Minimalism doesn’t mean limiting yourself, it means loving each piece that you own. Do more with less and embrace the KonMari Method to declutter your home and find joy in simplicity. From your favorite chair to your go-to outfits, learn more about how to declutter, love the pieces you have, and invest in quality over quantity to create the perfect minimalistic home that fits your needs.
What is the KonMari Method?
The KonMari Method is a tidying and organizing method developed by best-selling author Marie Kondo. This method is focused on creating a tidy environment by removing any items that no longer “spark joy” and instead create unnecessary clutter in your home. According to her site:
“The KonMari Method™ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.”
There are plenty of other decluttering methods that others use, but the KonMari Method is a more rigid approach that many have found success in for organizing their lives and leading to a more minimalist lifestyle.
Minimalist Interior Design Tips
While the KonMari Method focuses on decluttering by category and not space, knowing how to tackle different parts in your home can be a big help in your tidying efforts. Compartmentalizing each room and practicing the KonMari Method in each can be a great start for your lifestyle shift into tidiness. Follow these minimalist interior design tips to help clear up space in your home and live a clutter-free life!
Tip 1: Minimalist Living Room Ideas
Your living room should be a place of relaxation and gathering, so focusing on having comfortable spaces and a bright, open space is ideal. If clutter resides in your main entertaining room, it could be a sign of blocking off your true self to guests. To tidy up your living room, focus on keeping pieces that maintain a light and welcoming vibe while showing off a few select pieces that spark joy and show off your personality. Choose your favorite piece of art or some conversational coffee table books to accent simple-but-beautiful pieces of furniture that maximize both space and comfort.
Tip 2: Minimalist Kitchen Ideas
Almost every kitchen has this one dreaded item: the junk drawer. Kitchens are a main hub for family life, from cooking to doing homework to feeding your pets, so it’s easy to accumulate random “junk”. When decluttering the kitchen, focus on prioritizing what you do and use most. For example, if you make more coffee than tea, store the tea kettle away until it’s needed. Take time to organize things like Tupperware and lids, as simple reorganization can free up 50% more space in your kitchen and make things easier to find. And yes, that means tackling your junk drawer! You’ll thank us later.
Tip 3: Minimalist Bedroom Ideas
Having a minimalist bedroom doesn’t mean minimizing your own style or comfort, it simply means only having things in the room that promote rest and relaxation. Falling asleep in a messy room can lead to distractions that keep you from getting proper rest. Keep your personality with pops of accent colors, fun bedding, plants, art, mirrors, and rugs. As part of your bedroom, having a tidy closet is necessary as well. Remove pieces that no longer spark joy and use proper folding methods to save time finding your favorite outfits and have clothes you’ll actually wear.
Benefits of Decluttering Your Home
Having a tidy home doesn’t just come with the perks of finding things easily and having a clean house to show off. There are more lasting benefits of decluttering your home that make the time and effort put toward it worthwhile, such as:
- Better Sleep: Some studies show that hoarders, or people with too much stuff, are more likely to suffer from sleep issues and experience sleep disturbances. While hoarding is more extreme than a messy room, it’s easy to see that a tidy room can cut down on distractions or disturbances while trying to sleep and lead to a better night’s rest.
- Clearer Focus: This decluttering benefit all depends on the person. For most, clutter equals stress. If you are someone who is more stressed by a messy environment than inspired by it, tidying up your environment can allow your mind to focus on a project or task at hand instead of focusing on the stress of the clutter around you.
- Improved Air Quality: Clutter means more surfaces in your home for dust to settle on and allergens to accumulate between. By tidying up your space, you are forced to tackle the dust head-on and reduce potential spots for future accumulation. With a tidy home, you’ll spark joy with how little your allergies act up.
- Reduced Anxiety: Running late because you can’t find your keys? Stressed because your measuring cups are buried deep within your kitchen? Can’t find an outfit to wear in your overcrowded closet? When you declutter, you remove the anxiety of information overload and uncertainty of knowing where to find things.
Whether you use the KonMari Method to go through the ultimate living room decluttering list or simply spend 15 minutes every day to tidy up a new space, taking the time to tidy up your house has many benefits. Try to incorporate the tips above to start leading a healthier and happier life at home!