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.
Found you yesterday on Pinterest while searching “warm white paints.” I am beyond thrilled!!! What an inspiration you are! I’ve been minimizing our lifestyle for the past couple years and now simplifying our home decor and walls. Been experimenting with capsule wardrobe as well. Feel so privileged to learn from you!
Yay! So nice to meet you, Bethany! Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
Love this site!
Thank you, Joni!
My Great Grandfather’s pocket watch stands proudly nested next to family bibles on a desk in my library. A hand sewn family christening gown from 1898 hangs in my nephew’s daughter’s room.
These “things ” and so much more are precious memories that keep us in touch with our family roots and remind us of who we are and how proud we are of where we come from.
This house looks so sterile. I mean no ill words but do hope some color finds its way in and makes this house a home.
I don’t like clutter but I also love “stuff.” I have things that I don’t use but I just love owning them and looking at them now and then. LOL. Fortunately I have lots of storage space. I have lots of pretty things that I inherited from my MIL and I couldn’t bear to get rid of them. I’m afraid I’m not meant for the minimalist lifestyle but your home is lovely and serene.
Julie, can you address the issue of “paring down” craft supplies? This is particularly difficult for me because I have quite a bit of crafting supplies that I’d like to keep. It seems that if I let something go, I invariably end up needing it one week later. While you might say to simply replace it, there aren’t always available funds to keep repurchasing things that I once owned! I could certainly use some tips in this department. I have lots of paper, ribbon, embellishments, buttons, etc. They all bring me great joy, but take up so much room!
It you will use it in the next 3 months, keep it. If not, chances are you’re best to part with it. It’s so hard, but it’s also freeing!