Have you always dreamt of coming back to a home that is peaceful and quiet with open spaces and no clutter? It sounds amazing but it is something that most of us think is impossible to achieve.
Over our lifetime we have accumulated so much stuff that we are always short of storage space and no matter how big a house you live in, cupboards are always overflowing and the house still feels small. This habit of hoarding and not being able to let go of things hampers creativity and doesn’t allow proper flow of light and energy in the house.
The last few years have shown people how important it is to shift your priorities towards a more holistic and simple living. Our house should serve our well-being instead of it tying us down and ‘simple’ does not mean not luxurious. You don’t have to give up your lifestyle completely to live a minimalist life.
So how does one then make a minimalist home? After researching some expert techniques and asking people who have embraced minimalism with both hands we have listed down a few essentials that you would need on your journey towards minimalism.
1. Declutter
You have heard this term many times and you have tried your best with every Spring or Diwali cleaning but come the next season it is the same story all over again. The first step towards this is don’t do this exercise just once a year. At the end of every week take up one space of your house like maybe your work table and clean it thoroughly. Follow up next week with a different area of your house.
When purchasing new items follow the ‘one in one out’ rule so that you don’t end-up with multiple things of the same kind. It works for every possible thing in the house be it clothes or kitchen utensils.
If you don’t like to throw out stuff then donate them. Keep check on the count of things. One planner for the year is good enough you can have one spare diary along with it maybe. If you run out of pages you can buy one no need to keep 5 spares for ‘just in case’
The fundamental rule of maintaining a space is that it needs to be categorized into sections. Categorize and label the drawers into different sections as per usage. For example, categorizing linen helps save you from the stress of hunting for extra blankets when friends decide to sleep over.
2. Use Smart organizers
Maintaining your decluttered space requires proper storage spaces after categorizing. Space saving storage solutions such as folding drawer dividers or wardrobe organizers for your bedsheets make for smart solutions and keep everything handy yet organized.
3. Furniture and their functionality
While some of the furniture that we put in the house is based on requirement, some of it has been added over time just for the look because of which we end up with over-crowded rooms and less space.
Try and work out how much seating space is adequate in your living room and get rid of the extras.
If your bedroom doubles up as a work space also keep your study table clean without any unnecessary items on the table top. Use the drawers to store whatever you need while working so that it is handy but does not clutter.
If you have bulky side tables opt for hanging drawers which serve as side tables, can store your night time reading also and do not take up floor space.
Avoid rugs or carpets if you have small bedrooms, in bigger ones one small rug that covers a little bit of floor space to complete the look is good enough.
Remember it is not necessary to cover each corner and every floor space, open areas allow good flow of energy and make your home look comfier.
4. Walls
Monochrome speaks minimalism instantly. Stick to one shade and play with its hues throughout the house to keep the simplicity flowing.
Less is more when it comes to the walls in our homes. Don’t just hang digital prints that are in trend, make it personal. Put art that you enjoy looking at, or if you like to click photographs, put up framed pictures of your travels or family outings.
Stick to 1-2 pictures or art in every room, again you don’t need to hang something on every wall.
5. Table tops
Decorative table mats might add in that extra elegance but keep in mind that they are washable and do not cover the entire table. It’s also a good idea to have functional decorative trays instead of table mats.
Use good quality cotton washable dining table mats with runners which show a little bit of the dining table also contrary to dining table covers.
Other table tops such as bedside tables should be kept clean for easy cleaning and minimalistic look.
6. Get in some greens
House plants such as palms not only clean up the air inside the house but also add to the clean look you are striving for. Instead of filling corners with tables put some plants there to liven up the space.
7. Subtle Curtains
Choose curtains with light backgrounds and small prints such as the beautiful block printed curtains with palm tree motifs. If the bedrooms need black out curtains then go ahead and use a single color to give the space a more spacious look.
Minimalism is a choice and a habit that takes time and nurturing. Think through the choices you make in each room and keep in mind the simplistic look that you are trying to achieve. These small steps also will drastically change the interiors of your home giving it a fresh new look!