“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.
patrizia pearl says
It’s so great to see how to help people…For most of my life I have been traveling and changing countries (without containers) and this has taught me to not accumulate unnecessary things… living with just what is needed it’s helping our self to be freer and more present for others and this way we will not reach the end of life living behind clutters for next generation. Merci Joshua and family.
Sam says
I don’t agree with getting rid of photos, Photo’s are so important especially for future generations and for them to understand what we did in past. If you have more than one of the same photo then yes.
EngineeringMum says
Future generations might appreciate one or two beautiful photo albums of family shots, but not 6 boxes of landscapes from your holidays.
Peggy says
I think the way to get rid of photos is to digitalize them. Even at that, I would find it very hard to dispose of the originals.
Joyce says
Once my children were grown, I passed their photo albums on to them.
Lucy Packer says
I could never throw photos in the trash. Fine to digitalize them but just keep the originals somewhere in a tote. They are not hurting anything!
Candace says
I’m 72ish hours from my first downsizing sale. 5 pieces of furniture, and clutter from every room in the house will hopefully pad my wallet. Your list will be most helpful for the next purge cycle.
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laura m. says
Enjoyed reading this and the comments…I’m assuming some of the comments were by retirees like me who are downsizing stuff . I go thru closets and rooms several times a year finding things to donate/sell. Living in a city with group homes, rescue missions, handicapped homes and humane soc. thrift shops, etc, there’s many choices when donating. Large items like furniture and electronics I call first. We donated computers to a private school and other items they can use after we got new laptops and LED TV and monitor. People are drowning in clothing they’ll never wear again for various reasons; ( purses and wallets-toss after a year as they are loaded with bacteria) that can be donated; house hold items: dishes, curtains, linens, blankets, etc. not needed can go to women’s shelters or group homes. I just did a purge of winter stuff (all stuff in usable cond.) I won’t wear again. Some people keep furniture they don’t need because they say it keeps the power bill down, Any way I will keep this list handy as a reminder to purge thru stuff and donate.
Diane says
Thank you for posting this. I am one of those people where organization just doesn’t come naturally to me but this post inspired me.
Maggie says
HI. I am so thrilled I came across this website (thank you pinterest)! I wanted to get your e books BUT I am an ipad (iBooks – iTunes) user and not a Kindle user. Any suggestions for us apple people? Thank you.
joshua becker says
Hey Maggie,
The Kindle app is free to download for all digital platforms including iPad and Mac.
Nicole says
Great list. I have been on a due cluttering kick even though we cleaned out a lot when we moved 6 months ago. I just went through my sons outgrown clothes newborn sizes to current. Yikes. We have a lot and even if we have another boy we do not need all those clothes. My office needs the most attention right now because it houses my rarely used scrap booking supplies, a huge book shelf (can’t let go of Harry potter) and my ever growing collection of homeschooling materials. It feel good to let things go. Love your articles.
Katie F says
Husband and I are avid readers, our book collection was monumental, we loved them, the feel of them, the smell of them etc etc. then we bought Kindles. After 3 months we realised that the books we have been hoarding for years were not going to be read again, so we took bags and I mean BAGS of them down to the charity shop. We have kept reference books, cook books, special ‘from childhood’ books and hardbacks that are in sets but OMG we have so much room and we don’t miss the books at all, I promise you. Now we need to do the est of the house and we’ll be laughing :).
sharon says
What has helpped me peardown is if I haven’t used it in a year and its in a box it gpes