We all want different things from our home. Some of us love the idea of a cluttered country cottage, others dream of achieving a minimalist home. Getting the home you want is always hard, but it’s even more difficult to go from one to the other. If the clutter has stopped making you feel cozy, it’s important that you make a change. Do you dream of white rooms and plenty of floor space? Are you at a loss how to achieve the goal? A cluttered home has its appeal, but a minimalist home design is more spacious and can brighten a room. We all know that the state of our home can wreak havoc with the state of our mind. Do you come home to headaches and stress? Then a minimalist home could be just what you need. This list should help you get to grips with how to achieve a minimalist style for the home.
DECLUTTER
Of course, decluttering is the first thing you should tackle. Depending on the amount of clutter you have, this could be a mammoth task. Accept that you may need to clear things you wouldn’t consider clutter. The clearer you get the space, the better. Do you need those china dogs your Aunt Mildred gave you? Does that wall hanging add anything? With minimalism, less is always more. There’s no denying that the process is going to be a painful one. This is a big transition you’re making. Even so, it’s important you keep the end goal in mind. Look at pictures of minimalist homes to keep you focused. It might even be helpful to print one off and keep it in sight when you’re clearing.
It may be tempting to keep a lot of the things you’re clearing away, but don’t! Putting it all in bags and sticking it in the attic doesn’t count. It’ll amaze you how much the weight of those belongings hangs heavy on your head! In a lot of ways, minimalism is a mental process. You need to get rid of those bits altogether. If it makes you feel better, let your friends pick out their favorite pieces. You could even donate them to a charity and do some good while you’re at it!
REDECORATE
Once you’ve decluttered, you should have a blank space to work with. Good, that’s what you want! With the blank canvas in front of you, focus on redecorating the space. Take this one room at a time. The good news about minimalism is that you shouldn’t have to think too hard when decorating each room. For the most part, you want them all looking the same. Don’t get carried away when considering what would look good. Always remember that less is more. For the most part, stick to neutral colors. White can look fantastic in a minimalist room. If you’re not ready for such a stark color, you could start off by trying cream. That way, you’ll achieve a minimalist space, but still keep some of the warmth you’re used to. Don’t add anything that doesn’t need to be there. Remember that minimalism is about taking away.
While you’re redecorating, you’ll also want to restock your furniture. We said this wouldn’t be easy, didn’t we? If you think your old furniture fits with your new look, great. If not, it’s time to get shopping. Look for simple pieces. You don’t want patterned, or brightly colored furniture. You need your room to be as harmonious as possible. Black or brown pieces would look fantastic with your white walls. Think, too, about the style of the pieces you buy. Simplistic, low to the floor furniture lends itself well to a minimalist space.
KEEP THE SPACE CLEAN
Once you’ve achieved a minimalist look, it’s important you keep the area clean. All your hard work will go to waste if you let mess and clutter build. Bear in mind that you may have to up your cleaning schedule, as more of the room is now on display! Remember that minimalism is about the mind, too. It’s worth buying eco-friendly products from companies like CleanHappens.com/collections/laundry. That way, you know you’re doing your bit while you keep clean. Small steps like this will help you live a cleaner life! It shouldn’t take you long to find a cleaning schedule that works for you. Practice patience, and don’t give up the fight if you notice clutter building up again. Just go back to the decluttering stage! The minimalist life is different from what you’re used to, so it’s no wonder if it takes a while to get used to it!
ACCESSORIES
You may be living a minimalist life, but there’s no reason you can’t still get some accessories. It’s worth holding fire on this until you’ve had some time to enjoy a clearer space. That way, you’re less likely to get carried away! Even so, a limited amount of accessories can work well in a minimalist space. Because you’ll have less around the place, you’ll appreciate any accessories you do have. Houseplants can look fantastic in a minimalist space. Think about plants that would work in your home. Making the right choice can lead to an even fresher space! Think, too, about candles. You don’t want to go over the top with this. Even so, a few candles can look fantastic, and will make your home smell amazing, too! If you like books, why not invest in a small collection of coffee table books? These add a much needed personal touch to a room. If you’re struggling with your new look, these could take you back to familiar territory. Make sure you don’t slip back to your old ways, though!
There you have it, a simple guide to achieving minimalism. There’s no denying that there’s a lot of work involved in stripping your home back to basics. Even so, it’s a choice you won’t regret! Imagine how good you’ll feel returning to a clean space!
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