase, a rough-hewn wooden bowl, a stack of books with paper covers, a metallic brass object, and a small, fuzzy air plant. Each item's texture contrasts with the others, making the entire collection more tactile and interesting. This is a subtle but incredibly effective interior design principle that adds depth and sophistication.
Pro Tip: Don't forget textiles! Placing a small woven placemat or a piece of linen under a group of objects is an easy way to introduce a soft, organic texture and anchor the display.
9. Light it Right
You've spent all this time creating a beautiful display—don't let it sit in the dark! Strategic lighting can elevate your Joyful-Jumble from nice to show-stopping. It highlights your favorite pieces and adds a warm, inviting ambiance to the room.
You don't need a complex lighting system. A simple, adjustable picture light mounted above a bookshelf can work wonders. Small, battery-powered LED puck lights can be placed discreetly inside cabinets or on the underside of a shelf to cast a soft glow. A stylish table lamp placed on a console next to your collection can also do the trick.
Pro Tip: For glass-fronted cabinets, consider using LED strip lighting along the interior edges. It provides an even, museum-quality light that makes your glassware or ceramic collections truly sparkle.
10. The 'Background' Rule
The wall or surface behind your collection acts as its stage. A busy, patterned wallpaper might compete with your objects, while a well-chosen background can make them pop. Often, a simple, neutral background is the most effective choice.
If your objects are colorful and varied, consider painting the back of your bookshelf a dark, moody color like charcoal grey or deep navy. This will make the colors of your items appear more vibrant. Conversely, if your collection is mostly neutral or monochromatic, a pop of color or a subtle wallpaper pattern on the back wall can provide a beautiful contrast.
Pro Tip: A simple and affordable trick is to use high-quality, removable wallpaper or even fabric on the back panel of a bookcase. It’s a low-commitment way to experiment with color and pattern.
11. Embrace Asymmetry
While symmetry can feel calm and formal, asymmetry often feels more dynamic, modern, and natural. Instead of placing two identical lamps on either side of a console table, try one tall lamp on one side and a grouping of three smaller objects on the other.
The key to successful asymmetry is visual weight. The larger lamp on one side should feel balanced by the collection of smaller items on the other. It's about creating a sense of equilibrium without perfect mirroring. This approach makes your decor feel less staged and more effortlessly stylish.
Pro Tip: When arranging items on a mantelpiece or long shelf, imagine a fulcrum in the center. Try to balance the "weight" of the objects on either side. A large, heavy-looking pot on the left can be balanced by several smaller, lighter-colored items on the right.
12. Rotate Your Treasures
Who says your decor has to be static? One of the best ways to keep your home feeling fresh and to appreciate all of your cherished items is to rotate them. Think of your home as your own personal gallery with a rotating exhibition.
Keep a curated selection of items in accessible storage. Every season, or whenever you feel like a change, "shop" your own collection. Swap out the summery, light-colored ceramics for moodier, warmer-toned pieces in the autumn. This not only refreshes your space but also allows you to reconnect with belongings you may have forgotten about. It’s a key principle we often discuss here on the Goh Ling Yong blog for maintaining a living, breathing home.
Pro Tip: Designate one or two "hot spots" for rotation, like your entryway console or the mantelpiece. This makes the task feel manageable and creates a high-impact change without redecorating the entire room.
13. The Glass Cabinet Comeback
The glass-fronted cabinet, or vitrine, is having a major comeback, and for good reason. It is the perfect solution for displaying delicate or dust-prone collections while keeping them protected. It allows you to showcase your treasures without the constant need for dusting.
Use a glass cabinet to display your grandmother's china, your collection of antique glassware, or delicate figurines. The glass doors provide a clear view while creating a sense of importance and separation. It turns your collection into a true exhibit.
Pro Tip: Don't overcrowd your cabinet. Remember the 'breathing room' principle. Arrange items thoughtfully inside, playing with height and grouping to create a beautiful composition that can be admired from afar.
14. Functional First
Your Joyful-Jumble should enhance your life, not impede it. Before you get carried away with a beautiful display on your kitchen counter, make sure you still have enough clear space for chopping vegetables. Your nightstand collection shouldn't be so elaborate that you risk knocking everything over when you reach for the alarm.
Always prioritize function in high-traffic or hardworking areas of your home. Designate specific zones for your displays, leaving the essential work surfaces clear and accessible. Stylish home organization is, first and foremost, about making your home work better for you.
Pro Tip: In the kitchen, use a vertical solution like a wall-mounted rail with hooks to hang your collection of beautiful copper pots or unique mugs. This keeps them on display and within easy reach, but off your precious counter space.
15. The 'One-In, One-Out' Rule (with a Twist)
The classic 'one-in, one-out' rule is a great way to prevent your collections from growing out of control. When you bring a new book home, an old one must go. But for cherished items, this can feel harsh. The Joyful-Jumble twist is this: 'One-In, One-Goes-Into-Rotation.'
When you acquire a new piece you love, you don't have to get rid of something else. Instead, choose one item currently on display to be moved into your "rotation" storage box. This keeps your displays from becoming overcrowded and ensures you're always showcasing your absolute favorite, most current treasures.
Pro Tip: This is a gentle, sustainable approach to curating your home over time. It honors the fact that our tastes and passions evolve, and our homes should be allowed to evolve with us.
16. Marry Old and New
The most interesting and soulful homes seamlessly blend vintage or antique pieces with modern ones. Placing a sleek, contemporary sculpture next to a worn, antique wooden box creates a beautiful tension and tells a richer story.
Don't be afraid to mix styles and eras. The common thread is you—the pieces you have chosen. A modern, minimalist bookshelf can be the perfect stark backdrop for a collection of ornate, vintage curiosities. This juxtaposition is what gives a space character and saves it from looking like it was pulled directly from a single store's catalogue.
Pro Tip: Look for commonalities to link old and new pieces. A vintage painting with a pop of blue can be beautifully paired with a modern blue glass vase, creating a visual link across time periods.
17. Define Your Zones
Finally, to prevent the Joyful-Jumble from taking over your entire house, it's helpful to define specific zones for it. This isn't about restriction; it's about impact. By concentrating your collections in designated areas, you give them more power and presence.
Your "zones" might be the top of a dresser, a specific set of bookshelves, the living room mantel, or a console table in the hallway. By keeping other areas of the room relatively clear, you create a visual balance. The room feels both personal and collected, but also calm and organized. This is the ultimate goal of stylish, organized living, a philosophy I, Goh Ling Yong, champion through my work.
Pro Tip: Use area rugs to help visually define zones in an open-plan space. A rug under a seating area can anchor the space, signaling that the surfaces within that zone—the coffee table and side tables—are prime real estate for your curated displays.
Your Home, Your Story
At the end of the day, the 'Joyful-Jumble' philosophy is about giving yourself permission to love what you love and to display it with pride. Your home should be a reflection of your journey, your passions, and your unique personality. By using these principles, you can transform your collections from a source of stress into a source of immense joy and style.
So go ahead, unpack that box of treasures you've been hiding in the attic. Group those quirky salt and pepper shakers into a proud little army. Let your beloved books and travel mementos take center stage. Your story is worth telling, and your home is the most beautiful place to tell it.
What's your most cherished "clutter"? We'd love to hear about it! Share your own 'Joyful-Jumble' projects or ask any questions in the comments below. Let's inspire each other to create homes that are as unique and wonderful as we are.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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