Effortless ideas for minimalist living. Learn how to begin a more minimalist lifestyle – and love it!
I never realized I was a minimalist. Honestly, I still feel like I have too much “stuff”, but I’m always purging. I tend to prefer a clutter free home, letting go of things that tend to also clutter our minds.
When I envision minimalism, I used to think modern. Reflecting on comments I receive and how I feel when our home becomes too cluttered, I realized that you can live a minimalist lifestyle with traditional taste and apparently, I’ve been doing so all along.
Becoming minimalists has helped us live intentional lives, only inviting things (and activities) in that we truly love.
Minimalist Living
Some of our minimalist living has sprouted out of need. My grandma always said “waste not, want not” and for years, it was an essential part of our lifestyle as Chris was in medical school and residency. We simply didn’t have money to spend on extras, like decor.
As years passed and we could make larger purchases and investments in our homes, I found myself to be more thoughtful with my purchases.
For me, minimalist living is about eliminating excess and choosing wisely. Most items in our home serve more than one purpose. For example, our platters double as decor. Some hang on a wall while others are stacked in our hutch.
Our kitchen hutch also serves multiple purposes. Visually, it breaks up a long wall of cabinetry. It stores our entertaining essentials including platters, bowls and serving utensils. When we are entertaining, I use it to store pies, cookies, and cakes to keep them fresh when space is a commodity.
Our drinking glasses double as vases and even our cleaning supplies integrate into our “decor.” You can learn about my everyday essentials in this YouTube video.
Creating a Minimalist Lifestyle
Embracing a minimalist mindset helps you make thoughtful decisions resulting in financial savings. Purging is a constant. Not weekly, daily or hourly, but in everything you do. It’s the best way to start your day and every project.
Tips
- Decluttering gives the illusion of space and additional square feet.
- Pare down choosing quality over quantity to reduce the amount of space they consume and the frequency they need to be replaced.
- Choose versatile pieces. Examples: A versatile top that can pair with a variety of shorts, skirts and pants. For home, take a less is more approach with a piece of furniture that can serve multiple functions. Examples: A dog crate that doubles as an end table, a bar cart that can be an end table or a nightstand, but serve as a bar when entertaining.
How to Become a Minimalist
Start Small
This will help you make it a sustainable lifestyle instead of a phase.
Designate Space for Chaos
Nothing in our home is perfect. The basement is another example for that. You have to allow chaos to live somewhere when you have children. Or at least I do.
The basement is that one place where kids can be kids, get creative, make a mess and I don’t have to repeat myself 9 times begging them to pick it up. In fact, I rarely ask them to.
Get Everyone Involved
We try to make de-cluttering and organizing an adventure. Like “girls, you received so many great gifts at your birthday parties, wouldn’t it be fun to give some of our toys to kids who may not have very many?” They get excited to let go of their things.
I assign each of our girls a simple task like “collect all the markers”, “see how fast you can fill this trash bag” or “put dress up clothes in this bin”.
Declutter
Print my Decluttering Checklist and take it one space at a time. Ask yourself:
- Does it serve a purpose?
- Do you use it?
- Does it bring you joy?
If you answered no to any of these questions, let it go. Pare down to the things you really love and need. The rest is just “stuff”. Donate any duplicates.
Assess
Assess how you use the space and how you can use it better.
Our bookcases are decorative, but valuable space. I added baskets and boxes that contain household items including batteries, manuals, and various charging cords.
In the cabinets below, I created a bar cabinet that where we can easily mix drinks.
Blend Design and Function
Any time a piece serves multiple purposes, it’s a win in my book, aka home. In our lake living room, the folding stools can serve as extra seating, foot rests and even luggage stools when we are overflowing with guests!
In our primary home, this was showcased in the way we incorporated our linen cabinet. I always loved the way a wardrobe looked in a family room, but it consumes a significant amount of space, so it needs to be functional as well.
We removed the coat closet in our foyer so in the winter it accommodates coats and in the summer, the same side is filled with throws we’re not using. The drawers hold games, candles, and pillow covers.
Bring Less Into Your Home
Waste not, want not. Bring your bags to the store, take less home. Don’t purchase something because it’s on sale. Purchase because it fills a need or better yet, fills multiple needs!
Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
Chances are, you have things in your closet you haven’t worn in a year – eliminate them! Remove everything from your closet and choose the pieces you love.
Play with them to see how you can mix and match and how many outfits you can create from those pieces. Eliminate the rest.
I used to think I was crazy for keeping my mom’s makeup. It was in the top drawer of a lingerie chest that I took home for my own use after she passed away. Every time I opened that drawer it was like having her stand right there next to me. I finally parted with the chest after we downsized but I confess that I kept her compact. I don’t think I will ever get over missing her even after all these years. It’s good to know that there are others out there like me.
While I am not a minimalist, I know the value of Decluttering. We have rented space in a small vintage shop nearby. This not only helps get rid of the overflow after a move to a smaller home, but is a great source of socializing with others as I now work there one afternoon a week.
I’m glad I’m not alone! Some sweet reminders you have to keep close to your heart. That sounds like so much fun!
My husband is a pack rat and I am a minimalist. Constant struggle. Thanks for this article.
One of my girls is a pack rat as well! I understand your struggle! It’s all a balance, isn’t it!
I don’t really consider myself a minimalist but I like things to be organized and I don’t like clutter.
I’m 60 years old and I have been trying to go through closets, attic and garage.
I have taken a lot to Goodwill.
Just wish I could afford someone to come to my house and help me go through my clothes and build a capsule wardrobe.
And go through kitchen items and etc.
I love nice things, but trying not to buy anything else for the house until some of this stuff is out of here.
Love following you!
Thank you for your beautiful posts!
Thank you, Sherry! The wardrobe is a challenge for me, too! I’ll have to work on that this January!
Julie – I’m in love w/your home and minimalist style…I’m trying to pare down but always feel like my home is too bare and cold when I do. We have warmer wood floors, white walls and lots of reclaimed wood furniture, somewhat of a french country look going on. How do you keep the minimalist look but warm it up? When I take everything off tables it feels so bare – I can’t change my stainless steel to copper or do any major changes – I just feel stumped as to what to do. I also have the challenge in that my main living space is a great room w/living and dining combined. I bought so many french country cottage and vintage french antiques, and now find I don’t want to use them. More purging when I *thought* that was my style and wasn’t! I felt frustrated w/the TOO MUCH and can’t seem to find that peaceful in between in my home. I would love any thoughts!
Paint color plays a huge part of that. A warm white goes a long way. I also recommend using cozy layers this time of year like pillows and throws. Art / display of your collections is also another way to add warmth. If you’d like to send a photo via IG, I’m happy to take a look!
You’re so sweet I will send by IG and you can give me tips xx thank you!
I absolutely BIG HEART ♥️ your style – the simplicity and elegance raise the bar! When I get your emails the “oh goody!” happens. So thank you for sharing peeks into your tidy world! I would love to SEE more! Like where you do hide all the “life stuff” and make such a minimalist-but-beautiful atmosphere? I love keeping a tidy atmosphere, so gathering more ideas on “hiding” things we really do need in a house with 8 people (plus homeschooling) is the name of the game!
Thank you again for the refreshing inspiration! It’s a blessing! ?
I do have several posts hiding what we do have like our linen closet, linen cabinet, kids’ closets, living room cabinets, mudroom, etc, but there is so much more to come this fall on kitchen storage!