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Victory Through Simplicity

A simple guide to not over-decorating your shelves, counters, and surfaces

Most men (and plenty of women too) struggle with what to actually put on shelves and counters.
So they either leave everything empty…
or they fill the space with every knickknack they’ve collected since high school.

The truth?
A few key items go a long way.
You don’t need to decorate like a home store. You just need a few solid pieces that make the room feel finished without getting loud.

Here’s the simple approach:

Rule #1: Keep It Clean — A Little Beats a Lot

When in doubt, less is better than more.
Surface clutter makes a room feel busy, dated, and heavy.

Aim for:

  • a couple framed photos
  • one or two plants (real or faux)
  • one simple object with weight (like a bowl or sculpture)

And that’s it.

If you’re questioning something, remove it.
If a shelf feels crowded, it probably is.

Rule #2: Frame One Great Black-and-White Photo

If you don’t know what to put somewhere, here’s the cheat code:

A black-and-white photo of you and your kid(s).

Clean. Simple. Personal.
Black and white always looks higher-end.
And it grounds the room without trying too hard.

If you’re not a parent, use:

  • a meaningful moment
  • a great travel photo
  • a classic family shot

It works every time.

Rule #3: Add a Plant — Real or Faux

One plant per room is enough.
Two max.

Plants add life and warmth without clutter.
And if keeping something alive sounds like work, go faux — modern faux plants look incredible and require zero effort.

Stick to:

  • simple greens
  • clean planters
  • nothing that looks like it belongs in a rainforest café

Rule #4: One Cutting Board on the Counter — Not a Museum of Them

Your kitchen doesn’t need:

  • eight leaning cutting boards
  • a basket of fake lemons
  • a miniature chalkboard
  • seasonal décor for every month

Just put out one nice cutting board you actually use.

It adds warmth and texture without crossing into “holiday craft fair” energy.

What NOT to Do

Here’s where things go sideways fast:

  • Christmas villages
  • nutcrackers
  • collections of themed figurines
  • signs with inspirational quotes
  • twelve candles
  • counters covered in little bowls and trinkets
  • stuffed shelves full of “stuff”

These make a home feel chaotic, cluttered, and unintentionally outdated.

You’re building a clean, confident space — not a seasonal gift shop.

Final Thought: Simplicity Looks Expensive

The goal isn’t to “decorate.”
The goal is to curate a few things that matter, look good, and make the space feel like an adult lives there.

A couple strong pieces > a bunch of random stuff.

Clean surfaces.
A few framed photos.
A plant or two.
One cutting board.
Done.

Pro Tip: Decorate with Souvenirs — Just Skip the Common Tourist Stuff

Souvenirs add personality and story to your home, but stick to pieces that actually mean something. Choose items from your travels that feel unique — a small piece of art, a handmade bowl, a photo you took yourself. Skip the everyday tourist items like name keychains, mini license plates, or anything you could’ve bought at the airport. Pick memories, not merch.

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