In these modern times, it’s become increasingly important to focus on a lifestyle that’s both minimalist and sustainable.
You can’t live a minimalist life if you’re filling up your home with stuff that will eventually be thrown out or recycled.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of tips for decluttering your space and making sure that what you have is eco-friendly, too!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Minimalism and sustainability are complementary lifestyles that can help reduce waste, simplify your life, and promote eco-friendliness. |
| To live a more minimalist, sustainable life, focus on reducing clutter, buying intentionally, and making a concerted effort to reduce your carbon footprint. |
| Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing organization and functionality. Creative storage solutions and decluttering tips can help you make the most of your living space. |
| By incorporating sustainable practices into your decluttering routine, you can feel good about the impact you’re making on the environment and enjoy a simpler, more organized life. |
| Creating a comfortable, inviting living space is key to a cozy and organized home. Furniture placement, decor choices, and clever storage solutions can all contribute to a welcoming home environment. |
Getting Started
To get started, let’s take a look at the benefits of minimalism.
Minimalism helps you focus on what matters most in your life. Rather than worrying about all the stuff you own, you can focus on what’s meaningful to you—your family and friends, perhaps; or maybe a career that makes you happy.
You will save time by cleaning out your home less often with fewer items cluttering up your closet space and bathroom drawers.
It will force us to be more creative with our use of space because we have less stuff taking up room in our homes (particularly if we live in small spaces).
We can also save money by purchasing only what we need instead of buying things simply because they are cheap or on sale (though this doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be okay if the latter were true).
According to our comprehensive guide on minimalism on a budget, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to simplify your lifestyle and reduce clutter. With a few simple tips and strategies, you can live a minimalist, sustainable life without breaking the bank.
Tackle One Room At A Time
The first thing to keep in mind is that you should tackle each room in your home one at a time. Clearing out your kitchen may seem like the obvious choice, but if you start there and then move straight into your bedroom and closet, it will feel overwhelming.
The best bet for getting started with minimalism is to focus on the room where you spend the most time the living room, den or bedroom.
You can also choose whichever area needs decluttering most urgently if it’s full of stuff that hasn’t been used in years (like old magazines), then start by sorting through those items first.
Once you’ve decided where to begin cleaning out clutter, take stock of what needs doing: Do any fixtures need fixing?
Are there any new paint colors or wall coverings worth considering? Is this an opportunity for some major renovations? If so, now’s probably not the right time! But if everything looks good as-is but just needs a quick dusting, then go ahead and get started today!
Room-By-Room Decluttering Strategy
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Choose a starting point | Begin by selecting a room to declutter first, taking into account your goals and priorities for simplifying your space. |
| Sort and categorize | Once you’ve selected a room, begin sorting items into categories such as keep, donate, and dispose. |
| Declutter and clean | Remove nonessential items from the room and deep clean the space. |
| Organize and store | Develop a plan for how to organize and store items that you’ve decided to keep. |
| Move on to the next room | Once you’ve completed the first room, move on to the next room in a systematic way until you’ve decluttered your entire home. |
This table provides a room-by-room decluttering strategy for simplifying your living space. Start by choosing a room to declutter first and sorting items into categories, decluttering and cleaning the space, and developing a plan for organizing and storing the items you’ve decided to keep. Repeat this process for each room in your home until you’ve decluttered your entire living space.
Give Yourself Some Time
This is not going to be a quick process, and you shouldn’t try to rush it. Give yourself a few weeks, or even a month if you need it. Take this opportunity to really think about what needs to stay and what can go.
Think about why each object has meaning for you, whether it’s sentimental or practical value or both. Set aside one hour each day for decluttering (or however much time works best for your schedule).
Try The Marie Kondo Method
The Marie Kondo method is a series of steps to help you declutter your home. It’s based on the idea that your belongings should spark joy and you should only keep the things that bring you joy.
One reason why this method works so well is because it encourages people to look at their belongings as gifts from themselves, rather than possessions they need to protect or preserve for future generations.
In other words: it’s about remembering what really matters in life and letting go of everything else a powerful way for anyone who has trouble letting go!
Our guide to eco-friendly organizing offers practical tips and strategies for reducing clutter and waste in your home. By incorporating sustainable practices into your decluttering routine, you can feel good about the impact you’re making on the environment and enjoy a simpler, more organized life.
Choose Your Goals And Make A Plan
Choose your goals and make a plan. As you begin to declutter, it’s important to set some goals for yourself. A goal could be “I want to live in a clutter-free home,” or “I want my car to be less full.”
Whatever feels right for you is fine; just make sure that your goal is clear and measurable. It’s also good if it’s realistic, so that when you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the work ahead of you, it’ll help motivate you continue on with your efforts. For example:
Set aside one hour per day where no distractions are allowed (no TV, phone calls or internet). This will give you time each day where nothing gets in the way of decluttering!
Purge Everything You Don’t Need/Never Use!
Now that you have your decluttering space, it’s time to get rid of everything you don’t need, use or love.
The first step is to purge everything from your home that doesn’t serve a purpose. Get rid of items that are broken or damaged and throw away anything that has expired. If an item hasn’t been used in over a year, chances are it’s not needed anymore and should be tossed out too.
Next up: toss anything else you don’t absolutely love! This includes clothes with rips or stains (or just not your style anymore), books that are falling apart at the seams and toys no one plays with anymore. This may seem harsh at first but remember —you’re doing this so you can live green!
Looking for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to decluttering sustainably? Check out our sustainable decluttering guide, which provides helpful tips and strategies for reducing waste, organizing your home, and creating a more sustainable lifestyle.
Review As You Go Through Everything
Now that you’ve taken a look at all your stuff, it’s time to make a plan for how to organize and store everything.
The first thing you’ll want to do is decide which things you love and use regularly. These are the things that should stay in your home; they add value and meaning to your life, and are functional in some way (even if it’s just beauty or comfort).
Next, get rid of everything else! Don’t hold on to anything that doesn’t add value or meaning and don’t worry about being sentimental about items that no longer serve their original purpose; there’s a good chance those memories can be rekindled with new items.
If something seems like it might be useful someday but not now (like an old CD player), consider donating it with the intention of finding another use for it later your local Goodwill Store might even have an electronics recycling program where they’ll take electronics like yours off your hands!
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Review as you go | Take stock of your belongings as you go through them, making note of their condition, usefulness, and sentimental value. |
| Categorize items | Group similar items together to make them easier to organize and store. |
| Use storage solutions | Consider storage options such as Tupperware containers, closet organizers, and under-bed storage boxes to keep your belongings safe, accessible, and organized. |
| Label everything | Create a labeling system for storage containers and boxes to help keep track of your belongings and make it easier to find what you need. |
| Rotate seasonal items | Store items such as clothing and holiday decorations in a seasonal rotation to keep your living space clutter-free and organized. |
This table provides tips for organizing and storing your belongings once you’ve decluttered. As you go through your belongings, it’s important to review each item and assess its value, categorize similar items, use appropriate storage solutions, and create a labeling system to keep track of everything.
Additionally, rotating seasonal items can help keep your living space clutter-free and organized throughout the year.
Be Realistic About Your Possessions
Before you start decluttering, it’s important to be realistic about your possessions. If you haven’t used an item in the last year, it is probably not worth keeping.
The same goes for things that don’t have a specific place to go if you can’t find a good spot for your great-grandmother’s antique armoire or your child’s baby clothes from five years ago, chances are good that these items just take up space in your home and make cleaning more difficult.
Even if you do use an item regularly and know exactly where it lives (or should live), ask yourself whether or not this item serves a purpose beyond its intended use.
For example: do I really need three forks? Or would one suffice? Can I replace my coffee maker with something less wasteful? Are there any ways I can reduce my water consumption when cooking dinner each night?
This exercise will help hone in on which items are truly important to keep around while also helping us get rid of unneeded excesses!
A comfortable, inviting living room is an essential part of any home. If you’re struggling to create a space that feels both cozy and organized, check out our guide to creating a cozy and organized living room. With simple tips and tricks, you can transform your living room into a space that reflects your personal style and meets your organizational needs.
Move To A Smaller Home, Downsize, Or Rent Storage Space
When you live with less, you’re not only lighter on your feet and more agile to respond to changing circumstances, but also better able to enjoy what is truly important in life.
Living in a smaller space allows for an increased focus on what really matters. If I had all that stuff from my first home crammed into our current one, I wouldn’t have room for anything else! It would be so cluttered that there would be no way for me to relax or focus on doing other things I love like writing and spending time with friends.
Downsizing is an excellent idea if you have already decluttered most of your belongings and just have some items left over that need some extra attention before they are ready for donation or recycling.
In this case, downsizing can mean moving into a smaller house while keeping all your possessions; renting storage space; renting out rooms in your home or turning them into an office; or even selling off items on Craigslist (which can help offset the cost of moving). Any way you go about this process will make it easier than ever before!
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Moving to a smaller home | Lower living expenses, less maintenance and upkeep, and more freedom to pursue experiences over things. | The cost and effort of relocating, potential loss of space and privacy, and difficulty adjusting to a new community or lifestyle. |
| Downsizing | Increased financial security, less clutter and stress, and greater freedom and flexibility in daily life. | Difficulty letting go of sentimental possessions, potential difficulty finding suitable new housing, and uncertainty about the future. |
| Renting storage space | Maintaining access and storage for important items, flexibility with seasonal or temporary storage needs, and potential for safe and secure storage. | Ongoing rental costs and fees, potential for overaccumulation of unneeded items, and potential security or safety issues. |
This table provides an overview of the pros and cons of three options for living with less: moving to a smaller home, downsizing, or renting storage space. Depending on individual circumstances and preferences, each option may have benefits and drawbacks.
Consider Getting Rid Of Any Unused Outdoor Space
If you have unused outdoor space, consider using it for something else. You could turn your patio into a garden or have a garage sale and use the proceeds to buy yourself something nice. Or you could use your yard as an extension of your living room by turning it into a play area for kids!
You might be thinking, “But I love my backyard!” Sure! But if you’re looking at this from an environmental standpoint (and let’s face it: who isn’t?) then there are better options than letting all that space sit unused in order to keep warm during winter months when most people aren’t spending their time outside anyway.
Rent Out Rooms In Your Home Or Turn Them Into An Office
You might have a spare bedroom in your house that’s currently not being used for anything. Maybe it’s cluttered with clothes, mementos from years past, and other items that you don’t use regularly but can’t bear to part with yet.
If this sounds like you, consider renting out that extra room on Airbnb or another home-sharing platform.
You can use the money earned from each night at $50/night to pay off rent as well as utilities and other household costs over time—and still live in a clutter-free space!
If you don’t have an extra bedroom (or even if you do), turning an unused area into an office is another way to make some income while reducing clutter around the house. A little bit of furniture goes a long way when creating an efficient workspace:
Try making do with storage cubes instead of filing cabinets; moveable shelving units instead of bookcases; and tables where needed rather than desks taking up room where they’re not needed most often—like bedrooms or kitchens!
Living in a small apartment can be challenging when it comes to finding enough storage space for all of your belongings. But with a little creativity and some organizational know-how, you can maximize the space you have and create a more functional living environment. Check out our guide to maximizing storage in small spaces for creative and practical solutions to apartment living.
Get Rid Of All Nonfunctional Décor Items, But Keep Some Sentimental Items
Don’t hold onto things that don’t bring you joy. If you’ve been holding onto something because it’s pretty or valuable, or because someone gave it to you, or because it was expensive, get rid of it.
Don’t keep things because of their monetary value (unless they’re worth a lot), and don’t keep items just for the sake of having them around. Remember: what matters most is how much an item makes you happy, not where you got it from or how much money it cost.
If an object doesn’t make a space feel like home, then why do we keep them around? If our house looks cluttered and nothing feels organized anymore and if we’re still wondering why we can never find anything in our messy rooms then maybe those things are starting to weigh us down more than they should be doing so already!
| Keep | Ditch |
|---|---|
| Personalized gifts from loved ones | Decorative items you never really liked |
| Family heirlooms and antiques | Mass-produced, generic decor items |
| Handmade items with sentimental value | Clearance items or impulse buys |
| Photos of loved ones and special occasions | Decorations that are broken or damaged beyond repair |
| Unique items from your travels or experiences | Decorations that clash with your current decor style |
This table provides examples of sentimental and nonfunctional decor items that can be kept or decluttered during a simplification process. Keep personalized items, family heirlooms, handmade items, special photos, and unique items from your travels.
Ditch mass-produced items, generic decor, clearance and impulse buys, broken or damaged items, and decorations that don’t match your current style.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to go greener, declutter your home and replace that clutter with something functional.
Choose a few things to keep for sentimental reasons but make sure they have a purpose and are still useful.
If you have any questions about our services or would like more information on how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Further Reading
For more information on minimalism and sustainability, check out these additional resources:
Minimalism and Sustainability: A Perfect Match? – A detailed analysis of the relationship between minimalism and sustainability, including practical tips for incorporating minimalism into your daily life.
Eco-Minimalism: The Intersection Between Minimalism and Sustainability – An in-depth exploration of the overlap between minimalism and eco-friendly living, with helpful tips and strategies for reducing your carbon footprint.
Minimalism and Sustainability: Creating a Simple, Eco-Friendly Lifestyle – A beginner’s guide to minimalism and sustainability, including advice on decluttering, reducing waste, and living a more eco-friendly life.
FAQs
What is minimalism?
Minimalism is a lifestyle that involves intentionally living with less. It’s about simplifying your possessions, schedule, and obligations to focus on what’s most essential and meaningful to you.
How can minimalism promote sustainability?
Minimalism can promote sustainability by reducing the resources required to maintain a certain lifestyle. By living with less, you’re less likely to consume resources at an unsustainable rate.
What are some benefits of minimalism?
Some benefits of minimalism include reduced stress and anxiety, more meaningful relationships, increased creativity and focus, and a heightened sense of purpose and fulfillment.
How can I get started with minimalism?
To get started with minimalism, begin by assessing the items in your home and determining which ones are truly essential to your life. From there, focus on reducing the excess and creating a more intentional, simplified living environment.
How can I incorporate sustainability into my minimalist lifestyle?
To incorporate sustainability into a minimalist lifestyle, consider things like reducing waste, buying secondhand items, using eco-friendly products, and making a concerted effort to reduce your carbon footprint.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.