Tips for Creating a Minimalist Home, According to Experts

When it comes to achieving a minimalist home, the “less is more” mentality is a must. But, there’s much more to it than simply having fewer things in your home. Minimalism is a lifestyle that relies on the foundation of being intentional with how you decorate.

“A minimalist home is synonymous with an intentional home—it’s about surrounding yourself with items you need, use, and love, and stripping away the excess,” home organizing expert Shira Gill says.

A major misconception about a minimalist https://sempolanayamtingting.id/ home is that it requires less thought, according to Melissa Lee, the founder and creative director of Bespoke Only. “On the contrary, it takes more consideration to choose fewer pieces, as everything should have a purpose with both design and function in mind,” Lee shares

Start With Your “Why”

If you want a more minimalist home, the first step is to start with your “why,” according to Helen Youn, master-level certified KonMari Consultant.

“Think about why you want to have a more minimalist home and consider how your home will be able to support you to live an intentional life,” Youn says. “When you have a clear vision of the life you want and get down to your core values, it will give you clarity on which items to keep and which to let go.”

Declutter, Declutter, Declutter

Minimalism is all about living with less, so decluttering is a must. “If there’s something you haven’t used in years—get rid of it,” Lee says. “Everything in your home should serve a purpose, either emotionally, aesthetically, or functionally.”

Try the KonMari Method

One way to declutter is with the iconic KonMari Method, which involves living a more intentional and joyful life that minimalism can bring. According to Youn, you can declutter by category, starting with clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and lastly, sentimental items.

“This order goes from easiest to hardest and helps the client hone their sensitivity to what brings them joy,” Youn says.

Repurpose What You Already Have

After decluttering—and before you buy more furniture or décor—try to reuse and repurpose what’s already in your home. “I am a big fan of repurposing items the clients might already have so we often don’t need to buy anything,” Youn says.

For example, you can use shoeboxes to organize clothing in drawers with smaller boxes as dividers for smaller items. “Some of my favorite organizational products include clear shoeboxes because they’re see-through, stackable, and can be labeled,” Youn adds, having used them in closets, linen closets, bathrooms, kitchens, and garages.

Decorate With Personal Touches

According to Youn, one of the best ways to decorate a minimalist home is to use your favorite furniture and items as a base.

“For added personal touches, you can use objects that have a special meaning to you or framed kids’ artworks and family photos around your home,” Youn says. “You can also use everyday objects like books and candles and arrange them in a way to make them aesthetically pleasing to you.”