The goal of minimalism is to relieve life’s stresses that stem from having too much clutter. The first and easiest place to practice minimalism is in the home. When the children are grown and flown, it’s the perfect time to create a peaceful atmosphere with simply designed spaces.
As you declutter and focus on the items that are truly necessary in your house, keep in mind that each person’s minimalism journey is personal. You can pair down a little or a lot, depending on what’s important to you. Follow along as we look at six simple tips to create a minimalist home.
One Room at a Time
Trying to create a minimalist home in a day is stressful. Instead, take it slow and complete one room at a time. When you see that you can pair down, clean, and organize one room, it will inspire you to move on to the next.
Leave Empty Spaces
A lot of us struggle in this area. If there’s an empty space, our minds tend to think, what should I fill that space with? Instead, if you don’t need the space, let it sit empty. An empty corner is easier to keep clutter-free and clean.
What Are Your Cleaning Boundaries?
How much are you willing to clean every day, week, and month? The more stuff you have, the more dusting and cleaning you must do. As you decide what stays and what goes, imagine what your cleaning day will look like. That will help you get rid of some stuff.
Get Rid of the Clutter
Clutter and minimalism don’t get along. Too much clutter brings chaos and disorganization. Less clutter brings calmness and peace. Think about it—how much better is your day when you know where to locate that file you need? Or how about walking into your closet and not having to dig through 20 sweaters to find what to wear? Even a simplified wardrobe has benefits. Less is more when everything in the house serves a purpose. Here are some simple steps to declutter each room:
- Pick up an item and ask yourself how it serves you. If it serves no purpose and sparks no joy, you don’t need it.
- Separate items into four categories: trash, donate, sell, and keep.
- After one room is complete, get rid of the piles by selling, trashing, donating, and finding a place for what you’re keeping.
Don’t feel bad keeping memorabilia and keepsakes. However, only keep the ones that make your heart smile.
Color Your Walls
One way to get past the feeling of barren walls and emptiness is to paint your walls in colors you enjoy rather than leave them stark white. A warm-colored wall is more welcoming than an empty white space.
Put Everything in Its Place
Organization is key to keeping clutter at bay. At the end of the day, don’t sit down until you put everything back in its place. While shopping, consider where an item will go. If it doesn’t have a designated area, it doesn’t belong in your house.
As you consider how to create a minimalist home, remember that it’s a personal journey, and the end goal is less stress in your life.