“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.
I agree with minimalizing and simplifying your homes, cars and work spaces and as a result, your lives..I used to feel exhausted just from getting up and looking around at my living areas at all the clutter. One thing, though…I was convinced that I should get rid of most of my books…not all of them…and I had a LOT of them. Half of an average-sized spare room was used for books. Row upon row, floor to ceiling. I downsized to what would fit into one bookcase and bought a Kindle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve regretted it. I liked my books. I like seeing them. I loved going into that room and looking through them anytime I was reading to start a new one. Do I use my Kindle? I tried but no. It’s not a book. It’s not the same. It has to be charged occasionally and if I take it somewhere and forget or lose it, I’m out of some pretty serious cash. I’m slowly building my book collection back up but it will never be what it was (at the time that I purged them, I also had all the bookshelves removed…they were not bookcases but 8′ long boards that I had mounted to the wall from ceiling to floor) and the cost of tossing them and then starting over…well, you can imagine. Just don’t get carried away, as I did. If you like it and it’s not affecting anyone else, maybe it really isn’t so bad. Nothing else in my home is in excess. Just the books which I love, love, love and which make me happy having them around.
I like some of the stuff on this list but as a person who prefers to be prepared having certain things stored in case of an emergency. I keep a very well stocked first aide and medicine chest, I keep a stock of hygiene supplies and emergency items in case we loose heat or power. I also have a large family so I keep a very well stocked pantry.
I agree less is more in most areas but I also think that proper storage and organization is key
BNAA KN
This is so true. We House and Pet Sit for a living, so we see so many places that are full of stuff. In my experience I have found that the Kitchen seems to be the place where over 70% of the items in it have not been used in the last 12 months.
Trying to reduce just 5 things to start. Stumbling block: already get anxious just thinking of bar ware we don’t use..problems seem to begin when I think of donating vs. selling items that are beautiful pieces that are like new…rolls into envisioning putting items on Craigslist, and then I just can’t seem to move forward! Help!
I think it is easier to just donate stuff, make a list, and get the tax deduction. Trying to sell it is a big hassle and will make it harder to get stuff out of your house. Unless you really need the money, just donate. You will feel freer and lighter with less stuff to worry about and you are helping someone else who may really use the items. Good luck!
I have a lot to get rid of and stuck in that donate vs sell area too. Having a garage sale would be nice to make extra $ for good items. Then again hoarding “stuff” until the warm garage sale weather arrives is just another excuse. Last year I never did it like I said I would. So before hauling it all to goodwill I’ll ask friends if they are in need of any stuff. Anita, I boxed up glass and dish ware to see if I really missed it…I didn’t and it made it easier to give away.
Hello, Anita! I have developed several (hoaky) rituals that help me release stuff that I don’t want or need to but feel anxious about releasing. When stymied by indecision, I pull out the childhood deal breaker, Einey Meanie Miney Moe. The silly little poem forces you to make a decision in a short amount of time, and if you are unhappy with the results of “Moe, ” your preferred choice is abundantly clear clear! If you are anxious about releasing something that you “may need some day,” I like to “count” how difficult/expensive /time consuming it would be to aquire a replacement. Most time, the ease of replacing a disputed item is reassuring enough to release the item. Lastly, and most silly, I hold the item in my hands and close my eyes. I thank the. item for its years of service, and wish it well on its journey. I wish it a long and useful existence in its new life and express my hope that it finds the person who most needs it. I know that it sounds very silly, but these rituals are nice little training wheels when learning how to release our stuff and the emotional baggage that accompanies it!
I have limited myself to 25 pairs of shoes(I change shoes at least twice a day so my feet won’t hurt) Whenever I buy a new pair- I donate an older pair that has grown into disfavor so that keeps my closet neater.
I’ve always been a minimalist, but even I’m surprised when I do my twice a year purging how many things I just couldn’t part with the last twenty times, I so easily part with this time. Minimalism is a lifelong journey. I did the same thing with my son as he was growing up (he was a natural hoarder), and today at 27, he even has me beat at minimalism! :)
I love this the most about the minimalist lifestyle, and struggle to express to consumers the immense benefit felt in releasing possessions that have served their purpose, so that someone else may benefit from owning/using them. Pay it forward, and when it appears you own little, you feel you have so much! :)
I’ve just completed a kitchen purge (1st one in 20 years in the same house) & Mel Trotter Ministries kindly picked up 21 boxes of misc. donatables. In addition to the 21 boxes of reusable stuff, & some appliances, there were 14 large trash bags of stuff too banged up that I’d be ashamed to offer it. Y’know, I’d forgotten what color the counter top was bcs of the microwave, toaster oven, blender, etc., you get the idea. Out of 11 appliances I only kept the blender. I did save the 16″ dinged pizza pan my sister gave me…to use as my baking sheet. I chose to keep it over the fancy cookie sheet because of sentiment. The cookies will never know the difference.
donating is by far superior to to tossing or throwing away. many thrift stores will send unuseable clothing to fiber recyclers – for example, our attic insulation is made from recycled denim. in our downsizing we were surprised to find that we’d ended up with several thousand dollars in tax deductions from our charitable donations. the Salvation Army has a good value estimator for donated goods, as does It’s Deductable (a Turbo Tax-affiliated site). even building materials can be donated to organizations like Habitat For Humanity. wherever you donate make sure you itemize and declare the value for each item on your receipt (advice from a tax-preparer friend).
Of course you can remove all that stuff…but than you are also removing your history and your life. never remove pictures, put them in a box if you dont want to see them right now.