Maybe you’ve long had aspirations to become more of a minimalist, or perhaps the concept of minimalism is something that has spoken to you more recently. Either way, it’s never too late to make some impactful lifestyle changes that will pave the way to a tidier, less cluttered home.
7 Things Minimalists Always Do to Maintain a Tidy Home
Here, three organization experts chime in to share seven rules that minimalists always follow in order to keep their surroundings looking orderly on a day-to-day basis.
1. Declutter Daily
Minimalists certainly do not let clutter pile up in their homes. In fact, many will engage in some sort of decluttering spree once per day or per week, Rachel Whiteaker, the founder of The Simple Life, explains.
“It doesn’t have to be a huge production or time block,” she says. “A little each day keeps the clutter away!”
Shira Gill, the founder of Shira Gill Home and author of Minimalista, agrees that frequent decluttering sessions—even if they’re only monthly or seasonal—are essential for minimalists.
“Regularly revisiting your possessions and releasing what you no longer need keeps your home feeling clutter-free,” she says.
2. Tackle Short Tasks Often
Minimalists also do not let small household tasks pile up; rather, they tick a few items off of their list of chores every day.
Michelle Parravani, the owner of Designing with Less, recommends immediately tackling tasks that take five minutes or less. This may mean tidying up makeup that you noticed needs to be put away while brushing your teeth or dealing with a stack of mail that you spotted on the counter while unloading the dishwasher, she explains.
If you might find completing these types of tasks at the moment too disruptive, Gill offers another helpful solution, which is committing to a quick, five-minute tidying session before going to bed each evening.
“Clear counters and surfaces, put away items that have been in use, and reset your space so you can wake up to a calm and tidy home the next day,” she says.
3. Ask Important Questions
Minimalists do not hold onto items that they don’t care about or plan to use, Whiteaker shares.
“Always ask yourself: Do you love it, do you need it? If not, don’t buy it or don’t keep it,” she says.
4. Say No to Freebies
On that note, be sure to also say no to free gifts from conferences or events if you’re striving to be more of a minimalist, Gill adds. She explains that if you wouldn’t purchase an item with your own money, you do not need to be taking it home in a gift bag.
5. Go Beyond “One in, One Out”
Many people are familiar with the concept of “one in, one out” (ie: parting ways with one sweater you don’t reach for as often after purchasing a new one), but minimalists will take this philosophy a step further and try to embrace a “one in, two out” lifestyle, Parravani explains.
“If you can do this, you can curate collections you will appreciate and enjoy more,” she says.
6. Shop Your Own Home First
Better yet, try to shop your own home as much as you can before hitting the stores, Gill suggests. This habit will save you money and prevent new clutter from accumulating in your space.
“You might rediscover forgotten gems that can be repurposed, saving money and preventing unnecessary buys,” she says. “This habit also sharpens your awareness and appreciation of what you already have.”
7. Conceal Visual Clutter
Finally, Gill notes that minimalists always make a habit of keeping unsightly items tucked away, not on display.
For example, she shares, this may mean stashing extra boxes of printer ink or backup charging cords inside closed cabinets or stylish baskets so that these items do not contribute to a home’s visual clutter. Just be sure to adequately label these bins so that you don’t forget about—and end up having to rebuy—things that you already have on hand.