I rearranged our living room furniture tonight (for the first time since we moved 4 1/2 years ago) and the children acted like it was all brand spankin’ new.
“Can I sit here and read, Mom?”
“This looks so cool mom! It looks new!”
Climbing here, jumping there. Crawling in circles, chasing each other around the chairs. Sitting on every single piece of furniture like it was their very first time.
We’ve had this furniture for 10 years, and we got it as a hand-me-down from my uncle. It’s worn. It’s stained. It’s ripped (in inconspicuous places).
Tonight it was new.
A simple reminder that children are minimalists. They truly are easy to please if they are taught to appreciate the simple things. The next time you feel like buying something for your child to make him happy, don’t. Just rearrange your furniture. 
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What a sweet post, Amy. It reminds me of when we bought our first new set of living room furniture about 11 years ago. We thought it would stay nice and fancy and that it would only be used for company.
Ha! Seven children later — the word “fancy” is no longer an appropriate description
However, it’s well-used, well-loved and has been the place for many great family memories!
Well-used and well-loved furniture is the prettiest furniture.
I’ll admit it. I’m just like your kids. We did a little rearranging over the Christmas break and now I have a new faovorite place to sit and read.
PS. Are you going to do the final link up for the declutter challenge? Just askin’. Not being pushy or anything….it’s just that it’s one challenge I followed through with the whole year and I have this very big need to link up that final post.
The declutter link up is going up later tonight. So sorry for the delay!
So funny about the furniture — will have to try it because seriously, why buy anything new when you have kids?!
Our furniture would have to fall apart before we’d consider replacing it with kids around. That is a senseless waste of money, for sure.
I have to admit, a little rearranging can totally change a room. And the best part is that it’s free!
We rearranged a few months ago, because my hubby wanted to buy new furniture. After rearranging, we didn’t need to…and we have a lot more space! So it’s not only kids who appreciate it.
Annie Kate
Yay for more space and no money out of pocket.
Brought a smile to my face.
That is true about kids being minimalists. My kids have had the same reaction yours did when I rearranged our furniture, especially if I do it while they are at school – they come home, look around and get all excited!
Children are awesome!!!
Oh, I love this post! I was just thinking that I need to rearrange my living room– mainly because I don’t think we’re making the most efficient use of our heating vents (I’m so practical)– but a side benefit could very much be that renewed joy!
Love it! My kids thrive when we clean up or have empty spaces for them to enjoy. It makes my want to edit down our stuff to just the basics! I love seeing things through kids’ eyes!
Yes! Amazing how they constantly move their play to the cleanest space in the house!
How cool! Maybe I need to try that?
I know I need to rearrange my living room, but for the life of me, can’t figure out how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :<}
I stared at mine for 4 years.
I really just do not have the “eye” for such things. A suggestion, though: find a friend or family member who LIKES to decorate and/or rearrange furniture and let them have at it!
The same thing happens at my house! If my children get bored of something, I often move it to another room, another basket, and they love it! I also move furniture around a LOT. It makes it feel new to me too.
We have a long, narrow living room, so there are very few options, but I’m so glad I “went for it.”
I find the same thing is true with toys. A toy could have been lying in the back of a closet for the last five years, overlooked and unwanted, but pull it out and let them notice it (or suggest you’re giving it away!) and it is new all over again.
Exactly! Or… clean up the floor in the kids’ room and all of a sudden they want to play there again, where previously they avoided the mess.
Well done! I love rearranging the furniture. Happy New Year!
I love that- what a great reminder of children’s perspectives!
Yes! It is something they need to be taught!
I completely understand the exitement of furniture-arranging. I get the same excitement as your kids do
! Its like having a brand new room 
.
Isn’t it wonderful That such a small change can make such a big difference:-)