25 Things To Get Rid Of In 2016

The real cleansing starts now.

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Less stuff means more happiness, according to LifeEdited founder Graham Hill. And apparently, interior designers agree.

We reached out to a handful of home experts, including Sara Story, Robert Couturier, Jeremiah Goodman, Nick Olsen, and David Rockwell, among others, for their thoughts on how best to pare down. From the unnecessary clutter you've stockpiled over the years to the trendy items that have seen their heyday, here are 25 things that you need to get rid of in 2016.

1. Anything You Wouldn't Pay to Move

There's nothing like a move to clean out your closets. Stare at an object and think: is it worth the $5-20 shipping it'll cost to get this into your new home? If that approach isn't helpful, try passing each piece through the "Three Gates of Meaning," and if it doesn't add value, cut it out of your life.

2. Retro 1970's Disco-Chic

The 1970's had their time... and that was over four decades ago. "I would like to see an end to the retro 70's disco-chic aesthetic," explains interior designer Sara Story. "People overdo it. Gold, shag, Lucite and faux fur are fantastic materials, but in this case less is MORE!"

3. Old Towels

How many towels do you really need? Chances are you have more than a few tired ones. Keep the soft, fluffy, neutral colored ones for you, family members, and guests, and get rid of the rest.

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4. Expensive Art You Don't Love

Just because it cost an arm and a leg, doesn't mean it looks good, says interior designer Robert Couturier. "The one "thing" that I would absolutely love to get rid of is all of that (hugely expensive) contemporary art that people have bought with their ears rather than with their heart and their mind. They think it makes them look cultured, when in fact it makes them look illiterate (if rich) and slaves to fashion. God protect us from the fashionable art advisors for the whole of 2016!"

5. 'Only When' Clothing

'Only when' clothing includes those skinny jeans that will fit you only when you lose 10 pounds, that blue leather shirt that would make a great Halloween costume, or that sweater, which would look really great if you were pregnant.

6. Selfie Sticks

"Many people are obsessed with taking the perfect selfie when they discover an amazing building or environment," notes David Rockwell, president and founder of Rockwell Group. "In 2016, I hope that people spend less time with their selfie sticks and allow themselves to experience and enjoy their surroundings."

7. Unused Cosmetics

From the partially used hotel hand cream to the special occasion body scrub, cosmetics have a tendency to pile up. By setting a no-cosmetic-buying rule, and using up the opened and reserved products instead, you'll discover new space in your bathroom cabinets before you know it.

8. Novelty Napkin Rings

"Novelty napkin rings are getting out of hand with all the bells and whistles attached to them," says illustrator Jeremiah Goodman, who is still working at 93. "In 2016, I intend to keep them plain and functional. There is nothing more disconcerting than being confronted with a Swarovski-studded armadillo when reaching for one's napkin!"

9. Plants That Don't Suit Your Personality

If you travel frequently or are just forgetful, your house plants are the first to let you know. Perhaps you bought a water-hungry tree, but would actually take better care of a cactus. It's time to admit your failings. Consider an orchid, that only requires water and a little love every seven to ten days.

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10. Bold Trend Patterns

Jumping on a bold pattern trend more than once can make them layer up in an unflattering way. "In recent years, we've seen ikat, flame stitch, houndstooth, ombres, geometrics and so on," says interior designer Thomas Altamirano of Studio Alta. "It's time to curate, cleanse and tailor your home. Purge those impulsively trendy purchases and keep what best defines and makes you happy."

11. Kitchen Appliances You Don't Use

A daily green juice sounded like a fabulous idea; so did home-made yogurt. But if the kit is still in the box a year later, it's time to unload the machinery on eBay or give it to a more ambitious friend.

12. Paper-Back Books

They take up a tremendous amount of space, and unless they are well-read favorites or bound in beautiful covers, books occupy a lot of otherwise useful space. Take your stash to a used bookseller and find a better use for all that newfound shelving.

13. Faux Shagreen

When it's fake, and you can tell, edit. "Faux shagreen (rawhide usually made of the skins of sharks and rays) can go away for a cool minute," says interior designer Nick Olsen. "The real thing is gorgeous, and there are some nice imitations in the market on trays, lamps and so on, but the novelty has worn off. Let luxe truly be luxe!"

14. Old Electronics

How many old cellphones do you have? Or old monitors, iPods, cameras, and chargers? If you can't sell or trade in your unused technology, many tech companies will recycle them for you. You can also donate them to companies like e-Cycle that refurbishes them for people in need. If it's just sitting in a drawer and several new generations have launched, it's time to let it go.

15. Family Heirlooms That Don't Fit

A family heirloom is a piece of furniture you did not actually choose. Sometimes, no matter how gorgeous it is, it just doesn't mesh with your interior. Don't allow it to be an albatross around your neck, give it to a relative or sell it and buy something that does reflect your taste.

16. Extra Hangers

Dry cleaning can make for a surplus of flimsy hangers; wood hangers, while attractive, are bulky. On the other hand, slim velvet hangers, which are both space-saving and gentle on your clothes, are a worthy investment.

17. Movies You Don't Watch

One word: Netflix. Even if it is a regular Saturday night contender, there's no reason you should still have DVDs (or VHS tapes, for heaven's sake) lying around your house in 2016.

18. Gallery Walls Gone Wrong

Think twice before adding a cluster of framed prints to your walls. "Most people think you can just haphazardly put together various sizes in various frames on a wall and it looks great," says interior designer Harry Heissmann. "Well, it mostly doesn't. Gallery walls are an art in itself and are best left in the hands of true professionals, like art hangers. They can make the seemingly easy tasks look like a true assemblage."

19. Shoes You Don't Wear

Those cowboy boots looked good in the store window. Now, it seems you are missing a horse. Or what about those shoes with a worn out heel? If you haven't worn them in a year or fixing them up isn't worth the extra dollars, donate them to a thrift store.

20. Furniture And Objects Associated With Exes

You sink back into the plush cushions of that beautiful sofa and... think of someone else. A room should inspire feelings of well-being. If a piece of furniture jars you with unnecessary reminders of a time gone by, it's best to let it go. "I recently moved to a new apartment and tossed almost all of my furniture that I toted with me after a break up," says Zak Profera, founder of Zak+Fox. "My home is fairly empty now, but the clean slate is a good canvas to make new memories."

21. Food You Don't Eat

Expired lentils, tinned sardines, an ancient sushi-making kit — these are just a few items that may have occupied a dry goods shelf for way too long. First, throw out the expired goods, then try to whittle away those you know you are likely not going to eat due to long preparation time or limited appeal. Your local food bank or soup kitchen would be grateful for your donation.

22. Old Magazines

"I'm a self professed magazine hoarder," says interior designer Ken Fulk. "Yes, I do get some digital issues, but nothing brings me more joy than sitting down with a big heap of my favorite magazines. This time of year I take the opportunity to clear the piles and make room for a fresh onslaught. Armed with my iPhone, I go through the stacks and take a quick pic of anything that I want to remember — an inspiration image, a travel recommendation, or any resources I might want to follow up on. I then simply categorize them into albums. It's a little like a homemade Pinterest board."

23. Paperwork

Paperless billing is a no-brainer. An app such as TurboScan can also take many of your necessary documents digital. As for tax files, the IRS states that you can "keep records for three years from the date you filed your original return or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return. Keep records for seven years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction." A shredder is the perfect place for files not within those constraints.

24. DIY Projects That Will Never Happen

We've all been there. From the ambitious plan to make a sofa slipcover to the box of jewelry-making supplies, know thyself. If thyself won't in a million years actually complete said project, think about paying someone else to do it or remove it from the premises.

25. Just Everything

Illustrator Maira Kalman sums up the war on clutter best: "I would like to burn all of my clothes and have a completely empty closet," she says. "It would not be enough to get rid of things. It requires a bonfire. In this way I could find the right uniform that would make me taller and younger and fitter and smarter. However, I would keep the Emilio Pucci nightgown that my mother gave me when I was 18. Other than that, so long everything."

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