Minimalism is having a moment in the sun when it comes to home decor and organization these days. It seems that every other picture you see on Pinterest or blog post you read on storage and organization mentions the benefits of minimalism in the home. And we have to admit, many of those benefits seem pretty attractive, like ease of cleaning, more space, and a home that’s only full of the things you love.
That said, however, true minimalism is a lofty goal. It can be difficult to pare your belongings down to the very basics, especially if the furniture, decor, gadgets, clothing, and more has accumulated over time. But even if your home is far from a minimalist’s dream, there are a few things you can do to take small steps toward a more minimalist lifestyle and bring some of the benefits of minimalism to you and your family.
Here are eight baby steps you can take toward minimalism:
1. Look for multiples.
Let’s be honest: you don’t need more than one blender. Take a look through your cabinets, drawers, and closets and immediately pull out any multiples, placing them in a box to be donated. It’ll be quick, but it’ll have a big impact.
2. Control the paper.
Paper is one of those things that can get out of hand, very quickly. Ideally, all of the paper you have to keep should fit in a single drawer, box, folder, or cabinet. Everything else should be discarded (scan it if you think it might be important later). One helpful question while you’re doing this is: can I find this online? If the answer is yes, you don’t need to hold on to the paper copy.
3. Sign up for e-bills.
This is a way to keep the paper at bay in the future. Sign up to receive your billing and bank statements by email instead of paper mail. You’ll always have a digital copy of them and you won’t have papers cluttering up your house.
4. Create a meal list.
Yes, even the food you store can be more minimalist. Narrow down your list of meal possibilities to a shorter, more manageable list. This will help you know what pantry and fridge staples you always need to have on hand, and will help you avoid buying an entire bottle of something for one single recipe.
5. Try a spending freeze.
Set an amount of time (maybe a week, maybe a month) during which you don’t buy anything. No new clothes, toiletries, utensils, odds and ends, etc. You may be surprised to see how much you buy on a regular basis, which might inspire you to buy less in the future (a very minimalist idea).
6. Clean out the bathroom cabinet.
The bathroom is one of those places where products seem to pile up. Half-full bottles of shampoo, unused bars of soap, old makeup, trial-size perfumes, and more end up taking up a lot of space in your cabinets and drawers. If you haven’t used something in more than three months, chances are, you’re never going to use it. Toss it and enjoy the extra space.
7. Have an empty shelf.
Many minimalists take pleasure in keeping a designated empty space (or several of them) in their home. Some claim that it gives them a sense of peace, possibility, and freedom, while others say it just helps them be mindful of the fact that there’s limited space in their home to work with. Either way, it’s a simple principle that can help anyone be just a bit more minimalist.
8. Clean out the closet.
Our wardrobes often end up bigger than we ever intended them to be. Some professionals even say that most people only wear about 20% of their clothes on a regular basis. Not only does having a bloated wardrobe take up physical space, it also takes up mental space—not to mention time—as you’re overwhelmed every morning by the prospect of choosing what to wear. Simplify life a bit by doing a brutal closet clean-out. Donate anything that doesn’t fit or isn’t worn on a regular basis.
9. Clear your countertop.
Many kitchen counters are littered with toasters, blenders, coffee makers, knife blocks, and more. Since your kitchen is probably a popular room in your home, you’re facing all that clutter on a daily basis. Clear off those counters and give yourself some room to breathe. Store small appliances in your pantry or cabinets, and enjoy having a little extra space and a minimalist look in your kitchen.
Minimalism isn’t for everyone, but the benefits make it a very appealing option for a lot of people who want to live simply and with less. By taking these small steps toward minimalism, you can start to see the effect they have on your home, and you might just be inspired to see how else minimalism can better your home and life.
Tired of using your home as a storage unit? Clear some space with Arizona Storage Centers. Our storage facilities offer reliable and convenient storage for all of your belongings. We even have temperature controlled units for more delicate items. Stop by one of our facilities today in Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Deer Valley, or Glendale, or give us a call at 480-386-6022. We look forward to helping you clear out your home!
