“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 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 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 owning less. 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.
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
- CDs
- DVDs
- Decorative items
- Candles
- Figurines
- Crystal
- Vases
- Audio/visual components
- Audio/visual cables
- Computer equipment
- MP3 players
- Furniture
- Video game systems
- Video 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 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.
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I looked at the list. I have many books in a pile and one by one I am reading. But when I’m done they go in a box the the spring tag sale that takes place every year at my house. I have a real problem throwing things away when maybe someone can use them. The money I make goes toward a home improvement project that happens in the spring as well.
I agree with almost all the items–except photos. After my parents passed away, and my brother died suddenly years after, I have found photos to be comforting. Immensely so. Ergo, the photos stay (along with my stash of comfort-drinking-cocoa.)
Moving forward…
To those who disagree strongly with the list–you came to this site to read. You were treated well, with relatively good writing and a friendly attitude (the author’s, and most of the commenters’). No one is forcing you to do everything on the list. They were meant to be suggestions. Reply, if you must–but remain relaxed, eager to learn and eager to share.
Oh, and yes–one thing we can never have too much of is good will and a healthy sense of humor :-)
God bless.
I printed the list and will try to get rid of one thing in each category every day. That should be pretty painless.
I have been slowly restarting decluttering since I had surgery a month ago. Got a couple areas downsized yesterday. Since xmas is near, getting rid of our way too many ornaments. There r some other great ideas here. Plus, yesterday, I found something I was looking for, imagine that!!!
I am preparing to move out of state so my Stuff Purge is rapidly serious. I pictured the pioneer women reduced to such few items on the Conestoga wagons going west. Plus I have received so many blessings from other people when I give them Stuff!
Ever been to a minimalist’s house? It’s bat crap boring and always looks the same. Empty.
They look like a Scrooge because they don’t want to buy anything and are afraid to purchase a vase.
Minimalism is boring and can be just as OCD as collecting too much junk. Why should I get rid of things I like?
I’ve downsized to about half of what I owned. Still have a ways to go though! My life has been drastically easier even at half though. I find it easier to travel the world now because I have more time and money-who’d have thought!
Hi, I have a request that has nothing to do with the articles’ contents. In fact, they’ve all been terrifically helpful and I’ve been quite in line with most of it most of my life. You’ve helped me by filling in my oversights and gaps. And for that I’m very grateful.
I have a favor to ask. Would it be possible for you to change the color of your typeset? This pale grey is extremely difficult for me to read. I often can’t get through an article/post because my eyes will have tired long before I’m done. And I tried increasing the type size and that didn’t help. Unfortunately.
Thanks for all your wonderful ideas.
Luly
In my minimalist try, when we moved in Jan of 2017, I no longer have a dishwasher or a microwave. Dont miss them. Trinkets are my big downfall but we have been going through everything and boxing up what we dont need for a yard sale in May!
I dont have much plastic of any kind for food storage, I have glass bowls.
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