I have to admit, before I started my journey towards a more minimalist lifestyle, I was a full-on maximalist. I kept excessive amounts of stuff in the home, like bookshelves filled to the brim, dozens of shoes, and enough dishes to entertain an army.
One day, I realized I needed to sort my life out, so I decided to sell, donate, and get rid of all that clutter. Since then, there are a handful of items I no longer keep around that help me maintain my minimalist lifestyle.
Why minimalism?
I've discovered the many benefits of maintaining a clutter-free, minimalist interior over the years. One such example is that having fewer objects in my space makes it easier to keep tidy and clean up when it’s messy.
Also, not having tons of objects strewn all over the house gives my mind a rest. It’s a huge load off my shoulders, too. I don't have to constantly think about maintaining, storing and moving what I own. Having less stuff is a must for living in a fast-paced world!
Going bookshelf-less
One of the first items I decided to let go of in my home was the bookshelf. I always had a tendency to collect lots of stuff then stash it on the bookshelf, like magazines and books of all kinds. The whole thing was unsightly and cluttered, not to mention it took up so much room! Over time, I did away with its contents and officially got rid of the bookshelf. Good riddance!
Say “no” to small storage accessories
Once, I came across a phrase that changed my life: "If you need more storage to store your things, it may be because you have too much stuff." Since then, I've decided to give up all small storage accessories like filing cabinets, containers, and small accent furniture. Often, we think more storage is a solution—but it only adds to the noise. However, only when we free ourselves from extra can we truly achieve that dreamy organized home.
Objects collecting in corners
Something else I refuse to keep around is small items that collect in the house's four corners. In the past, I'd bring home magnets, free magazines, and whatever I thought was cute at the dollar store. But these objects were neither aesthetic nor functional and only added to surface clutter. Today, I don't buy things like this anymore and sort through them before they collect in a corner.
Home and seasonal decorations
For the most part, I don’t buy exclusively decorative items anymore, like throw pillows, candles, or random knick-knacks. They need to serve a purpose. I’ve even stopped collecting seasonal decorations, as they require a lot of storage space and are only used for one month a year.
Now, I simply decorate the house with functional or aesthetically pleasing objects that remind me of something. Each object in my home has been carefully curated. I adhere to a “less is more” philosophy. For seasonal decorations, I have limited the number to one storage box. For the rest, I take items from nature that are free and can be composted or recycled at the end of the season.
Small appliances
The kitchen is probably the hardest room in the home to keep clean and clutter-free—preparing food gets messy sometimes. Not to mention, we tend to use different gadgets and small appliances which take up a lot of space. I make sure to keep only the essentials on hand. My rule? If I don't have the space to store it comfortably in a cabinet, I won’t buy it. That way, the countertops are free for what they’re best served for: cooking!
By sticking to these five rules, I’m able to maintain a sleek, minimalist home. And, if I’m being honest, I don't even miss my big bookshelf, storage accessories, piles of stuff, decorations, or small appliances eight years later. I've found that the less stuff you have, the less stuff there is to store. And that’s how your home becomes the minimal paradise you’ve always dreamed of it being!
