“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.
Michelle Mills says
ha ha candles – here in South Africa we have scheduled blackouts… candles get USED, even the fancy ‘wedding invitation’ candles
s.simp says
why are there scheduled black outs?
Cheryl says
I suppose that could be looked at as funny. Maybe you dont need to declutter every single thing on the list. Its only a guide and meant for the people who need it. It wasnt created just for you.
Elizabeth J Knutson says
I’ve used Joshua’s methods for several years now. There were very few items in the 101 items to get rid of article that I haven’t already addressed. I love my house now. Just the right amount of personal possessions that I need to enjoy my life without the overwhelming clutter. It is nearly always clean now because things are easy to take care of. It’s the best feeling.
Deborah Hawkins says
I started minimalizing so my son won’t have too much to clean out when I am no longer here. I have felt a sense of relief. And I love the open spaces… shelves in the cupboard, drawers and the closets. We have a basement too! Getting there!! Thank you for the encouraging Facebook posts.
Deborah
Erin Lennon says
Reducing my belongings made it faster and easier to keep my home clean, and made it more efficient because there is more room now for things I enjoy doing, like cooking and sewing. My guiding principle has been functionality. That said, I enjoy a visually rich environment and so I kept alot of art on the walls and alot of rich colored and textured fabrics.
joshua becker says
So true.
Tina says
I use a lot of buttons in my craft projects. There are colors I was given that I passed on to Goodwill and Salvation Army. I filled plastic jars I was also given. After I filled 4 jars with buttons, I went through my beads and ribbon. Now I have a big carton full of craft supplies to give away. Then my friend gave me some more beautiful paper.
BETH HILDEBRAND says
The Checklist would be Ideal if sorted Alphabetically OR by Category such as Closet, Kitchen, etc. Otherwise great. Thanks.
Stefne Walton says
Some of these categories are sacred like sewing, crafts, sports equipment & winter clothes, boots, shoes & books and clothes in general.
Guess that just shows how bad I need to get involved in MINIMALISM
Anna Moran says
Not necessarily, Stefne. Let your minimizing process be your own. You may have legitimate use for your “sacred” items that
allow you to express yourself or serve others. I have most of the items on Josh’s 101 list and am very much a minimalist. I believe it is more important to follow the spirit of the “law,” so to speak,
than literally following rigid guidelines. Without any of the items on the 101-list, one could have a very austere existence.
Donna says
I try to regard books as if they were like fish, “catch and release.” Once I’ve read a book, unless it is exceptionally special, I donate it to put it back out in the world for others to enjoy.
Liv says
That’s a really cool perspective on books. That thought reframe may help me let go of some more that I’ve been unnecessarily clinging to/storing in boxes. Time to take them to the little free libraries to allow others to enjoy them.
Amy Lynn says
I’ve started the “catch and release” on books, too.
True story – I walked in the church office one Sunday to drop of some religious books that I thought my minister might be able to use. Just as I am walking in he is trying to find the keys to the church bookstore to get a visitor an intro-to-our-denomination book. I realized that I had a copy in the bag I was about to give him! Everybody left happy.
Sugar says
That’s perfect! We never know how our used items will be able to bless someone else!
Helpful Hannah says
So, do that yourself (30″ work in a spreadsheet for alphabetical sort), and then offer a copy to the author! Note, too, that not everyone is conventional in where they store things.
Marg says
I enjoyed this blog. I have worked from home this year due to Covid and i find i appreciate home and living much more. Some of these minimalist principals to me need to be a compromise. However, one thing I have done is to buy clothes on vinted a uk website where people sell there unwanted items. I don’t like being dictated to by designers and fashion but I like clothes. This way purchasing on here it satisfy an itch while making me feel less manipulated and fleeced by the fashion industries. Knowing that it has had 2 homes and use works for me. Other things I have started to work on are textiles. Towels linen etc. I no longer have curtains and this saved space and light and work. I don’t agree entirely with minimalism but in this age I think moderation is vital to many people. Regarding others appreciating your cast offs. What I find is that often they don’t want seconds. This makes me sad. Most of my cast offs would be perfectly fine I just tired of it them whatever it is. The chance that no one else wouldn’t use them is whatmakes me reluctant to just bin them. Charity shops are themselves very picky nowadays this makes me sad,
Thanks
AMY FORTUNE says
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through the checklist, as well as the comments.
One such comment hit me on such a personal level, the young lady trying to de-clutter so her son would not have to deal with it when she isn’t here anymore. My parents did not do that, at all. Three years ago, they moved across the states to Vegas. It was at that time that I was introduced to all of my things that they had stored; artwork from preschool and up, my baby teeth I had lost, my old swing (used when an infant), and so on.
I looked around at my home, which was starting to resemble that of what my folks just surprised me with.
That was my wake up call. That was when I started trying to go through things, and make a difference. However, this article has re-ignited that fire and provided great motivation.
Thank you!
Catherine Brown says
The Air Ambulance clothes bins take clothes and textiles. Any thing that cannot be sold as is, is sold for its “material” value so it does not go to waste and still raises money for yhe charity.
Deborah Evans says
Are you or your house a garbage can? If others would toss it, why do you feel like its ok to keep? You don’t need or want it… I felt the same way, seemed a horrid thing, to toss out ‘perfectly good’ stuff. Its depression era thinking we got from our parents. Let go- Give it to Goodwill, they know what is good and what will not fly.
Margaret Smith says
I live in a low income building with five floors. My closets are full of stuff and what we do here is bring to other floors what we don’t want. I’ve been hauling stuff out of my apartment and getting rid of stuff I never use. It’s a lot of work but I just love getting rid of clutter. My anxiety goes why down when I clear something out and I don’t miss any of it once it’s gone. I must say closets are the worst, mine are full but getting better every day.
Maria Pinto says
It is good to look for plastic alternatives as well. Only a small percentage of plastic gets recycled and the rest goes into a land fill.
Much of the plastic ends up in the ocean too.
Alison says
I do this now, soap bars instead of shampoo and shower gel. I use refills for my cleaning products too. Lots more room in my cupboards and more environmentally friendly.
Thomas says
Hi. I live in Norway, where accumulation of things and the materialistic mindset is viewed as being successful. I used to get jealous of others enjoying a luxury that was greater than my own. But that changed when I watched the Netflix documentary on Minimalism, and I started to follow the minimalisms principles. I am content with myself. I feel happier, lighter even. For the past year I have been selling or disposing of my belongings, many of which had affectionate value. My personal belongings almost fully limit to clothes for the four seasons, a laptop with necessary accessories, a mobile phone with necessary accessories. My home includes the necessity of a comfortable bed, a kitchen, a bathroom and an almost empty living room. Freeing myself of the comfort of wanting to stay inside, has driven me into seeking out social human contact and activities. For me, this is happiness.
Ret Simp says
My neighbor’s house looks like a sample home. She commented that she doesnt have “stuff”. But there are no family pictures, no books, no magazines… nothing personal. I’m looking for a happy medium.
Nicole says
I agree that’s why after reading Joshua’s 7 principles it made sense and I was open to the idea.
In the past I’d only thought of minimalism as getting rid of everything.