Clutter can impact you in more ways than just making your home look a little messy. It can overload your senses which leads to feeling stressed and this could impair your ability to think creatively.
If you’ve ever gone home and just thought, ‘Wow! My house is so cluttered with junk!” or something along those lines, it’s time for a deep decluttering and perhaps, a change in perspective.
Living a minimalist life doesn’t mean you’re only allowed the bare necessities like food, shelter and water. Everyone has a different threshold on what is a minimalist home but what’s most important is being able to maintain the minimalism in your living space.
Benefits of living in a minimalist home include being less stressed because there’s less clutter to provide visual stress and also, a minimalist home is easier to clean because you have less things to vacuum around.
Here are a few tips to get you started on your journey to a minimalist home.
Go Slow
There’s no need to overhaul your whole house in a weekend. Start by changing one room at a time and why not start at your bedroom since that’s where you rest. Empty your closet and get rid of clothes you’ve not worn in at least six months or anything that doesn’t fit anymore.
Quality Vs Quantity
A minimalist home is made up of things that are well-loved and used and this includes furniture. Instead of five pieces of rickety furniture that is cluttering the living room, choose one good quality piece of furniture such as a hardwood table that will last ages and has multiple uses.
There’s no need to throw all of your furniture away but really think about the role of every piece of furniture in your home. Do you really need two lamps in the living room when you’ve got overhead lights as well? Do you need so many sofas and ottomans? What is the purpose of having two stands beside your bed when you only really use one?
Clean And Clear
Having clear counters is another characteristic of a minimalist home. Flat surfaces that are clear such as a coffee table with only one or two decorations such as a simple vase with a few flowers or even a succulent will do. Make sure to clear all the counters every day to prevent clutter piling up. Sort your letters right after you get them and file them away to prevent them cluttering up your home.
This also applies to your computer desk and this is important especially for those who work from home. Get rid of all the junk that’s on your computer desk, organise the wires with cable ties to neaten them up and perhaps have just one simple decoration such as a bright mousepad on your desk.
There shouldn’t be anything else on the floor except for furniture so no stack of books, clothes or even your bag. There should be a place for your things and if there isn’t, throw, recycle or donate these items.
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
Some things just can’t be thrown away because they still have use or immense sentimental value. This is where you need to get creative with storing your things in bookcases, drawers and cabinets. Get organising dividers from any hardware store to help you put your things away in an orderly manner to prevent you from just moving the clutter around.
Keep It Simple
Simple decorations such as a vase of flowers or a small potted plant is great for sprucing up a bare coffee table. Additionally, living in a minimalist home doesn’t mean it has to be boring. If the rest of the room is a little subdued, a simple decoration in an eye-catching colour can provide a splash of energy to the room.
Most importantly, enjoy the process of simplifying your home! Once you’re happy with how your home looks, sit back and take a moment to savour all your hard work.
References: Lifehacker.com; Apartment Therapy
