I admit that I understand the hype around minimalism– Aspiring to have less is never more appealing than when you’re preparing for a move, and I’m very attracted to the seeming calm of those clean, light spaces in my Instagram feed.
But it’s not realistic for me to completely adopt a minimalist home, and that’s totally okay. I have a lot of stuff, I love colors and patterns, and I can’t resist adding some fun things from Target’s decor section to my cart—Everyone The time I shop.
As I’ve moved from one apartment to another over the years, closet space has become less and less. It’s safe to say I’m not a minimalist. But I find myself gravitating toward a minimalist lifestyle from time to time, and there are five rules I consistently practice where I can. About Claim yourself to be a minimalist.
Clean your closet regularly
When it comes to clothes and shoes (and books), I’m always short on space. You’ve probably heard this rule: For every new item that enters your closet, two items leave. Well, I’m not sure I follow it to the letter, but I like it Clear out a Quarterly Closet,
The main thing is to find a method or service that works for you. This might mean becoming a regular at a local consignment shop, donating to those in need, or using apps like Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace.
I discovered ThredUp almost a decade ago and ever since, it’s been my go-to for convenient consignment. ThredUp sends you a cleanout bag in the mail, which is surprisingly large and sturdy, and all you have to do is fill it up and drop it off at a nearby USPS location. Easy!
Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newspaper For the latest hacks, expert advice and more!
Keep these 4 spaces clutter-free
Clutter isn’t always a bad thing. This may indicate a livable home (it’s virtually impossible to tame children’s and pet toys, so no one can judge if you don’t), or for some, scarce storage. Keep items readily available when needed.
That said, there are some key places when free from clutterMight make your life a little easier. These are usually spaces in your home They provide a sense of order where you want to feel comfortable or neat—and they are magnets As for clutter, so you have to be conscious of picking them up.
Although every home is a little different, here are the general areas I recommend paying attention to:
- coffee table: It’s hard to return to your living space and relax when the coffee table is in plain view, littered with books and magazines, chargers, remotes, hair accessories and jewelry, and other things that have accumulated there. Try a decorative tray to hold your essentials, like the remote and candles, and put everything else back where it belongs.
- bathroom sink or vanity: We’ve all probably been guilty of getting ready that morning to leave our space littered with all the cosmetics, lotions, and potions. If you lack accessible storage, shelves and rolling carts are easy, small space-friendly options.
- entryway surfaces: Do you know that place where you throw your stuff down every time you come home? It can be a console table in the entryway, dining room table or kitchen island,
- bedside table: When you keep your bedside table clean, you can sleep easily. Your bedroom should be your relaxation zone and nothing like clutter disrupts the peace.
First choose furniture that is functional
While my duvet cover, throw pillows and shower curtain are bold and colorful, all my furniture is equally neutral (to my dismay). Believe me, I dream of buying that amazingly cool tufted mustard sofa or pair of dark blue velvet chairs, and I will someday, but for now, this is a less practical option.
when I’m buying furniturePrice, quality, comfort, and maintenance are all important considerations, and fun stuff often doesn’t make the cut.
It’s so much more fun to decorate with bolder accents when you start with a neutral base. It’s also cost-effective and efficient, because where I can change my mind on a blanket and replace it, if I change my mind on a couch – well, it’s a lot harder to work on.
If you have children or pets, it also becomes more important to work on the design of larger decor pieces like a sofa or coffee table.
let go of sentimental items
For the most part, I don’t attach sentimental value to old memorabilia, but that’s not true for everyone. Emotional “clutter” It’s no surprise that it’s the hardest to quit. There are some things I will probably never part with and that’s okay. However, for those more useful items (like high school track team t-shirts), it goes into the donation pile!
Giving these types of items to someone in your circle is the easiest first step because you know the item is going to someone who will cherish it as much as you will. Probably the most common – but admittedly sometimes annoying! -An example of this is when parents ask their adult children to take back all their old childhood toys and souvenirs.
Once you’ve broken the initial seal, you may finally feel free to part with those difficult items, like your first, beloved, but seriously beat-up, set of pots and pans.
Keep your fridge and pantry in manageable condition
You know those incredible, fully stocked, beautifully organized pantry On TikTok? I couldn’t. I hate wasting food, so my fridge is always pretty bare. I quickly discovered that if I had too many options, I became powerless in making choices or simply became overwhelmed with all the vegetables I needed to cook immediately before they spoiled – all in a short amount of time. Compete for my attention in the intervals between.
So although it may not work for everyone, I go grocery shopping about two to three times a week, buying what I need or crave for the next few days. It has greatly reduced the amount of stuff I throw away and has inspired me to be more creative when I’m cooking with a short supply of ingredients. Plus, I never have to worry about forgetting anything stashed in the back of my pantry, especially before it runs out.
