“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.
Jennifer says
Had the same problem with newspapers. We are subscribed to the Post (planning to cancel it) when we often can go through them all frequently. I see you have on your list coupons- those have been so handy even more now from the drugstore. I came up with this new way to have a box where I put in all small pieces I collect , then turn it into a fancy organizer you can find anywhere else, or may be not.
Kelly H says
I found that during this time of economic crisis, working from home has challenged me to do better with my clutters. Computers filing system has been very helpful for this arrangement , whereas many can manage more in a smaller square foot office I really want to find my way to do the same. For me , it is to keep up to the task to fit all in. It is important to feel more familiar with my new work/system . I rely on your great posting to find some good advise for this. So far, your entire list describes well my clutters and with more creativity I might as well do better, has anyone gone through this kind of issue?
Debbie L. says
Some of the items make no sense and actually got me angry, pantry food? With so many people starving how we can throw away the excess.
Plastic bags? We are in times of recycling, how we can just dismiss them like that without giving them as much as use as possible.
Everything that is plastic on that list should be given another use instead of getting rid of them.
Kevin says
I’ve actually chosen to get rid of many of these useful items by donating them to people who can really use them.
They will get far more use in the hands of someone who is in need than sitting in the back of one of my closets.
Right now so many people are hurting financially and can use I nexpensive or free gently-used items.
Judith Johnson says
The title of the article is “things you can reduce” You can reduce pantry goods by giving them away or not replacing as fast as you are using them. Similarly with plastic bags etc. They can be reduced, recycled, reused or refused
Anna says
Decluttering the pantry doesn’t mean you have to throw the food out (unless it’s expired, in which case no food bank will take it.)
I just filled two big Aldi bags with surplus food that wasn’t being eaten, and it will be donated to our local food bank in the morning. The food will serve its purpose now and feed someone, as opposed to sitting in my pantry taking up space until it expires.
I grew up poor. Hoarding food was an unpleasant habit I picked up along the way, which is why my pantry was stuffed with beans and rice and tuna fish. It’s a relief to be at a point where I can be choosy about my diet now. It’s also really nice to be in a position to help feed someone else in my community. :)
JoAnne H says
I don’t think “decluttering” necessitates “throwing away”. For instance, I just cleared out my pantry. Half the stuff was expired and old, just taking up space, so yes I had to throw those items away. But I also realized because it was so cluttered, I would overbuy items I already had. So I donated many duplicate items to a community food pantry. I also decluttered my Tupperware and gave great pieces to a local thrift store. Someone else could use them, and I just kept the ones that were useful to me. (PS: we don’t ever throw out plastic bags since we have a rather large dog who poops at least 3x/day! At least they get repurposed.) :)
Karin Kryski says
I wash zip lock bags and reuse until they have small holes or don’t seal…. I too use every plastic bag I end up with for the contents of my cats litter box…I fill them too…sealing off each litter box cleaning by twisting the bag, then adding more later. I am physically incapable of throwing away a plastic bag and am constantly reminding friends I catch in the act not to do so. I use them to line small waste baskets around my home, I keep them in my car for waste bags which I simply empty out when full and continue using. I’ve gotten so much better about remembering to bring my reusable grocery bags into the store-last week I forgot and instead of buying bags…I asked them to set aside my items while I retrieved them from the car. In other instances I’ve asked them nicely to literally place my groceries loose into the basket which I then take to the car and load into my reusable bags. It feels good to know I’m taking a positive step toward sustainability. If we’re at least willing to work toward trying to attain these small goals then I believe there’s a bright future ahead. I think the most memorable grocery shopping encounter was recently when a woman behind me could see I needed one more reusable grocery bag and gave me one.
I think everyone wanting to declutter is right and yet I find myself holding onto excess items. Ask for help!!! Worst case scenario is that the answer is “no”. I’m sure there are plenty of high school kids willing to help you post things online if the thought of that is too much (my feelings). Offer them half or all of the income from such postings and you both benefit. Having an objective individual to hold you accountable, ideally whose judgment you trust makes all the difference.
If it’s broken and you know you’re not going to fix it…pass it along.
sylvia durrant says
I agree,
You cannot just throw away food, plastic bags etc.
To someone there is value.
Refuse is the Mantra, Reuse is the second and we can all reuse until the item has (died)
Recycle comes way down on the list as it has energy implications.
Bea Johnson book.
Beth says
“get rid of” doesn’t necessarily mean throw away. Our Kroger’s in the next town has a recycle bin for old plastic grocery bags. We use the plastic grocery bags for small garbage cans. For grocery shopping, we take our own reusable grocery bags. There are plenty of food pantries and homeless shelters around here that we can take food to. My point is, there are many ways to get rid of clutter. There are many places to donate stuff too. And there are many ways to recycle items that cannot be donated.
Amy says
I checked out your list, with an open mind and a smile on my face. It became obvious to me about halfway through the list you don’t live in the country. By that, I mean way outside of any big city. As a country dweller, your list at times gave me chuckle and at times a gasp! How could you think of ridding yourself of parts of a tractor or a truck? Or extra anything living in a rural area. Now I’ll admit there is too much fabric and yarn in my possession. That’s something I grew up with. Making clothes and knitting and crocheting was a must. And having to move for work 3 times can make one want to pare down. Nah! I’ll keep it all. My pig collection, my clothing patterns, my fabric and all my Christmas decorations…. Gonna keep it all. I have a plastic tote filled with cook books. Craft magazines are at home with me. Even issues from the 60’s.
I’m a lost cause. My children will have fun donating and trashing when I’m gone. But until then….
joshua becker says
I do not live in the country. But spent most summers growing up on my grandparent’s farm in South Dakota: picking rocks, spraying weeds, and feeding pigs. Good memories.
Gabrielle Contino says
My elderly mom, age 103, listens to your grandfather every Sunday morning!
Dana says
I think this list is for people who want to live with less and need help on how to accomplish this overwhelming task. Good for you for wanting to keep all your stuff and enjoying it. Move along now.
Jalyne says
I had to smile when I read your post❤️?❤️ I so relate to what you said. My Dad felt the same way and now here I am 13 years since he passed struggling letting go of his belongings. I am single and have no children so I am trying to free up my space. I am artsy and keep everything. I am bulging at the seems so trying to get a good perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I certainly believe if you like your things and have no need to declutter- then don’t. My Dad always said, “If it works…don’t fix it!” Enjoy your treasures Amy❤️
Been There says
Believe me, Amy, your children will not “have fun” donating and trashing your mess. It’s mentally exhausting and very expensive to haul away the trash. The last thing a child needs to do in the midst of grieving the loss of a parent and settling an estate is to clear a hoard. It’s just lazy and unkind to leave a bunch of crap behind.
Lana says
I had to do that after my parents were gone. I did it by myself and believe me, it’s not fun. Be considerate of your children and do it now.
Kaye says
Can I enroll in the 12 week class? I really need it! Thanks.
Rumana Pervin says
Thanks, Joshua for your creative idea. It is such an amazing blog! Before I wanted to remove the excess things of my home but I got scared it could regret in the future. Now I am really inspired to do that. Your overly skilled writing is highly appreciated. I love it so much.
Loui says
Thank you for this. It isn’t rocket science in any way, but having the list just makes it a bit easier to process!
Dorie says
It really was a great list until you got to books. That hurt! LOL
Amy Lynn says
A few months ago I did the full Marie Kondo and went through my books – yes, I took them all out of my book case and went through them one by one. It wasn’t as hard as I expected. I was able to get rid of about half of them and now that I can actually see what I have I will probably get rid of a few more. (But probably not put them all on the floor again – yeesh.)
Kim says
?❤️
Kim says
?❤️
Liz says
What may be a lot of stuff for one person may be just fine for another. I don’t think there are any rules, as long as it’s not bothering the owner and not a danger to them, they are fine I think, but then, consider the source. I have different collections and love having them around me. I also have things that I don’t need and can sell or donate and plan do work on it asap, that stuff IS bothering me.
God Bless and Good Luck
joshua becker says
We rarely feel the weight of our possessions until we begin to remove them.
Thomas Calvert says
For some time I have favoured a system of storing boxes. When a box is stored somewhere (a basement) it should be dated. One year later if the box has not been opened trash it…or something. PS We have not unfortunately done this.
Karin says
I am interested in signing up for the October Uncluttered Course. I have signed up (several times) to receive an email with the course preview, but have not received it. Can this be sent to me, please? Thanks!