“One can furnish a home very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in.” – Francis Jourdain
Many people will miss the joys of minimalism because they are afraid to begin. Often, they fear that if they remove an item from their home, they will regret it in the future if they need it again. While that rarely happens (you need so much less than you think), if that fear is preventing you from getting started, try this alternative method instead.
Begin by simply reducing the excess things in your home. For example, your family needs towels so you will never remove them completely… but you could simplify your life by just reducing the number of towels in your home. This step completely removes all risk.
Once you take that first step, you will start to experience the benefits of minimalism in your life. You will enjoy the refreshing feeling of a less-cluttered linen closet or bathroom drawer. Soon, you will notice countless other things that can easily be reduced in your home. Before you know it, you will have made significant progress in your journey towards a more simplified life.
To better understand the potential of this simple, risk-free step, I compiled a list of 101 Things That Can Easily Be Reduced In Your Home. This list is not meant to overwhelm or frustrate you, it’s simply meant to give you an idea of how significant a step this can be – just choosing 10 things on this list to start with would result in a noticeable difference in your home.
- Glassware
- Cookbooks
- Kitchen gadgets
- Kitchen appliances
- Pots / pans
- Mixing bowls
- Tupperware
- Water pitchers
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Books
- Over-the-counter medicine
- Make-up
- Barretts / hair clips / ponytail holders
- Cleaning supplies
- Personal beauty appliances (hair dryer/curlers, electric razors)
- Bottles of shampoo/conditioner
- Photos
- Photography supplies
- Sewing supplies
- Craft supplies
- Scrap-booking supplies
- CD’s
- DVD’s
- Decorative items
- Candles
- Figurines
- Crystal
- Vases
- Audio/visual components
- Audio/visual cables
- Computer equipment
- MP3 players
- Furniture
- Video game systems
- Vdeo games
- Video game accessories
- Shirts / shorts
- Pants
- Coats
- Dresses
- Hats
- Clothes hangers
- Shoes
- Winter gear
- Jewelry
- Purses
- Coins
- Pillows
- Towels
- Linen sets
- Candle Holders
- Televisions
- Items on your bulletin board
- Magnets
- Artwork
- Mirrors
- Home office supplies
- Pens/pencils
- Old batteries
- Tools
- Hardware
- Rolls of duct tape
- Coolers
- Manuals
- Phone books
- Coupons
- Sporting good supplies
- Sports memorabilia
- Aluminum cans
- Glass bottles
- Automobile fluids
- Automobiles
- Scrap pieces of lumber
- Brooms
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Garden tools
- Plant containers
- Empty cardboard boxes
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Decks of cards
- Unused wedding gifts
- Baby clothes
- Baby supplies
- Old schoolbooks/papers
- Army men
- Bath toys
- Toy balls
- Toy cars/trucks
- Toy musical instruments
- Stuffed animals
- Plastic toys
- Childrens’ old school papers
- Suitcases
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Christmas / seasonal decorations
- Cable channels
Go ahead. Give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose.
If you are just beginning the journey towards simplicity, I recommend our e-book: Simplify. 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life. You will find the principles of simplicity to be encouraging, uplifting, and completely within your reach.
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Wonderful list, Joshua. You’re right — the opportunities we have to pare down are practically limitless! :-)
AWESOME post! I am going to try to reduce! Also, is it OK if I use the beautiful picture you have at the top of the green field with yellow flowers on my blog (whatsthebestthatcanhappen.blogspot.com)? Thanks!
This hits exactly where I’m at. I’ve been slowly going after these…one layer at a time…thinking about whether I may use it or really love it. This motivates me. Thanks
Hm. Start today with item #1, tackle one item per day, and you’ve done the list by August 14.
This list is exactly what I needed! I have been working on so many of these items lately and am grateful for the organized list!
It’s interesting to look at this list and think that at one point in time I considered almost everything on it a perfectly acceptable possession.
Now I look at it and cringe.
All about perspective I suppose.
I’m sending this list to my mom, hopefully input from someone besides myself can finally convince her that knick knacks are not decorations.
@Bard in GA: I like that idea! This is a great list, and we’ve already trimmed down many of these items, but I would love to use this list as a step-by-step project. I might try to do more than one item per day, though. ^_^
When I read “No. 28 Crystal” I very nearly burst out laughing. I know you mean Crystal glasses and such, but I found it hilarious because of my name.
It’s an excellent list of things that I’ve notice often become part of the background and get overlooked when decluttering. This is a good reminder, and I noticed several things that I need to work on. :)
hello i found your blog after reading an article in a romanian newspaper about you. http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/viata-redusa-de-la-consum-excesiv-la-fericire-minimalista-894250.html
after reading some of your articles i can say i live in a minimalist house and i didn`t even know. we just moved in the new house in december and both i and my husband hate loads of stuff that`s never used.
living with less clutter and things to clean the dust from is really good, more people should take your advice!
madalina,26, romania.
Dude, you wrote “candles” twice ;D 26 & 52
But awesome! My mom could definitely learn from this. I don’t live at my parents’ house, but when I’m there I’m trying to get rid of stuff I never use, and she constantly tries to stop me with “are you REALLY gonna throw that out!? But you liked it sooo much when you were a little kid!”. That’s kind of the point… I likeD it when I was a KID.
So I told her that everything she keeps me from throwing away that I don’t want, I will not be held responsible for storage and maintaining of :) She thought I was a bit silly, but she accepted it ^^
I must already live a minimalist life as most of the itmes on the list are already in very spare amoutns in my house. The one BIG exception are books. I easily have 750 plus and will not be giving them up! I love to read, re-read, and really good ones read once again.
And I will not reduce my over-the -counter medicine we have on hand. I live 7 miles from town and sure do not want to have to drive to get something when I am sick…
@Bill – thanks for picking them that up. i corrected the mistake.
Wow, just looking at that list laid out there puts a lot into perspective. Now if my wife would just look at it from a minimal view…
It’s funny you mentioned towels, because I just realized a couple of weeks ago that my towel situation is a bit out of control. I even mentioned it on my blog then. (You’ll remember that I’m the one that fortunately or unfortunately shares the same Wordpress theme with this blog, although I’m thinking of changing.)
I started my decluttering and simplifying in the kitchen. There are only two people in my house and I’m the only one who cooks, so why do I need a whole cabinet full of pots and pans? I’m about to eliminate some drinking glasses now. Two people? Fifteen glasses? Come on. That’s just not right.
I’m about 20 weeks into a big decluttering project, and the results are amazing!
Thanks. I have been removing one item from my home each day. And was feeling good about my progress…until this post. ;-) With the exception of three items, I have stuff to remove from the other 98 items… Sigh…
I got rid of my army men a while ago…
This is the best minimalist site I have found.
God has done a big work in my spirit in the last few years and is slowly shedding all things that distract me from living for Him. Your blog is a blessing – thank you for investing in our lives by sharing what truths you are finding in life.
Serving Christ,
mrs. d.
I reduced so much stuff in my basement that now you can see all the dust :( Fortunately did not throw out the vacuum…
Is there any way to minimalize DUST??? All these new expanses of empty space show the dust more, and there’s no clutter to distract the eye!!!!
Josh, will there ever be any comment on why you’ve started using capital letters?
I like this list and have printed it out. We’re already at zero on the televisions, cars, army men and baby stuff, but I’d like to go all the way through the rest.
@Mara — they say dust is mostly dead skin (though in some buildings I think there’s also a lot of grit falling from ceiling tiles), so there’s not a lot you can do about its building up. You can hire a cleaning person to come by every 2 weeks though. :)
@Rachel – I wasn’t planning a comment, but since you asked…
I decided to start using capital letters while running a few weeks ago. I had just had a conversation with my wife who had run into a friend that had been reading the blog. Her friend commented that she loved the site but the lack of capital letters was “driving her crazy” and made it diificult to read. While I was running, I thought to myself, “I don’t want to drive anyone crazy.” So, I decided to start using capital letters. That’s it really. Nothing too exciting.
Great list except for #22 and #24.
You’ve got a great list here! I’ve downsized our possessions quite a bit, and there are still things on here that I’ve got an excess of. Things like books/DVDs/CDs could be purged completely. That’s what libraries are for!
I’m starting with my glassware. I’m about done! feels good!
We are in the process of moving, and this article is a godsend. Instead of packing clutter to the next house, and we can start anew with physical and mental space. Keep the great insight coming! I love this site. :-)
I do not own a comb. I use my fingers. I became tired of clutter and couldn’t stand to see useless items taking up space.
I am working on this . My friend calls it inventory reduction. Must be a sign of our tes that we have so much stuff.
You should add that many of these things can be donated and written off as a tax deduction or given away through your network of friends or Freecycle.org
I like the minimalist idea but I want to keep it green, too!!!
1. Glassware: My mother has too much of this, I have been pushing her to throw a few mugs away because we have so many mugs but we only use about 3-4 of them everyday.
2. Cookbooks: It’s better to just not use them. Yes, a nice recipe would be great once in a while, but you can find a lot of great recipes online, and cookbooks are expensive and take up space. Sometimes, they also require extra ingredients you may not have and you’d have to stock up more on things you originally did not need.
3. Kitchen gadgets: Forget the apple slicer and just slice your own apples! I found it to be easier.
7. Tupperware: Stop keeping the ones you get from take-out!
9. Magazines: Stop keeping magazines just because they are pretty!
11. Books: Toss old books away or sell them!
13. Make-up: Stick with one eyeliner and colors that work with every outfit.
18. Photos: just store them in photo boxes. Hanging pictures tend to make a room look messier.
22. Scrap-booking supplies: I got rid of all my scrapbooking supplies. Turns out that I did it only because I wanted my work to look like those I see online, rather than just preserving memories. Just keep photos with notes behind it.
23. CD’s & DVD’s: We tossed all the CDs. We now have too many DVDs.. switch to netflix and don’t let the DVDs pile up.
25. Decorative items, candles, figurines, crystals, vases: if you must, keep 1-2 vases. If you light candles, have only a few. Everything else just attracts more dust and take up room.
30. Audio/visual components/Audio/visual cables: I just stick with my laptop for audio and visual entertainment.
32. Computer equipment: stick with a laptop if you want to reduce the clutter and hassle of handling wires and having a computer desk.
38. Shirts / shorts/PantsCoats/Dresses/Hats/Clothes hangers/Shoes/Winter gear/Jewelry/Purses: Stick to a few outfits that can mix and match. The most of any clothing one should have is undergarments and socks.
58. Home office supplies: keep only the basics you may need.
86. Baby supplies: Babies only need your love and attention, not the latest gadgets.
94. Plastic toys: Buy sturdy wooden blocks, or painted ones (safe material) and avoid cheap plastic toys. Avoid going to toy sections or toy stores with your children and teach them to be creative with blocks.
97. Soda/Alcohol/Processed foods: a lot of this stuff are empty calories.. switch to water and drink soda and alcohol occasionally. Always find food that is least processed.
I am downsizing – have to do it sooner or later- especially once the Christmas decor has been put away. I need more space, so the obvious answer is to give away with extra items that I’m really not using. Back to the basics…think of the Japanese and how uncluttered their environments are! Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Dear Minimalists,
I would like to ask you if there are any of you living in the UK?, preferably in London.
For my MA study photography, I would like to meet some people that changed their surrounding in; ‘as less objects as possible.’
My MA research is about objects and the relation we have with them.
Can anybody help with some contacts that would be interested in this photography project?
Thank you,
Best greetings
Eva
My daughter sent me this site to check out the list. I immediately printed it out. I have started removing things that I do not use and I can get money by selling it. Specially now that a community sale is taking place. Now I want to get rid of everything that I do not want to stay even with the sofa I am sitting on. I want such a clean start that I want to start from zero. Let me see how many things I sell, what goes to the waste basket, and what to the goodwill. — Awesome List!!!
going to work on glassware, tupperware and magazines today. That alone will empty at least half my house :)
Of course you can remove all that stuff…but than you are also removing your history and your life. never remove pictures, put them in a box if you dont want to see them right now.
donating is by far superior to to tossing or throwing away. many thrift stores will send unuseable clothing to fiber recyclers – for example, our attic insulation is made from recycled denim. in our downsizing we were surprised to find that we’d ended up with several thousand dollars in tax deductions from our charitable donations. the Salvation Army has a good value estimator for donated goods, as does It’s Deductable (a Turbo Tax-affiliated site). even building materials can be donated to organizations like Habitat For Humanity. wherever you donate make sure you itemize and declare the value for each item on your receipt (advice from a tax-preparer friend).
I’ve just completed a kitchen purge (1st one in 20 years in the same house) & Mel Trotter Ministries kindly picked up 21 boxes of misc. donatables. In addition to the 21 boxes of reusable stuff, & some appliances, there were 14 large trash bags of stuff too banged up that I’d be ashamed to offer it. Y’know, I’d forgotten what color the counter top was bcs of the microwave, toaster oven, blender, etc., you get the idea. Out of 11 appliances I only kept the blender. I did save the 16″ dinged pizza pan my sister gave me…to use as my baking sheet. I chose to keep it over the fancy cookie sheet because of sentiment. The cookies will never know the difference.
I’ve always been a minimalist, but even I’m surprised when I do my twice a year purging how many things I just couldn’t part with the last twenty times, I so easily part with this time. Minimalism is a lifelong journey. I did the same thing with my son as he was growing up (he was a natural hoarder), and today at 27, he even has me beat at minimalism! :)
I have limited myself to 25 pairs of shoes(I change shoes at least twice a day so my feet won’t hurt) Whenever I buy a new pair- I donate an older pair that has grown into disfavor so that keeps my closet neater.
Trying to reduce just 5 things to start. Stumbling block: already get anxious just thinking of bar ware we don’t use..problems seem to begin when I think of donating vs. selling items that are beautiful pieces that are like new…rolls into envisioning putting items on Craigslist, and then I just can’t seem to move forward! Help!
I think it is easier to just donate stuff, make a list, and get the tax deduction. Trying to sell it is a big hassle and will make it harder to get stuff out of your house. Unless you really need the money, just donate. You will feel freer and lighter with less stuff to worry about and you are helping someone else who may really use the items. Good luck!
I have a lot to get rid of and stuck in that donate vs sell area too. Having a garage sale would be nice to make extra $ for good items. Then again hoarding “stuff” until the warm garage sale weather arrives is just another excuse. Last year I never did it like I said I would. So before hauling it all to goodwill I’ll ask friends if they are in need of any stuff. Anita, I boxed up glass and dish ware to see if I really missed it…I didn’t and it made it easier to give away.
Hello, Anita! I have developed several (hoaky) rituals that help me release stuff that I don’t want or need to but feel anxious about releasing. When stymied by indecision, I pull out the childhood deal breaker, Einey Meanie Miney Moe. The silly little poem forces you to make a decision in a short amount of time, and if you are unhappy with the results of “Moe, ” your preferred choice is abundantly clear clear! If you are anxious about releasing something that you “may need some day,” I like to “count” how difficult/expensive /time consuming it would be to aquire a replacement. Most time, the ease of replacing a disputed item is reassuring enough to release the item. Lastly, and most silly, I hold the item in my hands and close my eyes. I thank the. item for its years of service, and wish it well on its journey. I wish it a long and useful existence in its new life and express my hope that it finds the person who most needs it. I know that it sounds very silly, but these rituals are nice little training wheels when learning how to release our stuff and the emotional baggage that accompanies it!
This is so true. We House and Pet Sit for a living, so we see so many places that are full of stuff. In my experience I have found that the Kitchen seems to be the place where over 70% of the items in it have not been used in the last 12 months.
BNAA KN
I like some of the stuff on this list but as a person who prefers to be prepared having certain things stored in case of an emergency. I keep a very well stocked first aide and medicine chest, I keep a stock of hygiene supplies and emergency items in case we loose heat or power. I also have a large family so I keep a very well stocked pantry.
I agree less is more in most areas but I also think that proper storage and organization is key
I agree with minimalizing and simplifying your homes, cars and work spaces and as a result, your lives..I used to feel exhausted just from getting up and looking around at my living areas at all the clutter. One thing, though…I was convinced that I should get rid of most of my books…not all of them…and I had a LOT of them. Half of an average-sized spare room was used for books. Row upon row, floor to ceiling. I downsized to what would fit into one bookcase and bought a Kindle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve regretted it. I liked my books. I like seeing them. I loved going into that room and looking through them anytime I was reading to start a new one. Do I use my Kindle? I tried but no. It’s not a book. It’s not the same. It has to be charged occasionally and if I take it somewhere and forget or lose it, I’m out of some pretty serious cash. I’m slowly building my book collection back up but it will never be what it was (at the time that I purged them, I also had all the bookshelves removed…they were not bookcases but 8′ long boards that I had mounted to the wall from ceiling to floor) and the cost of tossing them and then starting over…well, you can imagine. Just don’t get carried away, as I did. If you like it and it’s not affecting anyone else, maybe it really isn’t so bad. Nothing else in my home is in excess. Just the books which I love, love, love and which make me happy having them around.
I always make a goal of decluttering after Christmas. So far, I have thrown away three garbage bags of junk from the kitchen. Unfortunately, much of it was expired food products, which I could have donated. Shame on me. I have organized things by purchasing plastic containers and now I love to look in my pantry. I also lined my refrigerator shelves with place mats, which makes cleanup so much easier. I learned this on Pinterest. Your list sort of makes me go into a panic because I think I would be dead before I got through the list. I love to read books and magazines, and although my thought was a Nook, etc. would help me declutter, I love to feel the book/magazine in my hand. My main problem is all of the paperwork that arrives in my home. When I worked, I kept all of my bills and files at work, and now I seem to wallow in piles of paper. How was I ever a secretary for 42 years? I HATE PAPERWORK. Wish me luck in organizing. If I leave this earth with piles of junk still in my house, my daughter, who is OCDC, can deal with it.
This makes the most sense to me – get all of one thing in your home together – like bring all your pairs of scissors to one place, all your candles, hammers, whatever. Then pick your favorite(s) and get rid of the rest. All decluttering books I’ve read just say: get three boxes, and start in one room, making decisions. That doesn’t seem very practical. Joshua – your book may be different, I haven’t read it yet. :)
Hello! I’m always looking for ways to shift the stagnant energy in my house by adding, REMOVING, reorganizing, and rearranging stuff in my house. I have culled many of the items in your list, and I measure my progress in ‘cleared space’ and cubic feet of ‘stuff removed from my house.’ While I appreciate and respect how much you all embrace the minimalist lifestyle, I wish that you could be a little bit more respectful of the choices that your friends and family have made about their respective relationships with ‘stuff.’ Our ‘stuff’ helps us define and communicate our ‘self’ to the people we interact with on a daily basis. When facilitating space clearing for a friend, it is important to respect the existing relationship with ‘stuff’ and remember that your friend is making the choices that best accommodates their internal landscape. Congratulations on releasing items that you no longer need. Please be accepting and forgiving of the people you know who are making different choices than you.
I notice that most things on the list are desired items for women and children. Why does the list not include items found in a man-cave or garage workshop?
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