We talked about the magical power of tidiness, a true panacea for our homes. First and foremost, without disturbing the spiritual sphere, is to “gift” huge spaces in the home, which are in fact given back, once freed of clutter.

In photo - repurchase space in the house for new furniture (e.g. a new carpet)

The phenomenon of piling up objects in the home becomes even more evident, and “serious”, in accessory spaces such as attics, cellars and garages. In the process of hoarding, when we are not yet proficient in handling objects permanently (by allocating them to storage, reuse or landfill), these areas are the last station, from which unused things are in danger of never moving again.
To make matters worse, they will not be in our sight or in our way, so they will be somewhat “silent”, they will not arouse our attention and above all they will not make us feel guilty. Result? We no longer even step foot into the garage, which is completely full of boxes, objects, furniture that we do not even remember.

In photo - Objects crammed into the garage 

Desire to start again, freeing up space

Many will have taken advantage of the period of confinement, plucking up courage to tackle these spaces, also, but not only, with the intention of usefully occupying their time. Others will now be ready to start the game of “emptying the garage”, taking advantage of the warm weather, which allows objects to be left out in the open while awaiting their relocation.
The rules are always the same: make a truly free evaluation of objects, eliminating those mental ties that create non-existent de facto obligations. The grandmother's gift from 30 years ago, the third cousin's wedding favour, the furniture from the office that has been closed for three decades can really move on, continue their lives differently, perhaps making someone else happy.

In pictures - an object that is useless to us becomes an unexpected gift for someone else

But who physically takes care of the eviction? One can turn to associations where volunteers lend themselves for work of various kinds, in exchange for a fee to be donated to the cause they support, or to real “professionals” who offer themselves for a living. Not surprisingly, their services come at a cost to the client. The work is heavy and demanding; moreover, they are responding to a our rather urgent need (having the cellar or garage free, at last) and solve a not insignificant problem, such as transporting all that material, which, once out, will really be a mountain, capable of discouraging even the most enthusiastic of tidying up.

In photo - The collection of material by an association 

A second life for objects

If one does not simply want to get rid of objects, but aims to relocate them, giving them new life, there is no shortage of solutions. The proliferation of second-hand shops, where they are found from clothes to objects to furniture, is a growing phenomenon. Some attribute it to the crisis, others to a greater sensitivity of a post-consumerist era in which we rediscover the value of old things, which does not necessarily mean ugly or useless. Think of the chalk paint trends, which literally makes dated furniture, those of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s that used to be found in the homes of (today's) great-grandmothers but which can become real highlights of creative interior design. They can be intercepted at Km 0 markets, on the street or in shops, or virtual (that Facebook has for some time now dedicated a specific functionality for this exchange of objects, indicating that this is appreciated by many).

In the picture - with a bit of imagination a piece of furniture has a second life  

That of the private-to-private markets is a custom in Northern European countries and Anglo-Saxon tradition, today represented by the American Garage Sale or the British Car boot sales. In the Netherlands, it is celebrated on Konigsdag (national holiday, 27 April) when every household displays its garage sale; in Germany it is also done at school, simply by leaving items to be “sold” on the pavement, with a request for a free offer.
Of course, this is also popular in Italy, However, it is more complex because there are no specific regulations: one speaks of a concession in the case of an activity carried out on an occasional and non-professional basis, but these are rules to be interpreted, so it is advisable to always ask for authorisation from the municipality where one intends to organise the market. In a perspective of continuous change, we may already be thinking of new customs to be revitalised, to improve our homes, and our lives, with a pinch of creativity and in the name of fun.

In photo - DIY garage sale

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