Becoming Minimalist

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How The Convenience Fallacy Contributes to Clutter in Our Home

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There are certain places in our homes where we leave out items because we think it is more convenient. For example, we leave something on a counter because it is easier for us to grab it the next time we need it.

We see this happen at countless places in our home: the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room, the office, the bedroom.

Consider items like:

  • small appliances on our kitchen counters
  • toiletries beside our bathroom sinks
  • office supplies on our home-office desktop
  • DVDs on the entertainment center
  • tools on our tool benches
  • art supplies, keys, canisters, magazines, newspapers, a knife block

By leaving these things out in the open, we think we’re saving time when we need them and we think we’re simplifying our lives, but the result is anything but. I call this the “convenience fallacy.” And it’s a huge source of the visual clutter in our homes.

Sure, by leaving them out, you may save a couple of seconds when you want to grab one of them. But for the other 99.9 percent of the time they’re sitting out, where they create visual distraction, get in the way, add to the disorganization of our spaces, and attract more clutter.

Consider those old CDs you’ve held on to for years in a CD tower in your family room. Since it would take very little time to pull a CD out of a storage cabinet and put it back when you’re done, wouldn’t it be better to store them out of sight instead of where it’s contributing to clutter and acting as a visual distraction in your space?

The same goes for most, if not all, of the things we leave out for “convenience” around the house. They actually spend far more time as clutter than in service to our lives and our environment.

For example, if you make toast for breakfast, it will take you roughly three minutes to toast your bread. After that, the toaster will sit unused, on your countertop, for the next twenty-three hours and fifty-seven minutes.

Is leaving the toaster out where it’s taking up space and creating visual distraction worth the few seconds you will save pulling it out when you’re ready to drop your slice of bread into it in the morning? Think of all the times you’ve needed to move it to clean around, or behind, or had to shuffle it about to create more working space on your counter.

Rather than allowing these appliances to take up space, find a home for them in an easily accessed part of the kitchen, such as inside a cabinet or on a shelf. When you do, you will immediately reduce the amount of visible clutter for both you and your guests.

How to Overcome the Convenience Fallacy:

1. Notice, and identify. Look around the room you are sitting in right now—maybe you are reading this in your living room, your bedroom, great room, or office (or maybe you need to wait until you get home). Where can you see the convenience fallacy at play? A coffee maker, a teapot, a blender, a video game controller, a stack of unread magazines or newspapers, a stapler, maybe even an unnecessary clock. Take note of how many items you leave out simply for “convenience-sake.”

2. Clear unneeded possessions from cabinets and drawers. One reason, understandably, people leave items out on visible surfaces is because their cabinets are so full, they don’t have space for those appliances to be put away anyway. In order to overcome the convenience fallacy in your home, you’ll actually need to minimize the possessions that are hidden away. But once you’ve gotten rid of things in your drawers and cabinets and under the sink, you can put more things away and keep that counter beautifully clean.

3. Find a new home, out-of-sight. Organizers will tell you it is best to keep the most-frequently used items in-front of rarely-used items, so they are easier to reach. That is good advice. Which of the items on your counter really do get used? And on what basis? Keep the most frequently used items stored out of sight, but near the front so they are easy to reach. In my home, that means the toaster and the coffee maker are in the front of our kitchen cabinet, while the tea pot and hand mixer are in the back… and the canisters of baking goods are kept in the pantry.

4. Be intentional at the beginning to store items away. Habits can be tough to break. Once you have found a new home for your Convenience Items, be intentional and diligent to put them away—especially at the beginning. After a short while, you will begin to appreciate the empty space and those items will feel like clutter when you forget to put them away. But at the beginning, you’ll need to re-program yourself through intention to put things away immediately after use.

5. Take special note of the new, empty space. There is wonderful possibility in empty spaces. It keeps our eyes, minds, and attention focused on other things than material possessions. An empty space can be used for anything, at any time. Energy is free to flow. And an uncluttered space is less likely to attract more clutter. Notice these benefits as you clear surfaces and keep them clutter free.

There are many different factors that contribute to the clutter in our home. The “convenience fallacy” is one of the them. Now that you are aware of it, notice it in your own home and I’ll work to notice it in mine. And together, we’ll live more focused, intentional lives, focused on the things that matter.

Joshua Becker

About Joshua Becker

Writer. Inspiring others to live more by owning less.
WSJ Bestselling author of The More of Less.

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Comments

  1. That is very true. I looked at my counters and reassessed what I really need out all the time. I was able to put away coffee and filters, but I did leave the coffeemaker out. It’s big and bulky and I’d have to let it cool down each time it’s used before putting it away.
    But I’m definitely looking at everything again and making choices if whether or not it needs counter space.

    • I agree about the coffee pot. Its to big to put away every morning. That stays on the counter. I do have alot of clutter in the kitchen. I dont have much cabinet space. Paper clutter is a problem. I can never seem to get rid of it.

  2. Kitchen issues: My kitchen is divided from living room and would be an eye sore if it was an “open plan” like many are. I leave the blender and coffee pot out on counter as is used daily. Food supplements line the back against the wall in small containers. We never have people over (parents passed on) and people meet up/socialize now days in coffee shops and dining out. My drawers are super org., tool boxes, etc. Problem for most is things go on sale and buying too much. I did a recent purge of food items, took to group home -was outa control. Bathrooms: one room has makeup and toiletries lining back of toilet tank in long narrow container, other facial stuff on one side of sink vanity. Other bath rm. has his stuff in small basket. convienence for us, but eye sore for someone who sees it, unless they do the same thing. Buying in Cosco, Sams and 2 for one sales are the problem. I’m not as bad as most my neighbors. We quit Sams years ago, will not join either again.

    • Laura Ann, it sounds like you’ve found the happy medium. I’ve noticed that my totally clear counter friends aren’t really cooks (or they’ve worked in healthcare where counters have to be wiped down between clients)! So, I’ll take some points from the article without condemnation about the rest. Anyone who’s worked in a commercial kitchen knows you keep out what you use regularly for speed and efficiency. Pulling a toaster out each day? You’ll soon become so aggravated you’ll just start skipping the toast. Does the writer really pull the coffeemaker out and put it away each day?? He lost me there, but it’s ok. It really boils down to temperament and necessity. We’ll all take from it what we need.

      • Yes with you on this one. We’re a homeschooling, homesteading family of 9. We keep unused clutter out, but what we have must be easily accessed because the “few” minutes it takes to clean up and “put away” add up to many different chores or lessons of school if ya know what I mean! So minimalism looks considerably different for us! But the core concepts still help us a ton.

        • LC & CS: I know others who are busy incl. me, some retirees incl. don’t care what others think when they come over, neat living room and bathrooms are priority. Kitchen wiped down daily. I mostly cook, we are on restricted diets and eat out in places that fit our diets. Getting out items and putting away several times a day takes time away from hobbies, we can’t please everyone either incl. family members.

      • I agree with CS, off the counter stuff is a good idea, but daily used items stay on the counter. Too much in/out the cabinet goes against the grain of my temperament.

    • GREAT ARTICLE! I specifically left out cabinetry in my kitchen on either side and above my range. Instead, I had them do a beautiful tiled wall. Our home is open floor plan, no desire for “visual clutter” of cabinetry when I knew that I could store everything that would have gone into that space in the pantry out of site. It’s the first thing people notice when they walk in and say “where do you put your ????????? _________. I tell them, “i don’t keep those around anymore or in the pantry around the corner!” Smartest thing I did when designing our smaller home.

  3. When we minimized our tiny apartment we asked ourselves if we really used an item enough to keep it and did we already have something else that could serve that purpose already. We also kept only enough so that we wouldn’t have to move things to get to other things if at all possible. (There are a few exceptions because the cabinets are just too deep in some cases so the lesser used items go in back.) This approach really made a huge difference. Our place is comfortable and when people come over they often comment how calm and organized our place is. We also view this approach as a constant work-in-progress meaning that from time to time we reevaluate what we own and where/how we store it because our needs change over time.

    That being said we do keep some items out for convenience but only after careful consideration of how often we use it, whether it will truly be in the way, and do we have a place to store it. Our toaster-oven stays out because it meets the criteria for that. We use it several times a day, (for cooking/reheating as well as toasting as we are a family of two), it’s on the counter we don’t often use, and we don’t have a place to put it or the time to wait for it to cool down.

  4. I agree with this 100% – unfortunately my husband and kids don’t. I do what I can with my own stuff.

    • Thank you for saying this. I feel no matter how hard I try to eliminate and organize my older kids bring in more stuff and my husband never puts things back in the same place twice.

  5. Same, Jill.

    Also for older people or those with physical issues… they may need things more at hand.

    I love the article and am going to try to put things away more! ;)

    • Thank you Judy. Lifting toaster/egg cooker into upper cabinet would be difficult and dangerous; putting it in a lower cabinet is impossible. So grateful to paperboy who puts newspaper on the chair next to the front door. For the shopper in front of me in line who reaches in the deep front of my shopping basket and takes out heavy items, too.

      And I will take a second look around my house for items that could be put away.

  6. I agree, sort of. I leave my toaster and coffee maker out because they do get used every day and they’re quite attractive. I also find it quite messy to move the toaster in and out of its hiding place because the crumbs fall out the bottom no matter how many times you clean it. I do put everything else away after use.

    • We have the same situation in our kitchen. Hubby uses the coffee maker everyday and I use the toaster. Do I wish they took up a bit less space? Yes but they’re not sitting idle.

  7. When I built my home several years ago I purposely chose very deep drawers for my kitchen, giving me space for most of my cooking/baking items. However, the development of hand problems has made me rethink what gets put away. Coffee pot, blender and food processor stays – I don’t have the hand strength to lift these. So, how do folks handle microwaves? I don’t use mine everyday so it is on the counter as well.

    • All articles seem to be for younger people OR people starting families. When you are almost 60 and have a bad back and arthritis you cannot be bending over and reaching up for things. Minimalism is a good thought however I truly believe IT is geared toward the younger generation.

      • Vernon, I’m so sorry you have these physical ailments. I’m almost 60, and I find that bending and reaching keep me more limber than I might otherwise be. I have a lot of cupboard space, but not a lot of counter space, so I put away almost everything, and take it out to use as necessary, even if it’s used every day. Exceptions are the small microwave oven (which takes up more counter space than I’d like, but I really can’t be “putting it away” after each use…that would be silly) and the teakettle which sits on the stove and is used several times every day (I don’t drink coffee, so don’t have a coffee maker at all).

        I think minimalism is for everyone, young or old, but as Joshua continually reminds his readers, minimalism doesn’t look exactly the same for everyone! The idea is to remove items that simply take up time, space, or energy in order to make room for important and necessary items and activities. That will be different for each of us.

  8. I will try this, but my main problem is no space to put things with very little cabinet space that fits bigger items like Toaster/egg maker, Coffee Maker that is bulky. I did go through cabinets and got rid of excess cooking items and plastic storage stuff but still no t enough room for the items on my counter. I’m sure someone else could see how to make it look better as I have no organizing ability. Kirchen is an eye sore.

  9. I’m all for putting certain things away, but the sterile look is not only depressing to me but stressful. After years of traveling, I noticed that most hotels/condos made me sad, and I figured out that the more bare they were, the more I disliked being in the room. I’ve learned to take some small decor items, and if I’m there long enough, to get some flowers. I also take my own blanket along with a pillow.

    As I said last time, I’m a “modified” minimalist.

    • Laura, I found your personal observation to be both interesting and enlightening for me. I do find too much clutter, especially on flat surfaces like countertops and tables, to be stressful, but I do like personal touches around the house.
      I have always found hotel rooms and rentals to be depressing, and I think I now understand why. Like you, I like to bring along a few colorful decor items just to liven up my temporary living space. I don’t think this makes you any less of a minimalist; you keep or travel with what you consider beautiful and useful!
      thanks for sharing.

    • I used to enjoy hotel stays, but the new trend of very plain, white and grey hotel rooms with no decor makes me loathe staying in them. If I have to, I have to bring a few things of my own to add color and make the space bearable.

  10. I’m one of those, I like hidden, out-of-sight people. Your post gave me a new idea about kitchen appliances that are used daily. I don’t think my husband will go for storing the toaster – he’s an out-of-site-it-is-forgotten person. But I might have a coffee station Item I can put in the cabinet near place of use. Ty

  11. I couldn’t put the coffee maker away, just from it’s sheer size, and also that we use it for half the day. Also, I like to open it and let it dry out properly before its next use. But I have started putting my toaster and some other things away, and that’s created more counter space. It’s great, and takes no time at all! What I have a hard time putting away though, are things like medication or supplements, because “out of sight, out of mind.” I forget to take them or give the kids theirs if I don’t see them sitting out. For my supplements, at least, I realized I can keep them next to my bed, out of sight, and it’s actually made it easier to remember to take them!

  12. It was transforming when I went through and cleaned off everything form my surfaces. First it made me clean out the other places they would stay. Secondly, I keep out what I find useful every day so the blender and electric tea kettle are mainstays on the counter. I also have a vessel of cooking tools since I use them almost daily and find it a great help to have them in a grab and go set up. I find things rooms so much more peaceful with clear surfaces (as much as possible.)

  13. I have clear counters for the most part and I get asked where my stuff is when people walk in. My kitchen is also my entry. But I do still have a knife block out. How do you store knives safelty out of sight? Without taking up a bunch of room? I also leave the toaster out as we use it 1-2x a day. I appreciated the other comment about not wanting to move it because the crumbs some how come out and get everywhere. Thanks for the long term commitmemt to this blog. I’ve been reading for many years.

    • Although I really appreciate this blog and have learned so much from it, this particular post goes WAY too far for me. And actually makes me wonder about the sensibilities behind this.

      The goals here — nothing on any surfaces, anywhere — strike me as extreme, and as contributing to a sterile space.

      For example, I would never put the toaster away every day, for all the reasons people have mentioned. Picking it up after it cools, folding up the cord, crumbs falling everywhere — and for what? So that the countertop is absolutely empty of anything? No thanks.

      Same idea for other things that I use daily.

      There’s a difference between wanting a neat, tidy, uncluttered space — and being so extreme about it that it becomes… um… too extreme.

      • Sorry, D, I put my comment in the wrong place. I didn’t intend it as a reply to yours, but rather just as a comment on the main blog post.

  14. Thank you for this post. I have followed you for years and appreciate the tips. We’ll see what my husband thinks when he arrives home from work to see that I’ve hidden his espresso maker and bathroom supplies! Hope he gets used to it and keeps it up. :)

  15. I leave my dental floss out on the counter by my electric toothbrush. While this might be regarded as clutter, its presence provides the visual clue I need to floss. When flossing consistently becomes ingrained in my grooming habits, it shouldn’t be necessary to keep it out.
    Sometimes leaving an object out such as floss or running shoes can help provide a cue when one is attempting to establish a positive change in behavior.

    • Jenny, I agree that when establishing a new habit or routine, visual reminders are a must! Your idea is a good one.

      I have a table near my front door where I put grocery lists (once I’ve written them), or library books that need to be returned, or bills to be mailed. It looks cluttered until I pick everything up to leave the house, but it insures I don’t forget anything. It’s a very useful space. But it’s not covered with dusty piles of junk mail or stuff that I never got around to putting away…just with “pending” items for that day. So it’s not really clutter at all.

      I think the term “clutter” applies to stuff that’s just out in sight for really no reason. It’s not used regularly, it’s not beautiful, it’s not a visual reminder…it’s just there. It should either be put away, given away, or tossed. Maybe that’s what this post is talking about, rather than suggesting a completely empty/”sterile” home.

  16. Clutter free surfaces are wonderful, but it is just plain silly to lump coffee makers and toasters with DVDs, toiletries, and art supplies.

    I’ve tried it both ways. At some point I had to apply common sense and not be a zealot about this stuff.

    First, dragging regularly-used appliances out of storage every day and plugging them in is an inconvenient waste of time in my morning routine.

    Second, assuming a kitchen even has the needed storage space, appliances need to be cooled down, clean and dry before storing in a closed cupboard or drawer.

    Third, cleaning crumbs that inevitably fall out of a toaster going in and out of storage is more challenging than simply wiping a countertop. Plus, crumbs attract insects. Stowing a coffeemaker that is not fully dried out can lead to mildew and mold.

    Fourth, while some prefer an empty counter look, most people tend to prefer a space that feels inviting without being cluttered. When houses are staged for sale, kitchen appeal increases when otherwise bare counters sport a bowl of fruit, an attractive cookbook, pretty plant, etc. to project a warm, welcoming feel to prospective buyers.

    • Ditto this – I am all for everything in its place. The toaster’s place is on the counter. There is no way I am lugging that thing out of a cupboard every time I want toast.

  17. Thank you for all your suggestions. Recently I thought I was putting my house up for sale so I had a realtor help me decide what to put away. After tackling that project I decided to refinance the house. As I continue on this journey of simplifying I felt less stress and it was much easier to keep my house clean and working my fulltime job. I am realizing I am outgrowing too many conveniences. I am also realizing I can give some of my prized possessions away to people that will appreciate them. I am also documenting what I use on a daily basis creating a new grocery list and the items that I use daily in my house. It is a challenge to live in a more simple way to open the doors to new things that I will enjoy while my house is more organized to come home to. When my house is decluttered I feel happier. I always keep my desk decluttered, too, so I can be ready for work when I arrive each day. Here’s to a SIMPLE LIFE in 2019!

  18. I’ve never heard the term “convenience fallacy” and I really like it. I used it as an excuse all the time… but now that my space is limited I actually put things away, and with the toast example it (maybe) adds 30 seconds to my total time.
    It’s more convenient too, since I have space to set out my waffle maker when I feel like waffles instead of toast.
    A win-win.

  19. Such great advise. I decided from the beginning to only allow three things on each counter top, dresser top, table etc. It made such a difference. On my dining table I put flowers or a bowl of fruit. That’s it. Things will accumulate fast if you let them put one extra thing down. I have to stay on it but it’s worth it.

  21. I truly do wonder where to put the wet bar or bottle of soap after washing hands or dishes. And the moist dish towel. Where do you store those items out of view? Just wondering…

    • I don’t. I have a dispenser for liquid soap in the bathroom and one in the kitchen. I hang the dishcloth on the sink so it drys out. Dishwashing liquid is under the sink though. Having a dishwasher, I don’t use it everyday. I know my mum had a rail on the inside of the cupboard under the sink where she could hang the dishcloth (it can dry there), so that would be an alternative. There is nothing wrong with having a few items on benchtops that get used all the time. We also have a large water filter jug with a tap, the large coffee machine and kettle on ours. These items are in a small section of bench that is not used so much. We only have a small kitchen so space is precious. That is why the rest is clear.

  22. Interesting comments from many! As someone mentioned, having a clutter free environment which works for your family will look different for everyone which is a good thing. There is no “judgment” for folks who choose to leave appliances on counters because that is what is preferred or needed due to disability. A few things that work for me (but not everyone!) as examples: I use a large french press for coffee – easy and light to clean and put away plus no filters to purchase just to throw away! I love toast but gave away my toaster and just place the slices on my oven rack – perf toast every time and can make as many pieces as needed for breakfast company at one time. For the dish cloths – super gluing some clear hooks on the inside of the sink cabinet get them out of the way and they dry nicely (works here as the cabinet under the sink is clear of cleaners other than the ones made from vinegar and baking soda – CHEAP!). The NICE Cutco knives come with sheaths so they are safely stored in a drawer (they stay much cleaner that way too…). Maybe other brands of knives come with sheaths? A magnet strip inside cabinet doors may also be a nice and safe (cleaner for the knives) way to get rid of the knife block. The microwave is obviously on the counter as is the hand soap dispenser by the sinks! Lots of folks have medicines and supplements that need to be out as reminders to take them. My mom used a basket to keep them “contained” nicely as well as PRIVATE in her bathroom or kitchen (I don’t think her friends were the nosy types to pick through the bottles!). Colored stickers on the lids made it easy to pick out the AM, noon and PM pills to take from the basket. I find that simplifying our ways of thinking about what we need out and about is a good journey. As well as thinking back to how we managed before all of these appliances (toasters, coffee makers, etc) and other organizational needs (knife blocks, spice racks, etc) were met with the marketing of “GOTTA HAVE IT”. At the end of the day, being comfy in our homes via our needs and preference is the best in whatever way we see fit!!

  23. As a reforming messy person, this is great advice and has really worked for me. By decluttering things that I no longer need, I’ve got room to readily put away and retrieve the things that I do.

    While not a huge fan of the KonMari method (or the way it’s interpreted by many western consumers), her advice on this topic really clicked for me – store things so that they are easy to put away, rather than easy to access. Makes keep clutter at bay much easier.

  24. I absolutely love this and will be spending all evening sorting out my kitchen…..I started putting my toaster away after each use last year and it’s now a habit, so bring on the rest of it! :o)

  25. I have always been a neat and organized person, however even though all my stuff was organized, when reading about minimalism, I realized that I still had too much stuff.
    Too much in my cupboards and closets, too much on surfaces and too much buying and keeping stuff that I didn’t need, didn’t use or didn’t even like.
    I do not consider myself minimalist. I am Not a vegan, I own more than 2 forks and a mattress and I like having some meaningful home décor and art on my walls.
    However, since turning 40 in the beginning of 2019, I have decided to get rid of the stuff I no longer wanted! I went though all my rooms, closets, cabinets and bins; and donated, discarded and reorganized my life.
    I no longer bring home crap just for the sake of owning more stuff. I appreciate the things I own and think twice before spending money on stuff that I have to maintain, organize and store.
    I am much happier and feel more free.
    I thank you for giving me a chance to speak from my heart :)

  26. I agree with the concept in theory, but feel like you can go overboard with it. Yes, we only brew a pot of coffee a day, but we leave for work before it has cooled down, and then set it up for the next morning on a timer after dinner for the next day. We also use the toaster oven and microwave just enough to making trying to stash them away insanely inconvenient. I’m a pretty avid cook and like to have wooden spoons and such in a container by the stove where I can grab them easily as I cook. Ditto olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Does the kitchen look spartan? No. But it looks like a kitchen someone can cook in.

  27. Thanks for this very helpful article! Inspired by this idea, yesterday I put toaster, chopping boards, knives, paper towel, jar of pens & scissors, & stovetop espresso maker into cupboards and drawers. My kitchen feels so calm and relaxing now! It’s much easier to quickly clean the benches now. I had 8 women from church over this morning and it was so easy to use the benches for food prep & to put dishes on.
    I’ll definitely carry the concept to other rooms in my house. Thanks!

  28. yes~ thank you again & again ….
    I was just explaining this to a friend last night ~
    I find that each time that you put an object back in its place it is an honoring or engaging with that object in a way that affects the energy of that item and of course the whole space in which we live. Every time you find a good space for an item, and it becomes its’ home… then every time you return the item to its’ home it re-clarifies the energy of the whole room, house. The whole act of returning the item to its’ place automatically brings presence and reverence to the item, to the room as a whole and to one’s self if we can open to more subtle levels of perception. It is where form & function meet.
    Keep your fresh reframes coming. I am just glad to have the conversation even if it is digital exchange.

  29. The toaster problem – moving the toaster around leaves a trail of crumbs worthy of Hansel and Gretal – no matter how many times you clean it out. A little counter clutter is an acceptable trade off!

  30. The biggest issue with this is getting the rest of the family to participate. Living with a hubby who likes to visually locate things has been a challenge. We have two children. One lives by my philosophy of put everything away. The other likes things out like his dad. We are SLOWLY retraining said father and son.

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