“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.
Bill Kurtson says
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 ^^
maddy says
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.
Crystal Tillman says
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. :)
Matt says
@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. ^_^
Nick Lowery says
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.
Christine says
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!
Barb in GA says
Hm. Start today with item #1, tackle one item per day, and you’ve done the list by August 14.
jojo says
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
Stefanie says
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!
miss minimalist says
Wonderful list, Joshua. You’re right — the opportunities we have to pare down are practically limitless! :-)