The key to a minimalist home is clearing away clutter - this includes all that stuff that you don't really need and rarely use as well as frequently used items that simply look untidy. So minimalism is not about simply de-cluttering and throwing away, recycling or donating to charity all those unnecessary possessions that we all seem to accumulate. It is also about being able to store away everyday items that we do use regularly in a way that makes them easily accessible when we need them but out of sight when we don't.
But before considering what minimalism is, let's think about why you would even want to embrace minimalism in your home. What are the advantages to the individual and the family? Can a minimalist home really work with young children and provide a stimulating environment for them to grow up in?
The 3 Advantages of Minimalism in the Home
1 . Your home will look more attractive - imagine the clear uncluttered surfaces with everything neatly stored away until it is needed. No more tripping over children's toys littering the floor. No more shelves full of ornaments you neither like nor want. Just elegant statement pieces of furniture that are shown off to their best because they are surrounded by clear spaces - room to move and room to relax.
2 . Your home will be easier to keep clean - it is so much easier to dust and hoover if the floors and other surfaces are free from too many objects. You won't have to move items on shelves and surfaces before you can clean them so cleaning the home will be a much quicker task.
3. Home life will be calmer - it is much less stressful when it is easy to find everything you need and in a minimalist home everything is neatly stored away in it's own allotted space so is always easy to find. No more rushing around looking for a particular item only to find it under piles of papers and children will always know where to find their favourite toy or book.