Find truly effortless ideas for minimalist living. Learn how to begin a more minimalist lifestyle – and love it!
A minimalist lifestyle might not be what you think. Read on to learn more about becoming a minimalist- the easy way!
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
I’ve written about our minimalist home, minimalist seasonal decor, and making your own warm and cozy even when you’re a minimalist. You can also find all the details about our minimalist kitchen here!
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.
Creating a Minimalist Lifestyle
Rather than purchasing something to fill a space, we made a commitment to save and purchase only what we truly loved, which means that quite a few years after purchasing our home, we’re still decorating. And that’s just fine with me!
Purging is also a constant. It’s how I begin each organization project. There’s a misconception that I don’t have messy closets/spaces. I just might take a photo of what our guest bedroom has become this winter.
The difference is, I don’t let it spill over into other rooms (there’s an invisible caution tape over the door and the fear of me screaming “don’t go in there” running through the girls’ heads until I have time to tackle it).
I love sharing ideas for improving your home!
We’ve renovated many homes during the last 20 years, and I am always thrilled to pass along the knowledge we’ve gained along the way. See the complete Before and After tour of our St. Louis home here, and our Modern Lake House Before + After as well.
Tips
- No need for storage units even if you live in a small home. Decluttering your home gives the illusion of additional square feet that you didn’t know existed!
- Becoming minimalist can also save you money! Rather than purchasing multiple things you never use, use for a short time and replace, etc, minimalist living will make you thoughtful of your purchases and enjoy them for years to come.
- When you embrace a minimalist mindset, it tends to make you spend money wisely. For example if you have a capsule wardrobe, one versatile piece can add an abundance of options.
- I have found that when you choose quality over quantity, it makes life easier and less stressful. A quality item won’t need to be replaced again in a year, saving you time and money.
How to Become a Minimalist
- 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.
- Even the hutch is multi-purpose. It visually breaks up a long wall of cabinets in the kitchen and stores a lot of my entertaining accessories. It also stores desserts like pies, cookies, and cakes when space becomes a commodity when hosting dinner for a crowd.
- 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.
- If you want to embrace the less is more lifestyle, I’m guiding you through eight simple steps to ease into minimalist living.
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 kiddo a task like “collect all the markers”, “see how fast you can fill this trash bag” or “all dress up clothes in this bin”.
Declutter
Take it one space at a time and ask yourself these questions:
- 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 duplicates. Get the Decluttering Checklist here.
Assess
Assess how you use the space and how you can use it better.
Our bookcases are valuable space that were under-utilized for some time. Rather than decorate them with trinkets, we added baskets which hold household items like batteries, our dvd’s, manuals, etc.
The platters were just consuming space in a kitchen cabinet, but can be used when hosting get togethers.
We frequently mix drinks at the bar cabinet as well!
Blend Design and Function
Any time a piece serves multiple purposes, it’s a win in my book, er, 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!