From the outdated kitchen to the pastel-colored walls in the downstairs bedrooms, walking into my grandparents’ house was like entering a time machine. It was a world of midcentury furniture (not the kind from special art dealers or collectors; these were the default options, purchased mostly in the 50’s).
There was a desk in the hallway, reading chairs in the living room, classic rugs, houseplants, and a grandfather clock in the entryway. The sectional was minimal and left room for plenty of guests. My grandmother would always read on the couch, and stacks of magazines filled many of the nearby cabinets.
They never identified as minimalists when I was growing up—frankly, the term hadn’t been popularized yet—but everything had its purpose and place. The home felt complete with pieces that fit together like the perfect puzzle.
Growing up, I looked in their home with awe. I have countless fond memories of summer vacations and family holidays in their loving home. They seemed to have it all together. I wanted that.
When I was older, I felt this social pressure to make a complete home from day one. To leave anything incomplete seemed somehow against a cultural norm.
It wasn’t until adulthood that a simple realization clicked: my grandparents took years to purchase a household of goods. They had decades together to acquire their belongings. And their home wasn’t always like this; they consciously acquired things when needed.
Stuff was expensive, too. This was all before the cheap labor and overseas manufacturing of the Walmarts of the world (heck, they didn’t even exist back then).
My grandparents lived within their means every step of the way, depending on what was in their wallets. They carefully analyzed every purchase, and reused everything they could. Maybe that’s the consequence of being a product of the Great Depression? Who knows.
What we do know is that our world has changed dramatically since then. The rise of easy credit has allowed for ballooning consumer debt—from about $2,000 in the 1950s to $16,000 in 2016.
Now, we are instant gratification generations—swiping now and paying over time.
We expect to have everything at once, but we’re going broke in the process. Our credit cards have larger limits, products are cheaper, and buying is as easy as a click online.
We make pilgrimages to furniture stores, fantasize about spaces before we’ve set foot in a place, and browse websites that give idealized examples of carefully crafted rooms. The world is primed and expecting our consumption.
Each represents a radical departure from the lifestyles of the Greatest Generation.
I can’t help but think our ancestors knew something about minimalism that society downplays now.
When my wife and I first got married, we moved into a two-bedroom apartment and purchased only a table set for $99. Oh, and a bed—we needed that (for a number of reasons). Our living room furniture and bedroom set were hand-me-downs from her family.
We received a television set as a wedding gift. Our next purchase, months later, was a computer and desk.
We replaced the living room furniture 18 months later during a cross-country move. We used the $99 kitchen table and chairs for 13 years. And still use the bedroom set handed down to us from her grandparents.
Our home took years to make whole. And I don’t think I’d change a single thing about the process. It is a story of slow acquisition.
But outfitting a home slowly and intentionally carries a number of benefits:
1. It prevents debt. Buying home furnishings and decorations is a costly endeavor. Accumulating slowly helps prevent the danger of starting out with costly consumer debt—it can take years to overcome financial mismanagement.
2. It spurs intentionality and thoughtfulness. When we accumulate slowly, we are more likely to thoughtfully weigh the significance of our purchases. Is this really needed? If so, what is the best option and avenue for purchase? The more deliberate we are in our timeline, the more intentional we become in the process.
3. It slows the accumulation of clutter and excess. The slower we purchase, the slower we accumulate life-draining clutter.
4. It grants freedom in lifestyle. Consumer purchases inhibit freedom. They require money, time, and energy to acquire and maintain.
Therein laid my grandparents’ powerful lesson: to make our home ours, we couldn’t buy stuff immediately to recreate or mimic another’s space. Instead, we thoughtfully considered what we needed and budgeted carefully for each addition.
Despite living in a world of accessibility and easy consumption, we all need to find ways to slow down. The “perfect” item will remain or can be recreated, if necessary. Sales come and go. And your favorite big-box retailer probably won’t be going out of business any time soon.
Give yourself the opportunity to make your space yours. But as you do, don’t forget to consider the merits of acquiring pieces slowly.
Never be in a hurry to spend money you don’t have.
Angela (Devon) UK says
I used to say to my children, there has to be a period of longing to get the best out of something they wished for.
Now grown & flown I’d like to think they do the same with their little ones.
Mao says
I totally agree that never spend money in a rush that we don’t have. That’s how people get into serious debt like credit card debt.
It really helps to plan and slow down while asking the why. Do you really need this piece of item? Does that enhance your life?
Judy says
A young couple I know recently got a new home and within a week or two of living there, the home was furnished from top to bottom. Everything purchased at once and delivered. Beds, living room furniture, dining room set, etc. It was beautiful, but it did seem a bit odd …as it took me years to acquire such things ; )
Adriana @MoneyJourney says
Both my grandparents and parents were minimalists, although like you said, never actually used the term to describe themselves.
Stuff was scarce, as well as expensive back then so most household items were passed on from generation to generation.
When I first moved on my own, my grandma insisted I take some small furniture and kitchen supplies she had already prepared for me. I tried explaining you can find mostly anything you need nowadays, but she insisted I take her stuff and keep my money.
Mentality was clearly a lot different a couple generations ago. Although I can afford to buy my own plates and cutlery, I think my grandma’s main idea had less to do with money and more with keeping the tradition going.
Jasmine says
As I a 25 year old this article is an inspiration for me. I’m slowly easing my way into a minimalist lifestyle. I love this even tho I don’t own a home I take minimalist principles to heart.
Betsy says
You are so wise Jasmine. If only I knew at 25 what I know today. I look back on items I wasted money on and wish I could turn back the clock. Stay the course, you will be so glad you did.
Benjamin Ehinger says
What an excellent strategy and a post all 16, 17 and 18 year olds should read before entering the world of adults. Of course, all us adults need it too, as we quickly forget that we don’t need to have everything today.
Instant gratification is a hard thing to deal with in today’s modern society, but it has to stop. We have to get back to taking time to make decisions and truly mastering the moment of decision. If we don’t we will continue to be a herd led by modern society’s horrific desires.
littleblackdomicile says
We try to teach our younger clients that to create the home they long for, we need to curate rather than quickly collect. We help them develop a plan then work the plan. Waiting for interesting pieces that are also functional is a great way to build a home that will be the Perfect LBD!-Laurel
Bobby says
Somewhere there are the pieces to a large table made from all kinds of scrap- a door, sea glass, river rock, odd legs from salvage, metal edging, nail heads and wheels so it can roll around the room to suit the mood.
It is a desk, dining table, gallery, art piece, work space…its the center of a studio I will live in.
Once I get it made, I will think very carefully…
about a chair.
.
David Y says
Great article, and great comments.
I have some hand me down furniture and some stuff I bought new over thirty years ago. All very good quality. Obviously not the latest trendy things, but it suits me fine. I am in the process of downsizing. Having less feels good.
Dawn Noel says
I love your posts. Each and everyone of them speaks directly to me and the life I want to move towards. Wish I had discovered minimalism years ago. Thank you!