We don’t have a mudroom.

We scramble in from the winter’s cold and pile everything in the dining room. Hats, coats, homework, newspapers, boots and dog collars are all heaped together, in what should be a lovely spot for family dining. It’s just too tempting to spy a large, empty, flat surface and not use it for storage.

I knew I had a problem when I had to slide the massive heap down to the other end in order to eat dinner.

After a while, we stop noticing our many piles. But, by April it’s hard to miss this mess. And yes, that is Valentine’s Day and even Christmas stuff crammed in the centerpiece .

It only took me 20 minutes to go from chaos to calm in this room and when not used as a storage unit, is actually the sunniest and happiest room in the house. (I forgot how pretty this bowl is because I haven’t seen the bottom of it since October.)

Springtime screams out for fresh flowers.

I splurge on a vase full of flowers (and yes, I am counting this as a necessity), or a new plant during this time of year. Not only do they brighten the mood but plants filter the air, improve humidity and elevate energy.

Feng Shui Tip: Never keep dead or dried flowers inside your house. Then they lack vital energy, collect dust, and nest bugs.

Dead flowers or plants create stagnant energy in your home and weigh you down and can create illness. Toss them and fill the space with something green.

It is recommended to put a plant near computers and television to compensate for the electricity.

Certain plants are especially good at filtering specific chemicals:

Aloe vera, elephant ear and ficus clear the air of formaldehyde.
English Ivy clears benzene.
Peace Lily clears benzene and trichloroethylene.
Spider plant reduces carbon monoxide.
And Golden pothos clears away carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde.

What did you toss today? If you are blogging about letting go please contact me and we can add your blog to the list of 24-ers!

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Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photos: Author’s Own