“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 if they “minimize” 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 this 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 reducing the number of towels you own. This approach removes all risk.
Once you take that first step, you will start to experience the benefits of minimalism. You will enjoy the refreshing feeling of a less-cluttered linen closet or bathroom drawer.
Soon, you will notice countless other things that can 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.
Just below the written list in this post, you can also sign up to have a printable PDF of my Declutter Your Home Checklist. I’ll send you a
This minimalist 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 minimalist checklist to start with would result in a noticeable difference in your home.
The Declutter Your Home Checklist: 101 Things That Can Easily Be Reduced In Your Home
- Kitchen Glassware
- Cookbooks
- Kitchen gadgets
- Kitchen appliances
- Pots / pans
- Mixing bowls
- Tupperware
- Water pitchers
- Coffee mugs
- Glass jars
- Magazines / Newspapers
- Books
- Over-the-counter medicine
Make up - Hair accessories
- Personal beauty appliances
- Toiletries
- Photos
- Photography supplies
- Sewing supplies
Scrap-booking supplies- Other craft supplies
- CDs
- DVDs / VHS tapes
- Wall Decorations
- Candles
- Candle Holders
- Figurines
- Crystal / China
- Vases
- Audio/visual components
- Audio/visual cables
- Computers equipment
- Computer peripherals
- Old cellphones
- Furniture
- Video game systems
- Video game accessories
- Video games
- Shirts
- Pants / Shorts
- Dresses / Skirts
- Hats
- Clothes hangers
- Shoes
- Ties / belts / accessories
- Coats
- Winter gear
- Socks / Underwear
- Sleepwear
- Jewelry
- Purses
- Pillows
- Linen sets
- Duvets / Comforters
- Blankets
- Towels
- Televisions
- Items on your bulletin board
- Magnets
- Home office supplies
- Coins
- Pens / pencils
- Rubber bands / Twist ties
- Cleaning supplies
- Old batteries
- Tools
- Hardware
- Coolers
- Manuals
- Phone books
- Coupons
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Decks of cards
- Unused gifts
- Baby clothes
- Baby supplies
- Old schoolbooks/papers
- Toys
- Stuffed animals
- Kid’s artwork
- Suitcases
- Pantry food
- Paper goods
- Wrapping supplies
- Pet supplies
- Plastic bags
- Party supplies
- Seasonal decorations
- Sporting goods
- Sports memorabilia
- Automobiles
- Automotive supplies
- Scrap pieces of lumber
- Brooms
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Garden tools
- Plant containers / Pots
- Empty cardboard boxes
If you’d prefer a physical copy of the Declutter Your Home Checklist, fill out your email below for a high-quality, printable PDF:
If you are just beginning your personal journey towards simplicity, I recommend our book: Simplify. 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life.
In it, you will find principles of simplicity that are encouraging, uplifting, and entirely within your reach.
For more ideas on how to “minimalize” your life, visit this article on comprehensive decluttering tips.
Martha says
Great list except for #22 and #24.
joshua becker says
@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.
Rachel says
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. :)
Mara says
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!!!!
mrs.d. says
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.
Todd Schnick says
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…
Gip @ So Much More says
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!
Zach Ellerbrook | Always Enjoy Life says
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…
joshua becker says
@Bill – thanks for picking them that up. i corrected the mistake.
Trudy G says
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…