Live Lightly: 10 Tips for Decluttering Your Home & Embracing Simplicity

Living with less can be liberating. A clutter-free, minimalist home allows you to focus on what matters most—connections, experiences, and living intentionally.

If you’re drawn to the idea of minimalism, but don’t know where to start, this blog post is for you. Below are 10 simple, practical tips to help you declutter your home and create a space aligned with your values.

1. CLARIFY YOUR VISION

Before you begin purging your belongings, get clear on your motivations. Take some time to envision your ideal minimalist home. How would it make you feel? What activities or connections would it facilitate?

Knowing your “why” for minimalism will guide your decisions as you declutter. It also helps create longevity, so you don't get overwhelmed and backslide. Using a goal setting planner can help you clarify your vision and stay focused as you embark on this journey.

2. DECLUTTER SLOWLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY

It’s tempting to declutter your entire house in one weekend. But trying to minimize everything at once can be stressful and ineffective.

Instead, choose one area to focus on at a time. I recommend starting with spaces that will have an immediate positive impact, like:

• Your bedroom closet.

• Kitchen cabinets

• Bathroom cupboards

Use the “one in, one out” rule. For everything new you bring home, donate or discard something else. This maintains balance.

3. STORE ITEMS WHERE YOU USE THEM

In a minimalist home, everything has its place. An organized home eliminates the need for clutter.

Store items where you actually use them. For example, keep pots and pans in the kitchen, not a basement storage room. Place books in the living room or office—not tucked away in bookshelves.

Easy access encourages you to put items away promptly.

4. USE BASKETS AND BINS TO CONTAIN CLUTTER

Baskets, bins, and other simple storage solutions prevent messes in a minimalist home. They corral items out of sight.

Use fabric bins to store toys in your family room. Have a bin for mail in your entryway. Slip remotes and chargers into a basket by the TV.

Containers create order instantly.

Recommended bin: LINUS Home Storage Bins

5. PARE DOWN YOUR WARDROBE

Most of us wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Simplify your closet by removing anything you haven’t worn in over a year (assuming it still fits).

Then, organize your closet so you can see all your options. Use space-saving hangers. Designate an area for accessories.

A streamlined wardrobe makes getting dressed effortless.

6. ONLY KEEP THINGS YOU LOVE

When deciding what to keep or discard from your home, ask yourself: do I love this? Do I use it? Do I need it?

Be brutally honest. If an item doesn’t check at least two of those boxes, let it go.

Surround yourself only with belongings that bring you joy or serve a purpose. Everything else is just clutter.

7. MULTIFUNCTIONAL FURNITURE IS YOUR FRIEND

Multifunctional furniture is a minimalist’s secret weapon. Items like coffee tables with hidden storage offer extra function in a sleek, compact footprint.

Benches and ottomans with lift-top lids are ideal for tucking away blankets or board games. Look for furniture pieces that pull double or triple duty.

8. DON’T BE AFRAID OF BLANK SPACE

New minimalists often fear empty space. Resist the urge to fill blank walls or bare surfaces. Allow your home to breathe.

Instead of cluttering surfaces, highlight blank space with statement pieces. An oversized mirror makes an impact over an empty mantel. Display a few curated art pieces on an unadorned wall.

9. KEEP SURFACES CLEAR

Clear, open surfaces promote a sense of calm in a minimalist home. Keep counters, tables, dressers, and desk spaces free from clutter.

At most, place a couple decorative items like a vase, candle, or tray. But don’t use flat spaces for disorganized piles. Use baskets or bins to corral loose items.

10. PURGE PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTS

Paper clutter accumulates easily, taking up valuable space. Combat it with smart digital organization.

Scan important documents like medical records to store digitally. Sign up for online billing instead of receiving paper statements. Unsubscribe from junk mail lists.

If you’re not ready to go completely paperless, keep documents in well-labeled folders, not piles.

Recommended scanner: Epson FastFoto FF-680W Photo Scanner on Amazon

You don’t need to become a monk or nomad to embrace minimalist living. With smart organization and a willingness to pare down, you can craft a meaningful, clutter-free home. Use these tips to begin minimizing your possessions and maximizing your joy.