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Looking to simplify your home without going full minimalist? Here are 3 simple ideas to help give your space that peaceful, airy minimalist feel without having to change your whole personality.
3 Ways to Simplify Your Home
A Home for Everything
A tidy house means a simple life at home. Stop wasting time and energy cleaning up what shouldn’t be there, looking for lost items and stressing about where it should all go. These tips might help:
Baskets
Baskets have a pretty way of simplifying spaces in your home that would otherwise be completely cluttered.
Use decorative baskets for things that are exposed, such as toys, television remotes and your daily counter clutter. Everything will be tucked away, yet still easily accessible.
Baskets are also great for top shelves because you can bring the whole basket down, grab what you need, then return it without any hassle.
Containers
Organize the inside of your drawers with containers or drawer organizers. Otherwise, everything is jumbled together and it takes much longer to find what you’re looking for.
Since they’re not visible, they don’t need to be pretty. Dollar store containers are cheap and work great. Use them for the food container drawer, the dreaded miscellaneous drawer… and even your underwear drawer!
Labels
I’m not huge on labels, but sometimes it’s warranted. For example, my husband has a hard time returning food items to their homes in the pantry without labels : )
I don’t have a label maker or anything. I’m more of a cut-and-tape-a-scrap-piece-of-paper-to-the-shelf kind of a gal if it’s not visible to everyone. Keep it simple.
Totes
Here’s where labeling is actually essential. Countless times I’ve neglected to label totes and when Christmas rolls around I’m rummaging through every tote in the basement.
Have totes in storage for things like off-season clothing, baby equipment you’ll use again and Christmas decor.
I like to rotate toys so that there aren’t so many out at once. Keep a tote labeled ‘Toys’ and swap them out every month or so—it’s a simple way to keep things fresh and exciting without the clutter.
Point of Use Storage
Point of use storage simply means that items are stored where they are used. Here are some reasons point of use storage will simplify your home:
Natural Flow, Stress-Free
You will move through your home like a ballerina on ice! You will not spend extra time looking for things or running up and down the stairs to get stuff.
Plus, your mind will be free for bigger thoughts because you won’t be bombarded with tiny decisions like, ‘Where did I put the remote?’ or ‘Where do the scissors go again?’
Instead of constantly tracking down everyday items, you’ll have more mental space for the things that truly matter.
Straight Forward for Everyone
When things are stored where they are used, people are much more likely to put them away. If it’s simple enough, anyone can follow along—even the kids! Here are a few examples:
Conscious Kitchen. Keep your pots and pans right near the stove. Where else are you going to use them?
If you use an appliance often, try storing it right out on the counter. Toaster, stand mixer, blender… don’t be afraid of putting your most-used tools on display!
Mudroom Miracles. Remember—simplifying your home will also simplify your life! Say goodbye to stressful mornings searching for shoes and sweaters, rushing up the stairs for socks and scrambling for the keys.
Everything that you put on in the mudroom, store in the mudroom. A basket of socks on the bench, sweaters in the closet, keys hung on the wall.
And even better, if you do have a closet near your entryway, store seasonal items like bathing suits and water wings, snow suits and extra mittens and hats.
Bathroom Bliss. Try storing your cleaning supplies in the bathroom. Have a basket of cleaning spray and sponges tucked into the vanity and watch how clean you keep your bathroom compared to before.
A Lived-In Home
You can bring natural beauty into your home simply by storing the items you use every day in practical, inviting ways. In fact, these things can double as unique, charming decor.
Hang your pots and pans on the kitchen wall, keep jars of dry goods on the counter, fill your living room shelves with books and puzzles, and place a basket of soap on the bathroom vanity.
Everyday essentials become part of the scenery, adding warmth and character to your space—all the while being tidy and easy to find!
Declutter — Simplify Your Home Without Becoming a Minimalist!
Don’t let this one scare you away. Decluttering can sound overwhelming and time-consuming. Let’s break it down.
Ongoing
Keep a bin, box, or bag in your home that is designated for donations. Every time you come across a shirt that is too small or a toy no one plays with, put it in the donation bin.
This way you don’t need to plan a “declutter day” which can be daunting. Declutter as you go, and when the donation bin gets full, it’s time for a trip to the thrift store!
How to Decide
Sometimes deciding whether to keep something is confusing. Here are some questions you can ask to help decide:
- Do I use it regularly? When was the last time I used it? Is it a duplicate?
- Does it have a home? Or is it constantly getting moved around, causing clutter and confusion?
- Do I love it? Or am I keeping it out of guilt, “just in case” or laziness?
Quality Over Quantity
As you begin transforming your home using these simple steps, choosing quality over quantity can be your guiding mantra.
When you’re looking for home decor, choose one large plant rather than many small ones. One large painting rather than several small prints.
Do we really need ten different travel mugs? One good quality mug per person is all it takes—easy to grab and never buried under clutter.
More Home-Simplifying Tips?
How to Clean Your Room – And Keep it That Way!
How to Clean Your Bathroom in 5 Minutes
A Mom’s Guide to Getting Things Done
What are some of your tips for simplifying your home? Tell us in the comments below : )
Images in this post were generated using AI tools (ChatGPT / DALL·E by OpenAI).
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